Tao Qian
陶謙
Governor of Xu Province (徐州牧)
In office
190 (190)–194 (194)
MonarchEmperor Xian of Han
Succeeded byLiu Bei
General Who Stabilises the East (安東將軍)
In office
190 (190)–194 (194)
MonarchEmperor Xian of Han
Inspector of Xu Province (徐州刺史)
In office
188 (188)–190 (190)
MonarchsEmperor Ling of Han /
Emperor Shao of Han /
Emperor Xian of Han
Personal details
Born132[1]
Dangtu County, Anhui
Died194 (aged 62)[1]
Tancheng County, Shandong
SpouseLady Gan[2]
Children
  • Tao Shang
  • Tao Ying
OccupationOfficial, warlord
Courtesy nameGongzu (恭祖)
PeerageMarquis of Liyang (溧陽侯)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese陶謙
Simplified Chinese陶谦
Provinces ruled by Tao Qian in the late 180s

Tao Qian (pronunciationⓘ) (132–194),[1] courtesy name Gongzu, was a government official and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for serving as the governor of Xu Province.[3]

Early life

Tao Qian was born in Danyang Commandery (丹楊郡), which is around present-day Ma'anshan, Anhui. His father served as Chief of Yuyao (餘姚長) and died when Tao Qian was still young. As an orphan, he was well-known for his daredevil attitude. At the age of 13, he sewed from silk a made-up banner while riding a bamboo horse with all the children from the village following his lead. The Administrator of Cangwu (蒼梧太守), Gan Gong (甘公), born from the same county while travelling met him. He was deeply impressed by his appearance and conversed with him. He was further impressed and agreed to have his daughter married to him. His wife was displeased and told him angrily that this Tao kid is a ruffian, why offer him their daughter? Gan Gong answered that Tao Qian has a unique apparence and will surely accomplish great things in the future. Therefore, he maintained the marriage proposal.[4][5]

Civil and military career

As a young man, he was known for being studious and honest. While in the service of the Han dynasty, he was nominated as a maocai (茂才) and served as Prefect of Lu (盧縣令). He earned a reputation for his inflexible nature and was noted to have great virtue. He was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate), served in the secretariat and as Prefect of Shu (舒縣令). The current Administrator, Zhang Pan (張磐) was of the same commandery of an older generation and was friends with Tao Qian's father. Therefore, he was friendly with him but Tao Qian feeled ashamed about being his subordinate. Later as Tao Qian worked as Prefect (令), he would because of his public duty, treat Zhang Pan with respect. Zhang Pan always wanted to feast with Tao Qian who would sometimes refuse the invitation. Zhang Pan encouraged Tao Qian to dance, as the later refused, he would force him. While dancing, Tao Qian would not spin. As Zhang Pan asked him why, he answered that he cannot as it would surpass others. Zhang Pan was irritated at his answer and distance himself from Tao Qian. When he served in office Tao Qian was noted for his pure conduct and noble character as he didn't mix private dealings with his duties. As Zhang Pan hided that he wasted money on sacrifices. Tao Qian resigned from his post.[6][7]

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, he was appointed as the Inspector of You Province (幽州剌史) and served as military advisor to Zhang Wen (Han dynasty), accompanied him in the northwestern frontiers during the Liang Province Rebellion. Around this time, the western tribes were raiding the lands and Huangfu Song was appointed to pacify them. Tao Qian followed him and served as Commandant Who Raises Military (楊武都尉). During this campaign, they greatly defeated the Qiang tribes. As Bian Zhang and Han Sui rebelled, Tao Qian accompanied Zhang Wen, although well treated he despised Zhang Wen for his tenure in office. During a feast, as the army returned. Zhang Wen ordered Tao Qian to serve wine during which he insulted Zhang Wen along with other military officers which angered Zhang Wen who exiled Tao Qian to the frontier. Following the advice of his subordinate, he forgave Tao Qian as a way to show his generosity. Tao Qian was convinced to show that he felt sorry for his insult while Zhang Wen received encouragement to resume his good treatment of him therefore their relation started anew.[8][9]

In the chaos of Dong Zhuo's coup d'état and the battles that followed, Tao Qian was appointed as Inspector of Xu Province (徐州刺史), in the province, there were still remnants of the Yellow scarves, Tao Qian succeeded in clearing the area of rebel forces and gained control of the neighbouring Yang Province. However, after that he showed no ambition to expand his territory any further. After the failed campaign against Dong Zhuo, Tao Qian sent tributes to the imperial court located at Chang'an and received the titles of General Who Stabilises the East (安東將軍) and Governor of Xu Province (徐州牧) with a peerage as Marquis of Liyang (溧陽侯).[10]

