Yang Sifu

Yang Sifu (楊嗣復) (783–848), courtesy name Jizhi (繼之), nickname Qingmen (慶門), formally Count Xiaomu of Hongnong (弘農孝穆伯), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong and (briefly) the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong. He was considered one of the leaders of the Niu Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles.

Yang Sifu was born in 783, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. His ancestors claimed origins from the royal house of Zhou Dynasty, through a series of officials of the State of Jin of the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Han of the Warring States period, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Former Yan, Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty. Yang Sifu's great-grandfather Yang Guansu (楊冠俗) and grandfather Yang Taiqing (楊太清) both served at the county government level.

Yang Sifu's father Yang Yuling (楊於陵), however, would eventually become a prominent official. Prior to Yang Yuling's becoming prominent, he served a term as the sheriff of Jurong County (句容, in modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu). The governor of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang), which Jurong was in, Han Huang (who would, eventually, become a chancellor), was impressed with Yang Yuling. At that time, Han was looking for a husband for his daughter, and he stated to his wife Lady Liu, "I have met many people, but none appears as primed for honors and long life as Mr. Yang. His son will be a chancellor." He thus gave his daughter to Yang Yuling in marriage. After Yang Yuling's term as the sheriff of Jurong for a time, he stayed at nearby Yang Prefecture (揚州, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), where Yang Sifu was born. When Han eventually was able to see Yang Sifu, he stroked Yang Sifu's head and stated, "Your name and position will exceed your father's. This is a great celebration for the Yang household." He thus nicknamed Yang Sifu "Qingmen" (meaning, "celebration at the gate"). It was said that when Yang Sifu was six or seven, he could already write well.

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