Qiao Xuan, courtesy name Gongzu, was an influential official during the Eastern Han dynasty of China.
30 Facts About Qiao Xuan
1.
2.
Qiao Xuan's career included roles as Left Commandant in Luoyang, Chancellor of the Qi State, and Administrator of various commanderies.
3.
Qiao Xuan was known for his sternness, but for his humility and respect towards others.
4.
Qiao Xuan had a keen eye for talent and was one of the first to recognize the potential of Cao Cao, a warlord who later rose to power.
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Qiao Xuan was born in the Eastern Han dynasty during the reign of Emperor An.
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Qiao Xuan was from Suiyang County in the Liang State and came from a scholar-gentry background.
7.
When Zhou Jing, the Inspector of Yu Province, visited the Liang State, Qiao Xuan reported to him the crimes of Yang Chang, the Chancellor of the Chen State.
8.
However, Qiao Xuan returned the letter and ordered his men to escort Yang Chang as a prisoner to the imperial capital, Luoyang.
9.
Qiao Xuan was later nominated as a xiaolian and appointed as a Left Commandant in Luoyang.
10.
Qiao Xuan later became the Chancellor of the Qi State.
11.
Qiao Xuan had Huangfu Zhen arrested, flogged, and head shaved bald.
12.
Around the time, Qiao Xuan heard of Jiang Qi, a famous man who lived in Shanggui County, and wanted to recruit him to join the civil service.
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Qiao Xuan was angered, so he sent Yin Yi to pressure Jiang Qi into agreeing.
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Qiao Xuan threatened to make Jiang Qi's mother marry another man if he refused again.
15.
The Counsellors in the commandery came to see Qiao Xuan and managed to persuade him to stop forcing Jiang Qi.
16.
Qiao Xuan was appointed General Who Enters Liao and put in charge of defending Liaodong.
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Qiao Xuan served there for three years, repelled intrusions by the invaders, and maintained peace in the area.
18.
Qiao Xuan saw that the Han dynasty was too weak because the government was plagued by corruption.
19.
Qiao Xuan despaired as he felt that he could not do anything, so he claimed to be ill and resigned.
20.
Qiao Xuan wrote a memorial to Emperor Ling, requesting the emperor to remove Gai Sheng from office and confiscate his property, but Emperor Ling refused.
21.
Qiao Xuan was reassigned to be a Palace Attendant, but he delayed the process as he was ill.
22.
Qiao Xuan remained as a Household Counsellor while receiving medical treatment.
23.
The robbers were killed but Qiao Xuan's son died in the struggle.
24.
Cao Cao later often said that Qiao Xuan was someone who really understood him.
25.
The late Grand Commandant Qiao Xuan was a man of principles and virtues, one who was kind and compassionate.
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Qiao Xuan was known to be an impatient and impulsive person who did not take the big picture into consideration.
27.
Qiao Xuan did not abuse his status and power by helping any of his family members and relatives gain high-ranking positions in the civil service.
28.
Qiao Xuan appears in chapter 54 in the events leading to the marriage between Liu Bei and Sun Shangxiang.
29.
Historically, Qiao Xuan died in 184 while the Qiao sisters married Sun Ce and Zhou Yu in 200, so it was not possible that Qiao Xuan was still living when the marriages took place.
30.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Qiao Xuan was the "Qiao Gong" mentioned in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.