Around this time, the Xu province was secured and prospere with many refugees joining. Tao Qian was responsible for starting the careers of Wang Lang, Zhu Zhi and Chen Deng, all of whom would play fairly important roles in the historical events leading to the end of the Han dynasty. However, at the same time he was prone to joining forces with unscrupulous characters, such as Ze Rong, Cao Hong (曹宏) and Que Xuan (闕宣), and on the other hand not appointing Zhao Yu (趙昱), a loyal and capable subordinate, to a position of trust. Those who did not respond to his requests to serve him, such as Zhang Zhao and Lü Fan, he had imprisoned, and he also attempted to harm the family of Sun Ce, who was serving Yuan Shu at the time.[11]

Cao Cao's invasion of Xu Province

In 193, Cao Cao's father Cao Song was travelling through Xu Province to join Cao Cao in Yan Province. Tao Qian's subordinate, Zhang Kai (張闓), attacked the baggage train, killing Cao Song and escaping with the loot. The death of Cao Song prompted Cao Cao, then the Governor of Yan province, to lead an army to invade Xu Province and massacre countless civilians – ostensibly to avenge his father. Tao Qian requested aid from his allies in Qing Province, and was joined by Tian Kai and his subordinate Liu Bei, and with the reinforcements Tao Qian was able to resist Cao Cao. Cao Cao's forces eventually ran out of supplies and had to withdraw back to Yan Province.[12]

Cao Cao launched a second invasion in 194, but was forced to turn back when Zhang Miao and Chen Gong rebelled against him and helped a rival warlord, Lü Bu, seize control of his base in Yan Province.[13]

Death and succession

Tao Qian died of illness in 194 at the age of 63 (by East Asian age reckoning), his two sons Tao Shang and Tao Ying did not serve in office. Zhang Zhao along with other officials realized a Dirge to lament his death as follows:

"Your Lordship, who served as General and Marquis, you had and maintained virtue while directing military and civil matters. All where firm and upright under your guided benevolence. When your served as Prefect of Shu and Lu, you had love for your people, as Inspector of You and Xu, your sweet treatment was for all. As barbarians rose up in the west, you cleanse them. Without you, there would be no peace. As the Emperor heard about your achievements, you received according rank and honor, both title of Governor and peerage as Marquis to propage your enlighted rule. You answered in kind General receiving title of General Who Stabilises the East leading your forces to clear troubles, restoring previous office and altars. However, your years were not eternal and you died suddenly. Losing you, the common people are mourning knowing difficulty will arose without you whom they relied upon. In just ten days, five commanderies are crumbling. How sad are we, without you, whom can we look for guidance? Memorials cannot reach the Holly Sky. Oh Alas!”[14]

His subordinates Mi Zhu and Chen Deng invited Liu Bei to be the new Governor of Xu Province. Liu Bei initially declined and offered the governorship to Yuan Shu, but Kong Rong eventually convinced him to accept.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tao Qian is described as a ‘warm and sincere man’, and Zhang Kai's attack on Cao Song is depicted as being done against his will. Later, after Liu Bei helps him drive off Cao Cao's invasion, Tao Qian offers Liu Bei the governorship of Xu Province three times, but Liu Bei declines every time, saying that such an action would be seen as dishonourable. In 194, on his death bed, Tao Qian attempts one last time to ask Liu Bei to take over; Liu Bei still refuses his plea. Tao Qian dies peacefully soon after, and Liu Bei finally accepts his dying request after the common people of Xuzhou and his own brothers exhort him to take command.[15]

