Suo Chen

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In this Chinese name, the family name is Suo.
Suo Chen
索綝
Guard General (衞將軍)
In office
313–?
MonarchEmperor Min of Jin
Grand General of the Agile Cavalry (驃騎大將軍)
In office
314–?
MonarchEmperor Min of Jin
Supervisor of the Masters of Writing (尚書僕射)
In office
314–?
MonarchEmperor Min of Jin
Personal details
BornUnknown
Dunhuang, Gansu Province
Died316
Linfen, Shanxi Province
SpouseLady Xun
ChildrenSuo Shiyuan
Parent
  • Suo Jing (father)
Courtesy nameJuxiu (巨秀)

Suo Chen (died 316), courtesy name Juxiu, was a military general of the Jin Dynasty (266-420). He was a prominent member of the group at Anding to restore Jin authority in the north following the Disaster of Yongjia in 311 and was Emperor Min's most powerful official alongside Qu Yun.[1][2] Throughout Emperor Min's reign, he constantly clashed with the Han-Zhao general Liu Yao but was ultimately unable to halt Han's advances into Chang'an. After the fall of Chang'an in 316, Suo was executed for disloyalty, after he had used Emperor Min's surrender as a means to secure a high position for himself in the Han regime. His name can be rendered as Suo Lin.

Early life and career[edit]

Suo Chen was from Dunhuang in Gansu province. His father Suo Jing, was an official of Jin and distinguished calligrapher who often commended his son's talents.[3] Suo Chen saw his first role in the government as an Abundant Talent candidate and Household Gentlemen. One time, it was said that Suo personally killed 37 men to avenge his elder brother. This feat earned him the reverence of the populace, and he soon found himself appointed to a succession of posts, all of which he served with distinction, with his most notable being Prefect of Chang'an.[4]

During the War of the Eight Princes in 304, the Prince of Hejian, Sima Yong ordered Suo Chen and Zhang Fang to retrieve the emperor at Luoyang to move him to his base in Chang'an. After successfully doing so, Suo was appointed General of Hawkish Display. Following the victory of the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue over Sima Yong in 306, Suo Chen was transferred to serve the Prince of Nanyang, Sima Mo in Xuchang.[5]

In 306, Sima Mo's territory was invaded by the Han-Zhao prince, Liu Cong but Suo Chen repelled him. When Sima Mo was transferred to Chang'an in 307, Suo Chen followed him and became Administrator of Xinping (新平县, in present-day Henan). That same year, Liu Cong attacked Sima Mo again, so Suo was appointed General Who Maintains The West and Administrator of Pingyi. Suo was successful in maintaining the people's support, dissuading Han from attacking his domain.[6]

Restoring imperial authority in the north[edit]

Eventually, in 311, Luoyang fell to Han and Emperor Huai of Jin was captured by Liu Cong (who by now was Emperor of Han). Shortly after, Sima Mo surrendered Chang'an after some resistance, and was subsequently executed by Liu Can. Having lost both the emperor and his superior, Suo Chen fled to Anding together with his colleagues Qu Yun and Liang Su (梁肅) to join its administrator, Jia Ya. Along the way, Suo Chen and the others encountered the sons of Jia Ya's officials and those from the Qiang and Di tribes in Anding being transported to Han to serve as hostages. Suo Chen freed them and brought them back to Jia Ya.[7]

When the group arrived at Anding, they conspired with Jia to restore the Jin dynasty in northern China. Jia Ya agreed with their plan and was acclaimed General Who Pacifies the West. Jia Ya then led the group and their armies to capture Chang'an. The Inspector of Yongzhou, Qu Te (麴特), the Administrator of Fufeng, Liang Zong (梁綜) and Administrator of Xinping, Zhu Hui (竺恢) defected back to Jin when they heard that Jia's forces were coming. Liu Can sent his generals Zhao Ran (趙染) and Liu Ya (劉雅) to attack Xinping, but Suo Chen managed to defeat both of them. After Jia Ya defeated Liu Yao at Huangqiu (黃丘, in present-day Tai'erzhuang District, Shandong) and Liu Can was driven back from Xinfeng (新豐县, in Jingzhao, modern-day Shaanxi), many people around the Chang'an region surrendered to Jia Ya, and the city was reclaimed. Hearing that Chang'an was in the process of liberation, a man named Yan Ding brought Emperor Huai's nephew, Sima Ye to Chang'an and Ye was declared the new Crown Prince.[8]

Despite the group's initial success, they soon suffered a major setback the following year. Jia Ya was captured and killed during a skirmish against Han. Furthermore, Yan Ding and the Administrator of Jingzhao, Liang Zong fought with one another over authority which led to Yan Ding killing Liang Zong. Both Suo Chen and Qu Yun feared that Yan Ding had grown too powerful, so they used Liang Zong's death as a pretext to attack him. Yan Ding was defeated and fled to Yongzhou, where he was killed by the Di tribesman Dou Shou (竇首), who then sent his head back to Chang'an.[9] Suo Chen took up Liang Zong's position as Administrator of Jingzhao.

