Yang Xi (died 261),

courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...

Wenran, was an official of the state of

Shu Han Han (; 221–263), known in historiography as Shu Han ( ) or Ji Han ( "Junior Han"), or often shortened to Shu (; pinyin: ''shŭ'' <

Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms () from 220 to 280 AD was the tripartite division of China among the dynastic states of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The Three Kingdoms period was preceded by the Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty and wa ...

period of China. He is best known for writing the ''Ji Han Fuchen Zan'' (季漢輔臣贊; pub. 241), a collection of praises of notable persons who served in the Shu Han state.

Chen Shou Chen Shou (; 233–297), courtesy name Chengzuo (), was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer who lived during the Three Kingdoms period and Jin dynasty of China. Chen Shou is most known for his most celebrated work, the ''Records of the ...

, the third-century historian who wrote the ''

Records of the Three Kingdoms The ''Records or History of the Three Kingdoms'', also known by its Chinese name as the Sanguo Zhi, is a Chinese historical text which covers the history of the late Eastern Han dynasty (c. 184–220 AD) and the Three Kingdoms period (220– ...

'' (''Sanguozhi''), extensively quoted and annotated Yang Xi's collection.

Life

Yang Xi was from Wuyang County (武陽縣), Qianwei Commandery (犍為郡), which is present-day Pengshan District,

Meishan Meishan (; Sichuanese Pinyin: Mi2san1; local pronunciation: ; ), formerly known as Meizhou () or Qingzhou (), is a prefecture-level city with 2,955,219 inhabitants as of 2020 census whom 1,232,648 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made of th ...

Sichuan Sichuan (; zh, c=, labels=no, ; zh, p=Sìchuān; alternatively romanized as Szechuan or Szechwan; formerly also referred to as "West China" or "Western China" by Protestant missions) is a province in Southwest China occupying most of the ...

. At a young age, Yang Xi was already quite well known in Shu. His fame put him on par with others such as Cheng Qi from Baxi Commandery, Yang Tai (楊汰) from Ba Commandery, and Zhang Biao from Shu Commandery. Yang Xi also often praised Cheng Qi as the most brilliant among the four of them.

Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang ( zh, t=諸葛亮 / 诸葛亮) (181 – September 234), courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. He was chancellor and later regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He is r ...

, the Imperial Chancellor of Shu, recognised and appreciated their talents. When Yang Xi was in his 20s, he started his career as a scribe in the administrative office of

Yi Province Yizhou (益州), Yi Province or Yi Prefecture, was a '' zhou'' (province) of ancient China. Its capital city was Chengdu.de Crespigny, p. 256. During the Han dynasty, it included the commanderies Hanzhong, Ba, Guanghan, Shu, Wenshan, Jianwei, ...

(covering present-day

and

Chongqing Chongqing ( or ; ; Sichuanese dialects, Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ), Postal Romanization, alternately romanized as Chungking (), is a Direct-administered municipalities of China, municipality in Southwes ...

) before rising to the position of a junior judicial officer. While in office, he reviewed and cleared difficult cases and earned praise from his colleagues for his appropriate handling of cases. He was later promoted to serve as Chief Clerk (主簿) in the Imperial Chancellor's office under Zhuge Liang. Following Zhuge Liang's death in 234, Yang Xi became an official in the selection bureau of the imperial secretariat. Later, he became an assistant officer in the headquarters office (治中從事) under

Jiang Wan Jiang Wan (180s - November or December 246), courtesy name Gongyan, was a regent and military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in the late Eastern Han dynasty, Jiang Wan initially served as a scribe, c ...

, who was then the Inspector of Yi Province. After Jiang Wan rose to the position of General-in-Chief (大將軍), he reassigned Yang Xi to be an official in the east bureau of his office. Yang Xi later consecutively served as an army adviser (參軍) to the General of the Household of the South (南中郎將), an assistant to the Area Commander of Laixiang (庲降都督), and Administrator (太守) of Jianning Commandery (建寧郡; covering parts of present-day

Yunnan Yunnan , () is a landlocked Provinces of China, province in Southwest China, the southwest of the People's Republic of China. The province spans approximately and has a population of 48.3 million (as of 2018). The capital of the province is ...

and

Guizhou Guizhou (; formerly Kweichow) is a landlocked province in the southwest region of the People's Republic of China. Its capital and largest city is Guiyang, in the center of the province. Guizhou borders the autonomous region of Guangxi to t ...

