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Comprehensive Biography of Bao Xin

Bao Xin (鮑信; 152 - Summer 192) was a minor civil administrator, serving as Chancellor of Jibei, as well as a military official. He was an early supporter of Cao Cao. He was also known for his many military conflicts with the Yellow Turbans that rebelled throughout China, which led to his death.

Biography

Ancestry

According to the biography of his son, Bao Xun, Bao Xin hailed from Pingyang, Taishan. Bao Xin was allegedly an 8th generation descendant of Bao Xuan.[1] Bao Xuan, from Bohai, served as a minister during the twilight years of the Western Han dynasty. Bao Xuan's family was forced to move from Bohai to Shangdang when he offended Emperor Ai of Han, and Bao Xuan himself was eventually killed by Wang Mang. His descendants in Shangdang then moved to Taishan.[1][2]

Bao Xin's father was Bao Dan, who served as Minister Steward and Palace Attendant; he was known for his scholarly deposition.[3]

Life

Bao Xin was known for having great moral integrity from a young age.[4]

Around 184, Bao Xin fought against the major Yellow Turban Rebellion. He was able to recruit many people, including Yu Jin. However, it was never recorded if he was successful.[5]

Around 189, Bao Xin served as Commandant of Cavalry during Emperor Ling's reign, appointed by He Jin. After Emperor Ling died, He Jin sent Bao Xin east, most likely to Taishan, to recruit troops against the eunuchs. Bao Xin was able to recruit over 1,000 men, but on his way back, He Jin was already killed around when Bao Xin arrived at Chenggao.[1][4][6] Bao Xin returned to the capital around the same time the powerful general, Dong Zhuo, did. Bao Xin thought that Dong Zhuo would bring chaos to the capital and urged Yuan Shao to attack him. Bao Xin said,

"Zhuo has a swarm of strong troops and has odd ambitions. Now if we do not plan [against him] early on, he will eventually be in control. But now he has just arrived and is fatigued. Attack him and he will be captured."

However, Yuan Shao was too afraid of Dong Zhuo to act.[4][5] Bao Xin later went back to Pingyang where he led a force of "20,000 [men], 7,000 cavalry, and over 5,000 supply wagons" for a grand total of 27,000. His brother, Bao Tao, was among his force. This number may be exaggerated to glorify Bao Xin.[4]

Around 190, Bao Xin then served as Chancellor of Jibei[a] and later became one of the warlords in the Guandong Coalition. He was closely affiliated with Cao Cao, such that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao made Bao Xin to serve as Acting General who Defeats Caitiffs.[7] Yuan Shao was considered by many to be a future leader of the world due to his enormous armies and talented strategists, however, Bao Xin disagreed. He told Cao Cao,

"[Great] strategies are [often] not from this generation, but the one who can lead the heroic and mighty in order to wipe away chaos and restore what is correct is you, sir! If there are those that are not [such a] person, then despite their power, they will surely perish. Sir, you most likely possess intelligence from Heaven!"

Bao Xin and the pleasantly surprised Cao Cao became close friends afterwards.[4]

In the Battle of Bian River, Cao Cao was defeated. Bao Xin suffered from a wound from it and Bao Tao died in battle.[4]

Around 191, when Yuan Shao seized the title of Governor of Ji Province from Han Fu, Bao Xin warned Cao Cao of him, saying,

"Treacherous ministers have seized opportunities in turmoil, destabilizing and subverting the royal family. The heroic and mighty flaunting their morality [against Dong Zhuo] with the realm under heaven echoing it are righteous! Now Shao is Coalition Head, yet monopolizes his power. Chaos will eventually emerge by him, and he will be another Zhuo. If we oppose him [right now], then our force would be unable to restrain him; if we look up to him because of danger, how could he help? So we ought to plan south of the Great [Yellow] River and wait for changes."

Cao Cao agreed with Bao Xin on this course of action.[4]

Around 192, when his liege the Inspector of Yan Province; Liu Dai wanted to attack a swarm of 100,000 Yellow Turbans in his province, Bao Xin tried to reason with him, saying,

"Right now, the traitors number 100,000, the common people are all shaken and fearful, and our soldiers have no will to fight. We cannot match them. I observe that when the bandit army and their like follow each other, their army has no provisions and they can only plunder for resources. Now it is better to cultivate our military strength and we should first firmly defend. Our foe will want to fight but cannot, they will attack but will also be unable [to succeed], so they will definitely disperse and scatter. Later, select elite troops and then attack them. When they occupy a weak point, strike them and they can be defeated!"

