Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Xue Ying was a scholar and official from Pei Commandery. He was the son of the noted scholar Xue Zong. Inheriting his father’s literary talent, Xue Ying served the Eastern Wu dynasty, holding various high-ranking positions including Prefect of the Masters of Writing (Shangshu Ling) and Left Historian. He was responsible for compiling the Record of the Posterior Han (Hou Han Shu). After the fall of Eastern Wu to the Western Jin dynasty in 280 AD, Xue Ying was summoned to Luoyang to serve the Jin government, but he eventually retired due to his declining health and passed away in 282 AD.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s work, Xue Ying appears briefly as an intellectual figure and official of the Wu court during the later stages of the dynasty, reflecting the historical role of the Xue family as prominent scholar-officials.
Xue Ying — Historical & Literary Timeline
Fall of Wu
Following the Jin conquest of Wu, Xue Ying is brought to the capital of Luoyang to serve the new regime.
Death
Xue Ying dies of illness while in retirement during the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin.
Key Relationships
Family
- Xue Zong (薛综, Tiết Tống): Father. Illustrious scholar, imperial tutor, and senior minister of Eastern Wu.
- Xue Xu (薛珝, Tiết Hủ): Elder brother. Senior general and Minister of the Household who commanded the southern expedition to recover Jiaozhi.
- Xue Jian (薛兼, Tiết Kiêm): Son. Senior statesman in the Western Jin dynasty who rose to Minister of Justice (Tingwei) and one of the “Five Nobles of Jiangnan”.
Friends
- Sun Hao (孙皓, Tôn Hạo): Fourth and final Emperor of Eastern Wu. Appointed Xue Ying as Prefect of the Masters of Writing (Shangshu Ling) and Left Historian; drafted the formal imperial surrender documents submitted to Jin in 280 AD.
- Sima Yan (司马炎, Tư Mã Viêm): Founding Emperor of Western Jin (Emperor Wu). Welcomed Xue Ying to Luoyang with supreme respect in 280 AD, appointing him Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary (Sanqi Changshi) and commissioning him to write dynastic histories.
- Wei Zhao (韦昭, Vi Chiêu): Senior historian. Collaborated closely with Xue Ying in compiling the official *Book of Wu* (*Wu Shu*).
- Hua He (华核, Hoa Hạch): Senior minister and scholar who repeatedly petitioned Sun Hao to restore Xue Ying to court office after Xue Ying was banished.
- Lu Ji (陆机, Lục Cơ): Master poet and scholar who deeply admired Xue Ying’s historiographical integrity and literary style.
Enemies
- Sun Hao (孙皓, Tôn Hạo): Emperor of Eastern Wu. Highly volatile and tyrannical; exiled Xue Ying to Guangzhou for minor court infractions before recalling him, and later forced Xue Ying to draft his humiliation surrender decree (280 AD).
- Cen Hun (岑昏, Sầm Hôn): Corrupt palace favorite under Sun Hao who alienated traditional scholar-officials like Xue Ying.
- Wang Jun (王濬, Vương Tuấn): Grand Admiral of Western Jin whose armada breached Jianye, to whom Xue Ying delivered the imperial seals and surrender petitions (280 AD).
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 120
- Xue Ying (薛莹, Tiết Oánh): Xue Ying serves as a Wu official during the final invasion by Jin. When Jin forces reach the Wu capital and Sun Hao considers suicide, Xue Ying advises the emperor to follow Liu Shan’s example and surrender rather than cause further destruction. His counsel contributes to Sun Hao’s decision to submit.
History
Summary
- Xue Ying (薛莹, Tiết Oánh) was an official and scholar of Eastern Wu and later Western Jin.
Scholarly Career
- Xue Ying was known for literary and historical learning and held official positions under Wu.
- He was associated with historical writing concerning the state of Wu.
Later Life
- After the fall of Wu, Xue Ying continued his career under Jin.
Classification
- Historical.