Hu Yan, a sage of the Ming Dynasty (1361-1443), was a native of Jiangxi Province, with the word Ruo Si and the name Yi An. He has been diligent and studious since childhood, in astronomy, geography, legal calendar, medical divination, all deep research.
During the years of the Ming Emperor Hongwu, Hu Yan won the imperial examinations, was awarded the Huating teaching oracle, is under the official government of the official teacher, he was able to do his best teacher. After the death of his mother, Hu Yan returned to his hometown to mourn. After the mourning period, he was reappointed as the oracle of Chang Yuan. Hu Yan asked the court to be an official closer to his home in order to take care of his elders and family, so he was reassigned to Yu Gan County. The imperial court allowed him to be an official near his home, but it started with Hu Yan.
Praying for the removal of the tiger
In 1399, Hu Yan was recommended by his minister to be the governor of Tongcheng. He loved the people for the sake of many touching deeds, but also left a lot of legendary stories here.
Previously, the mountain tiger for the countryside, Hu Yan to solve the tiger, devoutly fasting and bathing, praying to the gods, the tiger has since disappeared. The people of Tongcheng County feel the miracle and remember the benevolence of Hu Yan for the people, and worship him in Zhu Yi Ancestral Hall.
Virtuous governance, benefiting all the people
One year, a locust plague occurred in the township, Hu Yan led a survey to deal with the disaster, halfway to see the patients lying down, so he ordered the head of the village to carry the patients to the people’s house, ask the doctor to treat them and prescribe medicine (during the Ming Dynasty, 110 households were a mile. (During the Ming Dynasty, 110 households were classified as a li, and a li chief was a local governor who managed 110 households). That night there was a big storm, many villagers were saved from the disaster because they were sheltered and rescued.
Hu Yan often used his leisure time to go to the local school to urge Confucian students to study diligently and not to slacken and waste their studies. Thanks to Hu Yan’s supervision and education, the area of Tongcheng was full of talents and the culture and education were flourishing.
In order to benefit the people, Hu Yan had people digging rivers and ditches to bring water from Tongxi River, so that the people can irrigate the farmland and get a good harvest. After Hu Yan left Tongcheng, people will call the aqueduct he presided over “Tongqu”.
Recommended for his wisdom and skill
Jianwen four years (1402), deputy imperial historian Lian Zining to Yan Wang Zhu Di (1360-1424) recommended Hu Yan, said: “Hu Yan rich in knowledge, knowledge enough to reach the sky; wise and resourceful, can plan the tent.” Soon, Hu Yan was recommended by another minister Xie Jin (1369-1415). The court awarded Hu Yan Hanlin Academy review a post, and with Xie Jin and others in the Wenyuange; later promoted to lecturer (official position), for the emperor to teach literature, history and scriptures, as the emperor’s adviser; and later, and then promoted to the left concubine (Crown Prince’s official), serving the Crown Prince’s internal affairs. Hu Yan was a straightforward person, and was favored by the emperor when he was in the cabinet.
Pavilion of great scholars to repair the great work
Yongle eight years (1410), Ming Chengzu personally led an expedition to the north of the desert, before the departure of the edict ordered Hu Yan to the priest and lecturer, in charge of the Hanlin Academy affairs, to assist the imperial grandson to stay in Beijing.
At that time, the world was unified and the period of peace was as long as fifty years. Ming Chengzu was able to cultivate politics at home, promote rituals, music and education, and pacify and improve the remote foreign countries. And the ministers in the court are full of knowledge of the learned, can participate in the revision of history, book repair, almost all of them are important officials.
Hu Yan as the Pavilion Confucian, is a reputable scholar, the court many important manuscripts, mostly from his handwriting. Hu Yan presided over the restoration of the “Taizu Shilu”, “Yongle Da Dian”, “the world map”, etc., all as the president of the official.
In the first year of Hongxi (1425), Hu Yan requested to retire to his hometown due to illness. After that, Ming Emperor Renzong, Ming Emperor Xuanzong still rewarded him; his home for twenty years, four important ministers treat him as a teacher. Hu Yan indifferent to fame and fortune, simple life, and ministers talk, never talk about personal personal matters.
Hu Yan died in the eighth month of the eighth year of the reign at the age of eighty-three.
From
Yutang Shongyu (The Jade Hall), Volume 2
History of Ming Dynasty, Volume 147
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