20 Facts About Xun Fan

Xun Fan was the maternal uncle of Emperor Min of Jin.

Xun Fan was born into the Xun clan of Yingchuan commandery during the reign of Cao Fang, as the son of Xun Xu, who eventually became a high-ranking minister of the Jin dynasty.

When Xun Fan was about four years old, Sima Yi seized power in Cao Wei via a coup.

Xun Fan was appointed a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate during the Yuankang era of the reign of Emperor Hui of Jin, Emperor Wu's son and successor.

However, as Xun Xu died in late 289, the imperial court ordered Xun Fan to take up his father's task.

Xun Fan was able to complete the bell, and it was used for rituals and ceremonies.

Xun Fan remained behind in Luoyang, and together with the colonel-director, Liu Tun and Intendant of Henan, Zhou Fu, he was entrusted with managing political affairs in the city on behalf of the emperor.

When Emperor Huai of Jin ascended the throne that same year, Xun Fan was appointed as the junior tutor to the crown prince.

In 311, Xun Fan was promoted to the position of Minister of Works.

The refugee leader in Xinzheng, Li Ju, defeated these bandits and helped Xun Fan by building residences and providing grain for his followers.

Xun Fan soon moved to Mi County in Xingyang, where he established a provisional government.

Xun Fan sent out proclamations throughout the empire, issuing a call to arms and appointing the prince of Langya, Sima Rui in Yang province as the leader of their alliance.

Sima Rui's imperial power was expanded further as Xun Fan authorized him to appoint and dismiss chief officials.

Xun Fan assigned his kinsman, Xun Song as the administrator of Xiangcheng, Li Ju as the administrator of Xingyang and Chu Sha as the interior minister of Liangguo.

The intendant of Henan, Wei Jun, who was appointed to the position by the Inspector of Bing province, Liu Kun went to visit Xun Fan to discuss strategy.

Xun Fan was pleased and invited Li Ju to join in their military council.

When Xun Fan was at Mi County, he had appointed a refugee leader from Tianshui Commandery, Yan Ding as the Inspector of Yu province as he commanded a sizeable following under him.

Xun Fan's final recorded act was appointing Li Shu as the Inspector of Yan province in 313.

Xun Fan soon died in Kaifeng that year at the age of 69, and he was posthumously awarded the office of Grand Protector and posthumously named "Cheng".

Xun Fan was succeeded by his brother, Xun Zu, who remained in Kaifeng before joining the Eastern Jin south of the Yangtze river in 318.