courtesy name
A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...
Zi'ang, was a government official of the state of
Cao Wei
Wei () was one of the major Dynasties in Chinese history, dynastic states in China during the Three Kingdoms period. The state was established in 220 by Cao Pi based upon the foundations laid by his father Cao Cao during the end of the Han dy ...
during the
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...
period of China. He previously served under the warlord
Cao Cao
Cao Cao (; ; ; 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde, was a Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (), ultimately taking effective control of the Han central government. He laid the foundation f ...
in the late
Eastern Han dynasty
The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
. Having fled to the far north in the early parts of the civil war, he became known for his honesty and virtue, and would serve in instructional roles for two of Cao Cao's sons.
Early life
Xing Yong was from Mo County (), Hejian Commandery (), which is located south of present-day
Xiong County
Xiong County or Xiongxian () is a county in the central part of Hebei province, China. It is the easternmost county-level division of the prefecture-level city of Baoding.
It is part of the Xiong'an New Area designated by national government in A ...
,
Hebei
Hebei is a Provinces of China, province in North China. It is China's List of Chinese administrative divisions by population, sixth-most populous province, with a population of over 75 million people. Shijiazhuang is the capital city. It bor ...
. In his early years, he was nominated as a ''
xiaolian
Xiaolian (; literally " filial and incorrupt"), was the standard of nominating civil officers started by Emperor Wu of Han in 134 BC. It lasted until its replacement by the imperial examination system during the Sui dynasty. In Confucian philosop ...
'' (civil service candidate) by his home commandery and offered the position of an assistant official under the Minister over the Masses (). However, he rejected the offer, changed his name, and moved to Youbeiping Commandery (右北平郡; around present-day
Tangshan
Tangshan ( zh, c=唐山 , p=Tángshān) is a coastal, industrial prefecture-level city in the northeast of Hebei province. It is located in the eastern part of Hebei Province and the northeastern part of the North China Plain. It is located in t ...
, Hebei), where he met and befriended Tian Chou and travelled around with him.
Service under Cao Cao
Five years later, around the year 207, the warlord
Cao Cao
Cao Cao (; ; ; 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde, was a Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (), ultimately taking effective control of the Han central government. He laid the foundation f ...
conquered
Ji Province
Ji Province, also known by its Chinese name Jizhou, was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China. It is referenced in Chinese historical texts such as the ''Tribute of Yu'', ''Erya'' and ''Rites of Zhou''. It consisted of lands north of the Y ...
(covering much of present-day Hebei and parts of
Shandong
Shandong is a coastal Provinces of China, province in East China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history since the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River. It has served as a pivotal cultural ...
). When Xing Yong heard about it, he told Tian Chou: "It has been over 20 years since the
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, alternatively translated as the Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt during the late Eastern Han dynasty of ancient China. The uprising broke out in 184 CE, during the reign of Emperor Ling. Although t ...
. The Han Empire is in a state of chaos and the people are displaced from their homes. I heard that Lord Cao upholds law and order. The people are tired of living in a chaotic era and hope that peace will be restored soon. I want to be a pioneer in all this." He then returned to Hejian Commandery. Tian Chou remarked: "Xing Yong is the first person among the common people to come to that realisation."
Xing Yong sought an audience with Cao Cao and volunteered to guide Cao Cao and his army on a campaign against Yuan Shao's sons and their
Chaoyang, Liaoning
Chaoyang ( zh, s=朝阳, t=朝陽, p=Cháoyáng) is a prefecture-level city in western Liaoning province, People's Republic of China.
With a vast land area of almost , it is by area the largest prefecture-level city in Liaoning, and borders on ...
). Cao Cao appointed him as an Assistant Officer () in Ji Province. At the time, Xing Yong was famous for his virtuous conduct.
Cao Cao subsequently promoted Xing Yong to the position of Chief () of Guangzong County (廣宗縣; southeast of present-day Guangzong County,
Hebei
Hebei is a Provinces of China, province in North China. It is China's List of Chinese administrative divisions by population, sixth-most populous province, with a population of over 75 million people. Shijiazhuang is the capital city. It bor ...
). Xing Yong resigned later when his superior, the commandery administrator, died. When other officials reported him to Cao Cao (because they saw his resignation as an irresponsible action), Cao Cao said: "Xing Yong had a close relationship with his superior. He wants to show his devout loyalty to his superior. There is no need to fault him for that."
Cao Cao later summoned Xing Yong back to serve as an assistant official under him before appointing him as the Prefect () of Tang County (唐縣; northwest of present-day Shunping County,
Hebei
Hebei is a Provinces of China, province in North China. It is China's List of Chinese administrative divisions by population, sixth-most populous province, with a population of over 75 million people. Shijiazhuang is the capital city. It bor ...
). During his tenure, Xing Yong promoted agriculture and civil culture among the county residents. Some time later, Cao Cao recalled him to serve in his administrative office before reassigning him to
Zuopingyi
Pingyi ( zh, 馮翊), also known as Zuo Pingyi ( zh, 左馮翊), was a historical region of China located in modern Shaanxi province.
In early Han dynasty, the administrator of an area to the east of the capital Chang'an was known as ''Zuo Neishi' ...
Commandery (左馮翊; around present-day
Weinan
Weinan ( zh, s=渭南 , p=Wèinán) is a prefecture-level city in east-Guanzhong, central Shaanxi, Shaanxi province, northwest China. The city lies on the lower section of the Wei River confluence into the Yellow River, about east of the provinc ...
