Tian Ying (田婴, Điền Anh; Lord Jingguo 靖郭君), was an eminent royal statesman and Grand Chancellor of the State of Qi during the Warring States period, son of King Wei of Qi and father of the celebrated Lord Mengchang (Lord Mengchang / Tian Wen).
Serving as Chancellor under King Wei and King Xuan (King Xuan of Qi), Tian Ying fortified the diplomatic hegemony of Qi, leading Qi armies to decisive victories over Wei and Zhao. Granted the historic hereditary fief of Xue (薛), he initially sought to abandon his son Tian Wen due to an inauspicious birth date (the fifth day of the fifth month), but Tian Wen’s brilliant eloquence convinced Tian Ying to make him heir, laying the foundation for Xue to become the premier haven for three thousand retainer scholars.
Contents
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 75, Biography of Lord Mengchang): “Tian Ying governed Qi for eleven years; his estates at Xue were fortified with stone walls, and his son Tian Wen gathered sages from across the world.”
Tian Ying — Historical & Literary Timeline
Warring States
Chancellor of Qi
Serves King Wei of Qi; commands victorious allied coalitions.
c. 320s BC
Enfeoffed with Xue
Granted the independent fiefdom of Xue; builds grand ramparts.
c. 310s BC
Passing & Succession
Passes away in Xue; succeeded by his illustrious son Lord Mengchang.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father King Wei of Qi (齐威王): Sage ruler who elevated Qi to a superpower.
- Son Lord Mengchang (田文 – Tian Wen): One of the Four Lords of the Warring States.
- Brother King Xuan of Qi (田辟疆): Ruler who expanded Jixia Academy.
Friends
- Jixia Academicians Scholars of Linzi: Supported his central administration.
Enemies
- Western Superpower State of Qin: Checked by Tian Ying’s coalitions.
Other
- Allied Strategist Su Qin (苏秦): Collaborated on anti-Qin treaties.
In Shiji
“Xue was a small hearth, yet Tian Ying’s wisdom made it the sanctuary of the world’s wisdom.”
Historical Context
Tian Ying’s consolidation of Xue allowed his son Lord Mengchang to build the largest international intelligence and scholarly network of the Warring States era.