Yuwen Xian

Biography

Family Background and Early Life

Yuwen Xian was born in 545, the eleventh year of the Datong era of Western Wei. He was the fifth son of Yuwen Tai, the Western Wei power holder and founder of Northern Zhou, and his mother was Lady Dabuqian. Among Yuwen Tai's sons, Yuwen Xian was close in age to Yuwen Yong, the future Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. In youth the two studied the Book of Songs and the Spring and Autumn Annals together and were said to grasp their central meanings. Yuwen Xian was intelligent, open-minded, and composed from an early age; even as a child his bearing was described as grave and unusual.

In 554, the first year of Emperor Gong of Western Wei, the nine-year-old Yuwen Xian was enfeoffed as Duke of Ancheng Commandery. After Emperor Xiaomin Yuwen Jue became ruler of Northern Zhou, Yuwen Xian was appointed General-in-Chief of Agile Cavalry and Kaifu Yitong Sansi. Under Emperor Ming Yuwen Yu he was promoted to Grand General.

Governing Shu

After Yuwen Tai had pacified the Shu region, he considered its terrain strategically important and did not want to entrust it to an older general. He asked his sons, beginning with Yuwen Yong and the younger brothers, which of them would go. Before the others could answer, Yuwen Xian volunteered. Yuwen Tai told him that a governor had to pacify subordinates and govern the people and that such duties might be beyond a child, adding that seniority would normally give his older brothers precedence. Yuwen Xian replied that ability differed from person to person and did not depend on age, and that if he failed after being tested he would willingly accept direct reproach. Yuwen Tai was delighted, though Yuwen Xian's youth ultimately kept him from the assignment at that time.

In 559, the first year of the Wucheng era, Emperor Ming fulfilled Yuwen Tai's earlier intention and appointed Yuwen Xian chief administrator of Yizhou, commander of military affairs for twenty-four provinces including Yi, Ning, Ba, and Lu, and governor of Yizhou. He was promoted to Duke of Qi with a fief of ten thousand households. Yuwen Xian was fourteen years old, though one account gives sixteen. He proved skilled at reassuring and directing his subordinates, paid close attention to administration, and patiently heard a heavy load of legal disputes. The people of Shu remembered his benevolent rule and jointly erected a stele in his praise. He was soon promoted to Pillar of State.

Campaigns against Northern Qi

During the Baoding era (561–565), Yuwen Xian was recalled to the capital and made governor of Yongzhou. Duke Yuwen Hu of Jin launched an eastern campaign against Northern Qi, with Yuchi Jiong as the vanguard besieging Luoyang. Yuwen Xian, Daxi Wu, Wang Xiong, and others camped at Mangshan to hold strategic positions. Tens of thousands of Northern Qi troops suddenly attacked the Zhou army from the rear, causing several units to panic and collapse. Only Yuwen Xian, Wang Xiong, and Daxi Wu held their ground. Wang Xiong was killed, shaking the entire army. Yuwen Xian personally supervised and encouraged the troops, restoring their morale. During Yuwen Hu's regency, Yuwen Xian enjoyed his confidence and was consulted on matters of reward and punishment.

In 568, the third year of Tianhe, Yuwen Xian became Grand Marshal, concurrently Lesser Chief Minister, while continuing as governor of Yongzhou. In 569, Northern Qi general Dugu Yongye invaded, and the defender of Kongcheng, Nengbenda, killed his commander, seized the city, and defected to Qi. Yuwen Xian and Pillar of State Li Mu were ordered toward Yiyang, where they constructed five forts including Chongde to cut Northern Qi's supply lines. The famous Qi general Hulü Guang led 40,000 troops and built fortified positions south of the Luo River. In 570 Yuwen Xian crossed the river to attack. Hulü Guang withdrew, and Yuwen Xian pursued him to Anye before returning after repeated engagements.