During Emperor Min's reign[edit]

In 313, Emperor Huai of Jin was executed by Liu Cong. When news of his death reached Chang'an, Sima Ye mourned for him and soon assumed the imperial title for himself, becoming Emperor Min of Jin. He gave a number of his officials new appointments. Suo Chen was appointed Deputy Director of the Left of the Masters of Writing, acting Director of the Ministry of Personnel, and Intendant of Jingzhao. He was then also appointed as Guard General and as acting Grand Commandant, handling all national military affairs.[10]

The same year, Han's general Liu Yao began his attack on Emperor Min's territory. With Zhao Ran, he attacked Qu Yun at his base in Huangbai (黃白城, in present-day Xianyang, Shaanxi) defeating him several times. Emperor Min ordered Suo Chen to aid Qu Yun and Suo managed to rout Liu Yao's general Huyan Mo (呼延莫). Soon, Qu Yun was able to fend off the attackers but not before Chang'an was devastated by Zhao Ran's raid. For Suo Chen's feats, he was made Duke of Shangluo commandery with a fief of ten thousand households. His wife Lady Xun (荀氏) was made Lady of Xinfeng and his son Suo Shiyuan (索石元) became his heir.[11]

Liu Yao and Zhao Ran attacked Chang'an again in 314 and this time Suo Chen was sent to oppose Zhao Ran. Zhao did not think much of Suo but his advisor Lu Hui (魯徽) warned him not to underestimate him. Zhao Ran refused to heed his advice and fought Suo Chen west of Chang'an but was defeated. For repelling Zhao Ran, Suo was further promoted to Grand General of the Agile Cavalry and Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing. He was granted authority over the Masters of Writing, allowing him to be in control of most of the government's affairs.[12]

The next year, Suo Chen received the position of Supervisor of the Masters of Writing and as Chief Controller in and around Chang'an itself. Around the same time, Liu Yao was invading Beidi (北地, in present-day Qingyang, Gansu) and Qu Yun struggled to oppose him. Even worse, Chang'an and the region was suffering from a terrible famine at the time. Qu Yun wished to bring Emperor Min over to Sima Bao in Qinzhou who had a stronger army and base to oppose Han. Suo Chen turned down his suggestion, stating that Sima Bao would surely use the emperor for himself if they were to do that, so Qu no longer asked.[13]

Downfall and death[edit]

In 316, Liu Yao would besiege Chang'an for the last time. Emperor Min called his generals back to defend Chang'an but none of them dared to face Liu Yao. Sima Bao sent Hu Song (胡崧) to reinforce Chang'an but even though Hu had defeated Liu Yao along the way, he decided to turn back as he did not trust both Qu Yun and Suo Chen with their control over the emperor. Chang'an had not recovered from the famine, and with the ongoing siege, the people were cut off from supplies outside the city. Prices of food rose, and the citizens either resorted to cannibalism or abandoned their posts. Qu Yun and Suo Chen were pushed back into the inner city by Liu Yao. With no hope of winning, Emperor Min decided to surrender, lamenting, "It is Lord Qu and Lord Suo who have so mismanaged our affairs!"[14]

Emperor Min sent his Palace Attendant, Zong Chang (宗敞) to present his letter of surrender to Liu Yao. Suo Chen secretly detained Zong and instead sent his son to advise Liu Yao. His son told Liu Yao that Chang'an can still hold out for a year, but if he were to give his father a high position in Han's government, he will surrender the city. However, Liu Yao rejected his proposal and executed him before sending his head to Suo.[15] Emperor Min and his officials eventually surrendered to Han and was sent to Pingyang. For his act of disloyalty, Suo Chen was executed in the marketplace of Pingyang.

References[edit]

