Niu Sengru

出自全球本体聚合平台

公开 可引用 更新于 2026-09-13

Life and career

His lineage was traced to Qizhang Gong Hong, a Sui officeholder. His father is named as Niu Youjian or Niu Youwen, and his father-in-law as Xin Mi[5]. His sons included Niu Cong and Niu Fengqian; Niu Wei was the eldest and Niu Ju the second son[6].

His sons-in-law included Miao Yin, Zhang Zhu, Deng Chang, Deng Shu, and Zhang Xifu; his grandsons included Zhang Du, Niu Jiao, and Niu Zheng[7].

At fifteen, he went to Chang’an to study. In Zhenyuan 19 (803), Wei Zhiyi sent Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan to visit him at Fanxiang, and he became known; he passed the Jinshi examination in Zhenyuan 21, a date also given as 805[8]. In Yuanhe 3 (808), he passed the Xianliang Fangzheng neng zhiyan jijian examination, placing first in the policy essays; his direct criticism of maladministration brought him under Li Jifu’s censure or suspicion, and he was appointed magistrate of Yique, where he remained without advancement for a long time[9].

He later served as magistrate of Henan, Investigating Censor, Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites, Vice Director of Merit Evaluation, Director of the Kubu, drafter of edicts, Palace Censor-in-Chief, and Vice Minister of Revenue; his earlier career also included Duguan yuanwailang and Shiyushi[10]. During the Changqing era under Muzong, he became Vice Minister of Revenue and then a chancellor. After Jingzong came to the throne, he was made Zhongshu shilang and received the honorific title Yinqing Guanglu Dafu before being sent out as military governor of Wuchang[11]. The timing of his enfeoffment as Duke of Qizhang is disputed: one account places it under Jingzong, while another treats it as a posthumous enfeoffment[12].

In the fourth year of Taihe (830), under Wenzong, he returned to court and again became chancellor as Minister of War; he later governed the Huainan circuit. In the second year of Kaicheng (837), he became grand defender of the eastern capital, was recalled as Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, and was sent again to Xiangzhou and the Shannan East Circuit, eventually being advanced to Situ[13]. Apart from circuit commands, he served as prefect of Jiangxia (825–830), Yangzhou (832–837), and Luoyang (837–838 and 842–844)[14]. He also served as prefect of Xiangyang (839–841) and of Tingzhou from 844[15].

In the fourth year of Huichang (844), while Li Deyu dominated the court, Niu Sengru was demoted to chief clerk of Xunzhou. After Xuanzong took the throne, he was transferred to the posts of chief clerk of Hengzhou and Ruzhou and again became Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince[16]. He died at Luoyang, was posthumously presented with the title Grand Commandant, and received the posthumous names Wenjian and Wenzhen in different accounts[17]. Close to Li Zongmin and Linghu Chu, he became the leader of the faction later called the Niu faction; his side clashed with Li Deyu’s, in what became known as the Niu–Li Partisan Struggle[18].

Literary work and associations

When he first sat for the Jinshi examination, he travelled with books and a zither around the Ba and Chan rivers and presented his writings to Han Yu and Huangfu Shi. After reading his essay “Shuo Yue,” the two praised it and inscribed the gate of Qinglong Temple; metropolitan literati came to see the inscription the next day, and his reputation as Qizhang became prominent[19]. He was known for his prose and as a poet; four poems, nine fragments, one additional poem, and two additional fragments are counted among the surviving pieces[20].

He wrote the ten-volume tale collection *Xuanguai lu*, also known as *Youguai lu*. Other titles associated with his writings include *Zhou Qin Xingji*, *Qi Tui Nüzhuan*, and *Mingyu Zhuan*, each in one scroll, as well as a collection titled *Niu Sengru ji*[21]. He was a friend of Li Zongmin and exchanged poems and prose with Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, and Li Shangyin; Du Mu wrote his epitaph[22].

Local service and posthumous memory

He served in Hubei for six years and spent five years rebuilding the walls of Ezhou, making the Yellow Crane Tower an independent scenic structure. Qizhang Pavilion on Snake Hill was built to commemorate his posthumous enfeoffment as Duke of Qizhang[23].

