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Life and Career of Puyang Xing
Puyang Xing (died 264), courtesy name Ziyuan, was a high-ranking civil statesman and Grand Chancellor of Eastern Wu during the turbulent Three Kingdoms era. Endowed with practical administrative skills, he rose through the ranks to become the Grand Administrator of Kuaiji. While serving in the region, he forged a lifelong political bond with the future Emperor Sun Xiu, who later summoned him to the imperial capital at Jianye and entrusted him with central governance.
In 260, the minister supervised a major hydraulic engineering effort at Lake Shanyin to expand agricultural production. Although the project caused severe civilian exhaustion and discontent, the emperor continued to grant him immense trust, elevating him to Chancellor of the Imperial Court. Following Sun Xiu’s untimely death in 264, Puyang Xing collaborated with General Zhang Bu to manage the imperial succession. Fearing the vulnerable status of a child emperor following the fall of Shu Han, they enthroned Sun Xiu’s nephew, Sun Hao.
Downfall and Legacy in Literature
Unfortunately, the coronation proved disastrous. Upon ascending the imperial throne, Sun Hao revealed a cruel, tyrannical disposition that alienated scholar-officials. Deeply remorseful, Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu privately lamented their fateful succession choice. When informants reported these private criticisms to the emperor, Sun Hao stripped them of their ranks and ordered their immediate banishment. Before reaching Guangzhou, imperial assassins executed both officials on the highway and exterminated their households.
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the tragic demise of Puyang Xing serves as a grim cautionary tale. His narrative highlights the perils of court politics and illustrates how misplaced political trust inadvertently accelerated the downfall of Eastern Wu.
In Novel
Chapter 120
- Puyang Xing (濮阳兴, Bộc Dương Hưng): Puyang Xing is a senior Wu official involved in the succession after Sun Quan’s death. He supports Sun Liang and later becomes involved in the decision to depose him. When Sun Liang is removed, Puyang Xing helps establish Sun Xiu as emperor. His political influence eventually makes him a target of suspicion, and he is killed during Sun Chen’s purge of the opposition.
History
Summary
- Puyang Xing (濮阳兴, Bộc Dương Hưng) was a senior official and military figure of Eastern Wu.
Political Career
- He served under Sun Quan and later became one of the influential officials during the succession struggles of the late Wu court.
- After the death of Sun Xiu, Puyang Xing participated in the decision to place Sun Hao on the throne.
Fall from Power
- Puyang Xing soon fell victim to the unstable politics of Sun Hao’s reign.
- He was executed together with his family after the emperor turned against him.
Classification
- Historical.