Xiahou Shang - Biography

Biography

Xiahou Shang was a distant nephew of Xiahou Yuan, who adopted him as a son. Xiahou Shang was not very active when Cao Cao was alive, only participating in suppressing barbarian rebellions. Cao Cao's successor, Cao Pi, was a close friend of Xiahou Shang, so Cao Pi gave him important positions, such as General who Conquers the South (征南將軍) and Inspector of Jing Province. Xiahou Shang generally took over commands for Cao Wei's southern frontiers. He took the Shu Han outpost at Shangyong (上庸) from Liu Feng, and although Eastern Wu was allied to Cao Wei at the time, Xiahou Shang tightened his defences against Eastern Wu. Surely enough, Sun Quan rebelled soon after. In 222, Xiahou Shang and Cao Zhen attacked the Eastern Wu fortress at Jiangling, guarded by Zhuge Jin. Xiahou Shang advanced both through land and water, burning Zhuge Jin's ships mid-river and capturing the fortress. However, he was called back because of a plague.

In 224, a favourite concubine of his drew the envy of his wife, who was the sister of Cao Zhen; in support of his clansmen, Cao Pi had the concubine strangled. Xiahou Shang became depressed after the loss of his favourite concubine and would not see anyone. A year later, Xiahou Shang fell to sickness and died, before which Cao Pi held his hand and sobbed.