Early in the
Jianzhong era (780–783) of Emperor Daizong's son
Emperor Dezong, the
chancellor Lu Qi recommended Qi Ying, and Qi was made
Xingbu Yuanwailang (刑部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of justice (刑部,
Xingbu). Subsequently, when the chancellor
Zhang Yi was made the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern
Baoji,
Shaanxi) in 783, Qi was made his secretary. As Qi was good at speaking and often made suggestions in military matters, Zhang favored him and soon recommended him to be a military commander (行軍司馬,
Xingjun Sima). In 784, when another rebellion, led by the general
Li Huaiguang, forced Emperor Dezong to further flee to Liang Prefecture (梁州, in modern
Hanzhong,
Shaanxi), Qi Ying attended to the emperor and held the
bridle for Emperor Dezong's horse whenever there was uneven ground. The imperial horse was not easily handled and often leaped. Emperor Dezong, fearful that Qi would be injured, told him not to hold the bridle any more, but Qi declined, stating, "If the horse leaped, it would only injure me. If I let the bridle go, it might harm Your Imperial Majesty. Even if I die 10,000 deaths, how can I be excused from that?" Emperor Dezong praised him, and when they arrived at Liang Prefecture, he made Qi an imperial attendant (給事中,
Jishizhong). As Qi had a fair appearance, was tall, and spoke loudly, later, after Emperor Dezong was able to return to Chang'an later in 784, he often had Qi attend to him or ride the horse in front of him, and whichever town the emperor went through, Qi would personally proclaim the imperial edicts. He became especially trusted by Emperor Dezong thereafter, and that winter became a
Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省,
Zhongshu Sheng). It was said that Emperor Dezong gave Cui the responsibilities because Cui was daring to speak and act, and that Liu and Qi were both thus yielding much of the responsibilities to Cui. Emperor Dezong also put the chancellors in direct command over the six ministries of the executive bureau (尚書省,
Shangshu Sheng), and Qi was given the responsibilities over the ministry of defense (兵部,
Bingbu). When a Tufan incursion threatened Chang'an, it was rumored that Emperor Dezong planned to flee Chang'an. Qi tearfully pointed out that it would not be easy for Emperor Dezong to be able to return to Chang'an again if he fled it, and advised against it; Emperor Dezong ultimately stayed in Chang'an. Qi began to have more control over important matters later that year after Cui fell ill. When the imperial attendant Yuan Gao (袁高) offended Emperor Dezong by his bluntness, Qi, apparently approving Yuan's bluntness, recommended Yuan to be a secretary general of the executive bureau and also chief imperial censor. Meanwhile,
Zhang Yanshang, who was the mayor of Henan when Qi was an officer there, was favored by Emperor Dezong but not chancellor at that time. As Zhang had treated Qi kindly while Qi served under him, he often made suggestions and recommendations of his associates to Qi, but Qi did not heed Zhang's requests. As of 787, when Zhang was chancellor as well, he therefore stated to Emperor Dezong that Qi did not have enough talent to be a chancellor. With Emperor Dezong also displeased with Qi's bluntness, Emperor Dezong demoted Qi to be the prefect of
Kui Prefecture (夔州, in modern
Chongqing). He was later made the prefect of
Heng Prefecture (modern
Hengyang in
Hunan). In 791, he was made the governor (觀察使,
Guanchashi) of Gui District (桂管, headquartered in modern
Guilin,
Guangxi), and in 792 was made the governor of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered in modern
Nanchang,
Jiangxi). Qi believed that, because he was demoted without major faults, he had a chance to be recalled to be chancellor again. He therefore gathered wealth from the people to pay tributes to Emperor Dezong, including gold and silver vessels. It was often the case at the time that governors would offer silver vases five
chi tall, and on the emperor's birthday, Qi offered a silver vase eight
chi tall. Nevertheless, he was not recalled, and he died in 795 and was given posthumous honors. == Notes and references ==