Xie Cheng (182–254), courtesy name Weiping, was an in-law to the warlord, then Emperor of Eastern Wu, Sun Quan. Xie served in Jing province after Sun Quan's conquests there and was a noted historian whose work is still used.Sanguozhi vol. 50.

Life Xie Cheng was from Shanyin County (), Kuaiji Commandery, which is in present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang. It would take more than a decade after the death of his sister Lady Xie to be appointed at court, when he was made a Gentleman for All Purposes () around 210. After the Sun-Liu territorial dispute in Jing was settled in 215, Xie Cheng was promoted to the positions of Commandant of East Changsha () then after Lü Meng's 219 conquest of Jing, became the Administrator () of Wuling Commandery (). Xie Cheng was known for being very well-read and for his excellent memory, never forgetting what he learned.

Historian Xie Cheng became a historian; his works include a notable example of the trend in the era for regional histories with his "Kuaiji xianxian zhuan" (, "Biographies of the Former Worthies of Kuaiji").

As part of Wu's claim to being successor of the Han and perhaps drawing on the material collected by his father, he also wrote over 100 volumes of the Hou Han Shu (), which documented the history of the Eastern Han dynasty, it survived intact till Tang times though only fragments survive. It is considered by Rafe de Crespigny as an important source on the Later Han.() Sanguozhi vol. 50.() Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 50.

His works are used by Pei Songzhi as part of the annotations to the Sanguozhi, providing accounts of Humu Ban's fate at the hands of Wang Kuang,() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 6. an account of Wang Kuang,Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 1. Zhao Yu's life,() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 8. Wu Fu's failed assassination of Dong Zhuo,() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 6. a mini biography of Lu Kang() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 57. among other details, including accounts of fathers or male ancestors of famous officials like Lu Ji, Zhou Yu,() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 54. Zang Hong.() Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 7. It is also used by Fan Ye's Hou Han Shu, Sima Guang in the Zizhi Tongjian, Han Bielenstein in Lo-yang and the Bureaucracy of Han Times, regularly cited in Rafe De Crespigny's commentary on the Tongjian and as a source by Richard B.Mather.

However, not all his work is without controversy. De Crespigny raises questions about coverage of Wang Kuang's death and account of Humu Ban. His account of Cai Yong and Wang Yun's conversation before Cai Yong's death, Xie Cheng's Hou Han Shu in Sanguozhi vol. 6. though accepted by Sima Guang and Michael Loewe, was dismissed by Pei Songzhi as absurd and falsePei Songzhi commentary in Sanguozhi vol.6. while De Crespigny noted it as strange.

Family

Cheng's father, Xie Jiong () (sometimes written as "Xie Ying" ()) served as a Gentleman of Writing () and the Prefect () of Xu County () in the Eastern Han dynasty.() Sanguozhi vol. 50. Xie Jiong was known for his good moral conduct and brilliance since he was young.() Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 50. The material he collected from the imperial archives when serving at the Secretariat in the Han capital may have been used by Cheng for his history on the Han. Cheng's uncle Xie Zhen (), was known for being very law-abiding, studious, and morally upright in conduct. He was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) and later served as the Chief () of Jianchang County (). He died in office.() Pei Songzhi's annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 50.

Xie Cheng's older sister Lady Xie became wife of Sun Quan, the future founding Emperor of Eastern Wu and was initially greatly favoured. But when he wished to have a new wife as her superior, she refused and she died young. Despite her death, her family would continue to serve the Sun regime.

Cheng's eldest son Xie Chong (), served as General Who Spreads Might () and his youngest son, Xie Xu (), served as the Administrator () of Wu Commandery with both gaining renown.() Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 50.

See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

Notes

References

Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi). Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).