Yan Shibo 顏師伯

Yan Shibo 顏師伯 (419-465), courtesy name Changyuan 長淵, from Linyi 臨沂 in the commandery of Langya 瑯邪 (in today's Shandong province), was a high minister of the Liu-Song dynasty.

He rose in poor conditions, but was eager to learn, and served as recorder (zhubu 主簿) in Xuzhou 徐州, and was then Vice General Marching West (xixing canjiang 西行參軍) of Liu Yiji 劉義季 (415-447), the Prince of Hengyang 衡陽王.

When Emperor Xiaowu 宋孝武皇帝 (r. 453-464) was enthroned, Yan was made Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate (huangmen shilang 黃門侍郎) and Princely Commandant of Cavalry (piaoji changshi 驃騎長史) of Prince Liu Dan 劉誕 (433-459), governor (taishou 太守) of the commandery of Nanjun 南郡, then Princely Cavalry General-in-chief (piaoji da jiangjun changshi 驃騎大將軍長史), governor of Nanpuyang 南濮陽, and finally Palace Aide to the Censor-in-Chief (yushi zhongcheng 御史中丞).

When Zang Zhi 臧質 (400-454) rebelled, Yan was entrusted with the suppression of the revolt, as General Pacifying in the Distance (ningyuan jiangjun 寧遠將軍), and governor of Dongyang 東陽. In the aftermath, he was made palace attendant (shizhong 侍中). In 457, he was invested as Commandery Viscout of Pingdu 平都縣子 and was given the post of Right General of the Guards (you wei jiangjun 右衛將軍). A year later Yan was promoted to Bulwark-General of the State (fuguo jiangjun 輔國將軍) and was regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the provinces of Qingzhou 青州 and Jizhou 冀州. Having repelled an invasion of the Northern Wei 北魏 (386-534), Yan Shibo was given the title of General Assailing the Barbarians (zhenglu jiangjun 征虜將軍). He was later made Commander of the Right Field Army (youjun jiangjun 右軍將軍), then Minister of Personnel (libu shangshu 吏部尚書), and then Right Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat (shangshu you puye 尚書右僕射), and Palace Cadet in the Household of the Heir Apparent (taizi zhongshuzi 太子中庶子).

Emperor Xiaowu eventually fell ill and nominated Yan Shibo regent for the young emperor-to-come, Prince Liu Ziye 劉子業. With the enthronement of Liu Ziye (known as First Deposed Emperor 宋前廢帝, r. 464-465), Yan was made Chamberlain for the Palace Garrison (weiwei 衛尉), Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat (shangshu puye 尚書僕射), and metropolitan magistrate (yin 尹) of Danyang 丹陽.

He became arrogant, extravagant, and indulgent, though he remained a figure of great prominence for a time. However, his power and reputation aroused the emperor’s suspicion. Eventually, he was executed along with Liu Yigong 劉義恭 (413-465), the Prince of Jiangxia 江夏 and the Director of the Imperial Secretariat (shangshu ling 尚書令), Liu Yuanjing 柳元景 (406-465).