Pei Xian
Pei Xian | |
|---|---|
| 裴憲 | |
| Inspector of Yuzhou (豫州刺史) | |
| In office ?–311 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Huai of Jin |
| Minister Over the Masses (司徒) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Shi Le/Shi Hong/Shi Hu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Wenxi County, Shanxi |
| Died | Unknown |
| Children | Pei Yi Pei Jue |
| Parent | Pei Kai (father) |
| Courtesy name | Jingsi (景思) |
| Peerage | Duke of Anding |
Pei Xian (fl.4th century[1]), courtesy name Jingsi, was an official of the Jin dynasty (266–420) and the Han-Zhao and Later Zhao dynasties during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. A member of the prestigious Pei clan of Hedong, he initially served under the Jin as a military general, but was later captured and followed the Han general, Shi Le. After Shi Le founded the Later Zhao and became emperor, Pei Xian became an important minister in laying the framework for the new imperial government.
Life
[edit]Early life and career
[edit]Pei Xian was from the famous Pei clan of Hedong as the son of Prefect of the Palace Writers, Pei Kai (died 291). He was described as intelligent from a young age and liked to associate himself with chivalrous men. When he was 20 years old, he decided to change his ways and devoted himself to Confucianism. He did not leave his hometown for many years and during this time, he met the scholars, Xie Kun and Yu Ai, who both who praised him for his talents and character, even stating that he surpassed his own father.[2]
Pei Xian eventually entered the Western Jin government as the Resident Instructor of the Eastern Palace, as well as a Palace Attendant and Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat of the Yellow Gate. The Prince of Donghai and regent, Sima Yue, was married to his cousin, Princess Pei (daughter of Pei Kang, elder brother of Pei Kai). He later appointed Pei Xian the Inspector of Yu province and the General of the Household Gentlemen of the North.[3]
War with Han-Zhao
[edit]At the time, the Jin was at war with the Han-Zhao dynasty in northern China. In 308, Han forces led by Shi Le and Wang Mi attacked Ye, and the local commander, He Yu (和郁) abadoned the city and fled. In response, the imperial court ordered Pei Xian to lead his troops to Baima (白馬; near present-day Hua County, Henan) to campaign against Wang Mi, while another general, Wang Kan (王堪) was sent to Dongyan (東燕; in present-day Fengyang, Anhui) to oppose Shi Le.[4]
In 309, Shi Le invaded Xindu Commandery and killed the Inspector of Ji province, Wang Bin (王斌). Pei Xian and Wang Kan were ordered by the court to move against him. Upon hearing the news, Shi Le burnt all his supplies and camps before tuning around and occupying Huangniu Ramparts (黃牛壘) to face them. Soon after, the Administrator of Wei Commandery, Liu Ju (劉矩) surrendered his commandery to Shi Le, who then led his forces to Liyang (黎陽; present-day Xun County, Henan). Pei Xian abandoned his army and fled to south of the Huai river, while Wang Kan retreated to Cangyuan (倉垣, in modern Kaifeng, Henan).[5]
In 311, Sima Yue died of illness and Emperor Huai of Jin was captured at Luoyang by Han forces in the Disaster of Yongjia. A provisional government was set up by Xun Fan, and he granted the Prince of Langya, Sima Rui, who ruled over the Jiangnan region, power to appoint and dismiss high-ranking officials. Both Pei Xian and the Inspector of Jiang province refused to acknowledge Sima Rui's new authority. Thus, the prince sent his generals, Wang Dun, Gan Zhuo and others to attack them.[6]
After Hua Yi was defeated and killed, Pei Xian fled to You province, where he joined the provincial inspector, Wang Jun. Not long after, Wang Jun set up his own provisional government and installed a new crown prince, though his name was not recorded. He also appointed Pei Xian as a Master of Writing.[7]
Capture and service under Shi Le
[edit]In 314, Wang Jun was captured and sent for execution at the Han capital by Shi Le. Wang Jun's associates including Zao Song (棗嵩) all rushed to apologize for their crimes and offered bribes to Shi Le, but only Pei Xian and his peer, Xun Chuo (荀綽; grandson of Xun Xu and a nephew of Xun Fan) refused to meet him. Shi Le eventually summoned them and questioned their refusal to save themselves. Pei Xian appeared calm at first but then cried as he said, "Our families have served the Jin for generations and have enjoyed its honours and fortunes. Though Wang Jun was ruthless and crude, he was still a vassal of Jin, and so we followed him and dared not think otherwise. If Duke Ming (Shi Le) does not cultivate virtue and righteousness but is bent on intimidation and punishment, then our only wish is to die. What other escape is there? Please grant us death."[8]
The two then left without performing obeisance. Shi Le summoned them back and apologized, treating them both as distinguished guests. When Shi Le went to investigate the homes of Wang Jun's aides and relatives, he found that they had hoard an enormous amount of wealth. Meanwhile, Pei Xian and Xun Chuo only had over a hundred volumes of books along with a few piles of salt and rice. Shi Le said to advisor, Zhang Bin, "Their reputations are well deserved. I am not happy that I have captured You province; I am happy that I have gained these two." Pei Xian was appointed Assistant Officer of the Household while Xun Chuo was appointed an Army Advisor.