Liu Dai did not listen to Bao Xin, engaged the Yellow Turbans, and died.[4][9] With this vacancy, the first to suggest a replacement was Chen Gong in favor of Cao Cao, saying,

"Presently, the realm under heaven is divided and fractured, and our province has no lord. Cao of Dong Commandery has the ability to command the world. If we welcome him to govern this province, this will surely bring peace to the people."

Bao Xin and some others agreed with what Chen Gong said, and later, he and a minor official, Wan Qian, went to Dong Commandery to invite Cao Cao, thus making Cao Cao the Governor of Yan Province.[8]

Death

Bao Xin later led troops with Cao Cao against the Yellow Turbans east of Shouzhang County because Cao Cao thought they were lax after their victory against Liu Dai.[4][8] Cao Cao and Bao Xin arrived first, but their rear infantry did not arrive on time. They were soon attacked by the Yellow Turbans and besieged.[9] Bao Xin fought desperately to save Cao Cao, breaking him out of the siege at the cost of his own life.[4][9] He was 40.[4] Cao Cao offered awards for Xin's corpse to no avail, so he had his people carve Bao Xin's likeness in wood, where he sacrificed to it while crying.[9]

Postmortem events

Bao Xin's son, Bao Xun, initially served the Han dynasty. Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi, later seized the throne from Emperor Xian to found the Wei dynasty, which Bao Xun served. Bao Xun's blunt honesty against Cao Pi infuriated him so much he decided to execute Bao Xun. Many ministers, such as Zhong Yao, Hua Xin, Chen Qun, Xin Pi, Wei Zhen, and Gao Rou all asked for clemency, petitioning that, "Xun's father, Xin, had meritorious service to the Grand Progenitor." However, Cao Pi was not convinced and executed Bao Xun.[10]

Personality

He was lenient and generous, and he also "loved the people". He was calm and resolute, and also had strategies.[4] He was very frugal, and was generous, supporting his troops, and had no surplus wealth.[9]

Family

As described earlier, Bao Xin had at least one younger brother, Bao Tao who died at the Battle of Bian River,[7] and at least two sons in order of age, Bao Shao and Bao Xun.[1]

Bao Shao was known for being like his father and Cao Cao liked him. Cao Cao petitioned to the Han court to make Bao Shao the Commandant of Cavalry and be enfeoffed as Marquis of Xindu District. Bao Shao died at a relatively young age and his son, Bao Rong, succeeded him.[11]

Bao Xun has his own biography; details of him can be found there.

Legacy

Bao Xin was a great boost to Cao Cao's rise to power. He was one of the earliest warlords to recognize the potential Cao Cao possessed in governing the world. By supporting him, Cao Cao was able to gain the support of Yan Province's officials to govern it, giving him a larger base to work from rather than just one commandery.

References

[1] - 【鮑勛字叔業，泰山平陽人也。漢司隷校尉鮑宣九世孫，宣後嗣有從上黨徙泰山者，遂家焉。勛父信，靈帝時為騎都尉，大將軍何進遣東募兵。後為濟北相，協規太祖，身以遇害。】《三國志注•卷一二》

[2] - 【宣既被刑，乃徙之上黨，以為其地宜田牧，又少豪俊，易長雄，遂家于長子。】《漢書•卷七十二》

[3] - 【（《魏書》曰：信父丹，官至少府、侍中，世以儒雅顯。）】《三國志注•卷一二》

[4] - 【（《魏書》曰：少有大節，寬厚愛人，沈毅有謀。大將軍何進辟拜騎都尉，遣歸募兵，得千餘人，還到成皋而進已遇害。信至京師，董卓亦始到。信知卓必為亂，勸袁紹襲卓，紹畏卓不敢發。語在紹傳。信乃引軍還鄉里，收徒衆二萬，騎七百，輜重五千餘乘。是歲，太祖始起兵於己吾，信與弟韜以兵應太祖。太祖與袁紹表信行破虜將軍，韜裨將軍。時紹衆最盛，豪傑多向之。信獨謂太祖曰：「夫略不世出，能總英雄以撥亂反正者，君也。苟非其人，雖彊必斃。君殆天之所啟！」遂深自結納，太祖亦親異焉。汴水之敗，信被瘡，韜在陣戰亡。紹劫奪韓馥位，遂據冀州。信言於太祖曰：「姧臣乘釁，蕩覆王室，英雄奮節，天下嚮應者，義也。今紹為盟主，因權專利，將自生亂，是復有一卓也。若抑之，則力不能制，祗以遘難，又何能濟？且可規大河之南，以待其變。」太祖善之。太祖為東郡太守，表信為濟北相。會黃巾大衆入州界，劉岱欲與戰，信止之，岱不從，遂敗。語在武紀。太祖以賊恃勝而驕，欲設奇兵挑擊之於壽張。先與信出行戰地，後步軍未至，而卒與賊遇，遂接戰。信殊死戰，以救太祖，太祖僅得潰圍出，信遂沒，��年四十一。雖遭亂起兵，家本脩儒，治身至儉，而厚養將士，居無餘財，士以此歸之。）】《三國志注•卷一二》