Literary and cultural references

Tao Qian appears as a playable faction in Total War: Three Kingdoms, and is prominently featured in the game as an opponent of Cao Cao.[16][17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tao Qian's biography in Records of the Three Kingdoms stated that Tao died in the first year of the Xingping era (194-195) in the reign of Emperor Xian of Han. (興平元年， ... 是歲，謙病死。) An annotation from the Wu Shu further mentioned that he was 63 years old (by East Asian age reckoning) when he died. (吳書曰：謙死時，年六十三， ...) By calculation, his birth year should be around 132.
  2. ↑ Lady Gan's father was an Administrator of Cangwu. (《吴书》曰：...故苍梧太守同县甘公出遇之涂，见其容貌，异而呼之，住车与语，甚恱，因许妻以女。甘公夫人闻之，怒曰：“妾闻陶家儿敖戏无度，如何以女许之？”公曰：“彼有奇表，长必大成。”遂妻之。) Wu Shu annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.08
  3. ↑ de Crespigny (2007), p. 788.
  4. ↑ (陶謙字恭祖，丹楊人。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  5. ↑ (《吳書》曰：謙父，故餘姚長。謙少孤，始以不羈聞於縣中。年十四，猶綴帛爲幡，乘竹馬而戲，邑中兒僮皆隨之。故蒼梧太守同縣甘公出遇之塗，見其容貌，異而呼之，住車與語，甚恱，因許妻以女。甘公夫人聞之，怒曰：「妾聞陶家兒敖戲無度，如何以女許之？」公曰：「彼有奇表，長必大成。」遂妻之。) Wu Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  6. ↑ (少好學，爲諸生，仕州邵，舉茂才，除盧令，) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  7. ↑ (《吳書》曰：謙性剛直，有大節，少察孝廉，拜尚書郎，除舒令。郡守張磐，同郡先輩，與謙父友意殊親之，而謙恥爲之屈。與衆還城，因以公事進見，坐罷，磐常私還入與謙飲宴，或拒不爲留。常以舞屬謙，謙不爲起，固彊之；及舞，又不轉。磐曰：「不當轉邪？」曰：「不可轉，轉則勝人。」由是不樂，卒以搆隙。謙在官清白，無以糾舉，祠靈星，有贏錢五百，欲以臧之。謙委官而去。) Wu Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  8. ↑ (遷幽州剌史，徵拜議郎，參車騎將軍張溫軍事，西討韓遂。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  9. ↑ (《吳書》曰：會西羌寇邊，皇甫嵩爲征西將軍，表請武將。召拜謙楊武都尉，與嵩征羌，大破之。後邊章、韓遂爲亂，司空張溫銜命征討；又請謙爲參軍事，接遇甚厚，而謙輕其行事，心懷不服。及軍罷還，百寮高會，溫屬謙行酒，謙衆辱溫。溫怒，徙謙於邊。或說溫曰：「陶恭祖本以材略見重於公，一朝以醉飲過失，不蒙容貸，遠棄不毛，厚德不終，四方人士安所歸望！不如釋憾除恨，克復初分，於以遠聞德美。」溫然其言，乃追還謙。謙至，或又謂謙曰：「足下輕辱三公，罪自己作，今蒙釋宥，德莫厚矣；宜降志卑辭以謝之。」謙曰：「諾。」又謂溫曰：「陶恭祖今深自罪責，思在變革。謝天子禮畢，必詣公門。公宜見之，以慰其意。」時溫於宮門見謙，謙仰曰：「謙自謝朝廷，豈爲公邪？」溫曰：「恭祖癡病尚未除邪？」遂爲之置酒，待之如初。) Wu Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  10. ↑ (會徐州黃巾起，以謙爲徐州剌史，擊黃巾，破走之。董卓之亂，州郡起兵，天子都長安，四方斷絕，謙遣使間行致貢獻，遷安東將軍、徐州牧，封溧陽侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  11. ↑ (是時，徐州百姓殷盛，穀米封贍，流民多歸之。而謙背道任情：廣陵太守琅邪趙昱，徐方名士也，以忠直見疏；... 曹宏等，讒慝小人也，謙親任之。刑政失和，良善多被其害，由是漸亂。下邳闕宣自稱天子，謙初與合從寇鈔，後遂殺宣，并其衆。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  12. ↑ (初平四年，太祖征謙，攻拔十餘城，至彭城大戰。謙兵敗走，死者萬數，泗水爲之不流。謙退守剡。太祖以糧少引軍還。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  13. ↑ (興平元年，復東征，略定琅邪、東海諸縣。謙恐，欲走歸丹楊。會張邈叛迎呂布，太祖還擊布。是歲，謙病死。) Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  14. ↑ (《吳書》曰：謙死時，年六十三，張昭等爲之哀辭曰：「猗歟使君，君侯將軍，膺秉懿德，允武允文，體足剛直，守以溫仁。令舒及盧，遺愛于民；牧幽曁徐，甘棠是均。憬憬夷貊，賴侯以清；蠢蠢妖寇，匪侯不寧。唯帝念績，爵命以章，旣牧且侯，啟土溧陽。遂升上將，受號安東，將平世難，社稷是崇。降年不永，奄忽殂薨，喪覆失恃，民知困窮。曾不旬日，五郡潰崩，哀我人斯，將誰仰憑？追思靡及，仰叫皇穹。嗚呼哀哉！」謙二子：商、應，皆不仕。) Wu Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 08.
  15. ↑ Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts (1995) Three Kingdoms, seventh printing (2015), Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, volume 1, chapters 10–12.
  16. ↑ "TOTAL WAR: THREE KINGDOMS WARLORD LEGENDS – CAO CAO". Total War. 2018-10-26. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  17. ↑ "TOTAL WAR: THREE KINGDOMS – MANDATE OF HEAVEN FAQ". Total War. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2020-07-12.

Bibliography

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