In 318, the consort kin, Jin Zhun, massacred the Han imperial family at Pingyang, dug up the tombs of Liu Yuan and Liu Cong and burnt down the ancestral temple. Shi Le and Liu Yao led their forces against him, and after his defeat, Shi Le appointed Pei Xian, along with Shi Hui (石会), to restore Liu Yuan and Liu Cong's tombs.[9]
Service under Later Zhao
[edit]In 319, Shi Le broke away from the Han-Zhao and established the Later Zhao dynasty. He appointed Pei Xian as Libationer of Education in the Classics. Pei Xian later left the court to serve as Administrator of Changle Commandery, and he was then promoted to Prefect of the Gentlemen of the Palace.
In 330, after Shi Le assumed the title of Heavenly King, he made Pei Xian a Master of Writing. Later that year, Shi Le elevated himself to Emperor, but at the time, the national institutions had not been put in place. Pei Xian and his fellow minister, Wang Bo (王波) aided him by compiling court rites and establishing a cultural charter, modelling them after the previous dynasties. He also compiled the "San Zhengdonggeng Yi" (三正東耕儀) which concerned the emperor's allocation of land.[10] Shi Le was pleased by his work and showed him even more favour, promoting him to Palace Counsellor and then to Minister Over the Masses.[11]
Pei Xian was shown more respect and esteem during the reign of Shi Hu, though he was embroiled in a controversy involving his sons, Pei Yi (裴挹) and Pei Jue (裴瑴). His sons were both literary talents, with Pei Jue even becoming an official in the Zhao government. As nobles, they enjoyed drinking and evaluating people, but were at odds with Xing Yu (邢魚) of Hejian Commandery. One day, Xing Yu stole Pei Jue's horse and fled to Duan Liao, leader of the Duan tribe in Liaoxi, but was captured along the way. Xing Yu admitted that he had information that Shi Hu was preparing a campaign against the Duan, and that he was trying to warn Duan Liao beforehand. However, he also implicated Pei Jue by claiming that he had been acting under his orders. Shi Hu was indeed planning to attack the Duan, and after being informed, he had Pei Yi and Pei Jue executed. Pei Xian was dismissed from his office as well, but shortly after, he was invited back to serve as Household Counselor With Golden Tassel of the Right, Minister Over the Masses and Grand Tutor. He was also enfeoffed as the Duke of Anding Commandery.[12]
Though he held various high-ranking offices, records describe Pei Xian as showing no interest at attaining success. He was further described as being calm and collected in court with very little to say, not paying much attention to affairs within the court. However, his reputation grew due to his virtue, and he was always respected and treated with courtesy. He eventually died in an unknown year and was succeed by Pei Mai (裴邁), the son of his clan member, Pei Zhi (裴峙).[13]
References
[edit]- ^ According to vol.35 of Jin Shu, Pei's father Pei Kai died in 291.
