Yang Sifu

Yang Sifu (楊嗣復) (783–848), courtesy name Jizhi (繼之), nickname Qingmen (慶門), formally Count Xiaomu of Hongnong (弘農孝穆伯), was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong and (briefly) the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong. He was considered one of the leaders of the Niu Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles.

Background and early career

Yang Sifu was born in 783, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. His ancestors claimed origins from the royal house of Zhou Dynasty, through a series of officials of the State of Jin of the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Han of the Warring States period, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Former Yan, Northern Wei, Western Wei, Northern Zhou, Sui Dynasty, and Tang Dynasty. Yang Sifu's great-grandfather Yang Guansu (楊冠俗) and grandfather Yang Taiqing (楊太清) both served at the county government level.