Biography
Early life
Huan Jie was from Linxiang, Changsha (present-day Changsha, Hunan).
His courtesy name was Boxu (also written as Boxu).
Service under Sun Jian
Huan Jie served as Clerk in Changsha Commandery.
He was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt by Sun Jian, Administrator of Changsha.
He was appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
Later, because his father Huan Sheng died, he returned to Changsha.
Helping the Sun family
At that time, Sun Jian attacked Liu Biao and died in battle.
Huan Jie risked death to see Liu Biao.
He requested to bury Sun Jian.
Liu Biao appreciated his action and permitted it.
Persuading Zhang Xian to support Cao Cao
During the Battle of Guandu, Liu Biao responded to Yuan Shao.
However, Huan Jie persuaded Zhang Xian, Administrator of Changsha, to support Cao Cao.
Zhang Xian therefore rebelled against Liu Biao with Changsha and three adjacent commanderies.
He sent envoys to meet Cao Cao.
Cao Cao knew about this and was very happy.
However, because he needed to focus on resisting Yuan Shao at Guandu, he could not send troops south to Changsha.
At that time, Liu Biao attacked Zhang Xian.
Zhang Xian died of illness.
Changsha was captured by Liu Biao.
Huan Jie hid himself.
Service under Liu Biao
After some time, Liu Biao summoned Huan Jie as Army Sacrificer.
He also wanted to marry him to Cai Shi’s younger sister.
However, Huan Jie used the excuse that he was already married to refuse.
He also used illness as an excuse to resign from office.
Service under Cao Cao
After Cao Cao occupied Jing Province, he knew that Huan Jie had persuaded Zhang Xian to support him.
He greatly appreciated him.
He summoned him as Chief Clerk.
He was transferred to Administrator of Zhao Commandery.
During his term, Huan Jie was very frugal.
Once, when his salary was exhausted, he could only eat fermented bean paste.
Cao Cao knew about this and issued an order to reward Huan Jie.
Service in Wei
After the Wei dukedom was established, Huan Jie served as General of the Household for the Martial Guard and Palace Attendant.
Supporting Cao Pi as successor
At that time, Cao Cao had not yet decided on a successor.
Huan Jie strongly advocated establishing Cao Pi as successor.
Whether in public or private, he always conveyed Cao Pi’s advantages to Cao Cao.
He repeatedly remonstrated.
His words were sincere.
He contributed greatly to Cao Pi finally being established as Crown Prince.
Rescuing officials
Huan Jie also once rescued some officials who were being persecuted.
Mao Jie and Xu Yi were hated by Ding Yi.
Ding Yi repeatedly seized their faults and accused them.
They were able to avoid disaster because of Huan Jie.
Recommending Xu Yi
After Wei Feng plotted rebellion, Cao Cao was troubled by the lack of people to supervise the dukes and ministers.
Huan Jie therefore recommended Xu Yi to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao accepted his opinion.
He appointed Xu Yi as Commandant of the Capital.
Managing selection of officials
Later, Huan Jie was transferred to Gentleman of the Masters of Writing.
He managed the selection of officials.
Advice about Cao Ren
Later, Cao Ren, a great general of Cao Wei, was besieged by Guan Yu in Jing Province.
Cao Cao sent the great general Xu Huang to rescue him.
At first, he could not successfully lift the siege.
Cao Cao heard the news and planned to campaign personally.
He consulted the dukes and ministers for their opinions.
At that time, most of the dukes and ministers advocated that Cao Cao should immediately campaign south.
Only Huan Jie asked Cao Cao: “Does Your Highness believe that Cao Ren and others can assess the situation?”
Cao Cao replied: “They can.”
Huan Jie again asked: “Does Your Highness believe that Cao Ren and Xu Huang will not do their utmost?”
Cao Cao replied: “No.”
Huan Jie further asked: “Then why does Your Highness want to go personally?”
Cao Cao said: “I am afraid that the enemy’s power is great, and Xu Huang and other generals are in an unfavourable situation.”
Huan Jie therefore analyzed: “Now Cao Ren and other generals are in heavy siege, but they can still hold firm without different intentions. This is because Your Highness is far away in the rear, making a show of force for them. When in a place of ten thousand deaths, there must be a heart that fights to the death. Inside, they harbour a heart that fights to the death. Outside, there is strong rescue (referring to Xu Huang). Your Highness should keep the heavy troops still. Show the enemy that we still have remaining strength. Why worry excessively and want to go personally?”
Cao Cao also agreed with Huan Jie’s words.
He therefore stationed his army at Mobei to observe.
Soon, the Shu army indeed lost momentum and withdrew.
Service under Cao Pi
After Cao Pi became emperor, Huan Jie was transferred to Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoxiang.
He was added Palace Attendant.
Relationship with Meng Da
Huan Jie was friendly with Meng Da, a former Shu general who had surrendered to Wei.
Illness and death
Later, Huan Jie became ill.
Cao Pi personally visited him.
He transferred him to Marquis of Anle.
He also enfeoffed his three sons as Marquises Within the Passes.
Huan Jie later became seriously ill.
Cao Pi sent an envoy to appoint him as Minister of Ceremonies.
