Tang Xiujing

Tang Xiujing (唐休璟; 627–712), formal name Tang Xuan (唐璿) but went by the courtesy name of Xiujing, formally Duke Zhong of Song (宋忠公), was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong and her grandson Emperor Shang.

Tang Xiujing was born in 627, during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His family was from the Tang Dynasty capital Chang'an, and for generations had served as officials of Tang's predecessor dynasties Northern Zhou and Sui Dynasty. Tang Xiujing's great-grandfather Tang Gui (唐規) served as a general during Northern Zhou and carried the title of Duke of Anyi. Tang Xiujing's grandfather Tang Zong (唐宗) served as the secretary general of Shuofang Commandery (朔方, roughly modern Yulin, Shaanxi) late in the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, and was killed when Liang Shidu rose against Emperor Yang and captured Shuofang, as he refused to submit to Liang. Tang Xiujing's father Tang Xie (唐諧) served as the magistrate of Xianyang County (咸陽, in modern Xianyang, Shaanxi).

Tang Xiujing passed the imperial examinations in his youth, and started his civil service career early in the reign of Emperor Gaozong (Emperor Taizong's son), during Emperor Gaozong's Yonghui era (650-656) by serving as the communications officer at the mansion of Emperor Gaozong's brother Li Ke the Prince of Wu. He did not distinguish himself, and later served as the census officer at Ying Prefecture (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning).

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