Gongsun Hong

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Gongsun Hong (公孫弘; Wade–Giles: Kung-sun Hung; 200 – 7 April 121 BCE^[1]) was a senior official in the Western Han dynasty under Emperor Wu. Together with the more famous Confucian scholar Dong Zhongshu, Gongsun was one of the earliest proponents of Confucianism, setting in motion its emergence under the Han court. The ideals and decrees both promoted would come to be seen as values-in-themselves, becoming the "basic elements, or even hallmarks" of Confucianism, although not necessarily officially during his lifetime. While first proposed and more ardently promoted by Dong, the national academy (then considered radical) and Imperial examination did not come into existence until they were supported by the more successful Gongsun. Their establishment set a precedent that would last into the twentieth century.^[2]

Gongsun was born in Zichuan within the Kingdom of Lu (part of present-day Shandong province). Beginning his political career at age sixty, Gongsun rapidly advanced from commoner to attain a senior appointment in 130BC when he was seventy, becoming grand secretary and 'censor-in-chief' in 126, and chancellor in 124.^[3][4] One of the Three Dukes,^[5] in recognition of canonical mastery he was probably the first Han Confucian to be appointed to high office,^[6] the first commoner and first (and only, out of twelve of the time) Confucian to be made chancellor,^[7] as well as the first chancellor to be made marquis.^[8] He set a precedent for Confucianism as interpreter of portents.^[9]