Pei Yanling
728–796Pei Yanling was appointed director of finances and later fabricated tax and land schemes to please Emperor Dezong.
Particulars
In 792, after Ban Hong died, Emperor Dezong changed his mind about Lu Zhi's recommendation and appointed Pei Yanling deputy minister of census and director of finances, despite Lu Zhi's petition criticizing Pei.
Pei Yanling then claimed to convert uncollectible tax debts into collectible ones, falsely reported a nonexistent meadow for horses, suggested leaving officials' posts vacant to save money, proposed diverting temple funds to the palace, and asserted access to giant trees for Shenlong Temple, all of which were untrue but kept Emperor Dezong's favor.
Compiled from Wikipedia. Automated record.