Han dynastyPoliticianScholarThree Kingdoms

Zhao Qi (Han dynasty)

Zhao Qi was an Eastern Han dynasty official and scholar known for his integrity, opposition to corruption, and influential ''Commentaries on Mencius''.

1. Overview

Zhao Qi (趙岐Zhào QíChinese, 100s - 201 CE), also known by his courtesy name Binqing (邠卿BīnqīngChinese), was a prominent official and scholar who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. Originally named Zhao Jia (趙嘉Zhào JiāChinese), he was celebrated for his unwavering integrity and principled opposition to the widespread corruption and powerful eunuch factions that plagued the imperial court. His life was marked by significant political challenges, including persecution and a period of exile, yet he consistently maintained his upright character. Zhao Qi is most renowned for his foundational work, the Commentaries on Mencius (孟子章句Mèngzǐ ZhāngjùChinese), which remains one of the few extensive "old commentaries" on the classical text to have survived from that era, profoundly influencing subsequent Confucian studies.

2. Early life and background

Zhao Qi's early life was characterized by a strong educational foundation, a principled character, and significant personal challenges that shaped his later career.

2.1. Birth, family, and education

Zhao Qi was born sometime between 103 CE and 112 CE, or possibly around 108 CE, in Changling County (長陵縣), Jingzhao Commandery (京兆尹), which was part of the Sili (司隸) administrative region. His original name was Zhao Jia (趙嘉Zhào JiāChinese), and his primary courtesy name was Binqing (邠卿BīnqīngChinese). He also held an alternative courtesy name, Daegyeong (臺卿), reportedly given because he was born at the Censorate. From a young age, Zhao Qi showed exceptional talent, becoming well-versed in the classical texts and possessing a range of artistic skills. He married Ma Zongjiang (馬宗姜), the daughter of Ma Dun (馬敦), who was an uncle of the famous scholar Ma Rong.

2.2. Early character and principles

Zhao Qi cultivated a character of integrity and unyielding principles from his youth. He was known for his uprightness and his profound contempt for individuals associated with powerful factions or relatives of the imperial family, including the in-laws like Ma Rong, whose connections he scorned. At around 30 years of age, Zhao Qi suffered from a severe illness that confined him to his bed for seven years. Despite the prolonged period of debilitation, he eventually recovered, a testament to his resilience.

3. Political career and challenges

Zhao Qi's official career was a turbulent path marked by integrity, key appointments, and numerous conflicts with powerful factions, leading to periods of persecution and exile.

3.1. Initial official appointments

In 154 CE, Zhao Qi received a summons from the imperial court and was appointed as a Sikong Yuan (司空掾), a subordinate position within the office of the Grand Minister of Works (Sikong). During this early appointment, he notably advocated for a policy that would permit local officials to take leave for filial mourning of their parents, a proposal that was subsequently adopted. He also served under the General-in-Chief Liang Ji, a powerful and corrupt figure, but Liang Ji often disregarded Zhao Qi's counsel. Later, Zhao Qi was transferred to become the Chief of Pi Shi (皮氏) County. However, when Zuo Cheng (左丞), the brother of the powerful eunuch Zuo Guan, was appointed as the new Grand Administrator of Hedong Commandery, Zhao Qi regarded serving under a relative of a eunuch as a humiliation. He promptly resigned and returned to the west on the same day. He was subsequently appointed as Gongcao (功曹) by Yan Du (延篤), the Prefect of Jingzhao Commandery.

3.2. Confrontation and exile

Zhao Qi became embroiled in direct conflict with the influential eunuch factions of the time. Previously, Tang Xuan (唐玹), the elder brother of the powerful eunuch Tang Heng, had been appointed Huya Duwei (虎牙都尉) of Jingzhao through illicit means. Both Zhao Qi and his cousin, Zhao Xi, publicly criticized Tang Xuan's corrupt appointment, earning his deep resentment. In 158 CE, Tang Xuan was appointed Prefect of Jingzhao. Fearing retribution, Zhao Qi fled the capital with his nephew, Zhao Dian. As he anticipated, Tang Xuan subsequently arrested and executed many members of Zhao Qi's family. Zhao Qi then endured a period of profound hardship, fleeing from place to place, concealing his identity, and even working as a rice cake seller in Beihai Commandery. During this time, a local named Sun Song (孫嵩) recognized Zhao Qi's extraordinary character and provided him refuge, sheltering him for several years. This period of hiding was part of the broader political purge known as the Party Prohibitions (党錮之禁Dǎnggù zhī JìnChinese), during which many upright officials and scholars were persecuted and removed from office due to their opposition to eunuch influence.

