Biography
Early life
Pei Qian was from Wenxi, Hedong (present-day Wenxi County, Shanxi).
His courtesy name was Wenxing.
His father was Pei Mao, who served as Director of the Masters of Writing during the Eastern Han dynasty.
Flight to Jing Province
During the late Eastern Han period, Pei Qian fled to Jing Province due to warfare and was received as a guest by Liu Biao, Inspector of Jing Province.
However, Pei Qian privately told his acquaintances Wang Can and Sima Zhi that Liu Biao was not someone who could dominate the realm, and though he held territory and kept it secure, he would soon fail.
He then left Jing Province and went to Changsha Commandery.
Service under Cao Cao
In 208, Cao Cao occupied Jing Province and summoned Pei Qian, first appointing him as Army Adviser to the Chancellor, then successively as magistrate of three counties and Clerk in the Granary Section.
Pacification of Dai Commandery
In 210, the north was still not pacified. The Wuhuan king and two chieftains all claimed the title of chanyu and controlled commandery affairs. Dai Commandery was in great chaos, and the previous administrator could not control them.
Cao Cao then transferred Pei Qian to serve as Administrator of Dai Commandery and planned to give Pei Qian elite troops to suppress them.
However, Pei Qian believed this was only a reaction to their unease. If a large army approached, they would certainly rebel out of fear. He planned to use strategy to subdue them.
Pei Qian thus brought only a few men to the commandery. The chanyus were all surprised and pleased, and Pei Qian pacified them. The chanyus and below all removed their caps and knelt to Pei Qian, and also returned the plundered goods, weapons, and women.
Pei Qian also executed Hao Wen, Guo Duan, and more than ten other commandery officials who had colluded with the chanyus, restoring order in the north. The people all submitted.
Return to court
Three years later, in 213, Pei Qian was recalled and appointed Clerk in the Law Section of the Chancellor’s Office. Cao Cao praised Pei Qian’s achievements in pacifying the north.
However, Pei Qian said that he had previously been lenient with the people but strict with the Hu people. The newly appointed official would certainly be lenient with the Hu people. If they were too lenient, the Hu people would become lax with the law. Once they committed crimes and were punished, it would cause disputes and rebellion among the Hu people. He predicted that the Hu people would certainly rebel.
Cao Cao then regretted recalling Pei Qian too early. Soon after, the Hu people indeed rebelled again, forcing Cao Cao to send troops to suppress them.
Later service
Pei Qian later transferred to serve as Chancellor of Pei State and Inspector of Yan Province.
During the Battle of Fancheng in 219, Pei Qian saw Cao Cao’s military order and thought it was just a general summons. After receiving the order, he slowly organized his army. However, thanks to the advice of Wen Hui, Inspector of Yang Province, disaster was avoided.
Service under Cao Pi
In 220, Cao Pi became emperor. Pei Qian was appointed Gentleman Cavalier Attendant. He then successively served as Commandant of Agriculture of Wei Commandery and Commandant of Agriculture of Yingchuan. During his tenure, he helped open the path for farmers from commanderies and states to enter official service.
He later transferred to serve as Inspector of Jing Province and was granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes.
Service under Cao Rui
In 227, Cao Rui succeeded to the throne. Pei Qian was appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing. He then successively served as Administrator of Henan, Army Adviser to the Grand Commandant, Grand Minister of Agriculture, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qingyang. He later served as Director of the Masters of Writing.
Later, because his father died, Pei Qian left office and was appointed Grand Master of Palace Leisure.
Death
In 244, Pei Qian died. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies and given the posthumous title of Marquis Zhen.
Pei Qian left instructions for a frugal burial, with only a few earthenware vessels placed in the tomb as burial goods.
Personality
Pei Qian was known for his frugality and simplicity. According to the Weilue, Pei Qian’s birth mother was of humble origins and had no support from her maternal family. When Pei Qian was young, he had some improper behavior and was not treated with respect by his father. Therefore, even after repeatedly being promoted, he remained very frugal and simple.
For example, every time he went on an external assignment, he did not bring his wife and children. His wife and children could only weave mats to earn a living. When entering and leaving the capital, he only rode in a simple and slow cart. When going to fields and houses, he often walked. His family, regardless of age, often did not have enough to eat.
When he served as Inspector of Yan Province, he once made a foreign-style bed for his own use. When he left office, he left the bed behind and hung it between the beams.
These matters and his instructions for a frugal burial all demonstrate his frugal character.
Anecdotes
According to the Shishuo Xinyu, Cao Cao asked Pei Qian about his opinion of Liu Bei: “You were previously in Jing Province together with Liu Bei. What do you think of Liu Bei’s talent and strategy?”
Pei Qian replied: “If he were to live in the Central Plain, he could cause chaos among people but could not govern. If he takes advantage of opportunities and holds strategic positions, he is sufficient to be a ruler of one region.”
According to Yu Jiaxi’s research, this conversation should have occurred when Liu Bei occupied Yi Province and Cao Cao was fighting for Hanzhong.
Historical evaluations
Pei Qian was praised for his administrative ability, particularly in pacifying Dai Commandery. He was also known for his frugality and integrity.
Legacy
Pei Qian’s son Pei Xiu became an important official of Western Jin, serving as Director of the Masters of Writing and Marquis Yuan of Julu.
See also
- Cao Cao
- Cao Pi
- Cao Rui
- Liu Biao
- Wen Hui
References
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 23, Biography of Pei Qian
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 15, Biography of Wen Hui
- Weilue
- Shishuo Xinyu