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Xin Xianying

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Xin Xianying
辛からし憲けん英えい
Born191[a][2]
Died269 (aged 78)[a][2]
SpouseYang Dan
Children
Parent
Relatives
In this Chinese name, the family name is Xin.

Xin Xianying[3] (191–269)[2] was a Chinese noblewoman, aristocrat and advisor who lived during the Three Kingdoms period. She was a daughter of Xin Pi, an official of the state of Cao Wei. The only extant historical source about her life is her biography written by her maternal grandson, Xiahou Zhan (夏なつ侯ほう湛じん), who was a notable scholar and official of the Jin dynasty.[4] She is best known for giving advice to her family members and relatives during significant events in the history of Cao Wei such as the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs and Zhong Hui's Rebellion.

Family background

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Xin Xianying's ancestral home was in Yangzhai County (陽ひ翟縣), Yingchuan Commandery (潁川郡ぐん), which is around present-day Yuzhou, Henan.[5] Her ancestors were actually from Longxi Commandery (隴西郡ぐん; around present-day Dingxi, Gansu), but they migrated to Yingchuan Commandery during the Jianwu era (25–56 CE) of the reign of Emperor Guangwu in the early Eastern Han dynasty.[6]

Xin Xianying's father, Xin Pi, served as an official under the warlord Cao Cao, who controlled the central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian in the final decades of the Eastern Han dynasty. After the fall of the Eastern Han, Xin Pi continued serving in the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period and his highest appointment was Minister of the Guards (衛まもる尉じょう). Xin Xianying had a younger brother, Xin Chang (辛からし敞たかし), who also served as an official in Wei.

Xin Xianying married Yang Dan (羊ひつじ耽ふけ), the youngest son of the Eastern Han dynasty official Yang Xu (羊ひつじ續つづけ). Yang Dan, who was from Taishan Commandery (泰山たいざん郡ぐん; around present-day Tai'an, Shandong), served as the Minister of Ceremonies (太ふとし常つね) in the Wei central government.[7] Yang Dan's nephews and nieces include Yang Hu and Yang Huiyu (children of his brother Yang Dao).

Reaction towards Cao Pi's joy at becoming crown prince

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In 217,[8] after Cao Cao's son Cao Pi won the succession struggle against his younger brother Cao Zhi and became the heir apparent to their father's vassal kingdom, he was so elated that he hugged Xin Pi and said: "Sir, don't you know how happy I am?"[9]

When Xin Pi told his daughter about it, she sighed and said: "A crown prince will succeed a ruler and inherit his kingdom one day. How can he succeed his father without feeling sad? How can he rule a kingdom without feeling intimidated? If he expresses joy instead of sadness and fear, how can his kingdom last long? How can Wei prosper?"[10][2]

Xin Xianying was essentially implying that Cao Pi should express sadness because his father must die before he can become the next ruler, and that he should feel intimidated by the fact that he would have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of ruling a kingdom. If Cao Pi accepted his role more solemnly, then it was more likely that he would turn out to be a serious and wise ruler.

Advising Xin Chang during the Incident at Gaoping Tombs

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Further information: Incident at Gaoping Tombs

Xin Xianying's younger brother Xin Chang served as an adviser to the Wei general Cao Shuang, who served as regent to the third Wei emperor Cao Fang. On 5 February 249,[11] when Cao Shuang accompanied Cao Fang on a visit to the Gaoping Tombs, his co-regent Sima Yi took advantage of his absence to stage a coup d'état and seize control of all the armed forces in the imperial capital Luoyang. Lu Zhi (魯芝), a major under Cao Shuang, prepared to lead his men to fight their way out of Luoyang and regroup with Cao Shuang. When Lu Zhi asked Xin Chang to follow him,[12] a fearful Xin Chang turned to his sister for advice: "The Emperor is away. The Grand Tutor (Sima Yi) has ordered the city gates to be shut. People say that this won't be of any good to the State. What do you think will happen?"[13]

Xin Xianying replied: "We won't know what will happen. However, from what I observe, the Grand Tutor has no choice but to do this. Before Emperor Ming died, he held the Grand Tutor close and entrusted him with state affairs. Many officials in the imperial court still remember this. Although Cao Shuang too was entrusted with this responsibility along with the Grand Tutor, he has been monopolising power and acting autocratically. He is disloyal towards the Emperor and therefore doesn't have the moral high ground. The Grand Tutor simply wants to get rid of him."[14]

