It is not known when Ouyang Tong was born, but it is known that his family was from Tan Prefecture. His father Ouyang Xun was a famed calligrapher and served as an official during Tang's predecessor Sui Dynasty and early Tang, receiving the title of Baron of Bohai, dying in his 80s. Ouyang Tong was said to be still young when Ouyang Xun died. His mother Lady Xu taught him the calligraphic techniques of Ouyang Xun and gave him money when he wrote well. Eventually, Ouyang Tong was nearly as good at calligraphy as his father.
During Emperor Gaozong's reign and Emperor Ruizong's first reign
By Emperor Gaozong's Yifeng era, Ge had become Zhongshu Sheren, a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government. When his mother died, he was recalled to the imperial administration after observing a brief mourning period, but throughout the next four years, whenever he went home, he would change into mourning clothes and live in a small hut. During the Chuigong era of Emperor Gaozong's son Emperor Ruizong, he served as the director of palace affairs and was created the Viscount of Bohai.
During Wu Zetian's reign
In 690, Emperor Ruizong's mother Empress Dowager Wu took the throne herself as "emperor," establishing Zhou Dynasty and interrupting Tang Dynasty. She made Ouyang Tong the minister of defense. In 691, he was made minister of rites and actingNayan, the head of the examination bureau of government and a post considered one for a chancellor. However, about a month later, Ouyang became engulfed in a controversy and offended Wu Zetian. At that time, there was a movement led by one Wang Qingzhi to have Wu Zetian's nephew Wu Chengsi created crown prince, displacing her son Li Dan. Ouyang's senior colleagueCen Changqian strenuously opposed and wanted that Wang's group of petitioners be disbanded. Ouyang supported Cen. As a result, Wu Zetian had him, Cen, and another chancellor Ge Fuyuanarrested and interrogated by her secret police official Lai Junchen. Lai tortured Ouyang severely, but Ouyang refused to confess to treason, so Lai forged a confession in his name. Soon, Ouyang, Cen, and Ge were executed. After Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup in 705 and her son Li Xian, himself a former emperor, was restored to the throne, Ouyang's titles were posthumously restored.