TimelineCBDB

  1. 818 侍御史 元和
  2. 818 都官員外郎 元和
  3. 820 庫部郎中 元和
  4. 820 御史中丞 元和
  5. 820 知制誥 元和
  6. 821 戶部侍郎 長慶
  7. 822 同中書門下平章事 長慶
  8. 825 州刺史 寶曆
  9. 825 節度使 寶曆
  10. 830 兵部尚書 大和
  11. 830 同中書門下平章事 大和
  12. 832 州刺史 大和
  13. 837 州刺史 開成
  14. 837 東都留守 開成
  15. 839 州刺史 開成
  16. 839 節度使 開成
  17. 842 太子少保 會昌
  18. 842 州刺史 會昌
  19. 844 州刺史 會昌
  20. 844 州員外長史 會昌
  21. 846 州長史 會昌
  22. 846 州長史 會昌

Office recordsCBDB

OfficeFromToEraPosting
侍御史818元和
都官員外郎818元和
庫部郎中820元和
御史中丞820元和
知制誥820元和
戶部侍郎821長慶
同中書門下平章事822長慶
州刺史825830寶曆江夏
節度使825寶曆武昌軍節度
兵部尚書830大和
同中書門下平章事830大和
州刺史832837大和揚州
州刺史837838開成洛陽
東都留守837開成
州刺史839841開成襄陽
節度使839開成山南東道
太子少保842會昌
州刺史842844會昌洛陽
州刺史844會昌汀州
州員外長史844會昌循州
州長史846會昌衡州
州長史846會昌汝州
Year unknown19
OfficeEraPosting
丞相Era unknownUnknown
中書侍郎Era unknownUnknown
太子太傅Era unknownUnknown
太子少保Era unknownUnknown
太子少師Era unknownUnknown
太尉Era unknownUnknown
東都留守Era unknownUnknown
殿中侍御史Era unknownUnknown
監察御史Era unknownUnknown
禮部員外郎Era unknownUnknown
節度使Era unknown淮南節度使
節度使Era unknown淮南道
縣尉Era unknown伊闕
縣尉Era unknown河南
考功員外郎Era unknownUnknown
郡公Era unknown奇章郡
開國公Era unknown奇章郡
集賢殿大學士Era unknownUnknown
集賢殿直學士Era unknownUnknown

FamilyCBDB

RelationNameLife
未詳張氏(張繼女)775–841
父牛幼簡–
父牛幼聞–802
岳父辛祕757–820
子牛藂–
子牛奉倩–876
女婿苗愔–
女婿張洙–
女婿鄧敞–854
長子; 第一子牛蔚–
次子牛聚–
孫張讀834–
孫牛蟜–
孫牛徴–
長女婿苗愔–
二女婿張洙–
四女婿鄧叔–
三女婿張希復–

AliasesCBDB

  • 思默(思黯) 字
  • 思黯 字
  • 文簡 諡號
  • 文貞 諡號
  • 牛二 行第

StatusCBDB

  • 詩人
  • 工於文
  • [宰相]

AssociationsCBDB

PersonRelationYears
李宗閔友–
柳仲郢辟838–
杜牧墓誌銘由杜牧所作838–
薛濤相唱和–
白居易贈詩、文–
李道樞贈詩、文–
杜牧收到杜牧的贈詩、文–
李商隱收到李商隱的贈詩、文–
白居易收到白居易的贈詩、文–
劉禹錫收到劉禹錫的贈詩、文–
盧肇收到盧肇的贈詩、文–
李紳收到李紳的贈詩、文–
張祜收到張祜的贈詩、文–
皇甫松收到皇甫松的贈詩、文–
李逢勳收到李逢勳的贈詩、文–
蒯希逸收到蒯希逸的贈詩、文–
羅虬收到羅虬的贈詩、文–

