(510 - 561 AD) was a minister of the Southern Dynasties, with the courtesy name
. He hailed from Chongguo County, Bazhou Prefecture (present-day Nanchbu in northern Sichuan; the prefectural seat is today's Langzhong). During the reign of
. In the time of
.
Biography
Hou Zhen's father, Hou Hongyuan, was a prominent leader in Western Shu. He was killed by Zhang Wen'e. To avenge his father, Hou Zhen joined the battle against Zhang Wen'e and always led as the vanguard, eventually slaying Zhang Wen'e, which made him famous.
During the Rebellion of Hou Jing, Hou Zhen followed Prince Xiao Fan of Poyang, who was the governor of Yongzhou Prefecture, to support Jiankang (present-day Nanjing). Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as a General of Light Cavalry and Governor of Jinkang County. When Xiao Fan became the governor of Yongzhou, Hou Zhen was promoted to Overpowering Martial General and Governor of Fengyi County. After Xiao Fan's death, Hou Zhen led his troops and joined Yu Zhang Taishou Zhuang Tie, but Zhuang Tie suspected him. Hou Zhen killed Zhuang Tie and took control of Yu Zhang. When the forces of Hou Jing advanced south to Yu Zhang, Hou Zhen surrendered to Hou Jing. After Hou Jing's defeat at Baliling (present-day Yueyang, Hunan), Hou Zhen executed Hou Jing's followers in response to Emperor Yuan of Liang. In retaliation, Hou Jing killed his brother and wife. Emperor Yuan appointed him as Martial General, Governor of Southern Yan Prefecture, and Marquis of Pei County. He then joined Wang Sengbian to suppress the forces of Hou Jing, recaptured Jiankang, and was ordered to pursue the remnants of Hou Jing's army, achieving significant victories. Due to his contributions, he was appointed as Governor of Southern Yuzhou Prefecture and stationed in Gushu (present-day Dangtu, Anhui).
In the second year of Chengsheng (553 AD), when Northern Qi invaded, he led 3,000 elite troops and defeated the Northern Qi forces led by Guo Yuanjian, killing over ten thousand enemies. When Western Wei attacked Jiangling (present-day Jingzhou, Hubei), Hou Zhen went to Jiujiang to protect Prince Jin'an Xiao Fangzhi, who returned to Jiankang. Xiao Fangzhi appointed him as a palace attendant, special envoy with full authority, commander of the military affairs in Jiang, Jin, Wu, and Qi Prefectures, Governor of Jiang Prefecture, Marquis of Kangyue County, and promoted him to Chariot and Cavalry General. In the second year of Shaotai (556 AD), Emperor Jing of Liang Xiao Fangzhi added the title of Grand Commandant. After Chen Baxian killed Wang Sengbian, Hou Zhen submitted to Chen Baxian.
With the establishment of the Chen Dynasty, he was granted the titles of palace attendant and Chariot and Cavalry General (車騎將軍). In January of the second year of Yongding (558 AD), he was promoted to Minister of Works (司空). When Wang Lin supported Xiao Zhuang, Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andu failed in their campaign. Hou Zhen was appointed as the commander of all military affairs to the west. The following year, when Emperor Wen of Chen ascended the throne, he reached the rank of Grand Commandant (太尉). In the first year of Tianjia (560 AD), as commander-in-chief, he pacified Wang Lin and defeated the Northern Qi forces supporting Wang Lin at Bowang Mountain. He was appointed as the governor of Xiang, Ba, Ying, Jiang, Wu Prefectures and stationed in Pengcheng. He defeated Northern Zhou's He Ruodun and was promoted to commander-in-chief of Xiang, Zhi, Ying, Ba, Wu, Yuan Prefectures, Governor of Xiang Prefecture, and was re-titled as Marquis of Lingling County. In the second year of Tianjia (561 AD), due to illness, he requested to resign from his post and return to the capital. He died on the way at the age of fifty-two and was posthumously honored with the title "Zhuangsu."
Children
Hou Jingcang married Princess Fuyang, the second daughter of Emperor Wen of Chen, and was appointed as an Extraordinary Cavalry Attendant. He died in the third year of Taijian (571 AD) and was posthumously granted the titles Grand Minister (司徒) and Clerk to the Grand Minister (主簿). Hou Jingcang had no children, so his younger brother, Hou Jiu, inherited the title.
Further Reading
References
• 侯瑱 (Chinese)
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Hou Zhen (510 - 561 AD) was a minister of the Southern Dynasties, with the courtesy name Baiyu. He hailed from Chongguo County, Bazhou Prefecture (present-day Nanchbu in northern Sichuan; the prefectural seat is today's Langzhong). During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Liang, he served as a palace attendant (侍中). In the time of Emperor Wen of Chen, he was appointed as Grand Commandant (太尉).