When Xin Chang asked her if he should follow Lu Zhi, she replied: "How can you not go? It is righteous for one to perform his duty. When others are in trouble, we ought to help them. If you work for someone and you don't do what you need to do, then that isn't a good sign. If you are a close aide (of Cao Shuang), then you should fulfil your loyalty towards him and sacrifice your life for him if you have to. However, in this incident, (you aren’t a close side of Cao Shuang and so) you just need to follow the crowd." Xin Chang heeded her advice and followed Lu Zhi out of Luoyang to join Cao Shuang.[15]

Cao Shuang eventually surrendered to Sima Yi and relinquished his powers as regent. He was subsequently charged with treason and executed along with his extended family, his close aides and their families. After Cao Shuang had suffered death, Jiang Ji said to Sima Yi, “Xin Chang and Lu Zhi and others who had been of his party had forced the gate and joined the rebels. Yang Zong had opposed the surrender of the seal of the late minister. They deserve punishment.” However, no action was taken against them. “They are righteous people who serves their master faithfully,” said Sima Yi, and he even confirmed these men in their offices. Xin Chang sighed, “Had I not listened to the advice of my sister, I would have walked in the way of unrighteousness.” [16]

A poet has praised Xin Xianying saying:

“You call him lord and take his pay,

Then stand by him when danger nears

Thus to her brother spoke Xin Xianying

And won fair fame though endless years.”

Due to Xin Xianying's virtuous attitudes, Sima Yi was impressed by her loyalty, so the Xin clan was spared from extermination and later became one of the most loyal maintainers of the Jin dynasty (266-420).

Foreseeing Zhong Hui's downfall

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Further information: Zhong Hui's Rebellion

When the Wei general Zhong Hui was appointed as General Who Guards the West (鎮西ちんぜい將軍しょうぐん) in 263,[17] Xin Xianying asked her nephew Yang Hu: "Why is Zhong Shiji going to the west?" Yang Hu replied: "He is leading a campaign to conquer Shu."[18] Xin Xianying then cautioned Yang Hu: "Zhong Hui is wilful and unbridled in his ways. This is a sign that he won't remain subordinate to others for long. I believe that he may rebel in the future."[19]

When Zhong Hui was about to leave for the campaign against Shu, he wrote to the Wei imperial court to seek permission to bring along Yang Xiu (羊ひつじ琇), Xin Xianying's son, as a military adviser. Xin Xianying lamented: "In the past, I was worried for the State. Today, trouble has come to my family." Yang Xiu appealed to the Wei regent Sima Zhao to not accompany Zhong Hui on the campaign, but Sima Zhao denied his request.[20] Before Yang Xiu left, Xin Xianying advised him: "Always be mindful of your actions. The junzis of ancient times were filial towards their parents at home, and loyal to their states outside home. When you do your job, always think about what your duty is. When you face a question of morality, always think about where you stand. Don't make your parents worry about you. When you are in the army, being benevolent towards others will go a long way to help you."[21]

In March 264,[17] after successfully conquering Shu for Wei, Zhong Hui started a rebellion against Wei. However, the rebellion failed when some of Zhong Hui's men mutinied against him and killed him. Yang Xiu remained unharmed throughout the rebellion.[22]

Death

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Xin Xianying died in 269 during the reign of Emperor Wu in the Western Jin dynasty. She was 79 (by East Asian age reckoning) at the time of her death.[a][2]

Appraisal

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Since her childhood, Xin Xianying had been studying and reading,[23] which girls in her time did not normally do. She was also known for her intelligence, talent and wisdom.[24]

Xin Xianying was also known for leading a simple and frugal life. When her nephew Yang Hu once sent her a silk blanket as a gift, she found the gift too expensive so she returned it to him.[25]

Relatives and descendants

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Xin Xianying and Yang Dan had at least two sons and a daughter. Their first son, Yang Jin (羊ひつじ瑾), served as the Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing (尚書しょうしょ右みぎ僕ぼく射しゃ) in the Cao Wei government.[26] Yang Jin's son, Yang Xuanzhi (羊ひつじ玄げん之の), served as Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing (尚書しょうしょ右みぎ僕ぼく射しゃ) and a Palace Attendant (侍さむらい中ちゅう) in the government of the Jin dynasty. Yang Xuanzhi was the father of Yang Xianrong, who married Emperor Hui of the Jin dynasty.[27]

