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Baili Xi百里奚

QinHistory × Fiction

A minister of the state of Yu, later a dowry servant of Jin, unwilling to serve Jin.

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DIRECT FIGURES
10
RELATION RECORDS
12
SOURCE WORKS
4

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Baili Xi, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

1 figure · 1 record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

5 figures · 7 records
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

1 figure · 1 record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 3 records
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

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In history · Records of the Grand Historian

Wise minister of Duke Mu of Qin, cited by Zhao Liang as an example. Minister of Yu, captured as a dowry servant for Duke Mu's wife. Minister of Yu, captured, and Duke Mu employed him as a minister.

In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Strategies of the Warring States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition

Minister of Yu, later a dowry servant of Jin, unwilling to serve Jin. Worthy minister of Yu, later became a high minister of Duke Mu of Qin, ransomed with five sheepskins. High minister of Qin, recommended Jian Shu, later reunited with his wife Du Shi, son Meng Ming Shi.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. 13 profile notes
    9 relations12 verified quotations
    • Baili Xi→ compare self →Jiang Ziya
    • Duke Mu of Qin→ redeem employ →Baili Xi
    • Baili Xi→ strategist →Duke Mu of Qin
    • King of Chu→ make herd horses →Baili Xi
    Verified original text · 12
    1. 昔吕尚年八十，钓于渭滨

      compare self · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25

    2. 请以五羊皮赎归

      redeem employ · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25

    10 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. 6 profile notes
    3 relations4 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of Jin→ captive →Baili Xi
    • Duke Mu of Qin→ employ →Baili Xi
    • Baili Xi→ subject →Duke Mu of Qin
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 虏虞君与其大夫百里傒

      captive · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪

    2. 授之国政，号曰五羖大夫

      employ · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. 1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  4. 1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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History vs. fiction

The redemption of Baili Xi with five black ram skins is clearly recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian.

  • attestedredeemed with five sheep skins

    The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Annals of Qin', records that Baili Xi fled from Wan to Chu, and 'Duke Mu heard that Baili Xi was worthy, and wanted to redeem him at a heavy price, but feared the Chu people would not give him up, so he sent someone to say to Chu: "My attendant Baili Xi is there, please allow me to redeem him with five black ram skins." The Chu people then agreed to give him up.' In Chapter 25 of the Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, Duke Mu of Qin, in order to avoid arousing Chu's suspicion, deliberately redeemed the great worthy Baili Xi at the low price of five black ram skins, a plot that is exactly the same as the official history.

Relationship network

11 figures · 21 links
Baili XiBaili XiJiang ZiyaJiang ZiyaDuke Mu of QinDuke Mu of QinKing of ChuKing of ChuDuke Xian of JinDuke Xian of JinZhao CuiZhao CuiHu YanHu YanDuke Mu of QinDuke Mu of QinJian ShuJian ShuZhou ZhiqiaoZhou ZhiqiaoDuke YuDuke Yu
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25; Records of the Grand Historian, 商君列传; Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／五; Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 11; Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26; Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家; Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 29; Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.