CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Xun Xi荀息
A minister of the state of Jin, who devised the plan to borrow a road to destroy Guo and Yu.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 5
- RELATION RECORDS
- 8
- SOURCE WORKS
- 5
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Xun Xi, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01MENTORSHIPMentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mentorship
Teachers, disciples and transmission
Xun Xi—Xi Qimaster
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 5 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Xun Xi→Duke Xian of Jinoffer plan
Xun Xi→Xi Qiassist
Xun Xi→Duke Yuborrowed road
Li Ji→Xun Xiconfer title
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
2 figures · 2 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Li Ke→Xun Xikill
Xun Xi→Duke Yuborrowed road
7 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Grand Historian
A minister of the state of Jin, who assisted Xi Qi and later died for him.
In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Discourses of the States · Strategies of the Warring States · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
A minister of the state of Jin, who devised the plan to borrow a road to destroy Guo and Yu. Also, a minister of Jin who used jade and horses to destroy Yu and Guo, and was the tutor of Xi Qi and Zhuozi. Also, the Grand Tutor of Jin, entrusted by Duke Xian with the care of his son, assisted Xi Qi.
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 / legend5 profile notes
Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms
7 relations9 verified quotations- Xun Xi→ offer plan →Duke Xian of Jin
- Duke Xian of Jin→ orphan entrust →Xun Xi
- Li Ke→ kill →Xun Xi
- Li Ji→ confer title →Xun Xi
Verified original text · 9
荀息对曰：“臣闻虢公淫于色
offer plan · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25
荀息左手托璧，右手牵马而前曰：“臣谋已行，今请还璧于府，还马于厩。”
归还 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25
7 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Discourses of the States
1 relations1 verified quotations- Xun Xi→ master →Xi Qi
Verified original text · 1
荀息，奚齐之傅
assist · Discourses of the States, 晋语二
- Official history2 profile notes
Records of the Grand Historian
3 relations5 verified quotations- Xun Xi→ offer plan →Duke Xian of Jin
- Duke Xian of Jin→ orphan entrust →Xun Xi
- Xun Xi→ assist →Xi Qi
Verified original text · 5
荀息以币假道
subordinate · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
荀息曰：“吾不可负先君言。”
pledge loyalty · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
3 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Strategies of the Warring States
2 relations2 verified quotations- Xun Xi→ offer plan →Duke Xian of Jin
- Xun Xi→ borrowed road →Duke Yu
Verified original text · 2
荀息曰
offer plan · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／一
荀息以马与璧假道于虞
borrowed road · Strategies of the Warring States, 魏／三
- Official history3 profile notes
Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition
3 relations3 verified quotations- Xun Xi→ offer plan →Duke Xian of Jin
- Xun Xi→ master →Xi Qi
- Xun Xi→ borrowed road →Duke Yu
Verified original text · 3
乃使荀息假道于虞
serve as subject · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 11
献公使荀息傅奚齐
tutor · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 12
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Xun Xi supports Xi Qi
The Records of the Grand Historian, 'Annals of Qin', mentions multiple times that he lived and died with Xi Qi and Zhuo Zi: 'Xun Xi established Zhuo Zi, and Ke again killed Zhuo Zi and Xun Xi.' The Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, Chapter 28, clearly describes his act of supporting Xi Qi against all objections: 'It is said that Xun Xi supported Prince Xi Qi, and all the officials came to the mourning hall to wail, except Hu Tu, who excused himself on the grounds of serious illness.'
Relationship network
- offer planXun Xi → Duke Xian of Jinhist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／一Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 11
Original text (6)
荀息对曰：“臣闻虢公淫于色
荀息左手托璧，右手牵马而前曰：“臣谋已行，今请还璧于府，还马于厩。”
Original relation: 归还 · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25
荀息以币假道
Original relation: subordinate · Records of the Grand Historian, 十二诸侯年表
荀息曰：“吾不可负先君言。”
Original relation: pledge loyalty · Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
荀息曰
乃使荀息假道于虞
Original relation: serve as subject · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 11
- orphan entrust← Duke Xian of Jin → Xun Xihist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 27Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家
Original text (2)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- assistXun Xi → Xi Qihist × litChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 27Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 28Records of the Grand Historian, 晋世家Records of the Grand Historian, 郑世家
Original text (4)
- masterXun Xi → Xi QilitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 27Discourses of the States, 晋语二Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 12
Original text (3)
傅奚齐卓子
荀息，奚齐之傅
Original relation: assist · Discourses of the States, 晋语二
献公使荀息傅奚齐
Original relation: tutor · Correct Meaning of the Zuo Tradition, ch. 12
- borrowed roadXun Xi → Duke YulitChronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 25Strategies of the Warring States, 魏／三
Original text (2)
献公即以璧马交付荀息，使如虞假道
荀息以马与璧假道于虞
Original text (1)
晋荀息请以屈产之乘与垂棘之璧假道于虞