Xin Xianying and Yang Dan's second son, Yang Xiu (羊ひつじ琇), continued serving in the government of the Jin dynasty after the end of the Cao Wei state, and became a Regular Mounted Attendant (散ち騎き常つね侍さむらい) under Emperor Wu, the first Jin emperor.[28]

Xin Xianying and Yang Dan's daughter married Xiahou Zhuang (夏なつ侯こう莊そう), a son of Xiahou Wei and grandson of Xiahou Yuan. Xiahou Zhuang and Xin Xianying's daughter had a son, Xiahou Zhan (夏なつ侯ほう湛じん), who became a notable scholar and official in the Jin dynasty. Xiahou Zhuang also had another son, Xiahou Chun (夏なつ侯ほう淳あつし), who served as a commandery administrator in the Jin dynasty.[29] Xiahou Zhuang's daughter, Xiahou Guangji (夏なつ侯ほう光ひかり姬ひめ), was the mother of Emperor Yuan of the Jin dynasty.[30]

Other notable relatives of Xin Xianying include Yang Hu and Yang Huiyu, her nephew and niece respectively through her marriage to Yang Dan.

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Xin Xianying is first introduced as a playable character aligned with the Jin dynasty faction in the ninth installment of Koei Tecmo's video game series Dynasty Warriors. Her personality is portrayed as a cheerful and intelligent young woman who has excellent insight. Her character voice role is filled by Shino Shimoji.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Xin Xianying's biography in the Jin Shu recorded that she died in the 5th year of the Taishi era (265–274) of the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin at the age of 79 (by East Asian age reckoning).[1] By calculation, her year of birth was 191.

