Lord Chunshen

Escorted the Chu crown prince home to take the throne, and served as lingyin (chief minister) for twenty-five years.

Life

Escorted the crown prince

Lord Chunshen, personal name Huang Xie, was learned and eloquent. The Chu crown prince Xiong Wan was a hostage in the State of Qin, and when the King of Chu fell gravely ill, Huang Xie arranged for the crown prince to change clothes and escape back to the State of Chu, staying behind himself to deal with the consequences. The King of Qin at first wanted to kill him but later let him go.

Lingyin (chancellor) of Chu

In 262 BCE the crown prince took the throne as King Kaolie of Chu, appointed Huang Xie lingyin, and enfeoffed him as Lord Chunshen. He served as chancellor of Chu for twenty-five years, launched a northern expedition that conquered Lu, invited Xunzi to serve as magistrate of Lanling, and kept 3,000 retainers.

Disaster at Ji Gate

In 238 BCE King Kaolie of Chu died, and Huang Xie was assassinated in an ambush laid by his retainer Li Yuan; his whole family was killed.

Legacy

Lord Chunshen ran the government of Chu for twenty-five years, but in old age he ignored his retainer Zhu Ying's warning and died at the hands of Li Yuan; Sima Qian lamented that "failing to decide when he should have, he suffered the chaos that followed."

Major works & achievements

• Conquest of Lu
• Employed Xunzi

Did you know? Shanghai's one-character abbreviation "Shen" and the Huangpu River's other name, "Chunshen River," are both said by legend to be connected with him.

Key dates

• 263 BCEHelped the Chu crown prince escape home
• 262 BCEBecame lingyin of Chu and was enfeoffed as Lord Chunshen
• 256 BCEChu conquered Lu
• 238 BCEAssassinated by Li Yuan