Pei Qian (裴潛, ? – 244) was an official of Cao Wei in the late Eastern Han and the Three Kingdoms period of China. His courtesy name was Wenxing (文行). He came from the prominent Pei clan of Hedong (河東裴氏) and was a native of Wenxi County (問喜縣) in Hedong Commandery. He raised the recommendation authority of the Dian nong official to the same level as that of the grand administrator and the chancellor, which broadened the promotion path for agricultural officials (農官).
Having gained the trust of Cao Rui, Prince of Wei (魏王 曹叡), he served as chancellor and was finally appointed Grand Chancellor (相國).
He is known as a literary figure who had a great influence on Wei and as an orthodox historian of Cao Wei who compiled Chen Shou's official history, the Records of the Three Kingdoms (正史 三國志).
He was the father of Pei Xiu (裴秀), Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of the Great Jin (大晉).
Career
He fled to Jing Province to escape the turmoil at the end of the Eastern Han. Liu Biao treated him with the courtesy due to a guest. Pei Qian said to Wang Can and Sima Zhi, with whom he had formed friendships:
He then went south to Changsha. In the 13th year of Jian'an (208), Cao Cao, having pacified Jing Province, appointed Pei Qian as Military Affairs Adviser to the Chancellor (參丞相軍事). Pei Qian went out to the localities and served as magistrate of three counties, and then he returned to the centre and was appointed Clerk of the Granary Office (倉曹屬). Cao Cao asked Pei Qian:
Pei Qian said:
In the 20th year of Jian'an (215),1 Dai was greatly disturbed, so Pei Qian was appointed Grand Administrator of Dai. The Wuhuan king and three of their great chiefs (大人) each called himself Chanyu and interfered in the administration of Dai. The previous grand administrator had been unable to govern them properly, so Cao Cao intended to give Pei Qian elite troops to pacify and subjugate them. Pei Qian declined, saying:
He then took up his post in Dai in a single carriage, and the chanyu were startled and pleased. Pei Qian consoled and calmed them. The chanyu and those below them removed their hats, lowered their faces to the ground, and returned all the women, equipment, vessels, and goods that they had plundered. Pei Qian executed more than ten senior officials within the commandery who had colluded with the chanyu, including Hao Wen (郝溫) and Guo Duan (郭端). The northern frontier was greatly shaken, and the people submitted to him. After three years in office in Dai, in the 23rd year of Jian'an (218), he returned to the centre and became Assistant Officer for Legal Affairs of the Chancellor (丞相理曹掾). Cao Cao praised and rewarded him for his achievements in governing Dai. Pei Qian said:
Cao Cao deeply regretted having recalled Pei Qian to the centre too early. Some tens of days later, news arrived that the three chanyu had rebelled. Therefore he appointed Cao Chang, Marquis of Yanling (鄢陵侯), as Xiaoqi General and sent him to punish them. Pei Qian went out to the localities, became Chancellor of Pei, and was promoted to Inspector of Yan Province. In the 24th year of Jian'an (219), when Fancheng was in danger, he was summoned by edict together with Yu Province Inspector Lü Gong (呂貢). He travelled slowly, but on the advice of Wen Hui, Inspector of Liang Province, he left behind the military supplies, changed into light clothing, and set off quickly, and indeed he received an order urging haste. When Cao Cao was stationed at Mopi (摩陂), he admired the orderly appearance of the commandery Pei Qian governed and bestowed a special reward on him. In the first year of Huangchu (220), when Emperor Wen, Cao Pi, ascended the throne, he entered the centre and became Regular Attendant Cavalier (散騎常侍). He went out to the localities and became Director of Agriculture (典農中郎將) of Wei and Yingchuan, and he petitioned that, as with the commanderies and kingdoms, the path of recommendation for talent be opened to the same level as grand administrators and chancellors, from which time the career path of agricultural administrators widened. He was promoted to Inspector of Jing Province and received the rank of Marquis of a district. When Emperor Ming, Cao Rui, ascended the throne, he entered the centre and became Secretary (尙書). He went out again and became Governor of Henan, then was transferred to Military Adviser to the Grand Commandant (太尉軍師) and Minister of Agriculture. He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qingyang Pavilion (清陽亭侯), and his fief was increased by 200 households. He returned to the centre and became Director of the Imperial Secretariat (尙書令), where he rectified the division of duties, and he presented more than 150 items on names and realities, evaluation of talent, and policy, which were to be decided at the offices. After his father died, he left office, and later he was appointed (光祿大夫). In the 5th year of (244), he died, and he was posthumously given the title of (太常), and the (貞侯, Marquis Zhen) was bestowed on him. His son succeeded him. He instructed that his funeral be conducted frugally, so the tomb contained only a single terrace (台坐) and a few earthenware jars.
Family relations
Related persons
Pei Wu Pei Songzhi Pei Xiu
Footnotes