Tao Qian

Historical Record

Tao Qian, styled Gongzu, was a man of Danyang. His father had served as Chief of Yuyao. Tao Qian was orphaned young and was known in his home district for his unrestrained nature. In his youth he loved learning and was a student; later he served in the provincial administration, was recommended as a Cultivated Talent, and held the post of Prefect of Lu. He was upright and steadfast in character, with a sense of high principle; he was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, appointed Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat, and made Prefect of Shu. While in office he kept himself pure and clean, and once gave up his post and departed because there were five hundred coins left over from sacrifices to the Star of Spirits. Later he was transferred to be Inspector of You Province, then summoned to be a Consultant, and took part in the military campaign of the General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Wen on the western expedition against Han Sui. During that time, Tao Qian, holding Zhang Wen's conduct in contempt, harbored resentment, and even openly humiliated Zhang Wen at a banquet, nearly being exiled to the frontier; only after others interceded was he pardoned and restored to Zhang Wen's trust.^[1]

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in Xu Province, Tao Qian was appointed Inspector of Xu Province and successfully defeated and drove off the Yellow Turban Army. After Dong Zhuo's Coup, when the realm fell into chaos, Tao Qian sent envoys by secret routes to present tribute to the court at Chang'an, and was therefore appointed General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Xu Province, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Liyang. At that time the people of Xu Province were prosperous and grain was plentiful, attracting great numbers of refugees who came to submit. Yet in his later years Tao Qian "turned from the right way and gave rein to his whims," drawing close to slanderous and wicked men such as Cao Hong, so that punishments and government fell out of harmony, good and worthy men often suffered, and Xu Province gradually fell into disorder. Zhao Yu, Administrator of Guangling, though a renowned scholar of the Xu region, was estranged by Tao Qian on account of his loyal directness. Que Xuan of Xiapi proclaimed himself Son of Heaven; Tao Qian once conspired with him to plunder and raid, then later killed him and absorbed his followers.^[2]

In the first year of Jian'an (196 CE), Cao Cao campaigned against Xu Province, and Tao Qian sought aid from Kong Rong, Chancellor of Beihai, and from Tian Kai. Liu Bei went together with Tian Kai to the rescue. Tao Qian gave Liu Bei four thousand Danyang troops, and Liu Bei thereupon attached himself to Tao Qian. Tao Qian memorialized to have Liu Bei made Inspector of Yu Province, stationing his troops at Xiaopei. When Tao Qian fell gravely ill, he said to his Attendant Officer Mi Zhu: "None but Liu Bei can bring peace to this province." After Tao Qian died, Mi Zhu led the people of Xu Province to welcome and install Liu Bei. At first Liu Bei did not dare to accept, but after Chen Deng, Kong Rong, and others urged him, he finally took up the post of Governor of Xu Province.^[3]

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tao Qian is portrayed as a gentle, sincere, and kindhearted elder. At his first appearance, in order to befriend Cao Cao, he went out beyond his borders to welcome Cao Cao's father Cao Song and sent the commandant Zhang Kai to escort him; unexpectedly Zhang Kai, coveting wealth, murdered Cao Song, thereby provoking Cao Cao's massive invasion of Xu Province.^[4]

When Cao Cao's great army attacked Xu Province, Tao Qian felt deep guilt, believing that he had "offended Heaven, bringing this great calamity upon the people of Xu Province," and even planned to bind himself and go to Cao Cao's camp to submit to whatever Cao Cao decreed, so as to preserve the lives of Xu Province's people.^[5] This episode has no clear basis in the histories and is a literary creation of the novel to highlight his benevolence. Facing Cao Cao's fierce assault, Tao Qian twice wished to yield Xu Province to Liu Bei. The first time was after Liu Bei came to the rescue of Xu Province, when he held that Liu Bei, being a kinsman of the Han house, virtuous and able, was the one who could bring peace to Xu Province.^[6] Liu Bei firmly refused; Tao Qian then asked Liu Bei to garrison Xiaopei to safeguard Xu Province. The second time was on his deathbed, when he again earnestly begged Liu Bei to take over Xu Province, plainly stating that his two sons "have no talent fit for the task," and hoping Liu Bei would instruct them and by no means let them administer provincial affairs.^[7] In the novel, Tao Qian's trust in and esteem for Liu Bei, and his two attempts to yield Xu Province, greatly elevate Liu Bei's image of benevolence and virtue, and provide legitimacy for Liu Bei's later occupation of Xu Province.

Key Relationships

* Liu Bei (mentor_of): The histories record that when Tao Qian was gravely ill he told Mi Zhu plainly that "none but Liu Bei can bring peace to this province," and in the end entrusted Xu Province to Liu Bei. In the novel, Tao Qian twice actively yields Xu Province to Liu Bei and entrusts his orphans to him on his deathbed, regarding Liu Bei as the benevolent lord to whom the future of Xu Province could be committed.^[7]
* Zhang Wen (advises_in): The histories record that Tao Qian took part in the military affairs of the General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Wen, but openly humiliated him out of contempt and was nearly exiled, only being pardoned after others interceded.^[1]
* Tao Qian's Faction (serves): As Governor of Xu Province, Tao Qian was the core of his faction. The histories record that in his later years he "turned from the right way and gave rein to his whims," drawing close to slanderous and wicked men, so that punishments and government fell out of harmony, good men suffered, and Xu Province gradually fell into disorder.^[2]
* Cao Cao (enemy_of): The histories record that Cao Cao attacked Xu Province because his father Cao Song was killed, and Tao Qian sought aid from Liu Bei to resist Cao Cao. In the novel, Cao Cao, mistaking Tao Qian for the slayer of his father, invaded Xu Province in force, bringing great calamity upon its people.^[5]
* Zhao Yu (advises_in): The histories record that Zhao Yu, Administrator of Guangling and a renowned scholar of the Xu region, was estranged by Tao Qian on account of his loyal directness.^[2]

Signature Scenes

* Joining Zhang Wen's western expedition against Han Sui: As a Consultant, Tao Qian took part in the campaign of the General of Chariots and Cavalry Zhang Wen on the western expedition against Han Sui. During it, he openly humiliated Zhang Wen out of contempt, displaying his upright and unrestrained character.^[1]
* Defeating the Yellow Turbans of Xu Province: After being appointed Inspector of Xu Province, Tao Qian successfully defeated and drove off the Yellow Turban Army of Xu Province, stabilizing the province.^[1]
* Cao Cao attacks Xu Province and Tao Qian seeks aid: Cao Cao invaded Xu Province in force because his father had been killed, and Tao Qian sought aid from Kong Rong and Tian Kai, so that Liu Bei came to his assistance. This was the key event in which Liu Bei and Tao Qian became bound to each other.^[3]
* Entrusting his orphans to Liu Bei on his deathbed: On his deathbed Tao Qian entrusted Xu Province to Liu Bei and left the words "none but Liu Bei can bring peace to this province," and in the end Liu Bei, urged by Chen Deng, Kong Rong, and others, took over Xu Province.^[3]
* Twice yielding Xu Province to Liu Bei (novel only): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tao Qian twice actively offers to yield Xu Province to Liu Bei—first after Liu Bei rescues Xu Province, and again on his deathbed. This episode greatly shapes the image of Tao Qian's benevolence and Liu Bei's modesty.^[6]