Ying Yang

Historical Record

Ying Yang, courtesy name Delian, was a man of Runan. His family was distinguished for literary talent generation after generation. Ying Yang's grandfather Ying Feng, courtesy name Shishu, was quick of thought and skilled in recitation, and people praised him as one who "read five lines at a glance."^[1] Ying Feng composed the Houxu (Afterword) in more than ten chapters, becoming a model for the Confucian scholars of his day. In the Yanxi era he rose to be Colonel-Director of Retainers. Ying Feng's son Ying Shao, courtesy name Zhongyuan, was likewise learned and broadly knowledgeable, with a particular fondness for ancient matters. He composed the Fengsu Tong (Comprehensive Account of Customs) and other works, more than a hundred chapters in all; though their diction was not wholly elegant, his wide learning won the admiration of the age. Ying Shao also composed the Zhonghan Jixu, the Hanguan Yi, and the Liyi Gushi—eleven works in all, totaling one hundred thirty-six scrolls—which played an important role in preserving court institutions and the ceremonies of the hundred officials; he rose to be Grand Administrator of Mount Tai.^[1] Ying Shao's younger brother Ying Xun, courtesy name Jiyu, once served as an assistant in the Office of Works; he was Ying Yang's father. Ying Yang, together with Wang Can, Xu Gan, Ruan Yu, Chen Lin, Liu Zhen, and Lu Cui, was counted among the "Seven Masters of the Jian'an Era."

Ying Yang, together with Liu Zhen, was summoned by Cao Cao to serve as an aide of the Chancellor's office.^[1] Afterward Ying Yang was transferred to be a Companion to the Marquis of Pingyuan, and later promoted to Literary Officer to the General of the Household for All Purposes. He and Liu Zhen both composed several dozen literary compositions and rhapsodies, displaying their literary talent.^[1] Liu Zhen, however, was punished for showing disrespect to Cao Cao, and after serving his sentence was appointed to a clerical post. This episode also reflects, from the side, the circumstances of literary men under the Cao Wei regime.

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives no independent, detailed literary treatment of Ying Yang and assigns him no dedicated storyline. Compared with the record in the Records of the Three Kingdoms and other official histories of Ying Yang as one of the "Seven Masters of the Jian'an Era," the novel lays greater emphasis on depicting scenes of war and the military and political struggles of the principal figures. Ying Yang therefore makes virtually no appearance in the novel, and his literary achievements and family background go unmentioned. This is similar to the case of many civil and military figures who truly existed and made notable contributions in history but are marginalized in the novel. The narrative focus of the novel dictates its neglect of literary men like Ying Yang, so that he has almost no presence in the work—a sharp contrast to his standing in the sources as an important member of the Cao Wei literary circle.

Key Relationships

* Cao Wei circle: Ying Yang was summoned by Cao Cao to serve as an aide of the Chancellor's office, and later as Companion to the Marquis of Pingyuan and Literary Officer to the General of the Household for All Purposes—an important civil official and literary attendant of the Cao Wei regime.^[1] He stood in a direct lord-and-subject relationship with Cao Cao and Cao Pi, and his literary creations were closely tied to the cultural atmosphere of Cao Wei.
* Seven Masters of the Jian'an Era: Ying Yang, together with Wang Can, Xu Gan, Ruan Yu, Chen Lin, Liu Zhen, and Lu Cui, was counted among the "Seven Masters of the Jian'an Era," representative figures of Jian'an literature. They exchanged compositions and together advanced the development of Jian'an literature. In particular, he and Liu Zhen were summoned together by Cao Cao and jointly composed compositions and rhapsodies^[1], showing their collegial relationship and literary exchange.
* Family heritage: Ying Yang's grandfather Ying Feng and father Ying Shao were both renowned scholars and officials, the family distinguished for literary talent generation after generation.^[1] This deep cultural heritage had a profound influence on Ying Yang's upbringing and literary achievement and gave the Ying clan notable social standing at the end of the Eastern Han and during the Cao Wei period.

Iconic Scenes

* Summoned to office by Cao Cao: Ying Yang, together with Liu Zhen, was summoned by Cao Cao to serve as an aide of the Chancellor's office, marking his formal entry into the core circle of Cao Wei politics and literature.^[1] This scene was decisive for both his official career and his literary life, enabling him to draw close to and serve Cao Cao and his son and to take part in the literary activities of the time.
* Serving as Literary Officer to the General of the Household for All Purposes: Ying Yang once served as Literary Officer to the General of the Household for All Purposes, a post indicating that he served as a literary attendant at the side of Cao Pi (then General of the Household for All Purposes), responsible for drafting documents and literary composition.^[1] This was not only an important step in his career but also meant that he took direct part in Cao Pi's literary circle, together with Cao Pi and other literary men advancing the flourishing of Jian'an literature.
* Composing several dozen compositions and rhapsodies: Ying Yang and Liu Zhen both composed several dozen literary compositions and rhapsodies.^[1] Although the sources do not list the titles of his works, this record suffices to show his diligence and achievement in literary creation, an important manifestation of his standing as one of the "Seven Masters of the Jian'an Era." These works no doubt enriched the treasury of Jian'an literature and displayed his individual literary style and talent.