Pei Xiu (Tang dynasty)

Pei Xiu (Chinese: 裴休; 791–864^[1]), courtesy name Gongmei (公美), formally the Viscount of Hedong (河東子), was a Chinese politician, literary figure, and Buddhist intellectual during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong. A prominent literatus and member of a prestigious aristocratic clan, Pei was considered a capable administrator and was credited with the skillful management of the Tang government's salt and iron monopoly. Pei was also a dedicated practitioner and patron of Chan Buddhism, pursuits which drew critique from later Confucian historians.