Xin Pi, courtesy name Zuozhi, was an official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
27 Facts About Xin Pi
1.
2.
Xin Pi died around 235 and was survived by his son Xin Chang and daughter Xin Xianying.
3.
Xin Pi was from Yangzhai County, Yingchuan Commandery, which is around present-day Yuzhou, Henan.
4.
Xin Pi's ancestors were actually from Longxi Commandery, but they migrated to Yingchuan Commandery during the Jianwu era of the reign of Emperor Guangwu in the early Eastern Han dynasty.
5.
When Xin Pi met Cao Cao, he conveyed Yuan Tan's message and sought Cao Cao's support in dealing with Yuan Shang.
6.
Xin Pi hoped that in doing so, the Yuan brothers would continue to fight each other.
7.
Some days later, when Xin Pi attended a feast hosted by Cao Cao, he noticed that Cao Cao had changed his mind after observing his facial expressions, so he spoke to Cao Cao's adviser Guo Jia.
8.
Xin Pi's followers, be they behind city walls or out on the battlefield, are having a shortage of food supplies.
9.
Cao Cao agreed with what Xin Pi said and promised to help Yuan Tan.
10.
In 204, Xin Pi accompanied Cao Cao on a campaign against Yuan Shang.
11.
Xin Pi argued that it was unnecessary to do so since there was a peaceful transition from the Eastern Han dynasty to the Cao Wei state, just like how Yu succeeded Shun in ancient times.
12.
Xin Pi pointed out that the ruling dynasty only changed the starting date when it replaced its predecessor through violence, such as the Shang dynasty replacing the Xia dynasty and the Zhou dynasty replacing the Shang dynasty in turn.
13.
Xin Pi quoted sayings from Confucius and the Zuo zhuan which mentioned that the starting date of the calendar year set in the Xia dynasty was the most legitimate one, and therefore it would be best for the Cao Wei state to follow it.
14.
When Cao Pi ignored him and walked back to his personal chambers, Xin Pi followed him and held on to his sleeve.
15.
In 223, during the Battle of Jiangling between Wei and its rival state Eastern Wu, Xin Pi served as a military adviser to the Wei general Cao Zhen.
16.
When Cao Pi later planned to launch a large-scale invasion of Wu, Xin Pi attempted to dissuade him by saying:.
17.
Only Xin Pi refused to have any dealings with the two of them.
18.
Xin Pi wrote a memorial to urge Cao Rui to stop the projects:.
19.
The fifth-century historian Pei Songzhi argued that Xin Pi made an inappropriate comparison between Zhang He and the Wei emperors because generals and emperors were of different social status and hence should not be seen in the same light.
20.
In Pei Songzhi's opinion, Xin Pi should have instead compared Zhang He with other Wei generals such as Zhang Liao.
21.
Xin Pi pointed out the comparison did not reflect well on Xin Pi, who was known for being outspoken and upright, because he came close to degrading the status of the Wei emperors by making such a comparison.
22.
Xin Pi carried out his task well, and no one dared to disobey him.
23.
However, Xin Pi used the imperial sceptre to order them to remain in camp and refrain from engaging the enemy.
24.
Xin Pi died on an unknown date but the Australian sinologist Rafe de Crespigny estimated that he died around 235.
25.
Xin Pi inherited his father's peerage as the Marquis of Ying District and served as an official in the Wei government.
26.
Xin Pi rose to the position of Administrator of Henei Commandery during the Xianxi era.
27.
Xin Pi had a daughter, Xin Xianying, who married Yang Dan.