Introduction
Jiang Qin (蔣欽), courtesy name Gongyi (公奕), was an Eastern Wu general from Jiujiang and one of the “Tiger Generals of Jiangbiao.” He followed Sun Ce in the conquest of Danyang, Wu, Kuaiji, and Yuzhang, pacified bandits, and was made Chief of the Western Section (西部都尉). He campaigned against the Kuaiji bandits Lü He and Qin Lang and was transferred to General of the Household Who Conquers the Yue (討越中郎將). He joined He Qi in pacifying the Yi bandits. He took part in the campaign against Hefei and was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs (蕩寇將軍) and Commander of Ruxu (濡須督). He was later recalled to the capital and made Right Protector of the Army (右護軍), in charge of legal disputes. He was known for keeping his word and for his open character. In 219, when Sun Quan attacked Guan Yu, Jiang Qin led the naval force into the Mian River; he fell ill on the return march and died. Chen Shou counted him among the “tigers of Jiangbiao.”
Biography
Under Sun Ce
Jiang Qin was from Shouchun (壽春), Jiujiang (九江). He followed Sun Ce in the pacification of Danyang, Wu, Kuaiji, and Yuzhang. He put down local bandits and was promoted to Chief of the Western Section (西部都尉).
Under Sun Quan
Jiang Qin campaigned against the Kuaiji bandits Lü He (呂合) and Qin Lang (秦狼) and was transferred to General of the Household Who Conquers the Yue (討越中郎將). He joined He Qi in attacking and pacifying the Yi (黟) bandits.
He took part in the campaign against Hefei and was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs (蕩寇將軍) and Commander of Ruxu (濡須督). He was later recalled to the capital and appointed Right Protector of the Army (右護軍), with responsibility for overseeing legal disputes (典領辭訟).
Jiang Qin valued keeping his word and was open and broad-minded by nature.
Campaign against Guan Yu and death
In the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an (219), when Sun Quan sent troops against Guan Yu, Jiang Qin led the naval force into the Mian River (入沔). On the return march he fell ill and died.
Personality and traits
The Records of the Three Kingdoms states that Jiang Qin “valued keeping his word” (貴守約) and was “by nature open and broad-minded” (性豁達). He was recalled from Ruxu to serve as Right Protector of the Army and handle legal matters at the capital.
Political achievements
Under Sun Ce: pacification of the four commanderies (Danyang, Wu, Kuaiji, Yuzhang); suppression of bandits; Chief of the Western Section. Under Sun Quan: campaign against Lü He and Qin Lang in Kuaiji; General of the Household Who Conquers the Yue; joint campaign with He Qi against Yi bandits; campaign against Hefei; General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs and Commander of Ruxu; Right Protector of the Army in charge of legal disputes; 219 led navy into Mian in the campaign against Guan Yu.
Relationships
Sun Ce, Sun Quan
Jiang Qin served under Sun Ce in the conquest of Jiangdong and under Sun Quan as commander at Ruxu and Right Protector of the Army.
He Qi
Jiang Qin joined He Qi in pacifying the Yi bandits.
Zhou Tai
Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai were fellow provincials from Jiujiang and both joined Sun Ce together; they are listed consecutively in the same SGZ chapter (程黃韓蔣周陳董甘凌徐潘丁傳).
Anecdotes and allusions
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Jiang Qin and Zhou Tai are described as former river bandits on the Yangtze who, with their band of over three hundred, came to join Sun Ce when he crossed the river. They set fire to the enemy camp at Niuzhu when Huang Gai fought Zhang Ying. Jiang Qin shoots Chen Heng at Moling. He is among the thirteen riders with Sun Ce at the temple at Shenting. Later he is sent with Zhou Tai to pursue Liu Bei and Lady Sun with a sword mandate but they are stopped by Zhuge Liang’s arrangements. He takes part in the attack on Guan Yu with Lü Meng, Lu Xun, and others.
Achievements
Documented achievements include: pacification of four commanderies under Sun Ce; Chief of the Western Section; campaigns against Lü He, Qin Lang, and Yi bandits; General of the Household Who Conquers the Yue; campaign against Hefei; General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs and Commander of Ruxu; Right Protector of the Army; leading the navy into the Mian in the campaign against Guan Yu (219).
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Jiang Qin’s biography is in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志), “Biographies of Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and others” (吳書·程黃韓蔣周陳董甘凌徐潘丁傳). The biography is brief; Pei Songzhi’s commentary cites the Jiangbiao zhuan on Xu Sheng: when Xu Sheng and Jiang Qin were both considered for promotion, Jiang Qin did not hold a grudge against Xu Sheng and recommended him, and Sun Quan praised Jiang Qin for this.
Chen Shou’s evaluation
“All these generals were tigers of Jiangbiao, and the Sun house treated them with great favour.”
Historical evaluations
Lu Ji
“Gan Ning, Ling Tong, Cheng Pu, He Qi, Zhu Huan, Zhu Ran and the like displayed their might; Han Dang, Pan Zhang, Huang Gai, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai and their kind exerted their strength.”
Legacy
Jiang Qin is remembered as one of the “Tiger Generals of Jiangbiao” who helped pacify Jiangdong under Sun Ce and who held the key post of Commander of Ruxu and Right Protector of the Army under Sun Quan. His recommendation of Xu Sheng despite rivalry was cited as an example of fairness.
See also
- Sun Ce — served under him in the conquest of Jiangdong
- Sun Quan — served after Sun Ce’s death
- Zhou Tai — fellow Jiujiang native; joined Sun Ce with Jiang Qin
- He Qi — joint campaign against Yi bandits
- Cheng Pu — same SGZ chapter, fellow Tiger General
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志), “Biographies of Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and others” (吳書·程黃韓蔣周陳董甘凌徐潘丁傳).
- Pei Songzhi. Commentary citing Jiangbiao zhuan (Xu Sheng recommending Jiang Qin / Jiang Qin recommending Xu Sheng).
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義), chapters on Sun Ce’s campaign and the attack on Guan Yu.