[5] - 【黃巾起，鮑信招合徒衆，禁附從焉。】《三國志注•卷十七》

[6] - 【先是，進遣騎都尉太山鮑信所在募兵，適至，信謂紹曰：「卓擁彊兵，有異志，今不早圖，將為所制；及其初至疲勞，襲之可禽也。」紹畏卓，不敢發，信遂還郷里。】《三國志注•卷六》

[7] - 【濟北相鮑信，同時俱起兵，】《三國志注•卷一》

[8] - 【青州黃巾衆百萬入兖州，殺任城相鄭遂，轉入東平。劉岱欲擊之，鮑信諫曰：「今賊衆百萬，百姓皆震恐，士卒無鬬志，不可敵也。觀賊衆羣輩相隨，軍無輜重，唯以鈔略為資，今不若畜士衆之力，先為固守。彼欲戰不得，攻又不能，其勢必離散，後選精銳，據其要害，擊之可破也。」岱不從，遂與戰，果為所殺。（《世語》曰：岱旣死，陳宮謂太祖曰：「州今無主，而王命斷絕，宮請說州中，明府尋往牧之，資之以收天下，此霸王之業也。」宮說別駕、治中曰：「今天下分裂而州無主；曹東郡，命世之才也，若迎以牧州，必寧生民。」鮑信等亦謂之然。）信乃與州吏萬潛等至東郡迎太祖領兖州牧。】《三國志注•卷一》

[9] - 【遂進兵擊黃巾於壽張東。信力戰鬬死，僅而破之。購求信喪不得，衆乃刻木如信形狀，祭而哭焉。】《三國志注•卷一》

[10] - 【太尉鍾繇、司徒華歆、鎮軍大將軍陳羣、侍中辛毗、尚書衛臻、守廷尉高柔等並表「勛父信有功於太祖」，求請勛罪。帝不許，遂誅勛。】《三國志注•卷一二》

[11] - 【建安十七年，太祖追錄信功，表封勛兄邵新都亭侯。（《魏書》曰：邵有父風，太祖嘉之，加拜騎都尉，使持節。邵薨，子融嗣。）】《三國志注•卷一二》

[a] - Wang Chen's Book of Wei claims that Cao Cao was the one who petitioned for Bao Xin to become Chancellor of Jibei when he was serving as Grand Administrator of Dong, but this information is likely to glorify Cao Cao. Chen Shou states that Bao Xin was Chancellor of Jibei around 190 before Cao Cao became Grand Administrator of Dong around Autumn 191. However, it could be Chen Shou giving Bao Xin a title he did not have at the time. Yet I believe Wang Chen is wrong in this case. 【太祖為東郡太守，表信為濟北相。】《三國志注•卷一二》

#cao cao #bao xin #bao xun #sanguo #dong zhuo #he jin #liu dai #chen gong #yuan shao

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zl181 · 2 years

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Comprehensive Biography of Liu Dai

Liu Dai, styled Gongshan (劉岱字公山; bef. 156 - Spring 192), was a minor civil administrator, serving as Inspector of Yan Province. He was also Liu Yao's elder brother and an imperial kinsman. He died in battle against the Yellow Turbans.

Biography

Ancestry

His ancestors were from Mouping County, Donglai Commandery. Liu Dai's line was traced to Liu Jianglü, the Prince of Qi.[1] Liu Jianglü was the grandson of Emperor Gaozu of Han through his eldest son, Liu Fei.[2][3] Liu Jianglü's youngest son was enfeoffed as Marquis of Mouping, which is where his descendants, and thus Liu Dai, lived.[1][3]

Liu Dai's grandfather was Liu Pi; he had two sons in order of birth: Liu Chong (not the Prince of Chen) and Liu Fang. Liu Pi and Liu Chong will be described in Liu Chong's own biography.[3] Liu Pi also had a cousin named Liu Wei (劉韙), whose tale will be recounted in Liu Yao's biography.

