Luo Xian
Encyclopedia
Luo Xian style name
Lingze (令則), was a military general of the state of Shu Han
during the Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history
. After the fall of Shu
in 263, Luo Xian defended his position at Yong'an from being captured by Shu's former ally, Eastern Wu
, for a period of more than six months. Luo Xian eventually switched allegiance to Shu's former rival state, Wei
, and continued serving the Jin Dynasty after Sima Yan
ended the state of Wei in 265.
, Hubei
). His father Luo Meng (羅蒙) served as Administrator of Guanghan (漢廣漢太守) in Shu. Luo Xian was known for his literary talent since he was young, as he could write good essays at the age of 13. He was later accepted into the Imperial Academy (太學) and studied under the tutelage of Qiao Zhou
. At that time, Luo Xian was compared by his peers to Zigong (子貢), a notable student of Confucius
.
Luo Xian was known to be straightforward and upright, cautious and generous with money. He was later appointed as an Assistant to the Crown Prince (太子舍人) and Colonel Who Proclaims Trust (宣信校尉). Luo Xian was also sent on a diplomatic mission to Shu's ally state Eastern Wu
, where he was held in high regard by the Wu officials.
interfered in politics and caused the government to become corrupted and weakened. Luo Xian ignored Huang Hao and was sent away from the capital Chengdu
to Badong (巴東) to take up his new appointment as Administrator of Badong. When Luo Xian learnt that Shu had been conquered
by the rival state of Wei
in 263, he led his men in mourning for three days.
was sent from Eastern Wu to assist in restoring Shu, and Sheng requested for Luo Xian to open the path at Yong'an (永安) leading into Shu. In fact, Wu was planning to take over Badong and seize control of the route from the western Yangtze River
leading into Shu. Luo Xian gathered his men and announced that Wu was not abiding by its alliance treaty with Shu and was attempting to seize Badong. He then decided to surrender to Wei and prepared his troops to defend the area from Wu. The Wu army led by Bu Xie (步協) attacked Baidicheng but Luo Xian put up a strong defense along the Yangtze River. Concurrently, Luo Xian also sent his advisor Yang Zong (楊宗) to seek reinforcements from Wei.
Badong eventually fell to Wu forces so Luo Xian retreated to Baidicheng. The Wu army assaulted Baidicheng but was driven back several times. Subsequently, a 30,000 strong Wu force commanded by Lu Kang
came to relief the Wu army at Baidicheng but Wu was still unable to take Baidicheng even after a six month long siege.
In Wei, when the regent Sima Zhao received request for reinforcements from Luo Xian, he thought that Wei had not fully recovered from suppressing a rebellion by Jiang Wei
and Zhong Hui
in Chengdu
, so he ordered Hu Lie (胡烈), Inspector of Jing Province, to lead an army to attack Wu's position at Xiling (西陵). Lu Kang was eventually forced to withdraw his troops back to Wu and the siege on Yong'an was lifted. Luo Xian resumed his original post and was received the titles of Lingjiang General (陵江將軍) and Marquis of Wannian (萬年亭侯).
(Sima Zhao's son) ended the state of Wei and founded the Jin Dynasty in its place. Luo Xian's son Luo Xi (羅襲) was appointed as a geishizhong (給事中; a minor official post).
During his service under the Jin Dynasty, Luo Xian recommended many former subjects of Shu to serve in the Jin government, including Chen Shou
, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
, and Zhuge Jing (諸葛京), a grandson of Zhuge Liang
. Luo Xian also captured Eastern Wu's territory of Wucheng (巫城; present-day Wushan County, Chongqing
), and proposed a strategy to Sima Yan for conquering Wu. Luo Xian died in 270 and was posthumously granted the title of General Who Pacifies the South (安南將軍), as well as a posthumous name "Lie" (烈; means "vehemence").
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...
Lingze (令則), was a military general of the state of Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
during 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...
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...
. After the fall of Shu
Conquest of Shu by Wei
The conquest of Shu by Wei was a military campaign launched by the state of Cao Wei against its rival Shu Han in 263 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The campaign culminated in the fall of Shu and the tripartite equilibrium maintained in China for over 40 years since the end of...
in 263, Luo Xian defended his position at Yong'an from being captured by Shu's former ally, Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
, for a period of more than six months. Luo Xian eventually switched allegiance to Shu's former rival state, 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...
, and continued serving the Jin Dynasty after Sima Yan
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
ended the state of Wei in 265.
Early life
Luo Xian's ancestral home was in Xiangyang (present-day XiangyangXiangyang
Xiangzhou District is a district of Xiangyang, Hubei, China. The district itself was formerly known as Xiangyang. It was a city famous for the Siege of Xiangyang by invading forces of the Mongol-founded Yuan Dynasty...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
). His father Luo Meng (羅蒙) served as Administrator of Guanghan (漢廣漢太守) in Shu. Luo Xian was known for his literary talent since he was young, as he could write good essays at the age of 13. He was later accepted into the Imperial Academy (太學) and studied under the tutelage of Qiao Zhou
Qiao Zhou
Qiao Zhou , style name Yunnan , was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Qiao formerly served under Liu Zhang. Qiao is remembered in later fiction as a very gifted astrologer whose readings of the sky were of use to Zhuge Liang's dispatch of troops...
. At that time, Luo Xian was compared by his peers to Zigong (子貢), a notable student of Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
.
