Du Qiong

Biography & Historical Record

Du Qiong (160s–250s AD), style name Boyu, was an official, astronomer, and diviner who served under Liu Zhang, Liu Bei, and Liu Shan during the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. A native of Chengdu in Shu Commandery, he studied the I Ching (Book of Changes) under the renowned scholar Ren An in his youth. During Liu Zhang’s rule, he served as an Assistant Officer. After Liu Bei took control of Yi Province in 214 AD, he recruited Du Qiong into his administration, where he served in the Consultation Bureau.

Du Qiong played a pivotal role in the transition to the Shu Han state; in 220 AD, following the fall of the Han Dynasty, he was among the officials who advised Liu Bei to declare himself Emperor, utilizing his expertise in divination to provide historical and mystical justifications for the act. Following Liu Bei’s death in 223 AD, he continued to serve Liu Shan, holding high offices including Counsellor Remonstrant, Left General of the Household, Minister Herald, and Minister of Ceremonies. He was noted for his silent, low-profile demeanor and was greatly admired by regents Jiang Wan and Fei Yi. Du Qiong was also a prolific writer, authoring the Han Shi Zhangju, a massive commentary on the Classic of Poetry. He died in his 80s during the 250s AD.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Luo Guanzhong’s epic novel, Du Qiong is introduced in Chapter 80 as a court official who formally urges Liu Bei to ascend the throne. In Chapter 85, he is sent alongside Dong Yun to visit the ailing Zhuge Liang and report on Cao Pi’s invasion of Shu. Du Qiong advises Liu Shan to personally seek Zhuge Liang’s counsel to repel the invaders. Later, in Chapter 91, he is appointed as an Imperial Censor by Zhuge Liang.

During the Third Northern Expedition in Chapter 100, the novel mentions an officer named Du Qiong marching with Wei Yan and others; however, it remains ambiguous whether this is the same civil official or a separate individual, as the historical Du Qiong was noted for his lack of involvement in military affairs.

Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings

• “It’s not easy to understand astronomy. You should observe the heavens and identify the characteristics of the different types of astronomical phenomena on your own, instead of believing what others tell you.” — Du Qiong’s advice to Qiao Zhou on the difficulty and gravity of studying astronomy.
• “Wei also refers to either of the two viewing towers at each gate of the imperial palace. It faces the road and stands out as a very tall structure from a distance away.” — Du Qiong providing a mystical interpretation of the rise of the Wei state.

Du Qiong (杜瓊) — Historical & Literary Timeline

Key Relationships

Family

• No information

Friends

• Jiang Wan (蒋琬, Tưởng Uyển) and Fei Yi (费祎, Phí Y): Successive regents of Shu who held Du Qiong in high esteem for his wisdom and low-profile demeanor.
• Qiao Zhou (谯周, Tiều Chu): A fellow scholar and astronomer whom Du Qiong mentored on the complexities of observing celestial phenomena.

Enemies

• Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi): The ruler of Wei whose invasion of Shu prompted Du Qiong to advise Liu Shan to seek the counsel of Zhuge Liang.

Other

• Ren An (任安, Nhậm An): A renowned scholar and mentor who taught Du Qiong the I Ching during his youth.
• Liu Zhang (刘璋, Lưu Chương): The governor of Yi Province who first employed Du Qiong as an Assistant Officer before the conquest of the region by Liu Bei.
• Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): The founder of Shu Han who recruited Du Qiong into his administration and received his formal advice to ascend the imperial throne in 220 AD.
• Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): The second Emperor of Shu whom Du Qiong served for decades in various high-ranking civil and ceremonial offices.
• Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): The Chancellor of Shu whom Du Qiong served under and for whom he performed formal mourning rites upon his death in 234 AD.

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