Wang Zeng

Wang Zeng (977-1038), courtesy name Xiaoxian, was born in Qingzhou. He had ever held the post as high as prime minister. At an early age, his parents died and he was adopted by his uncle. He worked very hard and his writing stood out around the surrounding areas. He used to study in ``Aisong Yuan`` in Qingzhou (now located in Qingzhou No. 1 Middle School). During the Xianping years of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, Wang passed the imperial examination to attain the degree of zhuangyuan. Yangyi, one examiner in that examination, exclaimed: ``What a useful person to help the court.`` He first went to Jizhou and then went to Kaifeng, the capital of Song Dynasty. On hearing of well-informed Wang,the prime minister Kouzhun interviewed Wang, and was deeply impressed with him. Then Wang was assigned a variety of positions in court. As an official in the capital, Wang was very frank to express his views on the matters concerning the state and common people. Emperor Zhenzong trusted him and appointed him as a scholar in Hanlin Academy. In the reign of Emperor Renzong, Wang was promoted to prime minister, an advisor to the Emperor. He appreciated the well-learned people eligible for state service and punished those once discovered who got promotion through personal and illegal contacts. Once Emperor Renzong asked him how to deal with the recommendation of the ministers for some people, Wang said that recruitment system of officials should be mainly through examination rather than personal contacts and alliances. Through examination, Fan Zhongyan and Bao Zheng was selected and appointed important posts. Although he was in a very prominent post, and he had selected many eligible officials, he had never exalted himself. Once, when Fan Zhongyan asked him why he didn`t publicize his achievements as a prime minister, he said: ``That was my duty to help the emperors. If I should be praised, who should be blamed?`` Fan Zhongyan was deeply impressed with his words. His works included 30 volumes of Jiu Cheng Tu (Nine Cities Layout), one volume of Qidan Zhi (History of Qidan). After his death, Emperor Renzong wrote for his tomb: Tomb of Sage. Then his hometown was renamed Jixian (village of sage).