Xu Qin (许钦, simplified: 许钦, traditional: 許欽, pinyin: Xǔ Qīn) was the son of Xu Jing (许靖, 150–222 CE), one of the most eminent scholars and officials of Shu Han. Xu Qin predeceased his father, who served as Minister over the Masses (司徒) — one of the Three Excellencies — under Liu Bei. Xu Qin’s own son, Xu You (许游), later served as Master of Writing (尚书) during the Jingyao era (258–263 CE).
Biography
Family background
Xu Qin was born into one of the most prestigious families of the late Han period. His father, Xu Jing, courtesy name Wenzhao (文休), was from Pingyu County in Runan Commandery (modern Pingyu, Henan). Xu Jing was renowned throughout the empire for his scholarship, his moral character, and his skill in evaluating and recommending talent. Along with his cousin Xu Shao (许劭), Xu Jing was famous for the monthly ‘Commentaries on the Monthly Evaluation’ (月旦评), in which they assessed the character and abilities of promising young men.
Xu Jing’s reputation was so great that his approval or disapproval could make or break a young man’s career prospects. This made him a valuable ally for any warlord seeking legitimacy and talented advisors.
Xu Jing’s career
Xu Jing’s career was marked by a series of moves between different warlords as he navigated the chaos of the late Han period. He served under Han Fu (韩馥) in Ji Province, then under Kong Zhou in Yu Province. After Kong Zhou’s death, he served under Chen Yi in Yang Province, then under Shi Xie in Jiaozhi, and finally under Liu Zhang in Yi Province.
When Liu Bei conquered Yi Province in 214 CE, he eagerly recruited Xu Jing to his service, recognising the prestige that Xu Jing’s name would bring to his regime. Liu Bei appointed Xu Jing as Minister over the Masses (司徒), one of the highest offices in the Shu Han government. Xu Jing served in this capacity until his death in 222 CE.
Xu Qin’s death
Xu Qin died before his father, though the exact date and circumstances are not recorded. Given that Xu Jing died in 222 CE at the age of 73 (born c. 150 CE), and that Xu Qin himself had a son (Xu You) who was serving as Master of Writing by 258–263, Xu Qin was likely born sometime in the 170s or 180s CE and died sometime before 222 CE, possibly in his thirties or forties.
The fact that Xu Qin predeceased his father had implications for the family’s standing. When Xu Jing died, there was no direct male heir of the senior generation to succeed to any honours or positions — the succession would have passed to the next generation, Xu Qin’s son Xu You.
Xu You (许游)
Xu Qin’s son Xu You (许游) continued the family’s tradition of government service. He served as Master of Writing (尚书) during the Jingyao era (258–263 CE) under the last Shu Han emperor, Liu Shan. The position of Master of Writing was a senior administrative role, responsible for processing imperial edicts and memorials.
When Shu Han fell to the Wei general Deng Ai in 263 CE, Xu You was among the Shu officials who were taken to the Wei (now Jin) capital at Luoyang. His fate after the fall of Shu is not recorded.
Historical sources
Xu Qin is mentioned in the Sanguozhi (Records of the Three Kingdoms), in the biography of his father Xu Jing (Book 38, ‘Shu Shu 8’). Chen Shou records Xu Qin’s death and notes that his son Xu You served as Master of Writing.
The biography of Xu Jing is one of the more detailed accounts of a Shu Han official, reflecting Xu Jing’s importance as a cultural and intellectual figure. Xu Qin’s mention is brief, serving primarily to establish the genealogical continuity of the Xu family.
See also
External links
References
- Chen Shou. Sanguozhi (三国志). 3rd century.
- Pei Songzhi. Sanguozhi annotations. 5th century.