Qiao Xuan

Historical Record

Qiao Xuan, styled Gongzu, was a native of Liang Kingdom, renowned in his day for being stern, capable, and strategic, and skilled at recognizing talent^[1]. He held offices in both the capital and the provinces, known for being resolute and decisive, yet humble toward men of worth and showing no favoritism to his relatives on account of his noble rank. In the Guanghe era, Qiao Xuan rose to be Grand Commandant, and later resigned office on account of long illness, being appointed Grand Palace Grandee. When he died, his household was poor, with not even enough property to bury him, which at the time was praised as a fine thing, and he was called a famous minister^[1].

Qiao Xuan had a singular eye for judging men. He once gave the highest praise to the young Cao Cao. At the time Cao Cao was alert and full of stratagems, but reckless and dissolute, unkempt and unrestrained, and most people thought little of him^[1]. Qiao Xuan, however, possessed a unique discernment; he believed: "The realm is about to fall into chaos, and none but a man of world-ordering talent can save it. The one who can bring it peace—is it you!"^[1] He even said to Cao Cao: "I have seen many famous men of the realm, but none like you! Take good care of yourself. I am old! I would entrust my wife and children to you."^[1] These words of Qiao Xuan greatly raised Cao Cao's reputation. He also advised Cao Cao to seek out Xu Zijiang in order to enhance his name; Cao Cao took his advice and became renowned thereby^[1]. These records all show that Qiao Xuan was an important figure of outstanding insight and talent for recognizing men, and his judgment played a key role in Cao Cao's early development.

In the Novel

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Qiao Xuan's image differs from the historical record; his main function lies in his relationship with the "Two Qiaos" rather than in his own political talent or skill at recognizing men^[2]. In the novel, Qiao Xuan is cast as "Lord Qiao of Jiangdong," father of the peerless beauties Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao^[2]. His appearance centers on Cao Cao's coveting of the Two Qiaos. On the eve of the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhuge Liang, in order to enrage Zhou Yu and spur him to resolve on resisting Cao, fabricated the story that Cao Cao had built the Bronze Bird Terrace and intended to place the two Qiaos of Jiangdong within it^[2]. Zhuge Liang claimed that Cao Cao had sworn: "My first wish is to sweep clear the four seas and accomplish the imperial enterprise; my second wish is to gain the two Qiaos of Jiangdong and place them on the Bronze Bird Terrace, to delight my later years, so that even in death I would have no regret."^[2] This episode thrust Qiao Xuan's two daughters into the eye of the storm, making them an important (though fictitious) "trigger" for the war.

In Chapter 48 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in the flush of wine, Cao Cao also mentioned Qiao Xuan with his own mouth, saying: "In former days Lord Qiao and I were on the closest terms, and I know that his two daughters both possess the beauty of states. Later, unexpectedly, they were taken in marriage by Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. I have now newly built the Bronze Bird Terrace on the Zhang River; if I gain the south of the Yangzi, I shall marry the two Qiaos and place them upon the terrace, to delight my declining years, and my wish will be fulfilled."^[3] This passage further reinforces Qiao Xuan's identity as father of the Two Qiaos and implies that Cao Cao and Qiao Xuan had once been on "the closest terms," though this "closeness" has no clear record in the histories and serves more to support Cao Cao's "lustful" image and to advance the plot. In the Romance, Qiao Xuan himself takes no direct part in any political or military activity; his existence serves more as a background figure to introduce the "Two Qiaos" and Cao Cao's "lustful" attribute.

Key Relationships

* Cao Cao: In the histories, Qiao Xuan was an important patron and guide of Cao Cao's early years. With his singular discernment, he placed great hopes in Cao Cao before he had made his name, calling him a "man of world-ordering talent" who "could bring peace to the realm"^[1]. Qiao Xuan's praise greatly raised Cao Cao's reputation, and he advised him to seek out Xu Zijiang to make his name^[1]. In the novel, Cao Cao also mentioned Qiao Xuan and called him "the closest of friends"^[3], but this relationship serves more to support Cao Cao's coveting of Qiao Xuan's daughters.
* Da Qiao (parent_of): In the novel, Da Qiao is Qiao Xuan's elder daughter, married to Sun Ce^[2].
* Xiao Qiao (parent_of): In the novel, Xiao Qiao is Qiao Xuan's younger daughter, married to Zhou Yu^[2].
* Sun Ce (son-in-law, novel only): In the novel, Sun Ce is Qiao Xuan's son-in-law, having married Da Qiao^[3].
* Zhou Yu (son-in-law, novel only): In the novel, Zhou Yu is Qiao Xuan's son-in-law, having married Xiao Qiao^[3].

Iconic Scenes

* Discerning Cao Cao with a singular eye: When Cao Cao was young, Qiao Xuan showed extraordinary insight into him, praising him as a "man of world-ordering talent" who "could bring peace to the realm," and willing to entrust his wife and children to him, greatly raising Cao Cao's reputation^[1]. This is the iconic scene for which Qiao Xuan is most celebrated in the histories, displaying his outstanding ability to recognize men.
* Advising Cao Cao to befriend Xu Zijiang: Qiao Xuan advised Cao Cao to call on Xu Zijiang and, through his evaluation, to raise his own renown; after Cao Cao took this advice, his fame indeed soared^[1]. This scene reflects Qiao Xuan's wisdom in conduct and in the cultivation of reputation.
* The backdrop of Cao Cao coveting the Two Qiaos (novel only): In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Qiao Xuan, as father of Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, by his very existence forms the backdrop for Cao Cao's "lust" and his intention to place the Two Qiaos within the Bronze Bird Terrace^[2]. Both Zhuge Liang and Cao Cao himself, mentioning the Two Qiaos on different occasions, indirectly place Qiao Xuan within this iconic plotline^[2],^[3]. Although Qiao Xuan does not directly take part in this scene, his family relationships are an important link driving the development of the Battle of Red Cliffs plot.