- ^ (憲字景思。少而穎悟，好交輕俠。及弱冠，更折節嚴重，修尚儒學，足不逾閾者數年。陳郡謝鯤、潁川庾敳皆俊郎士也，見而奇之，相謂曰：「裴憲鯁亮宏達，通機識命，不知其何如父；至於深弘保素，不以世物嬰心者，其殆過之。」) Jin Shu, vol.35
- ^ (初，侍講東宮，曆黃門吏部郎、侍中。東海王越以為豫州刺史、北中郎將、假節。) Jin Shu, vol.35
- ^ (九月，漢王彌、石勒寇鄴，和郁棄城走。詔豫州刺史裴憲屯白馬以拒彌，車騎將軍王堪屯東燕以拒勒，平北將軍曹武屯大陽以備蒲子。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.86
- ^ (進寇信都，害冀州刺史王斌。於是車騎將軍王堪、北中郎將裴憲自洛陽率衆討勒，勒燒營幷糧，迴軍距之，次于黃牛壘。魏郡太守劉矩以郡附于勒，勒使矩統其壘衆為中軍左翼。勒至黎陽，裴憲棄其軍奔于淮南，王堪退堡倉垣。) Jin Shu, vol.104
- ^ (及睿承荀藩檄，承制署置官司，改易長吏，軼與豫州刺史裴憲皆不從命。睿遣揚州刺史王敦、歷陽內史甘卓與揚烈將軍廬江周訪合兵擊軼。軼兵敗，奔安成，訪追斬之，及其五子。裴憲奔幽州。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.87
- ^ (秋，七月，王浚設壇告類，立皇太子，布告天下，稱受中詔承制封拜，備置百官，列署征、鎭，以荀藩爲太尉，琅邪王睿爲大將軍。浚自領尚書令，以裴憲及其壻棗嵩爲尚書，以田徽爲兗州刺史，李惲爲青州刺史。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.87
- ^ (勒殺浚麾下精兵萬人。浚將佐爭詣軍門謝罪，饋賂交錯；前尚書裴憲、從事中郎荀綽獨不至，勒召而讓之曰：「王浚暴虐，孤討而誅之，諸人皆來慶謝，二君獨與之同惡，將何以逃其戮乎！」對曰：「憲等世仕晉朝，荷其榮祿，浚雖凶粗，猶是晉之藩臣，故憲等從之，不敢有貳。明公苟不脩德義，專事威刑，則憲等死自其分，又何逃乎！請就死。」不拜而出。勒召而謝之，待以客禮。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.89
- ^ (石勒焚平陽宮室，使裴憲、石會脩永光、宣光二陵，收漢主粲已下百餘口葬之，置戍而歸。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.90
- ^ (裴憲撰《三正東耕儀》。《東耕儀》：直殿中監，鋪席於侍臣之南，北面，解匣出御耒，跪授黃門侍中，侍中釋劍擎跽，以穎受尊。太常贊曰：「皇帝親耕藉田，一推一反，三推三反。」成禮，侍中跽取耒與侍郎，以授殿中監，監復韜匣。」) Sanshiguo Chunqiu
- ^ (及勒僭號，未遑制度，與王波為之撰朝儀，於是憲章文物，擬于王者。勒大悅，署太中大夫，遷司徒。) Jin Shu, vol.35
- ^ (及季龍之世，彌加禮重。憲有二子：挹、㲄，並以文才知名。㲄仕季龍為太子中庶子、散騎常侍。挹、㲄俱豪俠耽酒，好臧否人物。與河間邢魚有隙，魚竊乘㲄馬奔段遼，為人所獲，魚誣㲄使己以季龍當襲鮮卑，告之為備。時季龍適謀伐遼，而與魚辭正合。季龍悉誅挹、㲄，憲亦坐免。未幾，復以為右光祿大夫、司徒、太傅，封安定郡公。) Jin Shu, vol.35
- ^ (憲曆官無干績之稱，然在朝玄默，未嘗以物務經懷。但以德重名高，動見尊禮。竟卒于石氏，以族人峙子邁為嗣。) Jin Shu, vol.35
Sources
[edit]- Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.