, was from Qiao County, Qiao Commandery (present-day Qiaocheng District, Bozhou City, Anhui Province). He was a political figure during the
. He was the seventh-generation grandson of
.
Biography
At the age of sixteen, he lost his father and built a hut near his father's grave to live in for three years. A three-legged bird flew and gathered at the door of the hut, which surprised many people. After completing his mourning period, Governor Yan Yin of Yuzhou summoned him to serve as a secretary.
In the second year of Tai Shi (466), Yan Yin rebelled in Yuzhou against Emperor Ming of Song. Emperor Ming of Song sent General Liu Min to suppress Yan Yin. After several months of attack and defense, Yan Yin realized he would surely fail and sought help from the Northern Wei. Xiahou Xiang said: "Now we have raised our troops in loyalty to the state, supporting the son of Emperor Xiaowu, Prince Jiansheng of Jinan Liu Zun. If there is someone to uphold the state, we should return to the court; it would be dishonorable to submit to a foreign power." He convinced Yan Yin. Xiahou Xiang was sent out to meet Liu Min and explain Yan Yin's intention to surrender. Liu Min agreed, and Xiahou Xiang went down to the city walls to inform the people inside. On that day, Yan Yin surrendered.
Liu Min became the Governor of Yuzhou, and Xiahou Xiang served as his secretary. Later, Xiahou Xiang became the magistrate of Xinji County and performed well in governance. When Duan Foryong was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou, Xiahou Xiang continued to serve under him. He was then transferred to be a clerk, and later promoted to vice-governor.
During the Qi Dynasty, Xiao Luan served as the Governor of Yuzhou and treated Xiahou Xiang well. When Xiao Luan gained control of the government, he recalled Xiahou Xiang to Jiankang and entrusted him with important responsibilities. Xiahou Xiang often consulted with Xiao Luan day and night about establishing himself as emperor. Xiahou Xiang said: "Do not be the first to seek good fortune, nor the first to bring misfortune." As a result, Xiao Luan appointed him as the chief of staff and governor of Yiyang County. When Jian'an Fort was besieged by the Northern Wei, Xiahou Xiang led troops from Guangcheng County, Yiyang County, and Ruyin County to relieve it. Upon his arrival, the Northern Wei forces retreated. The Northern Wei set up Jingting Fort on the Huai River as a base for southern campaigns. Xiahou Xiang attacked with elite troops, and the Northern Wei army was defeated, abandoning their fort and fleeing.
At the end of Jianwu reign (493-498), Xiahou Xiang was recalled to serve as a general of the palace guards. He then served as the adjutant commander of the Southern Zhonglang Commandery and governor of Nanxincai County. In the first year of Yongyuan (499), Prince Nankang Xiao Baorong became the Governor of Jingzhou, and Xiahou Xiang was transferred to serve as the adjutant commander and governor of Xinxing County, leading the way for Xiao Baorong's appointment. When Prince Shian Xiao Yaoguang rebelled in Jiankang, Liu Shan'yang, a subordinate of Jingzhou's military advisor, plotted to rebel. Xiahou Xiang tricked Pan Shao out and executed him at the city gate, stabilizing the state and provincial offices. He was appointed as Governor of Sizhou but did not take office.
Xiao Yan raised troops against Xiao Baojuan, and Xiahou Xiang and Xiao Yingzuo responded in Jingzhou. When Xiao Baorong ascended the throne as Emperor He, Xiahou Xiang was appointed as the commander of the palace guards, with additional roles as a regular attendant and governor of Nanchang County. Important military and state affairs were decided after consultation with Xiahou Xiang and Xiao Yingzou. After Xiao Yingzuo's death, Xiahou Xiang sent envoys to Xiangyang to welcome Xiao Yan's brother Xiao Dan, to assist Emperor He. Emperor He granted Xiahou Xiang command of the imperial guards and allowed him access to the palace and government offices, but Xiahou Xiang firmly declined. He was transferred to regular attendant and deputy minister of the Secretariat. He was appointed as a special envoy, general, and Governor of Jingzhou but firmly declined in favor of Xiao Dan.
In the first year of Tianjian (502), Xiao Yan established the Liang Dynasty and summoned Xiahou Xiang to serve as regular attendant and chariot-general, conferring him the title of Marquis of Ningdu County. Xiahou Xiang still declined, and was instead appointed as right grand master of ceremonies, continuing his role as a regular attendant, with a change in title to Duke of Fengcheng County. In the second year of Tianjian (503), he requested retirement and resigned from his position as regular attendant, receiving an additional appointment as special advisor. In the third year of Tianjian (504) July, he was appointed as special envoy, regular attendant, chariot-general, and Governor of Xiangzhou. He performed well in his governance.
In the sixth year of Tianjian (507), he was summoned to serve as regular attendant and right grand master of ceremonies but did not reach Jiankang. He was instead appointed as left grand secretary and senior grand master of ceremonies, continuing as a regular attendant. He died on the way, at the age of seventy-four. Posthumously, he was granted the title of Grand Minister with the rank of a Three Excellencies. His posthumous name was Jing.
Children
• Xiahou Dan
• Xiahou Kui
Notes
Further Reading
References
• History of Liang, Volume 10, Biography 4
• Southern History, Volume 55, Biography 45
References
• 夏侯詳 (Chinese)
The text above incorporates content created automatically using artifical intelligence.
Xiahou Xiang (434 - 507), courtesy name Shuyeh, was from Qiao County, Qiao Commandery (present-day Qiaocheng District, Bozhou City, Anhui Province). He was a political figure during the Southern Song Dynasty, Southern Qi Dynasty, and Southern Liang Dynasty. He was the seventh-generation grandson of Xiahou Ba.