Shen Lun

Shen Lun (c. 909 – 16 November 987, courtesy name Shunyi), known as Shen Yilun before 976, was a scholar-official who successively served the Later Han, Later Zhou and Song dynasties. He was one of the Song dynasty grand councilors between 973 and 982.

  • Shen Lun (沈倫)
  • Shen Yilun (沈義倫)
Grand councilor of the Song dynasty
In office
October 17, 973 – May 14, 982[1]
Serving with Xue Juzheng, Lu Duoxun, Zhao Pu
MonarchEmperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong
Personal details
Bornc. 909[2]
Taikang County, Kaifeng, Later Liang
DiedNovember 16, 987(987-11-16) (aged 77–78)[3]
Kaifeng, Song Empire
Spouse(s)
  • Lady Yan (閻)
  • Lady Tian (田)
ChildrenShen Jizong (沈繼宗), son
Shen Lun
Traditional Chinese沈倫
Simplified Chinese沈伦
Shen Yilun
Traditional Chinese沈義倫
Simplified Chinese沈义伦
Shen Shunyi
Traditional Chinese沈順儀
Simplified Chinese沈顺仪
In this Chinese name, the family name is Shen.

Emperor Zhenzong's Consort Shen was his granddaughter.

During the Five Dynasties

Early in his career, Shen Yilun studied the "Three Rites" (Rites of Zhou, Book of Rites, and Etiquette and Ceremonial) and taught these classics between Luoyang and Sōng Prefecture to support himself. During Later Han, he joined the staff of Bai Wenke (白文珂), the prefect of Shǎn Prefecture.[2]

In 954 during the Later Zhou, Shen Yilun was referred by a friend and became a retainer to general Zhao Kuangyin, then a military governor administering Hua Prefecture, Xǔ Prefecture, and Sòng Prefecture. Shen was able to manage the finances of all 3 prefectures, and had an incorruptible reputation.[2]

During the Song dynasty

In February 960, Zhao Kuangyin usurped the Later Zhou throne and founded the Song dynasty. At that time, Shen Yilun was a mere surveillance circuit judge stationed in Sòng Prefecture, but now that his former boss had become the emperor, he was summoned to the capital (and his hometown) Kaifeng and made director of the Census Bureau.[4]

In early 962, returning from a diplomatic trip to Song's tributary state Wuyue, Shen offered more than 10 recommendations to the new emperor, all of which were accepted.[2] One of recommendations was loaning out grain from military granaries to relieve the mass starvation Shen witnessed in Si and Yang Prefectures. Shen argued that peasants would repay the loan come harvest time in the autumn. However, another minister soon objected:

"If starvation continues, where would the repayment come from? And who would be accountable for that?"

To which Shen responded:

"A nation should govern humanely. This will automatically ensure peace, prosperity and a ripe harvest."

Zhao Kuangyin was pleased with the reply and ordered government officials in Huainan Circuit to dispense grain to starved people.[5]

In 962, Shen was made a supervising secretary. The following spring he was made fiscal commissioner of Shaanxi Circuit. When the Song dynasty invaded the Later Shu in 964, Shen was in charge of the military finances.

Notes and references
  1. Song Shi, ch. 210.
  2. Song Shi, ch. 264.
  3. Xu Zizhi Tongjian, ch. 13.
  4. Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian, ch. 1.
  5. Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian, ch. 3.
  • (in Chinese) Toqto'a; et al., eds. (1345). Song Shi (宋史) [History of Song].
  • (in Chinese) Li Tao (1183). Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian (續資治通鑑長編) [Extended Continuation to Zizhi Tongjian].


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