References

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  1. ^ (泰やすし始はじめ五ご年ねん卒そつ，年ねん七なな十じゅう九きゅう。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  2. ^ a b c d e de Crespigny (2007), p. 897.
  3. ^ According to her biography in vol. 96 of Book of Jin, "Xianying" was her courtesy name. Her given name was not recorded in official histories.
  4. ^ (... 外孫そとまご夏なつ侯ほう湛じん為ため其傳曰： ...) Shiyu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 25.
  5. ^ (羊ひつじ耽ふけ妻つま辛からし氏し，字じ憲けん英えい，隴西人じん，魏ぎ侍さむらい中ちゅう毗之女おんな也。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  6. ^ (其先建けん武中たけなか，自じ隴西東遷とうせん。) Sanguozhi vol. 25.
  7. ^ (世よ語ご曰： ... 毗女憲けん英えい，適てき太ふと常つね泰山たいざん羊ひつじ耽ふけ， ...) Shiyu annotation in Sanguozhi, vol. 25.
  8. ^ Sima (1084), vol. 68.
  9. ^ (初はつ，魏ぎ文ぶん帝みかど得とく立りつ為ため太子たいし，抱だき毗項謂いい之の曰：「辛からし君くん知し我わが喜き不ふ？」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  10. ^ (毗以告つげ憲けん英えい，憲けん英えい歎曰：「太子たいし，代だい君主くんしゅ宗廟そうびょう社稷しゃしょく者しゃ也。代だい君くん不可ふか以不戚，主おも國こく不可ふか以不懼，宜むべ戚而喜き，何なに以能久ひさ！魏ぎ其不昌あきら乎？」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  11. ^ Sima (1084), vol. 75.
  12. ^ (弟おとうと敞たかし為ため大將たいしょう軍曹ぐんそう爽參軍ぐん，宣せん帝みかど將はた誅爽，因いん其從魏ぎ帝みかど出で而閉城門じょうもん，爽司馬ば魯芝率りつ府ふ兵へい斬き關せき赴爽，呼よび敞たかし同どう去さ。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  13. ^ (敞たかし懼，問もん憲けん英えい曰：「天子てんし在外ざいがい，太ふとし傅でん閉城門もん，人にん云うん將はた不利ふり國家こっか，於事可か得とく爾なんじ乎？」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  14. ^ (憲けん英えい曰：「事こと有ゆう不ふ可知かち，然しか以吾度ど之の，太ふとし傅でん殆不得とく不ふ爾なんじ。明あかり皇帝こうてい臨崩，把わ太ふとし傅でん臂ひじ，屬ぞく以後いご事こと，此言猶なお在朝ざいちょう士し之の耳みみ。且曹爽與太よた傅でん俱受寄託きたく之の任にん，而獨專せん權勢けんせい，於王室しつ不忠ふちゅう，於人道どう不ふ直じき，此舉不ふ過か以誅爽耳。」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  15. ^ (敞たかし曰：「然しか則のり敞たかし無む出で乎？」憲けん英えい曰：「安やす可か以不出で！職しょく守もり，人にん之の大だい義也よしや。凡人ぼんじん在ざい難なん，猶なお或ある恤之；為ため人じん執と鞭むち而棄其事，不祥ふしょう也。且為人じん任にん，為ため人死ひとじに，親昵しんじつ之の職しょく也，汝なんじ從したがえ眾而已やめ。」敞たかし遂とげ出で。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  16. ^ (宣せん帝みかど果はて誅爽。事こと定じょう後ご，敞たかし歎曰：「吾われ不ふ謀はかりごと於姊，幾いく不ふ獲え於義！」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  17. ^ a b Sima (1084), vol. 78.
  18. ^ (其後鐘かね會かい為ため鎮西ちんぜい將軍しょうぐん，憲けん英えい謂いい耽ふけ從したがえ子こ祜曰：「鐘かね士し季き何故なぜ西出にしで？」祐ゆう曰：「將はた為ため滅めつ蜀しょく也。」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  19. ^ (憲けん英えい曰：「會かい在ざい事こと縱たて恣ほしいまま，非ひ持久じきゅう處ところ下之したの道どう，吾われ畏かしこ其有他た志こころざし也。」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  20. ^ (及會將行まさゆき，請其子こ琇為參さん軍ぐん，憲けん英えい憂ゆう曰：「他日たじつ吾われ為國ためくに憂ゆう，今日きょう難なん至いたり吾われ家か矣。」琇固請於文ぶん帝みかど，帝みかど不ふ聽。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  21. ^ (憲けん英えい謂いい琇曰：「行くだり矣，戒之！古いにしえ之の君子くんし入いれ則そく致孝於親，出で則そく致節於國；在職ざいしょく思おもえ其所司し，在ざい義ぎ思おもえ其所立りつ，不ふ遺のこ父母ちちはは憂患ゆうかん而已。軍旅ぐんりょ之の間あいだ可か以濟者しゃ，其惟仁恕じんじょ乎！」) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  22. ^ (會かい至いたり蜀しょく果はて反はん，琇竟以全歸き。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  23. ^ Peterson (2000), p. 134.
  24. ^ (聰さとし朗ろう有ゆう才ざい鑒。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  25. ^ (祜嘗送錦にしき被ひ，憲けん英えい嫌いや其華，反はん而覆之の，其明鑒儉約やく如此。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
  26. ^ (兄あに瑾，尚書しょうしょ右みぎ僕ぼく射しゃ。) Jin Shu vol. 93.
  27. ^ (羊ひつじ玄げん之の，惠めぐみ皇后こうごう父ちち，尚書しょうしょ右みぎ僕ぼく射しゃ瑾之子こ也。 ... 遷尚書しょ右みぎ僕ぼく射しゃ，加か侍さむらい中ちゅう，進しん爵為公こう。) Jin Shu vol. 93.
  28. ^ (羊ひつじ琇，字じ稚やや舒，景けい獻けんじ皇后こうごう之の從したがえ父ちち弟おとうと也。父ちち耽ふけ，官かん至いたり太ふとし常つね。) Jin Shu vol. 93.
  29. ^ (夏なつ侯ほう湛じん，字じ孝こう若わか，譙國譙人也。祖そ威い，魏ぎ兗州刺史しし。父ちち莊そう，淮南ワイナン太守たいしゅ。 ... 淳あつし，字じ孝こう沖おき。亦また有ゆう文藻ぶんそう，與あずか湛たたえ俱知名めい。官かん至いたり弋陽太守たいしゅ。) Jin Shu vol. 55.
  30. ^ (元もと夏なつ侯ほう太ふとし妃ひ名めい光こう姬ひめ，沛國譙人也。祖そ威い，兗州刺史しし。父ちち莊そう，字じ仲なか容ひろし，淮南ワイナン太守たいしゅ、清明せいめい亭てい侯こう。) Jin Shu vol. 31.
  • Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
  • de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms 23-220 AD. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004156050.
  • Fang, Xuanling (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
  • Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
  • Peterson, Barbara Bennet (2000). Notable Women of China: Shang Dynasty to the Early Twentieth Century. M.E. Sharpe, Inc.
  • Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.
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