Liu Fang (劉方), also known as Liu Yu (劉輿), would serve as Grand Administrator of Shanyang. Liu Fang had two sons: Liu Dai and Liu Yao. Liu Yao has his own biography.[1][5]

Life

Both Liu Dai and Liu Yao were recognized for their talent.[4][5] Liu Dai, in particular, was praised as being 'filial and fraternal, benevolent and forgiving, and humble when receiving others'.[5] The brothers were held in high esteem that a Taoqiu Hong nominated them to be Flourishing in Talents (maocais). The Inspector of a province, who most likely handled such nominations, complained,

"Last year, we nominated Gongshan. Whyfor should we also nominate Zhengli (Liu Yao)?"

Taoqiu Hong replied,

"If you would enlighten yourself, sir, to use Gongshan at the front and have Zhengli at the rear, this is akin to what is called '[having] two dragons on a long journey' and 'urging legendary steeds to run a thousand li'. Why not do this?"

It is heavily implied that Liu Yao was also nominated.[6] Liu Dai would later serve as Palace Attendant.[1]

Guandong Coalition

Around 190, he presumably became Inspector of Yan Province because Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, whom Dong Zhuo held high opinions of, advocated for Liu Dai to be appointed to office.[7] However, he soon contributed his troops to the Guandong Coalition.[8] As Inspector of Yan Province, he was nominally in command over his subordinate Grand Administrators, Zhang Miao, Yuan Yi, and Qiao Mao, as well as Bao Xin. Around this time, he also met with Zang Hong, recommended by fellow coalition member Zhang Miao, and was impressed by him.[9]

In the second lunar month, Dong Zhuo moved the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. Liu Dai stationed himself and his army at Suanzao alongside fellow members (and also his nominal subordinates) Zhang Miao, Yuan Yi, and Qiao Mao.[10] Qiao Mao, who controlled Dong Commandery, was nominally subordinate to Liu Dai. It is likely that Qiao Mao and Liu Dai's rivalry had its roots in that; this rivalry would blow up between Qiao Mao and Liu Dai, and eventually, Liu Dai killed Qiao Mao and appointed his subordinate, Wang Gong, to replace Qiao Mao.[11] Despite this violence, Liu Dai was one of five lords to remain in the Guandong Coalition against Dong Zhuo.[12]

Supporting Yuan Shao over Gongsun Zan

Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were locked in conflict with each other; both men were close with Liu Dai. Liu Dai was entrusted by Yuan Shao over his wife and children, while Gongsun Zan showed military support by reinforcing cavalry led by Fan Fang to him. Gongsun Zan soon demanded that Liu Dai send Yuan Shao's family with Liu Dai to him as well as sever ties to Yuan Shao. Liu Dai could not decide, even as Gongsun Zan defeated Yuan Shao's army. Soon, Gongsun Zan backed this up with a threat and told Fan Fang,

"If Dai does not send Shao's family [to me], lead your cavalry back. Once I defeat Shao, lead more troops against Dai."

Liu Dai, however, was still hesitant after several days. His subordinate, Wang Yu, told Dai that Cheng Yu, who had earlier declined to serve Liu Dai, would be able to decide who to side with. Cheng Yu told Liu Dai,

"If you abandon Shao, who is nearby with support, to ask for Zan's distant reinforcements, it is said to be using someone from Yue (south-east China) to save a drowning child [in the Central Plains]. Gongsun Zan is not Yuan Shao's equal. Now although he has defeated Shao's army, he will eventually end up captured by Shao. If you support tonight's power and not concern yourself with long-term plans, you, sir, will end up defeated."

Thus, Liu Dai remained loyal to Yuan Shao, and soon, Gongsun Zan was defeated by Yuan Shao. Liu Dai tried to thank Cheng Yu by petitioning he be made Commandant of Cavalry, but Cheng Yu declined and claimed illness.[13]

Defeats and Death

Around Late 191, over 100,000 Yellow Turbans invaded and seized Wei Commandery. They also defeated Wang Gong, who fled. Cao Cao was able to defeat them somewhat, enough for Yuan Shao to petition for him to become the new Grand Administrator of Dong Commandery.[14]

Around Spring 192, the aforementioned force of 100,000 Yellow Turbans began to encroach against Liu Dai. Liu Dai eventually decided to attack them, despite the protests of his advisor, Bao Xin. He engaged the Yellow Turbans and was killed in the fight. The ensuing vacancy had Liu Dai's former subordinates, among them Chen Gong and Bao Xin, invite Cao Cao to be the Governor of Yan Province.[15]''

Family

Liu Dai has no known children. He had a younger brother, Liu Yao, who has his own biography.

Legacy

The death of Liu Dai opened a pathway for Cao Cao to govern an entire province.

