1. Early Life and Background
Sheng Xian's early life laid the foundation for his future political career and forged significant relationships that would influence his destiny.
1.1. Childhood and Early Recognition
Sheng Xian was a native of Kuaiji Commandery within Yang Province, which is located around present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang. From a young age, he was noted for his exceptional talent and upright moral character. His abilities led to his early recognition and recommendation as a Xiaolian (filial and incorrupt) for government service, a prestigious path for aspiring officials during the Han dynasty. Following this, he was appointed as a Shangshulang (尙書郞Chinese), signifying his entry into the imperial bureaucracy.
1.2. Relationship with Kong Rong
Sheng Xian shared a special and profound bond with Kong Rong, forming a brotherhood that lasted throughout their lives. An anecdote from Sheng Xian's youth highlights the origin of this deep connection. While serving as a young Lang (郎Chinese, a general term for a palace attendant or government official), Sheng Xian was traveling when he encountered a boy of extraordinary appearance. Intrigued, he inquired about the boy's identity and learned he was Kong Rong from Lu Commandery, then only a little over 10 years old. Deeply impressed, Sheng Xian dismounted his carriage, took Kong Rong's hand, and invited him to his home. There, they engaged in conversation, shared a feast, and formally established a bond of brotherhood. Sheng Xian was so moved by this connection that he told his mother, "Congratulations, Mother. Before, there was only me, Xian, but now I have a younger brother." This early and profound relationship with Kong Rong would prove crucial in Sheng Xian's later life, as Kong Rong became a steadfast protector and advocate during times of peril.
2. Official Career
Sheng Xian's official career was marked by significant appointments and the challenging political circumstances of the late Eastern Han dynasty, particularly his interactions with powerful warlords.
2.1. Administrator of Wu Commandery
Sheng Xian served as the Administrator of Wu Commandery, a region located around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu. During his tenure, he was noted for his uprightness and even recommended Gao Dai (高岱Chinese) for government service. After some time, Sheng Xian departed from this official position, citing illness as the reason for his resignation. Following his departure, Xu Gong, a local warlord, forcefully took control of Wu Commandery around 193 CE. This posed a significant threat to Sheng Xian, who had previously governed the area. To protect Sheng Xian from persecution by Xu Gong, Gao Dai, whom Sheng Xian had once recommended, swiftly took action. Gao Dai facilitated Sheng Xian's hiding at the home of Xu Zhao (許昭Chinese), a military officer known for his loyalty. To further deter Xu Gong, Gao Dai traveled to Xu Province to seek assistance from the provincial governor, Tao Qian. Tao Qian subsequently provided nominal support by dispatching troops, which was enough to dissuade Xu Gong from pursuing Sheng Xian any further.
2.2. Persecution and Imperial Appointment
As Sun Ce expanded his influence by conquering various commanderies in the Jiangdong region, particularly around 199 CE, Sheng Xian's prominent reputation became a source of concern. Sun Ce, known for his ambition and ruthlessness in consolidating power by eliminating local strongmen and figures of influence, deeply resented Sheng Xian's widespread fame and moral standing, viewing it as a direct threat to his own authority. Although Cheng Pu, one of Sun Ce's generals, suggested attacking Xu Zhao's stronghold, Sun Ce ultimately refrained, citing Xu Zhao's loyalty and faithfulness, evidenced by his protection of Sheng Xian and Yan Baihu. Despite this, Sheng Xian's life remained in grave danger due to Sun Ce's deep-seated apprehension.
Recognizing the peril his friend faced, Sheng Xian's close companion Kong Rong, who then held the official position of Shaofu, around 202 CE, intervened. Kong Rong persuaded Cao Cao, the powerful warlord controlling the imperial court, to grant Sheng Xian an official appointment. His intention was to secure Sheng Xian protection under Cao Cao's authority, thereby shielding him from Sun Ce's harassment. Cao Cao, acknowledging Sheng Xian's character and Kong Rong's plea, appointed Sheng Xian as a Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉Chinese). However, this protective measure came too late.
3. Death and Aftermath
Sheng Xian's life came to a tragic end before the imperial protection could reach him, leading to further acts of vengeance and the eventual fate of his family.
3.1. Assassination
Tragically, Sheng Xian was killed by Sun Quan, Sun Ce's successor, before Cao Cao's official commission appointing him as Cavalry Commandant could reach him. This assassination occurred during the turbulent period of the late 190s to early 200s CE, highlighting the swift and often brutal nature of political power struggles in the waning days of the Han dynasty. Sun Quan's act was likely a continuation of his elder brother Sun Ce's policy of eliminating influential figures whose reputation or loyalty might pose a challenge to the Sun family's dominance in the Jiangdong region.
3.2. Retaliation and Family's Fate
Sheng Xian's assassination provoked a strong reaction from his loyal followers. Two of them, Dai Yuan (戴員Chinese) and Gui Lan (媯覽Chinese), sought to avenge his death by orchestrating the killing of Sun Yi, a brother of Sun Quan, and another relative, Sun He (孫河Chinese). Following these acts of revenge, Dai Yuan and Gui Lan planned to defect to Cao Cao's side, intending to seek safe passage and new opportunities through Liu Fu, an official serving under Cao Cao. However, their plans were thwarted. Sun Yi's widow, driven by grief and a desire for justice for her husband, devised a clever scheme to entrap them. She successfully lured them into a trap, leading to their capture and subsequent execution, thus avenging her husband's death.
Sheng Xian was survived by his son, Sheng Kuang (盛匡Chinese). After his father's demise and the perilous situation in Jiangdong, Sheng Kuang fled to the north and sought refuge under Cao Cao. He subsequently served as a military officer within Cao Cao's administration, eventually rising to the rank of Zhengdong Sima (征東司馬Chinese).
4. Legacy and Evaluation
Sheng Xian's legacy is shaped by his reputation for integrity and the perceptions of key historical figures who interacted with him during a period of immense political upheaval.
4.1. Historical Assessments
Sheng Xian's character and political actions were viewed differently by his contemporaries, reflecting the complex dynamics of the late Eastern Han period. Sun Ce, the ambitious warlord, perceived Sheng Xian's widespread and esteemed reputation as a significant threat to his own authority in Jiangdong. Sun Ce's determination to eliminate local "heroes" and consolidate power meant he deeply resented Sheng Xian's independent standing and moral influence. This perspective ultimately led to the persecution and assassination of Sheng Xian by Sun Quan, highlighting the warlords' intolerance for any perceived challenge, even one based solely on moral authority.
In stark contrast, Sheng Xian was held in exceptionally high regard by his close friend Kong Rong. Kong Rong considered Sheng Xian to be a man of extraordinary talent and uprightness, recognizing his worth and the dangers he faced. His urgent plea to Cao Cao to grant Sheng Xian an imperial appointment demonstrates the depth of his concern and his belief in Sheng Xian's value, not only as a friend but as a potential asset to the Han court. Cao Cao himself, in appointing Sheng Xian as a Cavalry Commandant, acknowledged Sheng Xian's standing and implicitly validated Kong Rong's assessment of his character, even if the appointment arrived too late to save his life.
Historical records generally depict Sheng Xian as an individual of integrity and distinguished reputation, a figure caught in the brutal power struggles of his time. His life and death serve as a poignant example of how virtue and renown could become liabilities in a fragmented and anarchic political landscape, leading to the tragic suppression of principled individuals by those solely driven by the pursuit of power.