''Xian Zhen'' (died 627 BC) was a general and politician of the State of Jin during the

Spring and Autumn period The Spring and Autumn period () was a period in History of China, Chinese history corresponding roughly to the first half of the Eastern Zhou (256 BCE), characterized by the gradual erosion of royal power as local lords nominally subject t ...

Chinese history The history of China spans several millennia across a wide geographical area. Each region now considered part of the Chinese world has experienced periods of unity, fracture, prosperity, and strife. Chinese civilization first emerged in the Y ...

. He served under

Duke Wen of Jin Duke Wen of Jin (697–628BC), personal name Ji Chong'er, was duke of the Jin state from 636 BC to 628 BC. He was exiled from Jin for approximately 20 years before finally assuming the throne and rapidly leading Jin to hegemony over the othe ...

. At the end of 633 BC, Duke Wen of Jin established three armies, with Xian Zhen and Luan Zhi commanding the lower army.

King Cheng of Chu King Cheng of Chu (), personal name Xiong Yun, was a ruler of the Chu state, ruling from 671 BC to 626 BC. In 672 BC, King Cheng's older brother, Du'ao, attempted to have him killed. King Cheng escaped to the Sui state. He then attacked and ki ...

led his forces to besiege the

State of Song Song was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty with its capital at Shangqiu. The state was founded soon after King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty to establish the Zhou dynasty in 1046 BC. It was conquered by the state of ...

. Duke Cheng of Song sought assistance from the Jin Dynasty by sending gifts. In early 632 BC, before Duke Wen could mobilize his army, Xi Hu passed away. Duke Wen then appointed Xian Zhen as the commander of the central army. Xian Zhen proposed a plan to rescue Song and counterattack

Chu Chu or CHU may refer to: Chinese history * Chu (state) (c. 1030 BC–223 BC), a state during the Zhou dynasty * Western Chu (206 BC–202 BC), a state founded and ruled by Xiang Yu * Chu Kingdom (Han dynasty) (201 BC–70 AD), a kingdom of the H ...

. His strategy involved attacking the states of

Cao Cao or CAO may refer to: Mythology *Cao (bull), a legendary bull in Meitei mythology Companies or organizations * Air China Cargo, ICAO airline designator CAO * CA Oradea, Romanian football club * CA Osasuna, Spanish football club * Canadian ...

and

Wey Wey or WEY may refer to: Places *Wey (state) (衞), or Wei, ancient Chinese state during the Zhou Dynasty *River Wey, river in Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex, England *River Wey (Dorset), river of Dorset, south west England *Wey and Arun Canal, ...

, and then ceding their lands to Qi and Qin. This plan successfully pressured Chu, as Qi and Qin were instructed to persuade Chu to cease its siege of Song. Chu, having to defend Wey and Cao under its alliances, refused. Consequently, Qi and Qin grew resentful towards Chu, which shifted its focus to Wey and Cao rather than continuing the siege of Song. Amid the deteriorating situation, King Cheng of Chu retreated. Despite the king’s displeasure, Ziyu remained and proposed to Jin, "If Jin forgives Wey and Cao, Chu will also forgive Song." Jin agreed, leading to Wey and Cao severing their alliances with Chu and aligning with Jin. This angered Ziyu, who then attacked the Jin army. In the

Battle of Chengpu The Battle of Chengpu took place in 632 BC between the State of Jin and the State of Chu and its allies during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. It was the first major battle in the protracted conflict between the states of th ...

, Xian Zhen led the Jin forces to a decisive victory over Ziyu’s Chu army. After

Hu Yan Hu Yan (715–629BC) was a Di tribesman who served as a minister and general of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. Hu Yan assisted Prince Chong'er (posthumously the " Wen Duke") during his long exile, his usurpation o ...

died, Xian Zhen was promoted to minister. In 628 BC, Duke Wen of Jin passed away and was succeeded by

Duke Xiang of Jin Duke Xiang of Jin (), personal name Ji Huan, was from 627 to 621 BC the ruler of the Jin state. He succeeded his father, Duke Wen, who was one of the Five Hegemons of China's Spring and Autumn period. Battle of Yao After Duke Wen died in the n ...

. In 627 BC,

Duke Mu of Qin Duke Mu of Qin (died 621BC), born Ying Renhao, was a duke of the state of Qin. Sometimes considered one of the Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Mu greatly expanded the territory of Qin during the reign of King Xiang of Zhou. ...

invaded Jin. Xian Zhen defeated the Qin army at the

Battle of Xiao The Battle of Xiao or Yao () took place between Qin and Jin, both of which were major principality states during the Spring and Autumn period of the Zhou dynasty. It occurred in 627 BC at the Xiao Mountains, a branch of the Qinling Range betw ...

and captured three Qin generals. Wen Ying, a concubine of Duke Wen of Jin and daughter of Duke Mu of Qin, persuaded Duke Xiang to release the captured generals. The request was granted, and the generals returned to Qin. Xian Zhen, angered by the perceived disregard for his soldiers' merits, confronted Duke Xiang in a fit of rage and spat in his face. Later that year, Di from the north invaded the State of Jin. Xian Zhen once again led his troops into battle and defeated the Di forces. In a final act of atonement for his earlier disrespect towards Duke Xiang, Xian Zhen removed his armor and helmet, charged into the midst of the Di army, and died in battle.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhen, Xian 620s BC deaths 7th-century BC Chinese military personnel Generals of the Spring and Autumn period People from North China