Huan Jie died.
Cao Pi was sad and wept.
He was posthumously titled Marquis Zhen.
Personality
Huan Jie was known for his ability to recognize success and failure.
He was also known for his integrity and loyalty.
He was also known for his wisdom and strategy.
Military achievements
Huan Jie was primarily a civil official and did not have major military achievements.
However, he did persuade Zhang Xian to support Cao Cao.
Relationships
With Sun Jian
Huan Jie served under Sun Jian and helped the Sun family retrieve Sun Jian’s body.
With Zhang Xian
Huan Jie persuaded Zhang Xian to support Cao Cao.
With Cao Cao
Huan Jie served under Cao Cao and helped him become Duke of Wei.
With Cao Pi
Huan Jie strongly supported Cao Pi as successor.
With Meng Da
Huan Jie was friendly with Meng Da.
Anecdotes
Helping the Sun family
Huan Jie successfully helped the Sun family retrieve Sun Jian’s body.
He risked death to see Liu Biao.
Persuading Zhang Xian
Huan Jie successfully persuaded Zhang Xian to support Cao Cao.
Supporting Cao Pi
Huan Jie successfully supported Cao Pi as successor.
He repeatedly remonstrated to Cao Cao.
Rescuing officials
Huan Jie successfully rescued Mao Jie and Xu Yi from Ding Yi’s persecution.
Advice about Cao Ren
Huan Jie successfully advised Cao Cao not to campaign personally.
Cao Cao stationed his army at Mobei.
The Shu army withdrew.
Achievements
- Successfully helped the Sun family retrieve Sun Jian’s body
- Successfully persuaded Zhang Xian to support Cao Cao
- Successfully helped Cao Cao become Duke of Wei
- Successfully supported Cao Pi as successor
- Successfully rescued officials from persecution
- Known for ability to recognize success and failure
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Huan Jie’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, grouped with Chen Qun, Chen Jiao, Xu Xuan, Wei Zhen, and Lu Yu.
The succession issue
Huan Jie strongly supported Cao Pi as successor.
He contributed greatly to Cao Pi being established as Crown Prince.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Cao Pi said: “I am entrusting a six-chi orphan to you. I am entrusting the Mandate of the realm to you. Work hard!”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Huan Jie could recognize success and failure. His talent was comprehensive for the contemporary age.”
Sun Sheng wrote: “Huan Jie was upright and had integrity and loyalty.”
Legacy
Huan Jie is remembered as a key official who helped Cao Cao become Duke of Wei.
His support for Cao Pi is also praised.
His ability to recognize success and failure is also praised.
Timeline
- Unknown: Born in Linxiang, Changsha; served as Clerk in Changsha Commandery; recommended as Filial and Incorrupt by Sun Jian; appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing; father died; returned to Changsha; Sun Jian attacked Liu Biao and died; risked death to see Liu Biao; requested to bury Sun Jian; Liu Biao permitted
- 200 CE: Battle of Guandu; Liu Biao responded to Yuan Shao; persuaded Zhang Xian Administrator of Changsha to support Cao Cao; Zhang Xian rebelled against Liu Biao with Changsha and three adjacent commanderies; sent envoys to Cao Cao; Cao Cao happy; could not send troops south; Liu Biao attacked Zhang Xian; Zhang Xian died; Changsha captured; Huan Jie hid
- ?: Liu Biao summoned as Army Sacrificer; wanted to marry him to Cai Shi’s younger sister; refused; used illness as excuse to resign
- 208 CE: Cao Cao occupied Jing Province; knew Huan Jie had persuaded Zhang Xian; greatly appreciated; summoned as Chief Clerk; transferred to Administrator of Zhao Commandery; very frugal; salary exhausted; could only eat fermented bean paste; Cao Cao rewarded
- 213 CE: Wei dukedom established; served as General of the Household for the Martial Guard and Palace Attendant; Cao Cao had not decided on successor; strongly advocated Cao Pi; repeatedly remonstrated; contributed greatly to Cao Pi being established as Crown Prince
- ?: Rescued Mao Jie and Xu Yi from Ding Yi’s persecution; Wei Feng plotted rebellion; recommended Xu Yi to Cao Cao; Cao Cao appointed Xu Yi as Commandant of the Capital; transferred to Gentleman of the Masters of Writing; managed selection of officials
- 219 CE: Cao Ren besieged by Guan Yu; Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to rescue; could not lift siege; Cao Cao planned to campaign personally; consulted dukes and ministers; most advocated immediate campaign; Huan Jie advised not to campaign personally; Cao Cao stationed army at Mobei; Shu army withdrew
- 220 CE: Cao Pi became emperor; transferred to Director of the Imperial Secretariat; enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoxiang; added Palace Attendant; friendly with Meng Da; became ill; Cao Pi personally visited; transferred to Marquis of Anle; enfeoffed three sons as Marquises Within the Passes; became seriously ill; Cao Pi sent envoy to appoint as Minister of Ceremonies; died; Cao Pi wept; posthumous Marquis Zhen
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 22, Biography of Huan, Two Chen, Xu, Wei, Lu.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.