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It was said that Emperor Xuānzong respected Jiang's opinion. On one occasion in 858, when he was meeting Jiang privately (as the officials who were one level below chancellors, known as the "Second Tier Officials" (次對官, Cidui Guan) were allowed to do), Bo Yang Edition of the Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 60 858. Jiang made the comment to Emperor Xuānzong, "These days, it is easy to gain official positions, and people take dangerous risks." Emperor Xuānzong, in surprise, responded, "If this goes on, disturbances will occur." Jiang responded, "Not yet, but if too many people take dangerous risks, it is not difficult for disturbances to occur." As Jiang was about to leave, Emperor Xuānzong kept him three times, stating, "Soon I will not be able to meet with you again privately." Jiang did not understand Emperor's implications, but it soon became clear, as Emperor Xuānzong gave him the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. (After he was named chancellor, he would have to meet with Emperor Xuānzong along with other chancellors and could no longer meet with Emperor Xuānzong alone.) Four months later, he was relieved of his director of taxation responsibilities, and given the additional title of Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎, deputy head of the legislative bureau).
During Emperors Yizong's and Xizong's reigns
Emperor Xuānzong died in 859 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Yizong. Jiang Shen remained chancellor and was also made the minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu) and put charge of overseeing the editing of the imperial history. In 862, he was removed from his chancellor position and made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), continuing to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 250. He was later transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng, Henan); the order transferring him also referred to him as the Duke of Le'an, indicating that he had been created that title sometime prior. Soon thereafter, though, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince, with his office at Luoyang.As there was no crown prince at the time, the title was entirely honorary. In 866, he was made the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan, Shaanxi). He was later again made an advisor to the crown prince, when he retired on account of age. He probably died in 881, during the reign of Emperor Yizong's son Emperor Xizong.
Notes and references
Categories: 799 Births, 881 Deaths, Chancellors Under Emperor Xuānzong Of Tang, Chancellors Under Emperor Yizong Of Tang, Tang Dynasty Historians, Tang Dynasty Jiedushi Of Hezhong Circuit, Tang Dynasty Jiedushi Of Xuanwu Circuit, Politicians From Luoyang, Historians From Henan, Tang Dynasty Generals From Henan, Writers From Luoyang
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