Song Xian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Song Xian | |
|---|---|
| Military officer of Lü Bu | |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 宋宪 |
| Traditional Chinese | 宋憲 |
| Pinyin | Sòng Xiàn |
| Wade-Giles | Sung Hsien |
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Song (宋).
Song Xian was a military officer under the minor warlord Lü Bu during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. In 198, when rival warlord Cao Cao besieged Lü Bu in Xiapi, Song Xian and his colleagues Hou Cheng and Wei Xu kidnapped Lü Bu's chief advisor Chen Gong and defected. Lü Bu was soon captured and executed as well. However, it was unknown what happened to Song Xian henceafter.
[edit] Song Xian in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Chapter 19 of the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, Song Xian's close friend and colleague Hou Cheng was said to have been spanked at the order of Lü Bu for breaking the liquor ban. The disgruntled man then plotted with Song Xian and Wei Xu to betray Lü Bu to Cao Cao.
Under the cover of the night Hou Cheng stole Lü Bu's powerful steed Red Hare and galloped out of the city towards Cao Cao's camp. The next morning, Cao Cao's troops launched a fierce attack. Lü Bu had to personally take part in the defense of the walls. The battle dragged into high noon when at last the offensive subsided. The exhausted Lü Bu then took a nap on top of the city gate. Taking the opportunity, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied Lü Bu up and hoisted a white flag. The two also threw Lü Bu's halberd down the wall as proof of allegiance. Seeing the signals, Cao Cao's troops then flocked into the city and seized it in no time.
In Chapter 25, Song Xian was slain by Yuan Shao's top general Yan Liang in a duel during the Battle of Baima. Wei Xu subsequently volunteered to avenge his old friend but was killed as well.
[edit] References
- Chen Shou (2002). San Guo Zhi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5.
- Luo Guanzhong (1986). San Guo Yan Yi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80520-013-0.
- Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3467-9.
