Tian Qianqiu (, ？-77BC) was a
Han dynasty
The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...
politician who served as prime minister for 12 years during the reign of
Emperor Wu of Han and
Emperor Zhao of Han
Emperor Zhao of Han (Liu Fuling 劉弗陵; 94 BC – 5 June 74 BC) was the emperor of the Western Han dynasty from 87 to 74 BC.
Emperor Zhao was the youngest son of Emperor Wu of Han. By the time he was born, Emperor Wu was already 62. Prince Fu ...
. He was the host of the
debate of Salt and Iron in 81 BC. Due to his then-advanced age, Emperor Zhao allowed him to use a chariot as transportation while attending court sessions, instead of remaining on foot. Thus, he was also known as "Prime Minister of the Chariot" () or "Che Qianqiu" (车千秋; his entry in the ''Book of Han'' is listed under this name).
According to the ''
Book of Han
The ''Book of Han'' or ''History of the Former Han'' (Qián Hàn Shū,《前汉书》) is a history of China finished in 111AD, covering the Western, or Former Han dynasty from the first emperor in 206 BCE to the fall of Wang Mang in 23 CE. ...
'', Tian was a descendant of the ruling house of the
dukedom of Qi. His family migrated to
Changling Country where he was born. His first appointment in the imperial court was Gaoqinglang (), the guard of the shrine of
Emperor Gao of Han
Emperor Gaozu of Han (256 – 1 June 195 BC), born Liu Bang () with courtesy name Ji (季), was the founder and first emperor of the Han dynasty, reigning in 202–195 BC. His temple name was "Taizu" while his posthumous name was Emper ...
, the founder of the Han dynasty. After the rebellion caused by
Crown Prince Wei, he stood by the side of the crown prince by pointing out Emperor Wu's shortcomings as a father. Emperor Wu was impressed by his uprightness and appointed him the position of Dahonglu (). Shortly afterward, Tian became prime minister and was granted the title of "
Marquess who Enriches the People" (富民候, ''Fu Min Hou'').
Emperor Wu, on his deathbed, delivered his son Fuling (the later Emperor Zhao) to
Huo Guang
Huo Guang (; died 68 BC), courtesy name Zimeng (子孟), was a Chinese military general and politician who served as the dominant state official of the Western Han dynasty from 87 BCE until his death in 68 BCE. The younger half-brother of the re ...
,
Sang Hongyang,
Shangguan Jie and
Jin Midi
Jin Midi (134–86 BC) (, courtesy name Wengshu (翁叔), formally Marquess Jing of Du (秺敬侯), was a foreign prince and a warrior of the Western Han Dynasty. He was a Five Barbarians, Hu (胡) "barbarian" from a kingdom in central Ga ...
. Although the four ministers were thus in charge of the imperial court, Tian remained in his post.
Although Tian remained as prime minister until his death in 77 BC, no major political achievements were made by him. Huo Guang, on the other hand, became the de facto ruler of China during the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han. Possibly due to his political nonchalance, Tian was applauded by Huo for being "prudent".
Tian hosted the debate of Salt and Iron in the sixth year of Shiyuan (81 BC). During the debate, Tian kept his silence without uttering a word. He was later criticized by Huan Kuan, the recorder of the debate, for being extremely evasive.
[Huan Kuan, Discourses of Salt and Iron.車丞相即周、呂之列，當軸處中，括囊不言，容身而去，彼哉！彼哉！若夫群丞相、御史，不能正議，以輔宰相，成同類，長同行，阿意茍合，以說其上，鬥筲之人，道諛之徒，何足算哉。] However, without further judgements, it can be said that Tian maintained his neutrality during the debate.
References
Han dynasty politicians from Shaanxi
77 BC deaths
Date of birth unknown
Politicians from Xianyang
{{China-politician-stub