That same year, Hulü Guang built another line of forts north of the Fen River extending west to Longmen. Yuwen Hu asked Yuwen Xian for advice. Yuwen Xian proposed that Yuwen Hu move to Tongzhou as a show of force while he led elite troops in front and acted according to circumstances. Yuwen Hu accepted. In 571, the sixth year of Tianhe, Yuwen Xian led 20,000 troops out through Longmen. Wang Kangde, Prince of Xincai in Northern Qi, fled at night after hearing of the advance. Yuwen Xian then appeared to return west, diverted the Fen River southward to flood Qi camps, and re-entered Qi territory. Believing Zhou forces would not dare penetrate deeply, the Qi relaxed their guard. Yuwen Xian crossed the Yellow River, captured four cities including Fulong within two days, and then took Zhangbi, seized military supplies, and demolished the defenses. Hulü Guang, at Huagu and unable to provide relief, turned to attack Yaoxiang. Fen Prefecture had long been besieged and its supplies cut off, so Yuwen Xian sent Pillar of State Yuwen Sheng with grain while he himself passed through Liangrugu, surprised and captured Qi-held Baishe, and advanced toward Yaoxiang. Duan Shao, Prince of Pingyuan, and Gao Changgong, Prince of Lanling, arrived with a large Qi army. Yuwen Xian formed ranks to meet them. Grand General Han Huan was attacked and retreated; Yuwen Xian personally supervised the fighting until the Qi army drew back slightly, and both sides disengaged at nightfall.

After the Execution of Yuwen Hu

In 572, the first year of the Jiande era, Emperor Wu executed Yuwen Hu. Yuwen Xian was summoned to court, removed his cap, and asked for punishment. Emperor Wu told him that the realm belonged to their great ancestor, that Yuwen Hu had shown contempt for the ruler and plotted rebellion, and that his execution was intended to secure the state. As Yuwen Xian was a close kinsman who shared the same fortunes as the imperial house but was not implicated in the affair, the emperor said there was no need for him to apologize. Yuwen Xian was ordered to go to Yuwen Hu's residence and seize military tallies and documents, and was then appointed Grand Chief Minister.

By this point, however, Emperor Wu had taken personal control of government and remained wary of powerful imperial relatives in the provinces. Yuwen Xian had gained increasing prestige under Yuwen Hu after the Tianhe era. When Yuwen Hu wished to submit proposals, he often had Yuwen Xian present them. As Emperor Wu might approve or reject them, Yuwen Xian feared this would create tension between ruler and chief minister and often tried to mediate tactfully. Although Emperor Wu understood his intentions, he remained uneasy about Yuwen Xian's great reputation. Yuwen Xian held the title of chief minister but in practice lost much of his authority.

Emperor Wu once summoned Yuwen Xian's reader Pei Wenju and explained the proper relationship between ruler and subject, asking him to advise Yuwen Xian not to behave as though he and the emperor were equals. When Pei Wenju reported this, Yuwen Xian struck the table, pointed to his heart, and said that Pei surely knew his long-standing intentions: he could only exhaust his loyalty and devotion and had nothing more to say.

Promotion to Prince and Suppression of Internal Revolt

In 574, the third year of Jiande, Yuwen Xian was elevated to princely rank. His friend Liu Xiuzheng presented him with a work titled Admonition for a Prince, which Yuwen Xian greatly admired. Liu later submitted it to Emperor Wu. As the emperor was then seeking to reduce the power of his brothers, he was pleased with it. Yuwen Xian considered military writings too extensive and difficult to reduce to their essentials, so he compiled and arranged them into five chapters titled Yaolüe and submitted the work to the throne. Emperor Wu praised it.

