Zheng Xunyu - During Emperor Shunzong's and Emperor Xianzong's Reigns

During Emperor Shunzong's and Emperor Xianzong's Reigns

In 805, Emperor Dezong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor Shunzong. Emperor Shunzong made Zheng Xunyu the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Libu Shangshu) and still a chancellor. At that time, Emperor Shunzong's close associate Wang Shuwen had become very powerful and was allied with Zheng's chancellor colleague Wei Zhiyi. On an occasion, when the chancellors, as per custom, were having lunch together, Wang wanted to see Wei and went to the office of the chancellors to do so. When a guard refused to let Wang in, Wang rebuked the guard and ordered him away. Wei rose from his seat and walked away to confer with Wang. Zheng, and the other chancellors Du You and Gao Ying, stopped dining and waited for Wei to return. After a while, they sent the guard to see what the situation was, and the guard stated, "Wang Shuwen had requested food, and Chancellor Wei is dining with him." Neither Du nor Gao dared to say anything, but Zheng stated, "How can I remain here still?" He had his attendants fetch horses, and he went home and stayed there for seven days, refusing to leave his bed. Several months later, when Emperor Shunzong, then seriously ill, passed the throne to his son Emperor Xianzong, Zheng and Gao were removed as chancellors. Zheng himself died several months later and was given posthumous honors and the posthumous name Wenxian (文獻, meaning "civil and wise"). His sons Zheng Tan and Zheng Lang later served as chancellors during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Xuānzong, respectively.