3.3. Reinstatement and later appointments

After the decline and eventual downfall of the Tang clan and the eunuch factions, Zhao Qi returned to public life. He was appointed as the Cishi (刺史, Inspector) of Bingzhou. Later, he was recommended by the General-in-Chief He Jin for the position of Grand Administrator of Dunhuang Commandery. However, en route to his post, he was ambushed by bandits and barely managed to escape to Chang'an. When Dong Zhuo relocated Emperor Xian of Han to Chang'an, Zhao Qi was appointed as Taipu (太僕, Grand Coachman), a high-ranking official responsible for the imperial stables and chariots. In 194 CE, with the imperial court's decision to return to Luoyang, Zhao Qi was dispatched to Jing Province to request that Liu Biao, the Inspector of Jing Province, assist in the restoration of Luoyang, which had been devastated by Dong Zhuo. Zhao Qi subsequently remained in Jing Province. While there, he reunited with his former benefactor, Sun Song, and recommended him for the position of Cishi of Qingzhou. Zhao Qi's final official appointment was as Taichang (太常, Grand Master of Ceremonies), a high-ranking position responsible for imperial rituals and ancestral temples.

4. Scholarly activities and works

Beyond his political career, Zhao Qi was a distinguished scholar whose writings left a lasting impact on classical Chinese thought.

4.1. Commentaries on Mencius

Zhao Qi's most representative and enduring scholarly achievement is his Commentaries on Mencius (孟子章句Mèngzǐ ZhāngjùChinese). This work provided a detailed and comprehensive annotation of the classical text Mencius. It is particularly significant as it is one of the few major commentaries on Mencius from the Eastern Han dynasty that has survived to the present day. His commentary was later included in the esteemed Thirteen Classics and Commentaries (十三經注疏Shísān Jīng ZhùshūChinese) collection, solidifying its importance in Confucian studies. It is widely recognized as a pivotal "old commentary" (古注gǔzhùChinese), serving as a foundational interpretation of Mencius that predates and stands in contrast to the "new commentaries" (新注xīnzhùChinese) introduced by later scholars like Zhu Xi.

4.2. Other writings

In addition to his famous Commentaries on Mencius, Zhao Qi also authored Sanfu Juelu (三輔決錄Sānfǔ JuélùChinese). This work was a collection of brief biographies of notable individuals from the Sanfu region, an area encompassing the capital and its surrounding districts. Although the original Sanfu Juelu is no longer extant, it was later annotated by Zhi Yu (摯虞) of the Western Jin dynasty. Portions of Zhao Qi's work, including its preface, have been preserved through quotations in other historical texts, notably in the commentaries to the Book of the Later Han.

5. Personal life

Zhao Qi's personal life was intertwined with influential families and significant relationships that shaped his experiences.

5.1. Family and relationships

Zhao Qi was married to Ma Zongjiang, the daughter of Ma Dun, who was the uncle of the renowned scholar Ma Rong. His family ties also included his cousin Zhao Xi and his nephew Zhao Dian, who fled with him during his persecution by Tang Xuan. A pivotal relationship in his life was with Sun Song, who risked his own safety to shelter Zhao Qi during his period of exile. This life-saving connection fostered a deep bond, and Zhao Qi later repaid Sun Song's kindness by recommending him for a significant official position as Cishi of Qingzhou.

6. Death

Zhao Qi died in 201 CE, at the advanced age of over 90 years. He passed away from natural causes, concluding a long life marked by significant political upheaval and profound scholarly contribution.

7. Legacy and assessment

Zhao Qi's life and work have been historically evaluated as exemplifying integrity in public service and leaving a lasting scholarly impact.

7.1. Historical evaluation

Zhao Qi is primarily remembered as a principled and uncorrupt official who courageously opposed the powerful and often tyrannical eunuch factions during the Eastern Han dynasty. His unwavering moral stance in the face of political oppression earned him respect, highlighting his commitment to justice and upright governance. Beyond his political career, his scholarly contributions, particularly his work on the Mencius, are considered a cornerstone of classical studies.

7.2. Influence on classical studies

His Commentaries on Mencius holds a crucial position in the history of classical Chinese scholarship. As a foundational "old commentary," it provided an essential early interpretation of Mencius that influenced generations of Confucian scholars. Its inclusion in the Thirteen Classics and Commentaries underscores its enduring academic value and its role in shaping the understanding and transmission of classical thought.