Hu Guang (Ming dynasty) explained

Hu Guang
Native Name:zh|胡廣
Birth Date:1370
Birth Place:Jishui, Jiangxi
Office:Senior Grand Secretary
Term:1407–1418
Predecessor:Xie Jin
Successor:Yang Rong
Office1:Grand Secretary
Term1:1402–1418
Monarch1:Yongle
Education:jinshi degree (1400)
Blank1:Other names
Data1:Hu Jing
Blank2:Courtesy name
Data2:Guangda
Blank3:Art name
Data3:Huangan
Blank4:Posthumous name
Data4:Wenmu
Module:
Child:yes
T:胡廣
S:胡广
P:Hú Guǎng

Hu Guang (1370–1418), courtesy name Guangda, art name Huangan, was a prominent Chinese scholar-official during the Ming dynasty. He served as grand secretary during the reign of the Yongle Emperor from 1402 until his death.

Hu Guang was from Jiangxi, specifically Jishui County (present-day Ji'an, Jiangxi). After studying Confucianism, he successfully passed all stages of the official examinations, including the highest stage, the palace examinations. In 1400, he was awarded the prestigious rank of jinshi, placing him among the top three candidates in all of China.

In September 1402, the Yongle Emperor appointed him as one of the seven personal secretaries, known as Grand Secretary. After the removal of Xie Jin in 1407, Hu Guang became Senior Grand Secretary and served in this position until his death in 1418. He was succeeded by Yang Rong.

As an aide to the emperor, he was known for his reliability and trustworthiness, particularly in matters of personnel. His reputation was further solidified by his refusal to attack officials who had made mistakes, and he even advised the emperor to exercise moderation in the purges of 1402. After his death, he was given an honorary posthumous name, making him one of only two civil officials to receive this honor during the Yongle Emperor's reign.

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