Wu Yuanheng - During Emperor Dezong's Reign

During Emperor Dezong's Reign

Wu Yuanheng passed the imperial examinations, probably during the reign of Emperor Suzong's grandson Emperor Dezong. He then served on the staffs of a number of military governors (Jiedushi), before serving as the magistrate of Huayuan County (華原, near the Tang capital Chang'an). It was said that at the time many generals with accomplishments often, because of their accomplishment, disturbed the people and the officials, and Wu, unable to deal with them, resigned after claiming an illness, spending his time in relaxation, feasts, and poems. However, Emperor Dezong knew of his abilities and recalled him to serve as Bibu Yuanwailang (比部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). After about a year, he was promoted to be Zuosi Langzhong (左司郎中), one of the chief secretaries at the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). In 804, he was promoted to be deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). On one occasion, after he finished making reports to Emperor Dezong and was leaving, Emperor Dezong saw him off and commented to the imperial attendants, "Wu Yuanheng truly has the ability to be a chancellor."