Niu Sengru vs Yao Chong

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.

Yao Chong was appointed Chancellor under Emperor Zhongzong after the restoration of the Tang dynasty. He served briefly before being demoted due to political infighting, but his administrative skills were already noted.

As Chancellor under Emperor Xuanzong, Yao Chong proposed and implemented a ten-point reform program. It included reducing taxes, curbing Buddhist temple influence, promoting frugality, and streamlining the bureaucracy, laying the foundation for the Kaiyuan era prosperity.

Yao Chong ordered the defrocking of over 12,000 Buddhist monks and nuns who had entered the clergy to evade taxes and corv

Yao Chong was dismissed from the chancellorship after his son and subordinates were implicated in bribery and corruption. Despite his earlier reforms, his inability to control his household led to his downfall, though he remained respected.