28 Facts About Xie Shang

Xie Shang, courtesy name Renzu, was a Chinese military general, musician and writer of the Eastern Jin dynasty.

Xie Shang was a member of the Xie clan of Chen Commandery and was the elder cousin to the Jin prime minister Xie An.

Xie Shang was one of the earlier known players of the pipa and helped popularize bells and stone chimes in southern China.

Xie Shang was born in Chen Commandery in 308 as the son of the Prefect of Yuzhang, Xie Kun.

Xie Shang's brother died when he was only seven years old, while his father died when he was around ten years old.

Wen thought that Xie Shang's mourning was excessive for a child of his age, and he saw great potential in him because of this.

Xie Shang avoided vulgar acts, his worst instance only being that he loved wearing flashy clothes and pants which he later stopped after his uncles advised him to.

Once he was old enough, Xie Shang inherited his father's title of Marquis of Xian.

Xie Shang's soldiers built a dark-clothed tent made from 40 pieces of cloth.

Xie Shang had it torn down and distributed the cloth among his men.

In 344, Xie Shang became General of the Household Gentlemen of the South.

Around the same time, Yu Yi's influential brother, Yu Bing, died and there were considerations to have Xie Shang replace him to diminish the Yu clan's power.

However, Yu Yi knew of this and intervened, so Xie Shang retained his old positions.

Xie Shang submitted to Jin and began immediately serving in the northern expedition by being stationed at Qiao.

Xie Shang sent away his attendants and guards as he wanted to personally meet with Yao Xiang, who he knew for his fame.

Xie Shang recognized him even when he wore a common headscarf, and the two talked with one another like old friends.

Xie Shang submitted to Jin and asked Xie Shang to help him, so Xie sent his general Dai Shi to save him at Ye.

Xie Shang fought the Qin at Chengqiao along the Ying River where he was badly routed and lost 15,000 soldiers.

Xie Shang fled to Huainan while Yao Xiang abandoned his baggages to escort him.

Xie Shang's defeat prompted Yin Hao to retreat back to Shouchun, and Xie Shang was demoted to General Who Establishes Might.

Later on, Xie Shang returned the imperial seal which Dai Shi recovered to the Jin court, and he was greatly congratulated by the officials.

Xie Shang was promoted to Official Who Concurrently Serves in the Palace and camped at Shitou.

However, Xie Shang was greatly sick at the start of 357, so the Intendant of Danyang, Wang Huzhi, took his place while Xie Shang was summoned to Jiankang to be made Guard General and Cavalier In Regular Attendance.

However, before he could arrive, Xie Shang succumbed to his illness and died.

When Xie Shang went to meet with Wang Dao to receive his first office, Wang was about to hold an event at his mansion, and he asked Shang if he could perform the Quyuwu dance for his guests.

Xie Shang agreed, and at the festival, Wang and his guests were impressed by his techniques and applauded him.

Xie Shang was talented at playing instruments, the most notable being the pipa as he was one of the earlier players to use such an instrument.

Xie Shang's only known work that fully survived to this day is a short poem he titled Song of the Great Dao.