Mi Heng
Encyclopedia
Mi Heng was a scholar who lived during the late Han Dynasty
of China
.
Mi was a close friend of Kong Rong
, who recommended Mi Heng to Cao Cao
. Cao Cao summoned Mi Heng to the capital of Xuchang
but did not offer Mi Heng a seat. Indignant at this Mi Heng sighed “In all this world, I can see not a single man!”, Cao Cao overheard this, and named many officers in his command who he believed to be great heroes. Mi Heng scoffed at these men not believing them to be great heroes:
When Mi Heng was questioned about his talents he replied "I have mastered the patterns of heaven and the contours of the land. I know well the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. With virtual equal to that of Confucius
and his dear disciple Yan Yuan, I could make my prince rival of Kings Yao
and Shun. Think you I can discuss these things on even turn with common people?”.
At this Cao Cao made Mi Heng a drum master to play at the imperial court. The previous drum master warned Mi Heng to turn up dressed in fresh attire, however Mi Heng arrived dressed in shabby robes and played Triple Tolling of Yuyang, so beautifully that the guests were reduced to tears. Half way through the piece, a court attendant asked why he hadn't changed his clothes, Mi Heng stripped naked, angering Cao Cao. Kong Rong fearing for his friend's life as well as his own, pleaded with Cao Cao to spare Mi Heng, so Cao Cao sent Mi Heng to Jingzhou
, promising that if Mi Heng could win Liu Biao
's support, he would be made a high ranking official.
At Jingzhou Mi Heng sung praise of Liu Biao in a tone so ironic that Liu Biao was angered. Liu Biao sent Mi Heng to his friend Huang Zu
, who executed Mi Heng after Mi Heng compared him to a temple god — much praised but practically useless. Liu Biao, deeply upset at Mi Heng's death, recovered his body and had him buried at Parrot Island near Yingwu. It is reported that Cao Cao rejoiced at the death of Mi Heng calling him a "rotten bookworm".
video game series by Koei, he is one of the sages wandering China. He is depicted in the game as insulting and arrogant.
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...
of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Mi was a close friend of Kong Rong
Kong Rong
Kong Rong was a politician, scholar, and minor warlord of the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also a 20th generation descendant of Kong Qiu . As he was once the chancellor of Beihai Commandery , he was also known as Kong Beihai. He was defeated by Yuan Tan in 196 and escaped to...
, who recommended Mi Heng to Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
. Cao Cao summoned Mi Heng to the capital of Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
but did not offer Mi Heng a seat. Indignant at this Mi Heng sighed “In all this world, I can see not a single man!”, Cao Cao overheard this, and named many officers in his command who he believed to be great heroes. Mi Heng scoffed at these men not believing them to be great heroes:
- "The men you have mentioned are all known to me, only too well. Xun YuXun YuXun Yu was a strategist and statesman who served as an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Early life:...
is good for attending funeral ceremonies or the bedridden, Xun YouXun YouXun You was an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He later opposed Cao Cao taking the title of "King of Wei". His uncle, Xun Yu, was better known. In the Wade-Giles version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he and his uncle have the same name, Xun...
for guarding graveyards. Cheng YuCheng YuCheng Yu , originally named Cheng Li and changed his name to Yu after dreaming of the sun on top of Mount Tai, was one of the major advisors to the Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao, and became a high-ranking official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of China...
would show remarkable talent in service as a gatekeeper, and Guo JiaGuo JiaGuo Jia was a strategist and advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. During his 11 years of service, Guo Jia's brilliance greatly aided Cao Cao in his victories over rival warlords Lü Bu and Yuan Shao, as well as chief of the Wuhuan tribe, Tadun...
’s real talent lies in reading prose and reciting verse. Zhang LiaoZhang LiaoZhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
is equal to the task of tapping chimes and drums, Xu ChuXu ChuXu Chu was a warrior who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He served as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao. Gigantic and strong, yet simple-minded and honest, Xu Chu was referred to as "Dumb Tiger" by his fellow men...
for tending cattle and horses. Yu JinYu JinYu Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He joined Cao in the early years of the civil wars that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty...
can be employed carrying blocks and constructing walls, Xu HuangXu HuangXu Huang was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He served the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi, during the Three Kingdoms period...
slaughtering pigs and dogs. Xiahou DunXiahou DunXiahou Dun was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Cao Cao's original family name was Xiahou, but his father Cao Song was the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng, so Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao share blood relations...
should have the title ‘Unscathed General’ and Cao RenCao RenCao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
‘Well-bribed Governor’. The rest are so many clothes racks, rice sacks, wine casks, meat sacks…".
When Mi Heng was questioned about his talents he replied "I have mastered the patterns of heaven and the contours of the land. I know well the Three Religions and the Nine Systems of Philosophy. With virtual equal to that of Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
and his dear disciple Yan Yuan, I could make my prince rival of Kings Yao
Yao (ruler)
Yao , was a legendary Chinese ruler, one of the Three Sovereigns and the Five Emperors. His ancestral name （姓）is Yi Qi （伊祁） or Qi（祁）,clan name （氏）is Taotang , given name is Fangxun , as the second son to Emperor Ku and Qingdu...
and Shun. Think you I can discuss these things on even turn with common people?”.
At this Cao Cao made Mi Heng a drum master to play at the imperial court. The previous drum master warned Mi Heng to turn up dressed in fresh attire, however Mi Heng arrived dressed in shabby robes and played Triple Tolling of Yuyang, so beautifully that the guests were reduced to tears. Half way through the piece, a court attendant asked why he hadn't changed his clothes, Mi Heng stripped naked, angering Cao Cao. Kong Rong fearing for his friend's life as well as his own, pleaded with Cao Cao to spare Mi Heng, so Cao Cao sent Mi Heng to Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
, promising that if Mi Heng could win Liu Biao
Liu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
's support, he would be made a high ranking official.
At Jingzhou Mi Heng sung praise of Liu Biao in a tone so ironic that Liu Biao was angered. Liu Biao sent Mi Heng to his friend Huang Zu
Huang Zu
Huang Zu was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Biao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was an experienced naval commander, and was most famous for having skillful warriors like Sun Jian and Ling Cao killed in battle.-Background:Huang was born in an influential...
, who executed Mi Heng after Mi Heng compared him to a temple god — much praised but practically useless. Liu Biao, deeply upset at Mi Heng's death, recovered his body and had him buried at Parrot Island near Yingwu. It is reported that Cao Cao rejoiced at the death of Mi Heng calling him a "rotten bookworm".
In popular culture
In the Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)
, or Sangokushi in Japanese, is a series of turn-based tactical role-playing simulation grand strategy wargames produced by Koei. Originating from Japan in 1985, eleven installments of the game have been published in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China and North America to date.-Overview:The games are...
video game series by Koei, he is one of the sages wandering China. He is depicted in the game as insulting and arrogant.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms