Yuwen Rong

A politician of the Tang Dynasty in China. Born in Wannian, Jingzhao (Xi'an, Shaanxi Province). A descendant of the Yuwen clan, a member of the Northern Zhou Dynasty's imperial court, Rong entered the government through his family background. When his former superior, Minamoto Kenyo, recognized his administrative skills and promoted him to prime minister, Rong was selected as the inspector general. He immediately submitted a petition in January 721 on measures to deal with the sharp increase in the number of fugitives, and was in charge of the policy known as Yuwen Rong's "Kakko" policy. To carry out this policy, he was appointed as the "Koutou Soyochi Zeken Fukushuushi" (Governing Tax and Land Tax Commissioner and Prisoner Commissioner) in 723, and as the "Encouraging Agriculture Commissioner" the following year. He was promoted to prime minister in 729, due to his achievements in acquiring over 800,000 guest households and a large amount of land in a short period of time. However, after only 100 days, he was removed from his position as Prime Minister and died of a fever on the way to exile in Ganshu.

[Tonami Mamoru]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

中国、唐の政治家。京兆(けいちょう)万年（陝西(せんせい)省西安）の人。北周の宗室宇文氏の後裔(こうえい)で、融はその家柄によって官界に入ったらしい。彼の行政手腕を認めた旧上司の源乾曜(げんけんよう)が宰相に昇格すると、融は監察御史(かんさつぎょし)に抜擢(ばってき)された。早速721年正月には、逃戸(とうこ)（逃亡民）の激増に対する処置を上奏し、宇文融の括戸(かっこ)として知られる政策を担当した。この括戸政策を遂行するため、723年に勾当租庸地税兼覆囚使(こうとうそようちぜいけんふくしゅうし)、翌年に勧農使に任命された。短期間に80余万の客戸(きゃっこ)と広い土地を得た功績によって累進を重ね、729年には宰相にまでなった。しかし、わずか100日で宰相の地位を追われ、厳州に配流される途中、熱病にかかって死去した。

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