Lü Benzhong 1084-1145

Grandson of Lü Gongzhu, Grand Councillor during the reign of the Song emperor Zhezong (r. 1086-1094). He commenced his career as an official when the Emperor honoured his grandfather's deathbed request and appointed him an Assistant Director. In 1124 Lü was promoted to Junior Compiler in the Bureau of Military Affairs, and ultimately rose to the position of Secretary Drafter. His prinicpled stance against nepotism enraged Grand Councillor Qin Hui, and Lü was dismissed from office. He died shortly after. His early poetry is said to have been influenced by the Jiangxi School of Poets, known for their allusive and obscure style. In his later work though, Lü adopts a more realistic approach to describe social upheavals.

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