ExaminationsCBDB

RecordRank
科舉: 進士(籠統)
科舉制舉: 賢良方正能直言極諫科

WorksCBDB

TitleRoleYearEra
牛僧孺集
玄怪錄
周秦行紀一卷撰著者
齊推女傳一卷撰著者
冥遇傳一卷撰著者

Citations

  1. [1] Dates The dates attached to Niu Sengru differ between 779–847 and 780–848.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The basic biographical entry gives 780 as the birth year and 848 as the death year.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts give the alternative ranges 779–847, 780–848, and 779–847.
    • WikidataNiu Sengru (Q6140203)The date statements separately preserve birth years 779 and 780 and a death date in 849.
  2. [2] Identity Niu Sengru is identified as a Tang official, scholar, poet, and chancellor.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The biographical classifications identify him as a Tang person, poet, literary figure, and chancellor.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe him as a Tang official and scholar and discuss his poetry.
    • WikidataNiu Sengru (Q6140203)The English identity entry names him Niu Sengru and describes him as a Tang chancellor.
  3. [3] Additional dating A further set of date statements gives birth in 779 or 780 and death in 849.
  4. [4] Style and origin Niu Sengru was styled Sian, also recorded as Simo (Sian), ranked second, and associated with An Ding Chungu or Longxi Didao, with An Ding as his commandery affiliation.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The name and address entries provide Simo (Sian), Sian, the second-place family ranking, and the Lingtai and Chungu place names.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts give his style name, family ranking, An Ding commandery affiliation, and the alternative Chungu and Didao origins.
    • WikidataNiu Sengru (Q6140203)The English aliases include Sian and Simo(Sian).
  5. [5] Lineage and parents His lineage was traced to Qizhang Gong Hong; his father is given as Niu Youjian or Niu Youwen, and his father-in-law as Xin Mi.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The epitaph text traces him to the Sui officeholder Qizhang Gong Hong.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The kinship entries give the two father names Niu Youjian and Niu Youwen and name Xin Mi as the father-in-law.
  6. [6] Children His children included Niu Cong, Niu Fengqian, Niu Wei, and Niu Ju, with Niu Wei identified as eldest and Niu Ju as the second son.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The kinship entries list Niu Cong and Niu Fengqian as sons and identify Niu Wei and Niu Ju as the eldest and second sons.
  7. [7] In-laws and descendants The kinship entries list five sons-in-law and three grandsons.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The kinship entries list Miao Yin, Zhang Zhu, Deng Chang, Deng Shu, and Zhang Xifu as sons-in-law and Zhang Du, Niu Jiao, and Niu Zheng as grandsons.
  8. [8] Education and Jinshi At fifteen, Niu Sengru went to Chang’an to study; in 803 he was visited at Fanxiang by Liu Yuxi and Liu Zongyuan, became known, and passed the Jinshi examination in Zhenyuan 21, also dated to 805.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe his study in Chang’an at fifteen, the 803 visit, the Zhenyuan 21 Jinshi degree, and the alternative Gregorian year 805.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The examination entry records the Jinshi qualification.
  9. [9] Special examination and first appointment In 808 he passed the Xianliang Fangzheng neng zhiyan jijian examination, ranked first in the policy essays, and was appointed magistrate of Yique after criticism or suspicion from Li Jifu, remaining without advancement for a long time.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe the 808 examination, the first-ranked policy essay, criticism or suspicion from Li Jifu, the Yique appointment, and the delayed advancement.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The examination entry records the Xianliang Fangzheng neng zhiyan jijian examination.
  10. [10] Early offices He held a sequence of civil and censorial offices, including Henan magistrate, Investigating Censor, Ministry of Rites and Merit Evaluation posts, Kubu langzhong, drafter of edicts, Palace Censor-in-Chief, Vice Minister of Revenue, Duguan yuanwailang, and Shiyushi.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The career summary lists the Henan, censorial, Ministry of Rites, Merit Evaluation, Kubu, edict-drafting, Palace Censor, and Revenue offices.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries add Henan, Investigating Censor, Ministry of Rites, Merit Evaluation, Kubu, edict-drafting, Palace Censor, Revenue, Duguan, and Shiyushi posts.
  11. [11] Muzong and Jingzong During the Changqing era he became Vice Minister of Revenue and a chancellor; under Jingzong he received further titles and was sent out as military governor of Wuchang.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe the Changqing chancellorship, the Zhongshu shilang and Yinqing Guanglu Dafu appointments, and the Wuchang military governorship.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries list Revenue, chancellorship, Zhongshu shilang, and the Wuchang military command.
