Xiang Lang
Xiang Lang (160s-247),[1] courtesy name Juda, was an official and scholar of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlords Liu Biao and Liu Bei (later the founding emperor of Shu Han) in the late Eastern Han dynasty. In 243, Xiang Lang resigned and spent the remaining years of his life reading, writing, proofreading and editing various classical texts. By the time of his death in 247, he was one of the foremost book collectors of his time and a major source of influence for many later scholars. He was an uncle of the Shu general Xiang Chong.
Xiang Lang | |
|---|---|
| 向朗 | |
| General of the Left (左將軍) | |
| In office 234–? | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Minister of the Household (光祿勳) | |
| In office ?–234 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Chief Clerk to the Imperial Chancellor (丞相長史) | |
| In office ?–228 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Colonel of Infantry (步兵校尉) | |
| In office 228–233 | |
| Monarch | Liu Shan |
| Chancellor | Zhuge Liang |
| Administrator of Fangling (房陵太守) (under Liu Bei) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarchs | Emperor Xian of Han / Liu Bei (from 219) |
| Administrator of Zangke (牂牁太守) (under Liu Bei) | |
| In office ?–? | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Administrator of Baxi (巴西太守) (under Liu Bei) | |
| In office 214–? | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chief of Linju (臨沮長) (under Liu Biao) | |
| In office ?–208 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 160s[lower-alpha 1] Yicheng, Hubei |
| Died | 247[1] |
| Relations |
|
| Children | Xiang Tiao |
| Occupation | Official, scholar |
| Courtesy name | Juda (巨達) |
| Peerage | Marquis of Xianming Village (顯明亭侯) |
Early career
Xiang Lang was born in Yicheng, Xiangyang Commandery, which is present-day Yicheng, Hubei.[2] In his youth, Xiang Lang was a student of Sima Hui alongside Xu Shu, Han Song and Pang Tong. All of them, were close and friendly.[3] He was appointed as the Chief of Linju (臨沮長) by Liu Biao. Upon Liu Biao's death, Xiang Lang went to serve under Liu Bei.[4]
Service under Liu Bei
After Liu Bei conquered the lands south of the Yangtze River, he assigned Xiang Lang as Commander (督) of Mu (巫), Yidao (夷道), Yiling (夷陵) and Zigui (秭歸) in charge of military and civil affairs of the four counties. After Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from Liu Zhang in 214, he appointed Xiang Lang as the Administrator of Baxi Commandery (巴西太守). Soon, Xiang Lang was reassigned to serve as the Administrator of Zangke Commandery (牂牁太守) then as the Administrator of Fangling Commandery (房陵太守).[5]
Service under Liu Shan
In 223, after Liu Shan succeeded his father Liu Bei as the emperor of Shu, he appointed Xiang Lang as a Colonel of Infantry (步兵校尉) and Chief Clerk to the Imperial Chancellor (丞相長史), Zhuge Liang. In 225, when Zhuge Liang led the Shu forces on a campaign to pacify rebellions in the Nanzhong region, he left Xiang Lang in charge of domestic affairs at Shu's imperial capital, Chengdu.[6]
In 228, when Zhuge Liang led Shu forces on the first of a series of campaigns against Shu's rival state, Cao Wei, he brought Xiang Lang along and left him in charge of the Shu base at Hanzhong Commandery. The Shu vanguard, led by Ma Su, suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Jieting against Wei forces led by Zhang He. Xiang Lang received news that Ma Su fled his post, but due to his friendship with Ma Su, he did not report it to Zhuge Liang. Later, after Zhuge Liang found out, he was so furious that he dismissed Xiang Lang and sent him back to Chengdu.[7]
Some years later, Xiang Lang returned to serve in the Shu government as Minister of the Household (光祿勳). In 234, after Zhuge Liang's death, Liu Shan promoted Xiang Lang to the position of General of the Left (左將軍) and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Xianming Village (顯明亭侯) in recognition of his past contributions.[8]
