Dong Zhongshu

Also known as Dong Zi

Dong Zhongshu came from Guangchuan (modern Jing County, Hebei) and studied the Gongyang tradition of the Spring and Autumn Annals, becoming an Erudite under Emperor Jing; he is said to have taught behind a curtain for three years without glancing at his garden. Answering Emperor Wu's call for men of worth, he submitted three policy essays, arguing that teachings outside the six classics and the way of Confucius should be cut off. He then served as chancellor to Liu Fei, King of Jiangdu, but his private essay reading omens into a fire at the Liaodong ancestral temple was stolen by Zhufu Yan and shown to the emperor, and he was condemned to death before being pardoned. Later chancellor of Jiaoxi, he retired to write, and on major questions the court sent Zhang Tang to consult him at home. The History of the Han lists essays such as Luxuriant Dew, which gave its name to the surviving Chunqiu fanlu, and quotes Liu Xiang calling him fit to assist a king.