Xing Wenwei - During Emperor Ruizong's First Reign

During Emperor Ruizong's First Reign

Emperor Gaozong died in 683 and was succeeded by his son Li Zhe the Crown Prince (as Emperor Zhongzong) (Li Hong having predeceased his father in 675), but Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian) retained actual power as empress dowager and regent. In spring 684, after he showed signs of independence, she deposed him and replaced him with his younger brother Li Dan the Prince of Yu (as Emperor Ruizong), but thereafter wielded power even more firmly. During her regency, Xing Wenwei was promoted to the post of Fengge Shilang (鳳閣侍郎) -- the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (鳳閣, Fengge), and also served as an imperial scholar at Hongwen Pavilion (弘文館). In 689, he was given the designation Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi (同鳳閣鸞臺平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. In 690, he was made acting Neishi (內史) -- the head of the legislative bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor. When Empress Dowager Wu held a grand ceremony at the newly constructed imperial meeting hall (明堂, Ming Tang) later that year, she had Xing publicly recite the Xiao Jing as part of the ceremony.