Liang Xi 梁習 Ziyu 子虞

Contents

Biography

Early career

Liang Xi was from Zhe, Chen Commandery (in present-day Zhecheng, Henan). His courtesy name was Ziyu.

He first served as a clerk in Chen Commandery. When Cao Cao was Minister over the Masses he recruited Liang Xi as Magistrate of Zhang. Liang Xi then served as Magistrate of Chengshi, Magistrate of Haixi, and Magistrate of Xiapi, and in each place had a record of good governance. He was later transferred to Clerk in the Western Section (Xicao) of the Chancellor’s Office.

Governor of Bing Province

In 206, Cao Cao defeated the rebellious Governor of Bing Province Gao Gan and took control of the province. He ordered Liang Xi to serve as Colonel with separate command and to act as Governor of Bing Province.

Bing Province had just been through war. The Xiongnu roamed within its borders and powerful clans had gathered troops and were plundering the region. Liang Xi used courtesy to summon the local magnates and had them recommended for office; he then conscripted their followers into the army and, when these men went on campaign, gradually moved their families to Ye as a form of control. Those who resisted or refused he attacked and destroyed. He also had the Xiongnu chanyu and the various kings submit; they were registered and served in the province like ordinary households. Social order was restored. Liang Xi recommended to the court the scholars who had taken refuge in Bing Province—Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Wang Xiang, Xun Wei, and Wang Ling—and Cao Cao gave them office; they later became well known. Local elders said they had never heard of a governor with ability like Liang Xi’s. Cao Cao was pleased with his administration and granted him the title Marquis Within the Passes. He was then formally appointed Governor of Bing Province.

Western command and campaign against Kebineng

In 213, when Bing Province was merged into Ji Province, Liang Xi was transferred to Gentleman Consultant and Supervisor of the Western Section, under the Governor of Ji Province but still commanding the former Bing Province forces. He later memorialized to add two Commandants of Agriculture, who led six hundred labourers to plant along the roads for the use of travellers and livestock. He also killed the Xianbei chief Yu Yan and the Wuhuan king Lu Xi, which overawed the northern tribes and left the border quiet.

When Lu Xi rebelled in 217 (taking five hundred cavalry to fetch his wife from Jinyang), Liang Xi had the Provincial Clerk Zhang Jing recruit Xianbei cavalry to pursue him. Lu Xi was shot and killed before he could rejoin his men. Cao Cao had been worried that Lu Xi would become a lasting threat in the north; when he heard that Liang Xi had had him killed, he was delighted and enfeoffed Liang Xi as Marquis Within the Passes for his accumulated merit.

Return to Bing and Grand Minister of Agriculture

When Cao Pi became emperor, Bing Province was restored as a separate province and Liang Xi was again appointed Governor and enfeoffed as Marquis of Shenmen. In 225, the Xianbei leader Kebineng caused trouble; Liang Xi led troops from Bing Province and defeated him (recorded in the third month, yisi day). In 228, he was appointed Grand Minister of Agriculture.

Liang Xi had served in Bing Province for more than twenty years but his household was poor and his residence held nothing valuable. Cao Rui was surprised and rewarded him generously. He died in 230. His son Liang Shi succeeded to his marquis title.

Anecdote: substituting for Wang Si

When Liang Xi and the Jiyang man Wang Si both served as Clerks in the Western Section, Wang Si once reported to Cao Cao and spoke inappropriately. Cao Cao was angry and summoned the officer in charge to impose a heavy punishment. Wang Si was not present, so Liang Xi went in his place and was detained. Wang Si hurried back and confessed his fault. His offence was such that he could have been put to death. Cao Cao was moved that Liang Xi had silently taken the blame and pleased that Wang Si had owned his responsibility. He said, “I did not expect to have two men of honour in my army.” Both were later promoted to Governor—Wang Si of Yu Province—and both were capable, though Wang Si was said to be harsh and petty and not to see the larger picture.

Historical evaluations

Cao Cao praised the “two men of honour” when Liang Xi substituted for Wang Si.
Chen Shou grouped the early Wei provincial governors (including Liang Xi) as those who “understood the moment and combined authority with kindness” and “could bring order to the realm.”
Liu Xianxin listed Liang Xi with Liu Fu, Zhang Ji, Wen Hui, and Jia Kui as governors whose achievements were especially notable.
The phrase “Liang Xi zhi zui” (梁习治最)—“Liang Xi’s governance was the best”—became a set expression and was included in the Mengqiu.

References

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 15, Biographies of Liu Fu, Sima Lang, Liang Xi, Zhang Ji, Wen Hui, and Jia Kui