In the autumn of the same year, Emperor Wu went to Yunyang Palace and fell ill. Yuwen Zhi, Prince of Wei, raised a rebellion in the capital. The emperor summoned Yuwen Xian and ordered him to serve as vanguard against the rebels. Yuwen Zhi soon fled in defeat. After Emperor Wu returned to the capital, Yuwen Xian and Yuwen Zhao, Prince of Zhao, came to court to offer thanks. The emperor invoked the ancient stories of Guan Shu, Cai Shu, and the Duke of Zhou and lamented that brothers had been forced to fight one another. Yuwen Zhi had long deeply resented Yuwen Xian, who repeatedly yielded to him because Zhi was Emperor Wu's full brother. When Yuwen Hu was executed, Yuwen Zhi had urged that Yuwen Xian be implicated as well, but Emperor Wu refused. After Empress Dowager Chinu died, Yuwen Zhi secretly accused Yuwen Xian of continuing to drink wine and eat meat as usual; Emperor Wu rebuked him for making accusations without evidence.

The Destruction of Northern Qi and Later Years

In 575, the fourth year of Jiande, Emperor Wu planned an eastern campaign against Northern Qi and initially discussed it only with the inner secretary Wang Yi. Later, judging that none of his brothers matched Yuwen Xian in ability and strategy, he informed him as well. Yuwen Xian immediately supported the plan. Before the army departed, he submitted a memorial offering his property to help cover military expenses.

In 576, the fifth year of Jiande, Yuwen Xian led troops in the siege of Northern Qi's Jinzhou and defeated the Northern Qi ruler Gao Wei at Jinyang. The following year, 577, he participated in the capture of Ye and the destruction of Northern Qi. Yuwen Xian won repeated distinction in the campaign. His achievements, however, made him politically dangerous. Afterward he frequently claimed illness, remained at home, and no longer accompanied Emperor Wu on campaign.

Wrongful Execution

In 578, the first year of the Xuanzheng era, Emperor Wu died and Crown Prince Yuwen Yun succeeded as Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou. Emperor Xuan had long known that Yuwen Xian was senior in generation and highly respected and feared that he might become another Yuwen Hu. On the twenty-eighth day of the sixth lunar month, August 16, 578, the emperor sent men to falsely accuse Yuwen Xian of rebellion and ordered him to die at home. Yuwen Xian was thirty-three. His posthumous title was Prince Yang.

Major Activities

Military Campaigns

Yuwen Xian spent much of his life in the army, with his principal achievements coming in the long wars against Northern Qi. During the Tianhe era he directed campaigns around Yiyang and north of the Fen River, repeatedly facing Northern Qi's foremost general, Hulü Guang. In the 571 campaign north of the Fen, Yuwen Xian used deception and maneuver: he first feigned a westward withdrawal, then diverted the Fen River to flood Qi fortifications, and, after the enemy relaxed its guard, crossed the river and captured four cities including Fulong before taking Zhangbi. In 576–577, during the final conquest of Northern Qi, he helped besiege Jinzhou, capture Jinyang, and take Ye, earning distinction among the Zhou forces.

Governance of Shu

At fourteen, Yuwen Xian became chief administrator of Yizhou and commander of military affairs for twenty-four provinces, making him one of the youngest Northern Zhou princes entrusted with an independent command. In Shu he was skilled at pacification, attentive to administration, and patient in hearing legal cases. The local population remembered his rule and erected a stele to praise his conduct. The episode shows that his abilities extended beyond warfare to civil administration.

Compilation of a Military Work

Believing military texts to be too numerous and difficult to reduce to their essentials, Yuwen Xian compiled and organized them into a five-part work titled Yaolüe, which he submitted to the throne. This was an unusual scholarly contribution by a Northern Zhou prince and shows that he possessed literary cultivation as well as military experience.

Suppression of Yuwen Zhi's Rebellion

In 574, the third year of Jiande, Yuwen Zhi, Prince of Wei, raised a rebellion in the capital while Emperor Wu was ill at Yunyang Palace. Emperor Wu appointed Yuwen Xian as the vanguard to suppress the revolt, and Yuwen Zhi soon fled in defeat. Yuwen Xian's conduct in the crisis again demonstrated his loyalty to the emperor.

