Xin Chang

Historical Record

Xin Chang's father, Xin Pi, was an important minister of the state of Wei. After Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, took the throne, Xin Pi was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yingxiang, with a fief of three hundred households. At that time, the Director of the Palace Secretariat Liu Fang and the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat Sun Zi were deeply trusted by the emperor and held the reins of court power; all the court ministers vied to befriend them, and only Xin Pi would not associate with the two. Xin Chang once remonstrated with his father on this account, pointing out that Liu Fang and Sun Zi held overwhelming power, that everyone depended on them, and advising his father to yield a little and "blend with their light and share their dust," lest he invite censure. Xin Pi, however, replied sternly that the emperor was no muddled lord and that his own principles of conduct had their own foundation. Even if he were on bad terms with Liu and Sun, at worst he would simply be unable to rank among the Three Excellencies, with no danger to his life—so how could a true man, in pursuit of high office, throw away his own pure and lofty character?^[1]

Later, the Supernumerary Cavalier-in-Attendance Bi Gui submitted a memorial saying that although the Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Wang Si was a diligent old official, in loyalty, uprightness, and strategy he was inferior to Xin Pi, and proposed that Xin Pi replace Wang Si. Emperor Ming of Wei consulted Liu Fang and Sun Zi about this. Liu Fang and Sun Zi replied that in employing Wang Si, His Majesty valued his service rather than empty reputation. They acknowledged that Xin Pi was indeed upright, but his nature was stern and self-willed, and they held that the emperor should think the matter over carefully in making his choice. In the end, Emperor Ming of Wei adopted Liu and Sun's view, did not employ Xin Pi, and instead sent him out as Commandant of the Guards. This record shows Xin Chang, as Xin Pi's son, once trying to find a way for his father to maneuver in the political struggle, and shows Xin Pi's character of holding to principle and refusing to compromise^[1].

In the Novel

In the narrative of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xin Chang's image is given more dramatic color and moral choice. As an Adviser to the Army under Cao Shuang, he faced an agonizing choice between loyalty and righteousness when Sima Yi launched the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs. When the Marshal Lu Zhi came to discuss the upheaval in the city with him, Xin Chang at first advised Lu Zhi to lead troops out of the city to see the Son of Heaven^[2].

He then hurried to the inner hall and told his elder sister Xin Xianying of the upheaval. He mistakenly thought Sima Yi had closed the city gates in order to plot rebellion, but Xin Xianying, with her exceptional insight, pointed out that Sima Yi was not necessarily plotting rebellion, only wishing to do away with Cao Shuang. Xin Xianying also predicted that Cao Shuang was by no means Sima Yi's match and would surely be defeated. When Xin Chang hesitated over whether to follow Sima Yi, Xin Xianying taught him that "to hold one's post is a person's great duty," stressing that in a time of peril, one who serves as a subject should hold fast to his duty and not abandon his task^[2]. Xin Chang heeded his sister's advice and, together with Lu Zhi, broke through the gate barrier and went out, heading to where Cao Fang was.

When Cao Fang met with Cao Shuang, the arrival of Xin Chang and Lu Zhi further confirmed that the city was tightly sealed by Sima Yi and that Cao Shuang had no way of retreat. They reported the situation in the city to Cao Shuang and hinted that he should make a decision early^[3]. After Sima Yi had executed Cao Shuang, the Grand Commandant Jiang Ji advised Sima Yi to call Lu Zhi and Xin Chang to account for breaking through the gate barrier, and Yang Zong to account for seizing the seal and refusing to hand it over. Sima Yi, however, considered that they had each acted for their own lord and were men of righteousness; not only did he refrain from pursuing the matter, he even restored them to their former posts. Xin Chang thereupon sighed that, had he not heeded his sister's teaching, he would nearly have committed a grave error and lost the great cause of righteousness^[4]. The Xin Chang of the novel, under his sister's guidance, held fast to a subject's righteousness and ultimately won Sima Yi's recognition—which differs from his image in the histories of remonstrating with his father, placing greater emphasis on his personal moral choice in a chaotic age.

Key Relationships

* Xin Pi (kin_of): Xin Chang's father. In the historical record, Xin Chang once advised his father to maneuver politically with Liu Fang and Sun Zi, but Xin Pi held to principle and refused to compromise^[1]. The novel does not directly mention their father-son interaction, but Xin Chang's upright character may be seen as an inheritance of the family ethos.
* Xin Xianying (kin_of): Xin Chang's elder sister. In the novel, Xin Xianying is Xin Chang's wise mentor at the critical moment; her sound judgment and moral guidance helped Xin Chang make the right choice and hold fast to a subject's righteousness^[2].
* Lu Zhi (fights_in): A Marshal under Cao Shuang. In the novel, Lu Zhi and Xin Chang together faced the decision of the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs and broke through the gate barrier and went out together, being Xin Chang's companion in the moment of peril^[2].
* Liu Fang and Sun Zi (political_adversaries_of_father): In the historical record, Xin Chang once advised his father to "blend with their light and share their dust" with the two in order to avoid political disadvantage, but his father Xin Pi refused^[1] (historical).
* Cao Shuang (lord): In the novel, Xin Chang was an Adviser to the Army under Cao Shuang; in the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs, though his subordinate, he ultimately chose, under Xin Xianying's guidance, to hold fast to a subject's righteousness rather than blindly follow Cao Shuang^[2] (novel only).
* Sima Yi (political_figure): In the novel, Sima Yi was the mastermind of the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs; he ultimately affirmed Xin Chang's loyal and righteous act of "each acting for his own lord" and restored him to his former post^[4] (novel only).

Iconic Scenes

* Remonstrating with His Father Xin Pi (historical): Xin Chang once remonstrated with his father Xin Pi, advising him, while Liu Fang and Sun Zi held power, to yield a little and "blend with their light and share their dust" to avoid inviting censure. This scene displays Xin Chang's political sensitivity and concern for his father, and also highlights Xin Pi's character of holding to principle^[1].
* Dialogue with Xin Xianying during the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs (novel only): When Sima Yi launched the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs, Xin Chang hurriedly sought counsel from his elder sister Xin Xianying. With her foresight, Xin Xianying not only predicted Cao Shuang's defeat but also, with the teaching "to hold one's post is a person's great duty," guided Xin Chang to hold fast to his duty as a subject, ultimately prompting him to make the right choice^[2].
* Breaking through the Gate Barrier and Going Out (novel only): Xin Chang heeded Xin Xianying's advice and, together with Lu Zhi, broke through the gate barrier and left the city of Luoyang, then under Sima Yi's control, heading to where Cao Fang was. This action embodies Xin Chang's courage at the critical moment and his adherence to righteousness^[2].
* Sima Yi's Pardon and Restoration to Office (novel only): After Cao Shuang was executed, Sima Yi affirmed Xin Chang's loyal and righteous act of "each acting for his own lord," not only refraining from pursuing the matter but restoring him to his former post. Xin Chang thereupon sighed that, but for his sister's guidance, he would have lost the great cause of righteousness^[4]. This scene is an important stroke in the novel's portrayal of Xin Chang, emphasizing the moral rightness of his conduct.