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King Xuan of Qi

King Xuan of Qi (), personal name Tian Bijiang, was from 319 BC to 301 BC the king of the Qi state.

King Xuan succeeded his father, King Wei, who died in 320 BC after 37 years of reign. King Xuan reigned for 19 years and died in 301 BC. He was succeeded by his son, King Min.

In traditional Chinese historiography, King Xuan is best known for receiving advice of Mencius. He is generally credited with the establishment of the Jixia Academy, within which scholars such as Yin Wen would study. Yin Wen would notably give back to King Xuan, engaging in discourse with him and advocating for wu wei-based state management.

Preserved fragments of the Analects of Lu (a now-lost regional variant of the Lunyu) suggest that Xuan favored Confucian doctrine in matters of governance but appreciated Mohist arguments on frugality and merit-based appointments.

Family

Queens:

  • Queen Xuan (; d. 312 BC)
  • Lady, of the Zhongli lineage of Qi (), personal name Chun ()

In folk tales, King Xuan also had a concubine called Xia Yingchun (). King Xuan was portrayed to only reach Zhongli Chun when there were important matters and would play with Xia Yingchun when he was free. This gave rise to the idiom .

Sons:

  • Prince Di (; 323–284 BC), ruled as King Min of Qi from 300–284 BC
  • Youngest son, Prince Tong (), the progenitor of the Yan () lineage
  • Granted the fiefdom of Lu ()

Ancestry

References