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Duke Xian of Jin晋献公

Jin & SuccessorsHistory × Fiction

Ruler of the state of Jin, participated in the royal rescue, later enfeoffed with the vassal territory of Henei.

DIRECT FIGURES
17
RELATION RECORDS
31
SOURCE WORKS
9

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Duke Xian of Jin, 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

9 figures · 10 records
5 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

8 figures · 10 records
4 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

11 figures · 11 records
7 more in the complete record

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Records of the Grand Historian

Son of Duke Wu of Jin, named Guizhu, doted on Li Ji. Ruler of Jin, muddled and deluded. Destroyed Yu and Guo, captured Baili Xi.

In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Strategies of the Warring States · In Search of the Supernatural · New Book of Tang · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition · Book of Han · Bamboo Annals

Ruler of the state of Jin, participated in the royal rescue, later enfeoffed with the vassal territory of Henei. Ruler of Jin, doted on Li Ji, established Xiqi. Ruler of Jin, went to a meeting but did not arrive in time, fell ill and died on the way back.

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. 7 profile notes
    15 relations21 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinpursue and captureDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonShensheng
    • Duke Xian of JinattackShensheng
    Verified original text · 21
    1. 使重耳居蒲

      father-son · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 20

    2. 公子重耳

      father-son · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 27

    19 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    Discourses of the States

    4 profile notes
    10 relations12 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinpursue and captureDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonShensheng
    • Duke Xian of Jingrant clothes and jadeShensheng
    Verified original text · 12
    1. 又城蒲,公子重耳处焉

      father-son · Discourses of the States, 晋语一

    2. 公令阉楚刺重耳

      令刺 · Discourses of the States, 晋语二

    10 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    Book of Han

    3 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  4. 9 profile notes
    11 relations11 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonDuke Hui of Jin
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonShensheng
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonYiwu
    Verified original text · 11
    1. 重耳居蒲城

      father-son · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表

    2. 夷吾居屈

      father-son · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表

    9 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  5. 1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  6. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  7. 1 profile notes
    2 relations2 verified quotations
    • Xun Xioffer planDuke Xian of Jin
    • Duke Xian of JinschemeZhou Zhiqiao
    Verified original text · 2
    1. 荀息曰

      offer plan · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦/一

    2. 夫晋献公欲伐郭,而惮舟之侨

      scheme · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦/一

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  8. Official history

    Bamboo Annals

    3 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of JinkillLi Ke
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 晋杀里克

      kill · Bamboo Annals, 今本-晋纪

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  9. 13 profile notes
    13 relations18 verified quotations
    • Duke Xian of JinresideDuke Wen of Jin
    • Duke Huan of Qialliance meetingDuke Xian of Jin
    • Duke Xian of JinallyDuke Mu of Qin
    • Duke Xian of Jinfather-sonShensheng
    Verified original text · 18
    1. 重耳居蒲城

      reside · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 9

    2. 齐侯盟诸侯于葵丘

      alliance meeting · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 12

    16 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

In the official history, Duke Xian of Jin doted on Li Ji and, believing her slander about poisoned wine and sacrificial meat, forced Crown Prince Shensheng to kill himself. The novel faithfully dramatizes this calamity.

  • According to the Records of the Grand Historian, 'The Hereditary House of Jin', Duke Xian of Jin was infatuated with Li Ji and wanted to make Xiqi his heir. Crown Prince Shensheng offered sacrificial meat to his father. 'When Duke Xian was out hunting, the meat was placed in the palace. Li Ji had poison put in the meat.' When the Duke tested it, a dog died and a servant died, so he became intent on killing Shensheng, who hanged himself. In the Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, chapter 27, it is written that Shensheng presented the meat, and 'Li Ji put poison in the wine and smeared poison on the meat.' When the Duke saw the dog die from eating the meat, he ordered a strongman to smash the original bearer with a hammer. Shensheng, without defending himself, took his own life. The plot is consistent with the official history.

Relationship network

18 figures · 91 links
Duke Xian of JinDuke Xian of JinDuke Wen of JinDuke Wen of JinDuke Huan of QiDuke Huan of QiDuke Mu of QinDuke Mu of QinDuke Hui of JinDuke Hui of JinShenshengShenshengDuke of GuoDuke of GuoYiwuYiwuLi KeLi KeBaili XiBaili XiLi JiLi JiXun XiZhou ZhiqiaoCrown Prince ShenshengQi JiangXi QiMu JiDuke Yu
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 20; Records of the Grand Historian, 三代世表; Discourses of the States, 晋语一; Strategies of the Warring States, 秦/一; In Search of the Supernatural, ch. 6; New Book of Tang, 南蛮中; Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 9; Book of Han, 五行志_ch. 27上

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