Li Jiao (Tang dynasty)

Li Jiao (李嶠), courtesy name Jushan (巨山), formally the Duke of Zhao (趙公), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian, her sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong, and her grandson Emperor Shang.

Background

It is not known exactly when Li Jiao was born, but it is known that his family was from Zhao Prefecture (趙州, roughly modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei). He came from a prominent clan, and his great-granduncle Li Yuancao (李元操) was a well-known official during Tang Dynasty's predecessor Sui Dynasty. His father Li Zhen'e (李鎮惡), who had served as the magistrate of Xiangcheng County (襄城, in modern Xuchang, Henan), died early, and it was said that Li Jiao served his mother Lady Zhang with great filial piety. His literary talent began to be known when he was young, and his reputation matched that of Su Weidao, who was also from Zhao Prefecture. He already understood the Five Classics at age 14 and was praised by the chancellor Xue Yuanchao. He passed the imperial examination at age 19 and was made the sheriff of Anding County (安定, in modern Dingxi, Gansu). He was soon promoted to serve in the capital Chang'an, and he, along with older colleagues Luo Binwang and Liu Guangye (劉光業), became known for their literary talent.

Sometime during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, Li Jiao became an imperial censor. At that time, there was a Lao (獠) rebellion in Yong (邕州, roughly modern Nanning, Guangxi) and Yan (巖州, roughly modern Laibin, Guangxi) Prefectures, and Emperor Gaozong launched an army to suppress it, with Li Jiao serving as the army's auditor. When the army reached Yong and Yan Prefectures, however, Li Jiao went to the rebel camps and persuaded the leaders to surrender, allowing the army to withdraw without a fight. He was later made imperial attendant (給事中, Geishizhong).

During Wu Zetian's reign

By 692, Emperor Gaozong's wife Wu Zetian was reigning as "emperor" of her new Zhou Dynasty, interrupting Tang Dynasty. That year, her secret police official Lai Junchen had falsely accused the chancellors Ren Zhigu, Di Renjie, and Pei Xingben, along with other officials Cui Xuanli (崔宣禮), Lu Xian (盧獻), Wei Yuanzhong, and Li Sizhen (李嗣真) of treason. As these officials were set for execution, Wu Zetian had Li Jiao, along with two other officials, Zhang Deyu (張德裕) and Liu Xian (劉憲), review the cases. Zhang and Liu knew that the accusations were false, but feared Lai, and therefore initially failed to object to the judgments.