Jiang Qin

Jiang Qin (died 219), courtesy name Gongyi, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He previously served under Sun Quan's elder brother and predecessor, Sun Ce, and participated in various battles throughout his service under the Sun family, including Sun Ce's conquests in Jiangdong, the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford and Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province.

Jiang Qin was from Shouchun County (壽春縣), Jiujiang Commandery (九江郡), which is in present-day Shou County, Anhui. He served as an Attendant (給事) under Sun Ce when Sun Ce gained independence from the warlord Yuan Shu. When Sun Ce crossed the Yangtze River to start his conquests of the territories in the Jiangdong region, Jiang Qin was appointed as a Major of Separate Command (別部司馬) and placed in command of some troops. He accompanied Sun Ce on the campaigns and assisted in the conquest of Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡). He was later reassigned to be the Commandant of Geyang (葛陽尉) and was placed in charge of three counties. During his tenure, he defeated some bandits and was promoted to Commandant of the West (西部都尉).

When Lü He (呂合) and Qin Lang (秦狼) led an uprising in the five eastern counties in Kuaiji Commandery, Jiang Qin led his troops to fight them and succeeded in pacifying the five counties and capturing the two rebel leaders. For his achievement, he was promoted to General of the Household Who Attacks the Yue (討越中郎將) and placed in charge of Jingqu (涇拘) and Zhaoyang (昭陽) counties. Jiang Qin later led 10,000 troops to assist He Qi in suppressing a rebellion in You County (黝縣).

Jiang Qin participated in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214-215. When his lord, Sun Quan, came under attack by the enemy general Zhang Liao at Xiaoyao Ford, Jiang Qin fought bravely to protect Sun Quan and succeeded in buying time for Sun Quan to escape to safety. He was promoted to General Who Defeats Bandits (盪寇將軍) and Area Commander (督) of Ruxu (濡須) for his achievements. He was later recalled to the Wu capital and was commissioned as Right Protector of the Army (右護軍) and given additional responsibilities in the judiciary.

In 219, Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to lead an army to invade Jing Province when its defender, Guan Yu (a general under Liu Bei), was away at the Battle of Fancheng. Jiang Qin participated in the campaign and led a naval force at Mian (沔). However, after the victory, Jiang Qin fell sick and died on the way back to Wu. Sun Quan personally donned mourning attire when he attended Jiang Qin's funeral. He also gave 200 taxable households and 200 acres (0.81 km) of land in Wuhu to Jiang Qin's family.

Sun Quan's home visit

Sun Quan once visited Jiang Qin's house and saw that Jiang's mother had only a light bed-curtain and cotton blankets, while Jiang's wife and concubines wore only simple cloth dresses. Sun Quan was so impressed with Jiang Qin's frugality that he ordered his own household to make silk blankets for Jiang's mother and exchange her curtains for better ones. Jiang Qin's wife and concubines also received silk and embroidered garments.

Incident with Xu Sheng

Once, when Jiang Qin was stationed in Xuancheng County (宣城縣) and was out fighting rebels in Yuzhang Commandery, Xu Sheng, who was then the Prefect (令) of Wuhu, arrested an officer under Jiang Qin and requested for permission from Sun Quan to have the officer executed. As Jiang Qin was away at that time, Sun Quan denied the request. Xu Sheng had since estranged himself from Jiang Qin. Later, during the Battle of Ruxu in 217, Jiang Qin and Lü Meng were put in charge of military discipline. Xu Sheng was constantly worried that Jiang Qin would find fault with him, but, much to his surprise, Jiang praised him instead, and Xu was very impressed by Jiang's virtuous behaviour. Jiang Qin became more highly regarded after this incident. Sun Quan later asked Jiang Qin, "Xu Sheng offended you earlier on, but yet now you praise him. You wish to emulate Qi Xi, don't you?" Jiang Qin replied, "I heard that one should not let his personal feuds affect his official duties. Xu Sheng is loyal and hardworking, possesses both courage and talent, and is capable of leading thousands of troops. Now, we've yet to accomplish our great task, so I should help to scout for and recommend talents to serve the state instead of letting my private problems cloud my judgment." Sun Quan was very pleased.

Jiang Qin's son, Jiang Yi (蔣壹), received the title "Marquis of Xuancheng" (宣城侯) and fought at the Battle of Xiaoting in 221-222 against Liu Bei's forces. He was later despatched to Nan Commandery (南郡) to join the Battle of Jiangling but died before participating in the battle. Jiang Yi had no son so his military post was inherited by his younger brother, Jiang Xiu (蔣休). Jiang Xiu was later discharged from service for committing an offence.