CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Jian Shu蹇叔
A native of Zhi, he became sworn brothers with Baili Xi and admonished [the ruler] many times.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 9
- RELATION RECORDS
- 10
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Jian Shu, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
2 figures · 2 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Jian ShuisBai Yibing’s father
Baili Xi—Jian Shusworn brothers
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 5 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Duke Mu of Qin—Jian Shuruler-subject
Qin Bo→Jian Shuself-blame
Duke Mu of Qin→Jian Shuemploy
Jian Shu→Gongsun Zhientrust
Source record
03THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
3 figures · 3 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhao Cui→Jian Shubefriend
Hu Yan→Jian Shubefriend
Jian Shu→Meng Mingweep
9 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
A friend of Baili Xi, Duke Mu welcomed him as a senior official; a minister of Qin, Duke Mu did not use his strategies.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
A native of Zhi, he became sworn brothers with Baili Xi and admonished [the ruler] many times. A worthy friend of Baili Xi, he was appointed by Duke Mu of Qin as the Right Prime Minister. A minister of Qin, he suggested that Duke Mu send someone to offer condolences to observe Chong'er and Yiwu.
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.
- Literature / legend10 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
7 relations8 verified quotations- Duke Mu of Qin→ ruler-subject →Jian Shu
- Jian Shu→ strategist →Duke Mu of Qin
- Zhao Cui→ befriend →Jian Shu
- Hu Yan→ befriend →Jian Shu
Verified original text · 8
乃封蹇叔为右庶长，百里奚为左庶长
ruler-subject · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26
孤自不听蹇叔百里奚之言
accept advice · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 45
6 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history3 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
1 relations2 verified quotations- Duke Mu of Qin→ employ →Jian Shu
Verified original text · 2
缪公使人厚币迎蹇叔，以为上大夫
employ · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪
不用蹇叔、百里傒之谋
未用其谋 · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪
- Official history2 profile notes
Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
3 relations3 verified quotations- Duke Mu of Qin→ ruler-subject →Jian Shu
- Qin Bo→ self-blame →Jian Shu
- Jian Shu→ weep →Meng Ming
Verified original text · 3
穆公访诸蹇叔
visit · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 16
孤违蹇叔以辱二三子，孤之罪也。
self-blame · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 16
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Jian Shu was virtuous but unknown
In the 'Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of Qin', through the mouth of Baili Xi, his great talent hidden from the world is revealed: 'Baili Xi declined, saying: "I am not as good as my friend Jian Shu; Jian Shu is virtuous but the world does not know him."' The 'Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms', chapter 45, also confirms his unshakable position as a strategist in Qin: 'It is said that the commander of the central army, Xian Zhen, already knew of Qin's plan to attack Zheng, and came to see Duke Xiang, saying: "Qin disregarded the remonstrances of Jian Shu and Baili Xi, and attacked Zheng from a thousand li away."'
Relationship network
- ruler-subject← Duke Mu of Qin → Jian ShulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 44Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 45Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 16
Original text (3)
乃封蹇叔为右庶长，百里奚为左庶长
孤自不听蹇叔百里奚之言
Original relation: accept advice · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 45
穆公访诸蹇叔
Original relation: visit · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 16
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
赵衰狐偃等因与秦臣蹇叔、百里奚、公孙枝等深相结纳
Original text (1)
赵衰狐偃等因与秦臣蹇叔、百里奚、公孙枝等深相结纳
Original text (1)
孤违蹇叔以辱二三子，孤之罪也。
- sworn brothers← Baili Xi → Jian ShulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26
Original text (2)
结为兄弟。蹇叔长奚一岁，奚呼叔为兄
臣之才，不如臣友蹇叔十倍
Original relation: friend · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26
Original text (2)
缪公使人厚币迎蹇叔，以为上大夫
不用蹇叔、百里傒之谋
Original relation: 未用其谋 · Records of the Grand Historian, 秦本纪
Original text (1)
- father-sonJian Shu → Bai YibinglitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 26Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 44
Original text (2)