Xie Jin (mandarin)

Xie Jin (Chinese: 解縉, 1369–1415), courtesy name Dashen (大紳), art name Chunyu (春雨), was a Chinese calligrapher, poet, and politician during the Ming dynasty.

Not to be confused with Xie Jin (painter).
In this Chinese name, the family name is Xie.
Xie Jin
Portrait of Xie Jin by Gu Jianlong
Senior Grand Secretary
In office
1402–1407
Preceded byHuang Huai (acting)
Succeeded byHu Guang
Personal details
Born1369
modern-day Jishui County, Ji'an
Died1415 (aged 45–46)
NationalityChinese
OccupationCalligrapher, poet, politician
Signature

He served as Senior Grand Secretary (首輔), the most senior member of the Grand Secretariat during the reign of the Yongle Emperor. He was very knowledgeable and was appreciated by the emperor. In 1403, he was ordered to write a compilation of every subject and every known book of the Chinese.[1] Xie was appointed chief compiler of this encyclopedia, later named the Yongle Encyclopedia, and completed it by 1408.[2][3]

The Yongle Emperor wanted to depose the Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi (later the Hongxi Emperor), and asked him for advice. Xie said: "The Crown Prince has benevolence and filial piety. Throughout the empire all hearts turn to him." (皇太子仁孝 天下歸心) Yongle didn't reply. Then Xie said: "What a wise grandson!" (好聖孫) Xie hinted that Yongle had high hopes that Zhu Zhanji (later the Xuande Emperor), the eldest son of Gaochi, might be an excellent monarch in future, so Gaochi should be the next emperor. Gaochi remained in his position, but Xie was hated by the emperor's favorite son, Zhu Gaoxu. In 1406, Yongle decided to attack Vietnam. Xie strongly opposed the idea, but the emperor rejected his advice. He was dismissed from the Grand Secretariat and banished first to Guangxi and then to Jiaozhi (Vietnam).[3]

Xie was accused by Zhu Gaoxu and thrown into the prison in 1410. Five years later, he was murdered in Nanjing by Embroidered Uniform Guard — they got him drunk and then buried him under snow. His family was exiled to Liaodong.[2]

Xie was rehabilitated by the Chenghua Emperor, and given the posthumous name Wenyi (文毅) in 1465.[3]

References
  1. "Preface". Archived from the original on 2018-09-30. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  2. 明朝第一位首辅，因得罪朱棣，被锦衣卫灌醉后埋到雪地中活活冻死
  3. History of Ming, vol. 147
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