Yu Chuansu


Yu Chuansu was an official of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Former Shu, serving two terms as chancellor.

During Wang Jian's reign

It is not known when Yu Chuansu was born or what his familial origins were. It was said that while he served under Former Shu's founding emperor Wang Jian, he served initially as the prefect of Shu Prefecture. As of 910, Yu was serving as deputy minister of census and the acting director of treasury when Wang Jian gave him the title of Zhongshu Shilang and gave him the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, making him a chancellor.
In 917, the powerful eunuch Tang Wenyi was in conflict with Yu's political ally Mao Wenxi the director of palace communications, and when Mao played music at a feast held in preparation for the marriage between Mao's daughter and Yu's son without previously informing the emperor, Tang used the opportunity to accuse Mao of crimes. Mao was exiled, while Yu was removed from his chancellor position and made the minister of public works. He was later made the minister of defense.

During Wang Yan's reign

Wang Jian died in 918 and was succeeded by his son Wang Zongyan who was later renamed Wang Yan. Later, Wang Yan made Yu Chuansu Zhongshu Shilang and chancellor again, as well as gave him the honorary title of Taizi Shaobao. It was said that Yu was without significant accomplishments in this second term as chancellor. In particular, he and fellow chancellor Wang Kai were described as concerned with protecting themselves and failing to correct the wasteful and frivolous ways of the young emperor. After Former Shu was invaded by its northeastern neighbor Later Tang in 925, Yu followed Wang Yan in surrendering to Later Tang and was made a prefectural prefect. Nothing further was said about him in history, including when he died.