). Some time later, due to poor health, Yang Xi quit his post at Jianning Commandery and returned to the Shu capital

Chengdu Chengdu (, ; Simplified Chinese characters, simplified Chinese: 成都; pinyin: ''Chéngdū''; Sichuanese dialects, Sichuanese pronunciation: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: ), Chinese postal romanization, alternatively Romanization of Chi ...

, where he served as Army Supervisor Who Protects the Army (護軍監軍) until he recovered. He was then appointed as the Administrator of Zitong Commandery (梓潼郡; around present-day

Zitong County Zitong County () is a county in the northeast of Sichuan Province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Mianyang. It has an area of , and a population of in 2002. Its seat is from Chengdu Chengdu (, ; ...

), and later recalled back to Chengdu again to serve as Colonel of Trainee Archers (射聲校尉). While he was in office, Yang Xi gained a reputation for maintaining an honest, prudent, simple and minimalist approach towards performing his duties. In 257, Yang Xi accompanied the Shu general

Jiang Wei Jiang Wei (202 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Boyue, was a military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in Ji County (present-day Gangu County, Gansu), Jiang Wei started his career as a military officer ...

on a military campaign against Shu's rival state, Wei, and participated in the battle against Wei forces at Mangshui (芒水; southeast of present-day

Zhouzhi County Zhouzhi County () is a county under the administration of Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, China. It is the most spacious but least densely populated county-level division of Xi'an, and also contains the city's southernmost and westernmost ...

Shaanxi Shaanxi (alternatively Shensi, see #Name, § Name) is a landlocked Provinces of China, province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichu ...

). Yang Xi had all along been sceptical and suspicious of Jiang Wei. When he got drunk, he often cracked jokes and poked fun at Jiang Wei. Although Jiang Wei appeared to tolerate Yang Xi for ridiculing him, he actually bore a grudge against Yang Xi and wanted to get back at him. After the Shu army returned from the campaign, someone reported Yang Xi to the Shu imperial court for his disrespectful behaviour. As a result, Yang Xi was removed from office and reduced to the status of a commoner. Yang Xi died a few years later in 261.

Appraisal

Apart from his simple and minimalist approach towards work, Yang Xi was also known for being curt and terse when he spoke to others. He neither tried to be tactful with his words nor exchanged pleasantries and gifts with his colleagues. When he wrote letters and documents, he rarely wrote beyond one piece of paper. However, he maintained close ties with his friends, and was known for treating people with sincerity and kindness. Yang Xi was a close childhood friend of Han Yan (韓儼) and Li Tao (黎韬), who were from Baxi Commandery. After they grew up, only Yang Xi made it to a career in the government. Han Yan could not serve because of his poor health while Li Tao, who initially made it too, was later dismissed from office for misconduct. Despite what happened to them, Yang Xi still treated them like his close friends and even provided them financial aid and helped them in their daily lives. Around the time, many people said that the Shu official

Qiao Zhou Qiao Zhou (199 - 270), courtesy name Yunnan, was an official and scholar of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Ch ...

lacked talent and did not respect him much. Only Yang Xi regarded Qiao Zhou highly. He even once said: "Like us, the later generations can never be as good as this great man." Because of this, Yang Xi earned praise from others who also recognised Qiao Zhou for his talent.

''Ji Han Fuchen Zan''

In 241, Yang Xi wrote the ''Ji Han Fuchen Zan'' (季漢輔臣贊; pub. 241), a collection of praises of notable persons who served in Shu.

, the third-century historian who wrote the ''

'' (''Sanguozhi''), extensively quoted and annotated Yang Xi's collection. As the ''Ji Han Fuchen Zan'' was written in 241, it did not contain information about notable persons from Shu who died after that year. When he was writing Yang Xi's biography in the ''Sanguozhi'', Chen Shou added information on the notable persons who died after 241 at the end of the ''Ji Han Fuchen Zan'' so as to allow readers to have a rough understanding of these persons' lives.(自此之後卒者，則不追謚，故或有應見稱紀而不在乎篇者也。其戲之所贊而今不作傳者，余皆注疏本末於其辭下，可以觕知其髣髴云爾。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 45. A list of persons whom Yang Xi praised in his ''Ji Han Fuchen Zan'' (in order of mention): *

Liu Bei Liu Bei (, ; ; 161 – 10 June 223), courtesy name Xuande (), was a warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who founded the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period and became its first ruler. Although he was a distant relative of the H ...

* Xu Jing *

Guan Yu Guan Yu (; ), courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Along with Zhang Fei, he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on ...

