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Han Zhen
Northern Song chancellor, courtesy name Yuru, from Lingshou and younger brother of Han Jiang, jinshi of 1042, posthumously titled Zhuangmin.
In a council hall, a long table holds an unrolled map scroll, a brass-cornered chest and a brush pot, with tall-backed chairs around it and a bronze lamp at the left; a figure stands with their back turned on the balcony at the right, with palace roofs beyond.
Also known as Yuru
- Roles
- Chief Ministers
Han Zhen, courtesy name Yuru, was from Lingshou, with the family settled at Yongqiu near Kaifeng, a younger brother of Han Jiang; he lived from 1019 to 1097 and was posthumously titled Zhuangmin. A jinshi of 1042, he served as fiscal commissioner of Huainan under Yingzong and, under Shenzong, as Academician of the Longtu Pavilion and then head of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and was sent on a diplomatic mission. In 1085-86 he was chancellor as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and under Zhezong he became Left Vice Director before retiring as Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince. He was notoriously harsh as prefect of Qinzhou, where it was said one would rather meet a nursing tigress than Yuru.
Life and times
Dates 1019 CE–1097 CE