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Biography & Historical Record
Xiahou He (dates of birth and death unknown), courtesy name Zhiren, was a prominent military general, scholar, and politician who served the state of Cao Wei and later the Jin dynasty. Hailing from Qiaoxian, Pei Commandery (modern-day Bozhou, Anhui Province), he was the seventh son of Xiahou Yuan, the legendary Grand General of Cao Wei. Xiahou He was noted from his youth for his sharp intellect, eloquent debate skills, and deep knowledge of military strategy and statecraft.
Xiahou He began his official service as an Army Advisor under Grand General Sima Yi during the defensive campaigns against Shu Han’s Northern Expeditions. Recognized for his tactical acumen, he served as Minister of the Household, Administrator of Henan, and Grand Master of Ceremonies under Cao Wei. During the final conquest of Shu Han in 263 AD, Xiahou He served as an imperial army supervisor alongside Sima Zhao, ensuring logistical support and troop coordination. Following the establishment of the Western Jin dynasty in 266 AD by Sima Yan, Xiahou He transitioned smoothly into the new administration, receiving the title Marquis of Guangcun and serving as Minister of Finance and Imperial Attendant until his peaceful death of natural causes in his later years.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xiahou He appears in Chapter 102 through Chapter 104 as an army advisor and general under Sima Yi during Zhuge Liang’s Fifth Northern Expedition at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains. Alongside his brother Xiahou Hui, Xiahou He serves as a tactical aide to Sima Yi. When Zhuge Liang attempts to lure Sima Yi into Shangfang Valley (Gourd Valley) with bait supply wagons, Sima Yi dispatches Xiahou He and Xiahou Hui to intercept Shu forces, leading troops in multiple fierce skirmishes along the Wei River. Following Zhuge Liang’s death and Shu’s retreat, Xiahou He continues to serve as a reliable military officer defending the northern frontier.
Xiahou He (夏侯和) — Historical & Literary Timeline
234 AD
Battle of Wuzhang Plains
Serves as army advisor under Sima Yi alongside his brother Xiahou Hui; co-commands vanguard contingents against Zhuge Liang’s forces at the Wei River and Shangfang Valley.
263 AD
Conquest of Shu Han
Serves as imperial army supervisor under Sima Zhao during the combined expedition that results in the surrender of Shu Han.
266 AD
Transition to Western Jin
Enters the service of the Jin Dynasty under Sima Yan; granted the title Marquis of Guangcun and serves as Minister of Finance until his death.
Key Relationships
Family
- Xiahou Yuan (夏侯渊, Hạ Hầu Uyên) — Father and legendary Grand General of Cao Wei who died at the Battle of Mount Dingjun.
- Xiahou Heng (夏侯衡, Hạ Hầu Hành) — Eldest brother who inherited their father’s peerage.
- Xiahou Ba (夏侯霸, Hạ Hầu Bá) — Second brother who served Wei before defecting to Shu Han.
- Xiahou Wei (夏侯威, Hạ Hầu Uy) — Third brother who served as the Administrator of Yanzhou.
- Xiahou Hui (夏侯惠, Hạ Hầu Huệ) — Fourth brother and fellow military advisor who served alongside him under Sima Yi.
- Xiahou Rong (夏侯荣, Hạ Hầu Vinh) — Fifth brother, a noted prodigy who perished at Mount Dingjun.
- Xiahou Xing (夏侯兴, Hạ Hầu Hưng) — Sixth brother and fellow official in the Cao Wei administration.
Friends
- Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý) — Supreme Commander of Wei whom Xiahou He served as an army advisor during the defense against Shu Han at Wuzhang Plains in 234 AD.
- Sima Zhao (司马昭, Tư Mã Chiêu) — Regent of Wei whom Xiahou He assisted as an imperial army supervisor during the 263 AD conquest of Shu.
Enemies
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) — Chancellor of Shu Han whose Fifth Northern Expedition was countered by Xiahou He and Sima Yi at Wuzhang Plains in 234 AD.
- Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy) — Shu Han general who led the defense against the Wei invasion forces during the 263 AD conquest.
Other
- Sima Yan (司马炎, Tư Mã Viêm) — First Emperor of the Jin dynasty who appointed Xiahou He as Minister of Finance and granted him the title Marquis of Guangcun.
In Novel
Chapter 107
- Xiahou He (夏侯和, Hạ Hầu Hòa): Xiahou He is associated with the Xiahou family during the political crisis following Sima Yi’s seizure of power. His appearance is part of the later Wei court’s succession and factional struggles rather than a major battlefield episode.
In History
Summary
- Xiahou He (夏侯和, Hạ Hầu Hòa), courtesy name Yiquan (义权), was a member of the Xiahou clan and a senior official of Cao Wei.
- He was a younger relative of Xiahou Yuan and belonged to the powerful military family closely connected to the Cao clan.
Period I — Cao Wei
- Xiahou He held a series of civil and military offices during the reigns of Cao Rui and later Wei rulers.
- He became known for administrative ability and political reliability.
Later Career
- He continued to serve the Wei state during the period of increasing internal political competition that preceded the Sima family’s seizure of power.
Historical Record
- Xiahou He was a historical figure. His biography is preserved in the Wei historical records and in the biographies of the Xiahou clan.
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