He Qia (died between 228 and 233He Qia's biography in vol.23 of Sanguozhi dated his death to the Taihe era of Cao Rui's reign.), courtesy name Yangshi, was a Chinese official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was known for his austere lifestyle.
Early life He Qia was born in Xiping County (), Runan Commandery (汝南郡), Yu Province, which is present-day Xiping County, Henan. In the 190s, the warlord Yuan Shao sent ambassadors to Runan Commandery inviting the gentry and nobility to join his cause. Yu Province was an area of contention between Yuan Shao and his half-brother Yuan Shu, so He Qia feared staying, but he did not want to serve under a man such as Yuan Shao, whose ambition He Qia felt exceeded his capability.Records of the Three Kingdoms, 23.655
Instead, He Qia brought his family south to Jing Province to serve the provincial governor Liu Biao, whom He Qia considered to be a kind lord without higher ambition. Crossing the Yangtze river, he settled in at Wuling Commandery (武陵郡) in present-day Changde, Hunan.
Service under Cao Cao In the late 190s, Cao Cao gained control over parts of Jing Province, and He Qia found employment in his administration. In this early stage of his career, he spoke out against the elevation of officers based on their following an ascetic, deliberately impoverished lifestyle, and against seeing these men as more pure than officers who displayed their salary outwardly.Records of the Three Kingdoms, 23.655-6
In 213, after Emperor Xian enfeoffed Cao Cao as the Duke of Wei (), He Qia served as a Palace AttendantRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 23.656 in Cao Cao's court. He unsuccessfully defended Mao Jie against rumours that Mao slandered Cao Cao. Correspondence on the matter between He Qia and Cao Cao has survived and has been preserved in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.Records of the Three Kingdoms, 23.656-7 Due to the rumours, Mao Jie was forced to commit suicide in 216.
Later career He Qia received successive promotions under Cao Cao and Cao Pi, rising to the position of Minister of the Household (), the most important personnel manager of the Wei court. Under Cao Rui, he was granted 200 taxable households in his marquisate as the Marquis of Xiling District ().
Late in life, He Qia reversed his position on asceticism and began living a greatly curtailed lifestyle. After he was promoted to the prestigious position of Minister of Ceremonies () under Cao Rui, he gave so freely of his salary that he was forced to liquidate his real estate in order to support himself. Cao Rui granted him grain and silk so He Qia could avoid total insolvency. His modest lifestyle is reflected in his posthumous name, Marquis Jian (簡侯; "modest marquis").
Family He Li (), He Qia's elder son and successor He You (), He Qia's younger son, served as Minister of Justice () and Secretary of Personnel () in Wei He Qiao (和嶠; died 292Jin Shu, vol.45), He You's son, served as Junior Protector of the Crown Prince () for Sima Yu of the Western Jin dynasty; nephew of Xiahou Xuan(晋诸公赞曰：和峤字长舆，逌之子也。少知名，以雅重称。常慕其舅夏侯玄之为人...) Jin Zhugong Zan annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.23(嶠少有風格，慕舅夏侯玄之為人....) Jin Shu, vol.45 He Yu (和郁; died between July and September 311), He You's son, served as Director of the Imperial Secretariat () under the Western Jin dynastyRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 23.658 He Ji (), He Yu's son, served as a Palace Writer Attendant () under the Western Jin dynastyBook of Jin, 45.1284
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