Hua Xin
Encyclopedia
Hua Xin style name
Ziyu (子魚), was an adviser serving under the warlord Cao Cao
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He was originally a minister of the Han Dynasty imperial court, but later switched to serving under the warlord Sun Ce
, and then later under Cao Cao. He served as a minister over letters after the establishment of Cao Wei
of the Three Kingdoms
.
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, Hua Xin was portrayed as an treacherous official who played up to the villains in power.
Hua Xin was first introduced as the Administrator of Yuzhang (豫章太守). He surrendered to Sun Ce
during the latter's conquests of Jiangdong territory, and played a minor role under Sun Ce's successor Sun Quan
. After the Battle of Red Cliffs
, Sun Quan heeded Gu Yong
's suggestion to stir up conflict between his rivals Cao Cao
and Liu Bei
, so he sent Hua Xin, who was known to be an admirer of Cao Cao, to meet the chancellor. Cao Cao appointed Hua Xin as a dali siqing (大理寺卿) and Hua remained with him in the imperial court.
Emperor Xian
was unhappy that Cao Cao monopolized state power, so he plotted with Empress Fu Shou
and Fu Wan (伏完, the empress' father), to eliminate Cao Cao, but the plan was leaked out. Hua Xin led soldiers into the palace to arrest the empress and caught her hiding behind a wall. Hua Xin dragged the empress out by her hair and brought her to Cao Cao, who ordered the empress to be executed.
When Cao Cao died in Ye city
, his followers were discussing on how his son Cao Pi
would succeed him. Just then, Hua Xin arrived hastily from the capital, bringing with him an imperial edict from Emperor Xian, which authorized Cao Pi's inheritance of his later father's title of "King of Wei". In fact, Hua Xin had foreseen that Cao Pi would succeed Cao Cao, so he had already prepared a draft edict, and he forced Emperor Xian to approve it. Hua Xin later played an important role in forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate and give up the throne to Cao Pi.
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...
Ziyu (子魚), was an adviser serving under the warlord 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...
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...
period 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...
. He was originally a minister of the Han Dynasty imperial court, but later switched to serving under the warlord Sun Ce
Sun Ce
Sun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
, and then later under Cao Cao. He served as a minister over letters after the establishment of Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
of the 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...
.
In fiction
In Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, Hua Xin was portrayed as an treacherous official who played up to the villains in power.
Hua Xin was first introduced as the Administrator of Yuzhang (豫章太守). He surrendered to Sun Ce
Sun Ce
Sun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
during the latter's conquests of Jiangdong territory, and played a minor role under Sun Ce's successor Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
. After the Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
, Sun Quan heeded Gu Yong
Gu Yong
Gu Yong was a minister of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He learned the classics and calligraphy from Cai Yong when the latter came to Wu briefly as a refugee. His family is one of the four illustrious houses of Wu . He became a governor of several prefectures...
's suggestion to stir up conflict between his rivals 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...
and 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...
, so he sent Hua Xin, who was known to be an admirer of Cao Cao, to meet the chancellor. Cao Cao appointed Hua Xin as a dali siqing (大理寺卿) and Hua remained with him in the imperial court.
Emperor Xian
Emperor Xian of Han
Emperor Xian of Han , personal name Liu Xie, style name Bohe, was the last emperor of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
was unhappy that Cao Cao monopolized state power, so he plotted with Empress Fu Shou
Empress Fu Shou
Fu Shou was an empress of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. She was the first wife of Emperor Xian, the last emperor of the dynasty.- Family background and marriage to Emperor Xian :...
and Fu Wan (伏完, the empress' father), to eliminate Cao Cao, but the plan was leaked out. Hua Xin led soldiers into the palace to arrest the empress and caught her hiding behind a wall. Hua Xin dragged the empress out by her hair and brought her to Cao Cao, who ordered the empress to be executed.
When Cao Cao died in Ye city
Ye, China
Ye or Yecheng was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County, Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County, Henan....
, his followers were discussing on how his son Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
would succeed him. Just then, Hua Xin arrived hastily from the capital, bringing with him an imperial edict from Emperor Xian, which authorized Cao Pi's inheritance of his later father's title of "King of Wei". In fact, Hua Xin had foreseen that Cao Pi would succeed Cao Cao, so he had already prepared a draft edict, and he forced Emperor Xian to approve it. Hua Xin later played an important role in forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate and give up the throne to Cao Pi.
Appointments and titles held
- Filial and IncorruptXiaolianXiaolian , was the standard of nominating civil officers started by Emperor Wu of Han in 134 BC. It lasted until its replacement by the imperial examination system during the Sui Dynasty....
(孝廉) - nominated candidate to be a Gentleman Cadet (郎) - Gentleman (郎中)
- Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat (尚書郎)
- Prefect of Shanggui County (上邽縣令)
- Administrator of Yuzhang (豫章太守)
- Consultant (議郎)
- Military Advisor to the Excellency of Works (司空軍事)
- Imperial Secretary (尚書)
- Palace Attendant (侍中)
- Chief Imperial Secretary (尚書令)
- Military Advisor (軍師)
- Imperial Counsellor (御史大夫)
- The following appointments and titles were held by Hua Xin when he served the state of Wei
- Chancellor of State (相國)
- Marquis of Anle (安樂亭侯)
- Excellency over the Masses (司徒)
- Marquis of Boping (博平侯)
- Grand Commandant (太尉)
- Marquis Jing (敬侯) - granted to Hua Xin posthumously