Xianzi of Han

Xianzi of Han (Chinese: 韩献子; pinyin: Hán Xiànzǐ), ancestral name Jì (姬), clan name Hán (韩), personal name Jué (厥), and posthumously known as Xianzi of Han, was the fifth head of the House of Han and a Jin politician and general. He was the son of Ziyu of Han.^[1] Xianzi's father died early and he was raised by Zhao Dun (赵盾), a senior Jin minister. Xianzi later became sima (司马), the minister of war, on Zhao Dun's recommendation.^[2] As sima, Xianzi participated in the Battle of Bi (597 BC) and the Battle of An (589 BC).^[3][4] According to Zuo Zhuan, Ziyu appeared to Xianzi in a dream the night before the Battle of An and warned him not to ride in the left or right side of the chariot to avoid being killed by Duke Qing of Qi.^[4] During the battle, the soldiers to Xianzi's left and right were shot by arrows.^[4] In 583 BC, Xianzi supported Zhao Dun's grandson, Zhao Wu (赵武), to head the House of Zhao.^[5] In the Battle of Masui (麻隧之战, 578 BC), Xianzi commanded the Jin left wing.^[6] During the Battle of Yanling (575 BC), Xianzi again commanded the Jin left wing and led a successful flanking maneuver against Chu.^[7] In 573 BC, Xianzi became Jin's zhengqing (正卿),^[8] the highest ministerial office in Ancient China.^[9] Xianzi retired in 566 BC due to old age.^[10]

Xianzi was played by Huang Xiaoming in the 2010 film Sacrifice.^[11]

Ancestors

References