,
Shaanxi
Shaanxi is a Provinces of China, province in north Northwestern China. It borders the province-level divisions of Inner Mongolia to the north; Shanxi and Henan to the east; Hubei, Chongqing, and Sichuan to the south; and Gansu and Ningxia to t ...
). Xing Yong resigned later due to illness.
Around 214, when Cao Cao was selecting officials to serve in the personal staffs of his sons, he said: "The personal staffs of nobles should be staffed by officials who are as familiar with rules and protocol as Xing Yong." Fitting his policy of appointing staff that were not close to the sons, he then appointed Xing Yong as Assistant of the Household (家丞), the head of the household staff to his fourth son, the poet
Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi (; ; 192 – 27 December 232), courtesy name Zijian (), posthumously known as Prince Si of Chen (陈思王), was a prince of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China, and an accomplished poet in his time. His style o ...
. As Xing Yong strictly followed the rules and protocol without exception, Cao Zhi, who was known for his unbridled behaviour, disliked Xing Yong and distanced himself from Xing Yong. Liu Zhen (), a skilled writer and a favoured member of Cao Zhi's household, was concerned by this and wrote to Cao Zhi: "Xing Yong is one of the talents from the north. Since young, he was already known for conducting himself with virtue and morality. He is a true gentleman as he shows humble and polite behaviour, and he thinks more than he speaks. I do not think I am worthy enough to serve you alongside him. However, I have received especially generous treatment from you, while Xing Yong, in contrast, has been shunned and given the cold shoulder. I am worried that people will start criticising you for associating yourself with the non-virtuous and being disrespectful towards the virtuous, and for favouring a servant over your steward. You will be in deep trouble if such criticisms indirectly affect your father's reputation as well. I feel very uneasy when I ponder over this."
Cao Cao later recalled Xing Yong to serve as a military adviser under him before reassigning him as Senior Clerk in the Department of the East, which was responsible for financial matters. Around the time, Cao Cao had not designated one of his sons as the heir apparent to his
vassal
A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain ...
kingdom yet. His preferred choice was Cao Zhi; Cao Zhi's associates such as Ding Yi also tried to help Cao Zhi win the succession by praising him in front of Cao Cao. When Cao Cao sought views from officials about the choice of heir, he consulted Xing Yong, given his former role as head of a candidate's household, who advised "It is against tradition to choose a younger son over an older son to be one's heir apparent. I hope that Your Highness will reconsider this carefully!" Cao Cao understood what Xing Yong meant, and eventually designated his eldest surviving son,
Cao Pi
Cao Pi () (late 187 – 29 June 226), courtesy name Zihuan, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the second son of Cao Cao, a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty, but the ...
, as his heir apparent. He then appointed Xing Yong as the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince () before promoting him to Grand Tutor () later.
Service in Wei
Cao Cao died in March 220 and was succeeded by Cao Pi as the ruler of his vassal kingdom. Later that year, Cao Pi usurped the throne from the figurehead
Emperor Xian
Emperor Xian of Han (2 April 181 – 21 April 234), personal name Liu Xie (劉協), courtesy name Bohe, was the 14th and last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He reigned from 28 September 189 until his abdication and subsequent end ...
, ended the
Eastern Han dynasty
The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
, and established the state of
Cao Wei
Wei () was one of the major Dynasties in Chinese history, dynastic states in China during the Three Kingdoms period. The state was established in 220 by Cao Pi based upon the foundations laid by his father Cao Cao during the end of the Han dy ...
with himself as the new emperor. After his coronation, Cao Pi appointed Xing Yong as a Palace Attendant () and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing (), and enfeoffed him as a Secondary Marquis (). Xing Yong was subsequently promoted to Colonel-Director of Retainers () and then Minister of Ceremonies ().
Xing Yong died in 223. His son, Xing You (), inherited his peerage as a Secondary Marquis.
Descendants
Xing Qiao (), a great-grandson of Xing Yong, had the
courtesy name
A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...
Zengbo (). Xing Qiao's mother was a daughter of Li Yin (李胤); he was known for his talent and virtuous conduct. During the ''Yuankang'' era (291–299) of the reign of Emperor Hui of the
Western Jin dynasty
Western may refer to:
Places
*Western, Nebraska, a village in the US
* Western, New York, a town in the US
* Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
* Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
*Western world, countries that ...
, Xing Qiao served as a supervisor of the selection bureau of the imperial secretariat alongside Liu Huan (), and was promoted to Colonel-Director of Retainers () shortly after. Xing Qiao was killed by Sima Xiao, Prince of Fanyang, on 20 Jun 306.(〔光熙元年五月〕戊申，骠骑、范阳王虓杀司隶校尉邢乔。) ''Jin Shu'', vol.04
See also
*
Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
The following are lists of people significant to the Three Kingdoms period (220–280) of Chinese history. Their names in Mandarin pinyin are sorted in alphabetical order.
Fictional characters in the 14th-century historical novel '' Romance o ...
Records of the Three Kingdoms
The ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'' is a Chinese official history written by Chen Shou in the late 3rd century CE, covering the end of the Han dynasty (220 CE) and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). It is regard ...
Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms
''Annotated 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 the fall of the Eastern Jin ...