In his youth, although he did study literature Xiang Lang wasn't interested in it. Instead, he wanted to serve as an official and for his ability received many praises. From the moment he was dismissed from his office as Chief Clerk, he traveled for almost thirty years without engaging in personal affairs.[lower-alpha 2] He concentrated his mind on the collection of records working assiduously and tirelessly. When he was more than eighty years old, he would still check personally each document, correct and inspect for any errors. He collected many books, volumes and scrolls and at the time had the largest library. He welcomed any guest. He would teach and receive many of the newer generation, but only to debate over ancient principles and refused to engage in discussion about current matters. For his attitude, he received praises. He was greatly respected from those in government office to the young students (before 19 years old) still learning. He died in 247.[10]
Xiang Tiao
Xiang Lang's son, Xiang Tiao (向條) inherited his father's title and became the next Marquis of Xianming Village (顯明亭侯). During the Jingyao era (景耀; 258–263) of Liu Shan's reign, he was appointed as Assistant to the Imperial Counsellor (御史中丞).[11]
According to the Xiangyang Ji, Xiang Lang last words to his son were: "The Zuo zhuan teach us that an army overcoming another is thanks to their harmony not their numbers. It also says that when Heaven and Earth are joined in harmony then everything is created, when then ruler and his ministers are in harmony then the land is safe, when all the members in the family until the most distant relative are in harmony then great enterprise can be made. During period of calm, safety can be obtained and therefore all sages from all time favor it to reach harmony. I'm a mere servant of my state, nothing more. But from a young age, missed my parents therefore I was raised and educated by my two elder brothers. Thanks to their guidance, my character an conduct was as such that I wasn't looking to satisfy personal gains or obtain wealth. In doing so, I was safe from ignorance. However, now I don't have much but poverty is nothing to worry about for men must sought after harmony, only this is precious. You must follow this conduct!"[12]
It also recorded that Xiang Tiao, whose courtesy name was Wenbao (文豹), was known for his wide range of studies and extensive knowledge. He served during the Jin dynasty as Administrator of Jiangyang Commandery (江陽太守) and Major of the South Palace (南中軍司馬).[13]
Notes
- Xiang Lang's biography in the Sanguozhi mentioned that he lived to his 80s. Thus, his birth year should be in the 160s.
- Pei Songzhi commented here that Xiang Lang was dismissed from his post as Chief Clerk for his association with Ma Su in 228, and died in 247. Hence it should be twenty rather than thirty years; the figure of "thirty" must be an error.[9]
References
- Xiang Lang's biography in Sanguozhi mentioned that he died in the 10th year of the Yanxi era (238-257) in Liu Shan's reign. (延熈十年卒。) Sanguozhi vol. 41
- (向朗字巨達，襄陽宜城人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (《襄阳记》曰：朗少师事司马德操，与徐元直、韩德高、庞士元皆亲善。) Xiangyang Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (荊州牧劉表以為臨沮長。表卒，歸先主。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (先主定江南，使朗督秭歸、夷道、巫（山）、夷陵四縣軍民事。蜀既平，以朗為巴西太守，頃之轉任，又徙房陵。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (后主践阼，为步兵校尉，代王连领丞相长史。丞相亮南征，朗留统后事。 五年，隨亮漢中。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (朗素與馬謖善，謖逃亡，朗知情不舉，亮恨之，免官還成都。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (數年，為光祿勳，亮卒後徒左將軍，追論舊功，封顯明亭侯，位特進。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (臣松之案：朗坐马谡免长史，则建興六年中也。朗至延熙十年卒，整二十年耳，此云“三十”，字之误也。) Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (初，朗少時雖涉獵文學，然不治素檢，以吏能稱。自去長史，優遊無事垂三十年，乃更潛心典籍，孜孜不倦。年逾八十，猶手自校書，刊定謬誤，積聚篇卷，於時最多。開門接賓，誘納後進，但講論古義，不干時事，以是見稱。上自執政，下及童冠，皆敬重焉。延熙十年卒。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (子條嗣，景耀中為御史中丞。) Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (《襄阳记》曰：朗遗言戒子曰：“传称师克在和不在众，此言天地和则万物生，君臣和则国家平，九族和则动得所求，静得所安，是以圣人守和，以存以亡也。吾，楚国之小子耳，而早丧所天，为二兄所诱养，使其性行不随禄利以堕。今但贫耳；贫非人患，惟和为贵，汝其勉之！”) Xiangyang Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- (《襄阳记》曰：条字文豹，亦博学多识，入晋为江阳太守、南中军司马。) Xiangyang Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 41.
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).