Jian Yong
Encyclopedia
Jian Yong, style name
Xianhe (憲和), was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei
during the late Han Dynasty
and Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
. Jian Yong served under Liu Bei since the very beginnings of him raising his own army, acting as an envoy and advisor. After Liu Bei entered Sichuan
, Jian Yong was appointed as General of Shining Virtue (昭德將軍). Jian Yong was also noted to be a carefree character without much regard for mannerisms.
, Hebei
) with the surname Geng (耿). Since in his native You Province, the surname Geng was pronounced the same as "Jian" (簡), he hence changed his surname. He had known Liu Bei since his youth and followed Liu in his volunteer army to put down the Yellow Turban Rebellion
in 184. When Liu Bei went to Jing Province, Jian Yong, along with Sun Qian
and Mi Zhu
, often acted as Liu's emissaries.
In 211, when Liu Bei entered Yi Province (covering the Sichuan Basin
) under the pretext of helping its lord Liu Zhang
defend the land, Jian Yong was an emissary to meet Liu Zhang. There, he was much favored by Liu Zhang for his wits. Later, when Liu Bei turned against Liu Zhang and surrounded his capital at Chengdu
, Jian Yong was sent to persuade Liu Zhang to give up. Liu Zhang agreed, and, with Jian Yong by his side, rode out on a chariot to surrender. For this, Jian Yong was promoted to the rank of "General of Shining Virtue" (昭德將軍) and shared the highest ranks with Sun Qian and Mi Zhu in Liu Bei's court.
Jian Yong's wit was famous. One time, there was a drought in Liu Bei's territory and a prohibition law went into effect to preserve the grains. Over-zealous officials seized brewing utensils from families and suggested to punish the utensil owners as brewers. When Liu Bei and Jian Yong were patrolling the land, Jian Yong pointed to a couple walking past and said to Liu Bei, "They're planning to commit indecent acts, why not arrest them?" Liu Bei asked, "How do you know?" Jian Yong replied, "They have the utensils to do so, just like the ones who wish to brew." Liu Bei laughed, and pardoned the families with the brewing utensils.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Xianhe (憲和), was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
and Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. Jian Yong served under Liu Bei since the very beginnings of him raising his own army, acting as an envoy and advisor. After Liu Bei entered Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, Jian Yong was appointed as General of Shining Virtue (昭德將軍). Jian Yong was also noted to be a carefree character without much regard for mannerisms.
Biography
Jian Yong was born in Zhuo Commandery, You Province (present-day ZhuozhouZhuozhou
Zhuozhou is a county-level city with 628,000 inhabitants in Hebei province of China. It is administered by Baoding prefecture. Zhuozhou has 3 subdistricts, 6 towns, 5 townships, and 1 development zone.-Administrative Divisions:Subdistricts:...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
) with the surname Geng (耿). Since in his native You Province, the surname Geng was pronounced the same as "Jian" (簡), he hence changed his surname. He had known Liu Bei since his youth and followed Liu in his volunteer army to put down the Yellow Turban Rebellion
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, also translated as Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt that broke out in 184 AD in China during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty...
in 184. When Liu Bei went to Jing Province, Jian Yong, along with Sun Qian
Sun Qian
Sun Qian , style name Gongyou , was an advisor and emissary to the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty of China. He originally served Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province, together with Mi Zhu, Mi Fang and Cao Bao. After the death of Tao Qian and Xu Province's governorship was passed to...
and Mi Zhu
Mi Zhu
Mi Zhu was an advisor to the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also Liu's brother-in-law, as his sister, Lady Mi, married Liu. He was the older brother of Mi Fang, who served Liu Bei as well until his defection to Sun Quan's side in 219...
, often acted as Liu's emissaries.
In 211, when Liu Bei entered Yi Province (covering the Sichuan Basin
Sichuan basin
The Sichuan Basin is a lowland region in southwestern China. Despite its historical name, it is not only synonymous to Sichuan province, comprising its central and eastern portions as well as part of Chongqing Municipality...
) under the pretext of helping its lord Liu Zhang
Liu Zhang (warlord)
Liu Zhang was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became governor of Yi Province , succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei...
defend the land, Jian Yong was an emissary to meet Liu Zhang. There, he was much favored by Liu Zhang for his wits. Later, when Liu Bei turned against Liu Zhang and surrounded his capital at Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, Jian Yong was sent to persuade Liu Zhang to give up. Liu Zhang agreed, and, with Jian Yong by his side, rode out on a chariot to surrender. For this, Jian Yong was promoted to the rank of "General of Shining Virtue" (昭德將軍) and shared the highest ranks with Sun Qian and Mi Zhu in Liu Bei's court.
Jian Yong's wit was famous. One time, there was a drought in Liu Bei's territory and a prohibition law went into effect to preserve the grains. Over-zealous officials seized brewing utensils from families and suggested to punish the utensil owners as brewers. When Liu Bei and Jian Yong were patrolling the land, Jian Yong pointed to a couple walking past and said to Liu Bei, "They're planning to commit indecent acts, why not arrest them?" Liu Bei asked, "How do you know?" Jian Yong replied, "They have the utensils to do so, just like the ones who wish to brew." Liu Bei laughed, and pardoned the families with the brewing utensils.
Appointments and titles held
- Assistant Officer of the Household (從事中郎)
- General of Shining Virtue (昭德將軍)