Lai Heng


Lai Heng was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.

Background

Lai Heng's family was from Jiangdu. His father Lai Hu'er was a major general during Sui Dynasty and carried the title of Duke of Rong. In 618, while Emperor Yang of Sui was at Jiangdu with the Sui state engulfed in agrarian rebellions, the general Yuwen Huaji led a coup and overthrew Emperor Yang. Yuwen executed a large number of high level officials, and Lai Hu'er, along with most of his family, was killed. Only Lai Heng and his younger brother Lai Ji escaped death.

During Emperor Gaozong's reign

Both Lai Heng and Lai Ji were said to be talented in literature, and their reputations were said to be equivalent—although much more is known about Lai Ji's career than Lai Heng's, due to Lai Ji's famed opposition to the ascension of Emperor Gaozong of Tang's second wife Empress Wu in 655, when Lai Ji was already chancellor.
What is known about Lai Heng's career was that as of 676, he was serving as Huangmen Shilang, the deputy head of the examination bureau of government, when he was given the designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin, making him a chancellor de facto. However, his acts as chancellor were not recorded in history. He died in 678, while still serving as chancellor.