Han Yuan

Han Yuan (韓瑗) (606–659), courtesy name Boyu (伯玉), formally Duke of Yingchuan (潁川公), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. He drew the ire of Emperor Gaozong by opposing the removal of Emperor Gaozong's first wife Empress Wang and replacement by his favorite concubine, Consort Wu (later known as Wu Zetian) and was exiled. He died in 659, just in advance of a wave of reprisals initiated by the new Empress Wu and her allies that would have included his execution had he not died.

Han Yuan was born in 606, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui. His family was from the region of Sui's (and later its successor Tang's) capital Chang'an. His grandfather Han Shao (韓紹) served as deputy minister of husbandry during Sui Dynasty, and his father Han Zhongliang (韓仲良) served as deputy minister of justice during the reign of Tang Dynasty's founder Emperor Gaozu. For Han Zhongliang's contributions in revising the laws during Emperor Gaozu's reign, he was later promoted during the reign of Emperor Gaozu's son and successor Emperor Taizong to be minister of justice and was created the Duke of Yingchuan, a title that Han Yuan later inherited.

Han Yuan himself was described to be full of integrity and knowledge when he was young, and was said to have skills fit for officials. During Emperor Taizong's reign, he inherited the title of Duke of Yingchuan from Han Zhongliang, and eventually served as deputy minister of defense.

In 652, after Emperor Taizong had died in 649 and been succeeded by his son Li Zhi (as Emperor Gaozong). Han Yuan became acting Huangmen Shilang (黃門侍郎) -- the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). He was also given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. In 654, he was given the honorific title Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫). In 655, he became Shizhong (侍中) -- the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor, and he was also made a staff member of Emperor Gaozong's son and crown prince Li Zhong.

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