Xie Jin (mandarin)
Xie Jin (Chinese: 解縉, 1369–1415), courtesy name Dashen (大紳), art name Chunyu (春雨), was a Chinese scholar-official and poet during the Ming dynasty.
He served as Chief Grand Secretary (首輔), the most senior Grand Secretariat during the reign of Yongle Emperor. He was very knowledgeable and was appreciated by the Emperor. In 1403, he was ordered to write a compilation of every subject and every known book of the Chinese.[1] Xie was appointed chief compiler of this encyclopedia, which later named the Yongle Encyclopedia, and completed it by 1408.[2][3]
Yongle Emperor wanted to depose the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi (later Hongxi Emperor), and asked him for advice. Xie said: "The Crown Prince has benevolence and filial piety, throughout the empire all hearts turn to him." (皇太子仁孝 天下歸心) Yongle didn't reply. Then Xie said: "What a wise grandson!" (好聖孫) Xie hinted that Yongle had high hopes that Zhu Zhanji (later Xuande Emperor), the eldest son Gaochi, might be an excellent monarch in future, so Gaochi should be the next emperor. Gaochi remained in his position, but Xie was hated by the emperor's favorite son, Zhu Gaoxu. In 1406, Yongle decided to attack Vietnam, it was strongly opposed by Xie, but the emperor didn't adopted his suggestion. He was dismissed from Grand Secretariat and banished to Guangxi, then to Jiaozhi (Vietnam).[3]
Xie was accused by Zhu Gaoxu and thrown into the prison in 1410. Five years later, he was murdered in Nanjing by Embroidered Uniform Guard. His family was exiled to Liaodong.[2]
Xie was rehabilitated by Chenghua Emperor, and given the posthumous name Wenyi (文毅) in 1465.[3]
References
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by title created |
Chief Grand Secretary of the Ming Dynasty 1402 – 1407 |
Succeeded by Hu Guang |
Authority control  |
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