15 Facts About Xun Shuang

Xun Shuang, courtesy name Ciming, was a Chinese essayist, politician, and writer who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China.

Xun Shuang repeatedly turned down offers to serve in the government, and spent his time producing numerous writings and giving lectures.

Xun Shuang died of illness in 190 while secretly making plans with Wang Yun, Xun Shuang Yong and others to eliminate the tyrannical warlord Dong Zhuo, who had hijacked and controlled the Han central government.

Xun Shuang was the sixth son of Xun Shu, an official who served as the Prefect of Langling County and as the Chancellor to the Marquis of Langling County.

In 166, after Zhao Dian, the Minister of Ceremonies, nominated him to join the civil service, Xun Shuang was appointed as a Gentleman.

Xun Shuang wrote a long memorial to the imperial court, requesting that the government promote Confucianism, enforce Confucian rules of propriety more rigorously, lower taxes, and reduce an oversupply of maids in the imperial palace by freeing them and arranging for them to be married.

Xun Shuang tried to persuade other officials to leave the political arena to avoid getting into trouble.

However, Xun Shuang was worried that Li Ying would incur the jealousy of others due to his fame and popularity, so he wrote a letter to Li Ying to advise him to maintain a low profile to avoid trouble.

Xun Shuang spent over ten years in southern China, where he produced numerous writings and gave lectures and earned himself a reputation as a highly learned Confucian scholar.

In 184, after Emperor Ling lifted the restrictions on civil liberties and ended the second Disaster of the Partisan Prohibitions, Xun Shuang was again invited to serve in one of the top five offices in the government.

Yuan Feng, the Minister of Works, nominated Xun Shuang to join the civil service but Xun Shuang refused to become an official.

When Yuan Feng died, Xun Shuang mourned him for three years and started a trend where officials would mourn the deaths of those who nominated them into office.

Xun Shuang criticised some popular practices which he deemed to be not in line with Confucian customs.

Xun Shuang tried to escape but failed, so he had no choice but to follow the order and serve as the Chancellor of Pingyuan State.

Xun Shuang secretly contacted Wang Yun, Xun Shuang Yong and other officials to make plans to assassinate Dong Zhuo.