Guanqiu Jian - Biography

Biography

Guanqiu Jian was favored by the Cao Wei emperor Cao Rui. In 237, he led an army to Liaodong to attack the warlord Gongsun Yuan but the campaign was aborted due to floods. The following year, Guanqiu and Sima Yi led another campaign against Gongsun and conquered Liaodong. In recognition of his efforts during the campaign, Cao Rui granted Guanqiu the title of "Marquis of Anyi" (安邑候).

In 244, Guanqiu led a punitive expedition to Goguryeo, leading to the Goguryeo–Wei Wars. He defeated the Goguryeo army led by King Dongcheon near the Tongjia River and then occupied the capital Hwando. During the follow-up campaign in the next year, he occupied the capital again and forced Dongcheon to flee southeast. A subsection of the army reached the eastern coast of the peninsula and another reached northern Manchuria, but soon retreated. In commemoration of the victory, a stone carving was raised during the campaign. A piece of the monument was discovered in 1905. It is known as "Stele of Guanqiu Jian's inscribed achievements" (毌丘儉紀功碑).

In 255, Guanqiu and Wen Qin started a rebellion in Shouchun against the regent Sima Shi, who seized control of Cao Wei's state power. Some scholars consider that he rebelled because he remained loyal to the Cao Wei royal family and was displeased with the Sima clan usurping power. Other sources tell that he was close to Xiahou Xuan, who was executed by Sima Shi, so he feared for his life after learning of Xiahou's death. Guanqiu's rebellion was eventually suppressed by Sima Shi and most of his family members were killed, while the surviving ones fled to Eastern Wu.