Why is Yao Chong called the celebrity of Kaiyuan?

Yao Chong (650 ~ 72 1) was born in Shi Xia, Shaanxi (now Sanmenxia, Henan). Yao Chong's real name was Yuan Chong, but later he avoided the first year's number, so he was named Chong. His father, Yao Goodwill, served as a local governor during the Zhenguan period.

When Wu Zetian was in power, Yao Chong, as a filial piety to Wan Lang, wanted to write a formal inspection. Because of his outstanding performance, he was awarded the post of state treasury to join the army, and later transferred to Xia Guan (that is, the Ministry of War). At that time, Qidan Li was loyal to Hebei rebellion, and Yao Chong wrote to Wu Zetian, offering advice and suggestions for the rebellion. Wu Zetian attached great importance to this smooth and orderly memorial, so she promoted him to assistant minister Xia Guan. In the first year of the Holy Calendar (698), he was promoted to Tongfeng Pavilion and Luantai Pingzhang as Prime Minister.

During the period when ancient famous paintings were portraits, Yao Chong told Wu Zetian Chen many times about the drawbacks of cruel officials' politics, which was highly valued by Wu Zetian and played a positive role in promoting the political development in the late Wu and Zhou Dynasties. Since then, Yao Chong has also served as the minister of Xia Guan (that is, the minister of war) and the minister of Chun Guan (that is, the minister of rites), and still falls in love with Fengge. Soon, he was demoted as the general manager of Lingwu Dao (governing Lingwu in Ningxia today) for offending the Zhang brothers who were favored by Wu Zetian. Before Yao Chong left Beijing for his post, he recommended Zhang Jianzhi to the Queen, which laid the groundwork for the coup in the Tang Dynasty.

In the first year of Shenlong (705), courtiers such as Zhang Jian and Huan conspired against the overbearing Zhang brothers. After the recovery of the Tang Dynasty, Yao Chong participated in the plot and was an important figure behind the coup. However, when Wu Zetian abdicated, Zhongzong ascended the throne, and the ministers of the Qing Dynasty rejoiced, Yao Chong wept alone because of the gratitude of the Queen. Therefore, it was demoted as the secretariat of Bozhou (now Bozhou, Anhui Province). In the second year of Zongrui Jingyun (7 10), Yao Chong became prime minister again. At that time, Princess Taiping intervened in state affairs, and the contradiction with Prince Li Longji was very fierce. In order to ease the contradiction, Zong Rui demoted Yao Chong, who was closely related to the Prince, to a foreign secretariat.

In October of the first year of Kaiyuan (7 13), after Xuanzong ascended the throne, Yao Chong became prime minister again. Xuanzong just acceded to the throne, paid attention to the rule of law, and often discussed military affairs with him. Yao Chong then put forward ten suggestions to Xuanzong, including changing severe punishment and heavy law into benevolent government, not seeking border affairs and belligerence, not allowing eunuchs to interfere in political affairs, getting rid of officials who were randomly set up in the previous dynasty, not allowing close relatives and slaves to break the law, putting an end to contributions other than formal taxes, stopping building temples and palaces, and having etiquette between monarch and minister. These suggestions were approved by Xuanzong, which laid the foundation for the formation of "the rule of Kaiyuan". Yao Chong also presided over the cleaning of Buddhist temples in the world and ordered the secularization of monks and nuns with as many as 10,000 people; Vigorously carry out locust control campaign and develop agricultural production; Rectify and clean up aristocratic households, cut off too many households, and prohibit households from collecting rent directly from households.

In the early years of Kaiyuan, Xuanzong made great efforts and entrusted many major events to Yao Chong. Yao Chong can also shoulder the heavy responsibility of assisting the country and make an indelible contribution to the prosperity of Kaiyuan. At that time, people called him and another prime minister, Song Jing, "Yao Song", and they were also called Tang Dynasty celebrities with Zhenguan celebrities Fang and Du Ruhui.