Luo Xian was known to be straightforward and upright, cautious and generous with money. He was later appointed as an Assistant to the Crown Prince (太子舍人) and Colonel Who Proclaims Trust (宣信校尉). Luo Xian was also sent on a diplomatic mission to Shu's ally state Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
, where he was held in high regard by the Wu officials.
Fall of Shu
In the years leading to the fall of Shu, the eunuch Huang HaoHuang Hao
Huang Hao was a eunuch serving Liu Shan, second and last emperor of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. Highly favoured by Liu Shan, he was commonly blamed for misguiding the latter into surrendering to the Kingdom of Wei and considered one of the most corrupt and...
interfered in politics and caused the government to become corrupted and weakened. Luo Xian ignored Huang Hao and was sent away from the capital Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
to Badong (巴東) to take up his new appointment as Administrator of Badong. When Luo Xian learnt that Shu had been conquered
Conquest of Shu by Wei
The conquest of Shu by Wei was a military campaign launched by the state of Cao Wei against its rival Shu Han in 263 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The campaign culminated in the fall of Shu and the tripartite equilibrium maintained in China for over 40 years since the end of...
by the rival state of 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...
in 263, he led his men in mourning for three days.
Defense of Yong'an
Shortly later, general Sheng ManSheng Man
Sheng Xian, style name Xiaozhang , was an official who lived during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was from Kuaiji .-Biography:...
was sent from Eastern Wu to assist in restoring Shu, and Sheng requested for Luo Xian to open the path at Yong'an (永安) leading into Shu. In fact, Wu was planning to take over Badong and seize control of the route from the western Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
leading into Shu. Luo Xian gathered his men and announced that Wu was not abiding by its alliance treaty with Shu and was attempting to seize Badong. He then decided to surrender to Wei and prepared his troops to defend the area from Wu. The Wu army led by Bu Xie (步協) attacked Baidicheng but Luo Xian put up a strong defense along the Yangtze River. Concurrently, Luo Xian also sent his advisor Yang Zong (楊宗) to seek reinforcements from Wei.
Badong eventually fell to Wu forces so Luo Xian retreated to Baidicheng. The Wu army assaulted Baidicheng but was driven back several times. Subsequently, a 30,000 strong Wu force commanded by Lu Kang
Lu Kang
Lu Kang , style name Youjie , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Lu Xun and a maternal grandson of Sun Ce. He was praised for his talent and wisdom....
came to relief the Wu army at Baidicheng but Wu was still unable to take Baidicheng even after a six month long siege.
In Wei, when the regent Sima Zhao received request for reinforcements from Luo Xian, he thought that Wei had not fully recovered from suppressing a rebellion by Jiang Wei
Jiang Wei
Jiang Wei was a military general and regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He originally served Shu's rival state, Cao Wei, as a middle-level military officer, but defected to the Shu strategist Zhuge Liang, leaving his mother in Wei. After that, Jiang...
and Zhong Hui
Zhong Hui
Zhong Hui was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Zhong Yao, a calligrapher and politician of Wei....
in Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, so he ordered Hu Lie (胡烈), Inspector of Jing Province, to lead an army to attack Wu's position at Xiling (西陵). Lu Kang was eventually forced to withdraw his troops back to Wu and the siege on Yong'an was lifted. Luo Xian resumed his original post and was received the titles of Lingjiang General (陵江將軍) and Marquis of Wannian (萬年亭侯).
Serving the Jin Dynasty
After the battle at Yong'an, the Eastern Wu territory of Wuling (武陵) surrendered to Wei, and Luo Xian was appointed as Administrator of Wuling (武陵太守). Luo Xian later received the title of Marquis of Xi'e (西鄂縣侯) when Sima YanEmperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
(Sima Zhao's son) ended the state of Wei and founded the Jin Dynasty in its place. Luo Xian's son Luo Xi (羅襲) was appointed as a geishizhong (給事中; a minor official post).
During his service under the Jin Dynasty, Luo Xian recommended many former subjects of Shu to serve in the Jin government, including Chen Shou
Chen Shou
Chen Shou was a historian during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He is best known as the author of Records of Three Kingdoms, a historical account of the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...
, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, and Zhuge Jing (諸葛京), a grandson of Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
. Luo Xian also captured Eastern Wu's territory of Wucheng (巫城; present-day Wushan County, Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
), and proposed a strategy to Sima Yan for conquering Wu. Luo Xian died in 270 and was posthumously granted the title of General Who Pacifies the South (安南將軍), as well as a posthumous name "Lie" (烈; means "vehemence").
Appointments and titles held
- The following appointments were held by Luo Xian when he served Shu
- Assistant to the Crown Prince (太子舍人)
- Colonel Who Proclaims Trust (宣信校尉)
- Administrator of Badong (巴東太守)
- The following appointments and titles were held by Luo Xian when he served Wei
- General of Lingjiang (陵江將軍)
- Marquis of Wannian (萬年亭侯)
- Administrator of Wuling (武陵太守)
- The following titles were held by Luo Xian when he served the Jin Dynasty
- Marquis of Xi'e (西鄂縣侯) - granted to Luo Xian by Emperor Wu of JinEmperor Wu of JìnEmperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
- General Who Pacifies the South (安南將軍) - granted to Luo Xian posthumously
- Lie (烈) - granted to Luo Xian posthumously
- Marquis of Xi'e (西鄂縣侯) - granted to Luo Xian by Emperor Wu of Jin