Tang historian renowned for honest writing, long active in the History Office and author of the Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Era.
Mural guide
In an archive hall, tall wooden shelves hold scrolls and bound books with small tags, and one person climbs a ladder with their back turned; a long table in front holds an unrolled river map, a bronze lamp and a copper jug, with a city wall seen through the window.
Wu Jing, a native of Junyi in Bianzhou, was appointed to the History Office under Empress Wu to compile the national history, rising to Diarist of Activity and Repose alongside Liu Zhiji and Xu Jian, and was later enfeoffed as Baron of Changyuan. He helped compile the Veritable Records of Empress Wu and wrote national and dynastic histories of his own, praised as concise and reliable. When Zhang Yue asked him to soften a passage concerning himself, Wu reportedly refused, insisting on honest writing. His Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Era, in ten juan, arranges the political discussions of Emperor Taizong with Wei Zheng and other ministers and was prized by later rulers. He died in 749.
Joined the History Office and compiled the Veritable Records of Empress Wu
From the Shenlong years to 749
The Old Tang History says Wu Jing studied diligently and knew the classics and histories well. Wei Yuanzhong and Zhu Jingze thought highly of him, and when Wei became chief minister he recommended Wu for his talent as a historian and had him serve in the History Office, compiling the national history. In the Shenlong years he completed the Veritable Records of Empress Wu with Wei Chengqing, Cui Rong and Liu Zixuan and was moved to Diarist of Activity and Repose. He also wrote separate histories of the Liang, Qi, Zhou, Chen and Sui, and died at home in 749.
Tang
Literature · Prose