References

[1] - 【劉繇字正禮，東萊牟平人也。齊孝王少子封牟平侯，子孫家焉。繇伯父寵，為漢太尉。繇兄岱，字公山，歷位侍中，兗州刺史。】《三國志注•卷四九》

[2] - 【齊悼惠王劉肥者，高祖長庶男也。...後一歲，孝文帝以所封悼惠王子分齊為王，齊孝王將閭以悼惠王子楊虛侯為齊王。】《史記•齊悼惠王世家》

[3] - 【劉寵字祖榮，東萊牟平人，齊悼惠王之後也。悼惠王肥，高祖子也。悼惠王子孝王將閭，將閭少子封牟平矦，子孫家焉。父丕，博學，號為通儒。】《後漢書•卷七十六》

[4] - 【弟方，官至山陽太守。方有二子：岱字公山，繇字正禮。兄弟齊名稱。】《後漢書•卷七十六》

[5] - 【（《續漢書》曰：繇父輿，一名方，山陽太守。岱、繇皆有雋才。《英雄記》稱岱孝悌仁恕，以虛己受人。）】《三國志注•卷四九》

[6] - 【平原陶丘洪薦繇，欲令舉茂才。刺史曰：「前年舉公山，奈何復舉正禮乎？」洪曰：「若明使君用公山於前，擢正禮於後，所謂御二龍於長塗，騁騏驥於千里，不亦可乎！」】《三國志注•卷四九》

[7] - 【「初，卓信任尚書周毖、城門校尉伍瓊等，用其所舉韓馥、劉岱、孔伷、張咨、張邈等出宰州郡。】《三國志注•卷六》

[8] - 【兖州刺史劉岱…同時俱起兵，】《三國志注•卷一》

[9] - 【致之於劉兖州公山、孔豫州公緒，皆與洪親善。】《三國志注•卷七》

[10] - 【二月，卓聞兵起，乃徙天子都長安。卓留屯洛陽，遂焚宮室。是時紹屯河內，邈、岱、瑁、遺屯酸棗，術屯南陽，伷屯潁川，馥在鄴。】《三國志注•卷一》

[11] - 【劉岱與橋瑁相惡，岱殺瑁，以王肱領東郡太守。】《三國志注•卷一》

[12] - 【臣松之案：於時此盟止有劉岱等五人而已。】《三國志注•卷七》

[13] - 【初平中，兖州刺史劉岱辟昱，昱不應。是時岱與袁紹、公孫瓚和親，紹令妻子居岱所，瓚亦遣從事范方將騎助岱。後紹與瓚有隙。瓚擊破紹軍，乃遣使語岱，令遣紹妻子，使與紹絕。別勑范方：「若岱不遣紹家，將騎還。吾定紹，將加兵於岱。」岱議連日不決，別駕王彧白岱：「程昱有謀，能斷大事。」岱乃見昱，問計，昱曰：「若棄紹近援而求瓚遠助，此假人於越以救溺子之說也。夫公孫瓚，非袁紹之敵也。今雖壞紹軍，然終為紹所禽。夫趣一朝之權而不慮遠計，將軍終敗。」岱從之。范方將其騎歸，未至，瓚大為紹所破。岱表昱為騎都尉，昱辭以疾。】《三國志注•十四》

[14] - 【黑山賊于毒、白繞、眭固等十餘萬眾略魏郡、東郡，王肱不能禦，太祖引兵入東郡，擊白繞於濮陽，破之。袁紹因表太祖為東郡太守，治東武陽。】《三國志注•一》

[15] - 【青州黃巾衆百萬入兖州，殺任城相鄭遂，轉入東平。劉岱欲擊之，鮑信諫曰：「今賊衆百萬，百姓皆震恐，士卒無鬬志，不可敵也。觀賊衆羣輩相隨，軍無輜重，唯以鈔略為資，今不若畜士衆之力，先為固守。彼欲戰不得，攻又不能，其勢必離散，後選精銳，據其要害，擊之可破也。」岱不從，遂與戰，果為所殺。（《世語》曰：岱旣死，陳宮謂太祖曰：「州今無主，而王命斷絕，宮請說州中，明府尋往牧之，資之以收天下，此霸王之業也。」宮說別駕、治中曰：「今天下分裂而州無主；曹東郡，命世之才也，若迎以牧州，必寧生民。」鮑信等亦謂之然。）信乃與州吏萬潛等至東郡迎太祖領兖州牧。】《三國志注•卷一》

#bao xin #cao cao #liu dai #dong zhuo #liu yao #sanguo #cheng yu #yuan shao #gongsun zan

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