  12. [12] Duke of Qizhang The timing of Niu Sengru’s enfeoffment as Duke of Qizhang is disputed, with one account placing it under Jingzong and another after his death.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)One biographical text calls the title posthumous, while two others place the enfeoffment under Jingzong.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries preserve the Duke of Qizhang title and its commandery name.
  13. [13] Wenzong career Under Wenzong he returned to court, again became chancellor as Minister of War, governed Huainan, held the eastern-capital command, served at Xiangzhou and in the Shannan East Circuit, and rose to Situ.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The career texts list the 830 return and renewed chancellorship, Huainan, the eastern capital, Left Vice Director, Xiangzhou, Shannan East Circuit, and Situ appointments.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries list Minister of War, chancellorship, Huainan, the eastern capital, and Shannan East Circuit, including 837 as the start of the eastern-capital post.
  14. [14] Other prefectures one He served as prefect of Jiangxia, Yangzhou, and Luoyang in the stated periods.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries give the Jiangxia, Yangzhou, and two Luoyang prefectures and their dates.
  15. [15] Other prefectures two He also served as prefect of Xiangyang and Tingzhou from the stated dates.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries give Xiangyang in 839–841 and Tingzhou from 844.
  16. [16] Demotion and restoration In 844 he was demoted to chief clerk of Xunzhou; under Xuanzong he was moved to Hengzhou and Ruzhou and again became Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe the 844 demotion, Li Deyu’s ascendancy, the Hengzhou and Ruzhou transfers, and the return to Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office entries preserve the Xunzhou, Hengzhou, Ruzhou, and Junior Preceptor posts.
  17. [17] Death and posthumous honors He died at Luoyang, received the posthumous title Grand Commandant, and is given the posthumous names Wenjian and Wenzhen.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts give Luoyang as the place of death, Grand Commandant as the posthumous presentation, and Wenjian and Wenzhen as alternative posthumous names.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The office and name entries preserve Grand Commandant and the two posthumous names.
  18. [18] Niu–Li conflict Niu Sengru was close to Li Zongmin and Linghu Chu, led the Niu faction, and clashed with Li Deyu’s side in the Niu–Li Partisan Struggle.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The biographical texts describe his alliance with Li Zongmin, his closeness to Linghu Chu, the Niu faction, and the conflict with Li Deyu’s party.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The association entry identifies Li Zongmin as his friend.
    • WikidataNiu Sengru (Q6140203)The English description calls him a Tang chancellor; the corresponding description identifies him as the Niu-faction leader in the Niu–Li conflict.
  19. [19] Early literary reputation His early Jinshi anecdote concerns his writings, Han Yu, Huangfu Shi, the essay Shuo Yue, and the Qinglong Temple inscription that drew metropolitan literati.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The anecdote describes his books and zither, visits to Han Yu and Huangfu Shi, the essay Shuo Yue, the Qinglong Temple inscription, and the resulting fame.
  20. [20] Poetry He was known for prose and poetry; the surviving counts include four poems, nine fragments, one additional poem, and two additional fragments.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The status entries classify him as a poet and as skilled in prose.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The literary texts give the counts of surviving poems, fragments, an additional poem, and additional fragments.
  21. [21] Works His works include the ten-volume Xuanguai lu, also called Youguai lu, three one-scroll titles, and a collection titled Niu Sengru ji.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The literary texts identify Xuanguai lu as a tale collection, give its ten-scroll extent and the Youguai lu variant, and discuss his writings.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The title entries preserve Niu Sengru ji, Xuanguai lu, and the three one-scroll works.
  22. [22] Literary associations He was Li Zongmin’s friend, exchanged poems and prose with Bai Juyi, Liu Yuxi, and Li Shangyin, and had his epitaph written by Du Mu.
    • CBDBNiu Sengru (32054)The associations list Li Zongmin as a friend, Du Mu as the epitaph author, and poetic or prose exchanges with Bai Juyi, Li Shangyin, and Liu Yuxi.
  23. [23] Hubei service and memorials He served in Hubei for six years, rebuilt the walls of Ezhou over five years, and was commemorated by Qizhang Pavilion on Snake Hill.
    • Souyun牛僧孺 (18505)The local account gives six years of service in Hubei, five years rebuilding Ezhou’s walls, the Yellow Crane Tower’s independent scenic status, and Qizhang Pavilion’s commemorative purpose.