  1. ^ MILLER, ALLISON R. (2015). "Emperor Wen's 'Baling' Mountain Tomb: Innovation in Political Rhetoric and Necropolis Design in Early China". Asia Major. 28 (2): 1–37. ISSN 0004-4482.
  2. ^ Qian, Liu (2018-07-03). "The evolution of the belief of afterlife in the Han dynasty and the rise of Han pictorial carvings". Chinese Studies in History. 51 (3): 210–228. doi:10.1080/00094633.2018.1553456. ISSN 0009-4633.
  3. ^ (綝字巨秀，少有逸群之量，靖每曰；「綝廊廟之才，非簡劄之用，州郡吏不足汗吾兒也。」) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  4. ^ (舉秀才，除郎中。嘗報兄仇，手殺三十七人，時人壯之。俄轉太宰參軍，除好畤令，人為黃門侍郎，出參征西軍事，轉長安令，在官有稱。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  5. ^ (及成都王穎劫遷惠帝幸鄴，穎為王浚所破，帝遂播越。河間王顒使張方及綝東迎乘輿，以功拜鷹楊將軍，轉南陽王模從事中郎。) Book of JIn, Volume 60
  6. ^ (劉聰侵掠關東，以綝為奮威將軍以禦之，斬聰將呂逸，又破聰党劉豐，遷新平太守。聰將蘇鐵、劉五斗等劫掠三輔，除綝安西將軍、馮翊太守。綝有威恩，華夷向服，賊不敢犯。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  7. ^ .(時安定太守賈疋與諸氐、羌皆送任子於漢，綝等遇之於陰密，擁還臨涇，與疋謀興復晉室，疋從之。乃共推疋爲平西將軍，率衆五萬向長安。雍州刺史麴特、新平太守竺恢皆不降於漢，聞疋起兵，與扶風太守梁綜帥衆十萬會之。綜，肅之兄也。漢河內王粲在新豐，使其將劉雅、趙染攻新平，不克。索綝救新平，大小百戰，雅等敗退。中山王曜與疋等戰於黃丘，曜衆大敗。疋遂襲漢梁州刺史彭蕩仲，殺之。麴特等擊破粲於新豐，粲還平陽。於是疋等兵勢大振，關西胡、晉翕然響應。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 87
  8. ^ (鼎少有大志，因西土人思歸，欲立功鄉里，乃與撫軍長史王毗、司馬傳遜懷翼戴秦王之計，謂疇、捷等曰：「山東非霸王處，不如關中。」河陽令傅暢遺鼎書，勸奉秦王過洛陽，謁拜山陵，徑據長安，綏合夷晉，興起義眾，克復宗廟，雪社稷之恥。鼎得書，便欲詣洛，流人謂北道近河，懼有抄截，欲南自武關向長安。疇等皆山東人，咸不願西入，荀籓及疇、捷等並逃散。鼎追籓不及，恆等見殺，唯顗、述走得免。遂奉秦王行，止上洛，為山賊所襲，殺百餘人，率餘眾西至藍田。時劉聰向長安，為雍州刺史賈疋所逐，走還平陽。疋遣人奉迎秦王。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  9. ^ (梁綜與鼎爭權，鼎殺綜，以王毗為京兆尹。鼎首建大謀，立功天下。始平太守曲允、撫夷護軍索綝並害其功，且欲專權，馮翊太守梁緯、北地太守梁肅，並綜母弟，綝之姻也，謀欲除鼎，乃證其有無君之心，專戮大臣，請討之，遂攻鼎。鼎出奔雍，為氐竇首所殺，傳首長安。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  10. ^ (夏，四月，丙午，懷帝凶問至長安，皇太子舉哀，因加元服；壬申，卽皇帝位，大赦，改元。以衞將軍梁芬爲司徒，雍州刺史麴允爲尚書左僕射、錄尚書事，京兆太守索綝爲尚書左僕射、領吏部、京兆尹。是時，長安城中，戶不盈百，蒿棘成林；公私有車四乘，百官無章服、印綬，唯桑版署號而已。尋以索綝爲衞將軍、領太尉，軍國之事，悉以委之。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 88
  11. ^ (及劉曜侵逼王城，以綝為都督征東大將軍，持節討之。破曜呼日逐王呼延莫，以功封上洛郡公，食邑萬戶，拜夫人荀氏為新豐君，子石元為世子，賜子弟二人鄉亭侯。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  12. ^ (劉曜入關芟麥苗，綝又擊破之。自長安伐劉聰，聰將趙染杖其累捷，有自矜之色，帥精騎數百與綝戰，大敗之，染單馬而走。轉驃騎大將軍、尚書左僕射、錄尚書，承制行事。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  13. ^ (麹允欲挾天子趣保，綝以保必逞私欲，乃止。自長安以西，不復奉朝廷。百官饑乏，采穭自存。) Book of Jin, Volume 60
  14. ^ (劉曜復攻長安，百姓饑甚，死者太半。久之，城中窘逼，帝將出降，歎曰：「誤我事者，麹、索二公也。」) Book of Jin, Volume 89
  15. ^ (綝與麹允固守長安小城... 城中饑窘，人相食，死亡逃奔不可制，唯涼州義眾千人守死不移。帝使侍中宋敞送箋降於曜。綝潛留敞，使其子說曜曰：「今城中食猶足支一歲，未易可克也。若許綝以車騎、儀同、萬戶郡公者，請以城降。」曜斬而送之曰：「帝王之師，以義行也。孤將軍十五年，未嘗以譎詭敗人，必窮兵極勢，然後取之。今索綝所說如是，天下之惡一也，輒相為戮之。若審兵食未盡者，便可勉強固守。如其糧竭兵微，亦宜早悟天命。孤恐霜威一震，玉石俱摧。」) Book of Jin, Volume 60
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