Zhang Fei Zhang Fei () (died July or August 221 AD), courtesy name Yide, was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, who were among the earlies ...

Ma Chao Ma Chao () (176–222), courtesy name Mengqi, was a Chinese military general and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. A descendant of the general Ma Yuan, Ma Chao was the eldest son of Ma ...

Fa Zheng Fa Zheng (176–220), courtesy name Xiaozhi, was a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Born in a family of high social status and of noble descent, Fa Zheng travelled to Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan ...

Pang Tong Pang Tong () (179–214), courtesy name Shiyuan, was a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. In his youth, Pang Tong was disregarded because he was plain looking, however Sima Hui highly esteemed him call ...

Huang Zhong Huang Zhong (, ) (died 220), courtesy name Hansheng, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 219, in which ...

Dong He Dong He (died early 221), courtesy name Youzai, was an official and minister of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He originally served as Administrator of Yizhou under Liu Zhang, but surrendered to Liu Bei during L ...

* Deng Fang * Fei Guan * Wang Lian *

Liu Ba Liu Ba (died 222), courtesy name Zichu, was an official in the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He originally served under the warlord Liu Zhang before becoming a subordinate of Liu Bei (the founding emperor of Shu) ...

Mi Zhu Mi Zhu ( 165–221), courtesy name Zizhong, was a Chinese military general and politician who served under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty, during the Three Kingdoms period, after Liu Bei founded the state of Shu Han. He was a ...

* Wang Mou * He Zong * Du Wei * Zhou Qun * Wu Yi * Li Hui * Zhang Yi * Huang Quan * Yang Hong *

Zhao Yun Zhao Yun ( ) (died 229), courtesy name Zilong (), was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a subordinate of the northern warlord Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun later came ...

Chen Dao Chen Dao ( 190s–230s), courtesy name Shuzhi, was a military general of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlord Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han, in the late Eastern Han dynas ...

* Fu Kuang * Liu Yong *

Qin Mi Qin Mi (died 226), courtesy name Zichi, was an official of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. See also * Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms References * Chen, Shou (3rd century). ''Records of the Three Kingdo ...

* Li Yan *

Wei Yan Wei Yan () (died October 234), courtesy name Wenchang, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a subordinate of the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dyna ...

* Yang Yi * Ma Liang * Wei Wenjing * Han Shiyuan * Zhang Cun * Yin Guan * Xi Zhen * Wang Fu * Li Shao * Ma Xun * Ma Qi *

Li Fu Li Fu ( third century), courtesy name Sunde, was an official of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Early life Li Fu was born in the late Eastern Han dynasty in Fu County (涪縣), Zitong Commandery (梓潼郡), wh ...

* Li Chao *

Gong Lu Gong Lu (195–225), courtesy name Dexu, was an official of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Life Gong Lu was from Anhan County (安漢縣), Baxi Commandery (巴西郡), which is present-day Nanchong, Sichuan. His ...

* Wang Shi * Feng Xi * Zhang Nan * Cheng Ji * Cheng Qi *

Mi Fang Mi Fang (died 223), courtesy name Zifang, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was also the younger brother of Mi Zhu, who also served Liu Bei. In 219, Mi Fang surren ...

* Shi Ren * Hao Pu *

Pan Jun Pan Jun (died 239), courtesy name Chengming, was a minister and military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a minor official serving under the warlords Liu Biao and later Liu Bei in Jing Pro ...

Notes

References

* Chen, Shou (3rd century). ''

'' (''Sanguozhi''). *

Chang Qu Chang Qu () (c. 291 – c. 361 CE) was a 4th-century Chinese historian of the Cheng Han dynasty, who wrote the ''Chronicles of Huayang'' or ''Records of the States South of Mount Hua Mount Hua () is a mountain located near the city of Huayi ...

(4th century). ''

Chronicles of Huayang The ''Chronicles of Huayang'' or ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' () is the oldest extant gazetteer of a region of China. It was compiled by Chang Qu during the Jin Dynasty. It contains roughly 110,000 characters. Its contents comprise history, geography an ...

'' (''Huayang Guo Zhi''). * * Pei, Songzhi (5th century). ''

Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms () by Pei Songzhi (372-451) is an annotation completed in the 5th century of the 3rd century historical text ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', compiled by Chen Shou. After leaving his native land, Pei ...

'' (''Sanguozhi zhu''). * {{DEFAULTSORT:Yang, Xi Year of birth unknown 261 deaths Shu Han politicians Politicians from Meishan