Wei Baoheng , courtesy nameYunyong, was an official of the Chinese dynastyTang dynasty. He became extremely powerful late in the reign of his father-in-law Emperor Yizong, rising to the post of chancellor and becoming the most powerful official at court, but after Emperor Yizong's death was accused of crimes, exiled, and forced to commit suicide.
Background
It is not known when Wei Baoheng was born. He was a member of the prominent Wei clan of Jingzhao, in the branch that was known as the Duke of Pingqi Branch—named after one of his ancestors, Wei Tian, who carried the title of Duke of Pingqi during Northern Zhou. Wei Baoheng's ancestors traced their male-line ancestry through a line of officials of Han dynasty, Cao Wei, Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui dynasty, and Tang. His grandfather Wei Yuanzhen was not listed with any official titles, although both Wei Yuanzhen and Wei Baoheng's father Wei Que were said to have passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class, and Wei Que served in the imperial government, eventually serving as the military governor of Wuchang Circuit. According to the table of the chancellors' family tree in the New Book of Tang, Wei Baoheng had at least one older brother, Wei Delin, and at least five younger brothers, Wei Baoyin, Wei Shensi, Wei Baofan, Wei Bao'ai, and Wei Baohe, each of whom would eventually serve as an official.
During Emperor Yizong's reign
In 864, during the reign of Emperor Yizong, Wei Baoheng passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class. In 869, by which time Wei was You Shiyi, a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government, Emperor Yizong gave Wei his favorite daughter, Princess Tongchang, in marriage, and gave them a large mansion at Guangde Block in Chang'an as their house. It was said that Emperor Yizong spared no treasure in the palace in giving Princess Tongchang her dowry: Wei subsequently was promoted to be Zuo Jianyi Daifu, a high-level advisory official at the examination bureau, as well as imperial scholar. In 870, he teamed with the chancellor Lu Yan in making accusations against the general Kang Chengxun, who had just suppressed a major rebellion led by Pang Xun, and Kang was exiled. Later in the year, by which time Wei was carrying the titles of deputy minister of defense and chief imperial scholar, Wei was further given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, making him a chancellor de facto. Because of Wei's marriage with Princess Tongchang, he was allowed to enter the palace at will and often feasted with Consort Guo, leading to rumors that he was having an affair with Consort Guo. In fall 870, Princess Tongchang died. Emperor Yizong was greatly saddened and angered. He executed a group of imperial physicians who failed to save her, and further arrested some 300 of their relatives, despite intercessions by the chancellor Liu Zhan and the mayor of Jingzhao, Wen Zhang. For their attempts to intercede, Liu was demoted, and Wen, hearing this, committed suicide. Lu and Wei then further falsely accused Liu of conspiring with the physicians to poison Princess Tongchang, and Liu was exiled to the extremely remote Huan Prefecture. Despite Princess Tongchang's death, Wei's power did not wane, and he eventually came into conflict with Lu. He therefore spoke against Lu before Emperor Yizong, and Lu was removed from his chancellor position in 871. Similarly removed were fellow chancellors Yu Cong and Wang Duo, both of whom had slighted Wei. A group of officials accused of being friendly with Yu were demoted, including Xiao Gou.
During Emperor Xizong's reign
Emperor Yizong died in 873, and was succeeded by his son Emperor Xizong. Pursuant to Emperor Yizong's final edict, Wei Baoheng served as regent during the period of mourning that Emperor Xizong held. However, his enemies were soon on to him, and because of their accusations, by fall 873, he was demoted to be the prefect of He Prefecture, and then further demoted to be the magistrate of Chengmai County. He was then ordered to commit suicide, and his brother Wei Bao'ai was then also exiled.
