Niu Sengru vs Yang Shiqi

Niu Sengru was appointed as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong of Tang. He became the leader of the Niu faction, which opposed the Li faction led by Li Deyu, initiating decades of factional strife that weakened the Tang central government.

Niu Sengru was dismissed from his position as chancellor as the Li faction gained influence under Emperor Jingzong. This dismissal was part of the ongoing Niu-Li factional struggle, which saw alternating periods of dominance between the two groups.

Niu Sengru died in 849, but his faction continued to influence Tang politics. His leadership of the Niu faction contributed to the long-term instability of the Tang court, as factional infighting diverted attention from pressing administrative and military challenges.

The Yongle Emperor appointed Yang Shiqi as a Grand Secretary in the newly established Grand Secretariat. This position made him a key advisor to the emperor and a central figure in the Ming bureaucracy.

Yang Shiqi served as one of the chief editors of the Yongle Encyclopedia, a massive compilation of Chinese knowledge. The encyclopedia contained over 11,000 volumes and was the largest encyclopedia in world history at the time.

After the death of the Hongxi Emperor, Yang Shiqi was one of the senior officials who guided the young Xuande Emperor. He helped maintain stable governance and continued the policies of the early Ming golden age.

Yang Shiqi supported the decision to halt the treasure voyages of Zheng He. He argued that the expeditions were too costly and diverted resources from domestic needs. The voyages were ended, and China's maritime expansion ceased.