Personal Relations

Family

• Father: Yuwen Tai, Emperor Wen of Northern Zhou
• Mother: Lady Dabuqian
• Brothers: Yuwen Jue, Emperor Xiaomin; Yuwen Yu, Emperor Ming; Yuwen Yong, Emperor Wu; Yuwen Zhi, Prince of Wei; and others
• Wife: Lady Doulu, younger sister of Doulu Ji
• Children: Yuwen Gui (General-in-Chief of Chariots and Cavalry, governor of Binzhou, Duke of Anding Commandery); Yuwen Zhi (Prince of Hejian Commandery); Yuwen Zong (Grand General, Duke of Zhongba); Yuwen Gong (Duke of Ju, adopted as heir to Yuwen Puti)

Rulers and Ministers

• Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong: Yuwen Xian's half-brother and childhood study companion. Emperor Wu used his military ability in the conquest of Northern Qi while remaining wary of his growing prestige and limiting his authority.
• Emperor Xuan Yuwen Yun: Yuwen Xian's nephew. After taking the throne he deeply mistrusted Yuwen Xian and had him wrongfully executed.
• Yuwen Hu: Powerful minister and Yuwen Xian's cousin. Yuwen Hu trusted Yuwen Xian during his regency and involved him in plans for eastern campaigns. After Yuwen Hu's execution, Yuwen Xian escaped punishment but lost political power because of the association.

Colleagues and Subordinates

• Daxi Wu and Wang Xiong: Comrades at the Battle of Mangshan; Wang Xiong was killed there
• Li Mu: Campaigned with Yuwen Xian toward Yiyang in 569
• Wei Xiaokuan: Northern Zhou general who cooperated with Yuwen Xian during the conquest of Northern Qi
• Pei Wenju: Yuwen Xian's reader, whom Emperor Wu used to convey a warning to him
• Yuwen Sheng and Yuwen Hui: Subordinates under Yuwen Xian during the campaigns north of the Fen River
• Li Gang: Served Yuwen Xian in youth; after Yuwen Xian's death he oversaw the funeral and cared for the surviving children

Adversaries

• Hulü Guang: Northern Qi's leading general, who repeatedly fought Yuwen Xian around Yiyang and north of the Fen River
• Duan Shao and Gao Changgong: Northern Qi generals who faced Yuwen Xian in battle
• Yuwen Zhi: Yuwen Xian's half-brother, who repeatedly sought to implicate him out of jealousy and later rebelled unsuccessfully

Historical Assessment

Northern Zhou to Tang

• The historian of the Book of Zhou praised Yuwen Xian's outstanding bearing and martial spirit while also reflecting on the suspicion he aroused within his own family.
• Emperor Wu Yuwen Yong stated that he understood the intentions and conduct of the Duke of Qi.
• Li Gang, later an important early Tang official and the son of one of Yuwen Xian's former subordinates, was said to have supported Yuwen Xian's coffin and wailed at his death, and later could not speak of him without tears.

Song and Yuan Periods

• The Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau included Yuwen Xian among imperial clansmen who served as commanders and credited him with military achievements.
• Song scholar Hu Yin, discussing Yuwen Xian's death in Observations on Reading History, argued that Emperor Xuan's destruction of able relatives weakened Northern Zhou from within and accelerated its fall.

Ming and Qing Periods

• Wang Fuzhi, in Reflections on Reading the Comprehensive Mirror, argued that Yuwen Xian was an able imperial clansman who served the state yet died at the hands of a suspicious ruler, and that Northern Zhou's collapse began with Yuwen Yun's destruction of his own supports rather than with Yang Jian alone.
• Qing historian Zhao Yi, in Notes on the Twenty-Two Histories, treated Yuwen Xian's wrongful death and Yuwen Hu's concentration of power as representative examples of destructive conflict within the Northern Zhou imperial clan.

Modern Period

• Lü Simian, in History of the Jin and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, called Yuwen Xian the Northern Zhou imperial clansman with the greatest military talent and regarded his death as the loss of a pillar of the state.
• Modern scholars including Tian Yuqing have used Yuwen Xian's death to illustrate the depth of suspicion within the Northern Zhou imperial house and the extent to which the ruling group weakened itself in the dynasty's final years.