Is “Regarding the reasons for Fan Zuyu's punishment and demotion, one account says it was due to Zhang Shangying's fierce attacks, while another says it was because Zhang Dun prosecuted him for admonishing the hiring of a wet nurse in the palace, and the Benji records different charges for the demotion.” true?
In the History of Song, Biography of Hou Meng, attached biography of Zhang Shangying, it is recorded that Zhang Shangying, due to accumulated resentment, fiercely attacked the Yuanyou officials, leading to the demotion of Fan Zuyu and others: 'Shangying, harboring resentment that the Yuanyou ministers did not employ him, fiercely attacked them, submitting a memorial saying... And then Su Shi, Fan Zuyu, Sun Sheng, Han Chuan, and others were successively punished.' But in the History of Song, Biographies of Treacherous Officials, Part One, biography of Zhang Dun, it is recorded that Zhang Dun prosecuted him for admonishing the hiring of a wet nurse in the palace: 'Then he prosecuted Liu Anshi and Fan Zuyu for admonishing the hiring of a wet nurse in the palace.' And in the History of Song, Annals of Emperor Zhezong, Part Two, there are separate records of Fan Zuyu being demoted for 'matters of history' and 'fabricating slanderous accusations.'
Discrepancies in the records regarding the reasons for Fan Zuyu's demotion and the historical sources he used in compiling the Veritable Records
Other claims about Fan Zuyu
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