Qiao Xuan - Biography

Biography

Qiao was a native of Suiyang, Liang (south of present-day Shangqiu, Henan). He came from a gentry, scholarly background. In his youth, he served as an Officer of Merit (功曹) in Liang. When Zhou Jing (周景), the Inspector of Yu Province, passed by Liang, Qiao reported to him the crimes of Yang Chang (羊昌), Chancellor of Chen. Zhou ordered Qiao to conduct an investigation and Qiao thoroughly listed Yang's crimes. However, as Yang was closely related to Commander-in-Chief Liang Ji, Liang sent an urgent letter, asked Zhou to release Yang. Zhou was afraid of Liang Ji so he called off Qiao. However, Qiao returned the letter, locked up Yang and had him sent to the capital city Luoyang in a prison cart. He became famous because of that incident.

Qiao was later appointed as a minor official in Luoyang. Qiao's superior, Liang Buyi (梁不疑), was Liang Ji's brother, and he often humiliated Qiao. Qiao eventually resigned.

Qiao was appointed Chancellor of Qi (present-day Shandong) later. Once, he committed an offense and was stripped off his post and sent to perform hard labour. After finishing serving his sentence, he was appointed Administrator of Shanggu (上谷) and later Administrator of Hanyang (漢陽). Qiao executed Huangfu Zhen (皇甫禎), the corrupt Prefect of Shanggui (上邽).

In 170, Qiao was appointed Excellency of Works (司空) and became Minister over the Masses a year later.

Qiao was generous and supportive of Cao Cao, when the latter was in his youth. For that, Cao remembered Qiao even when he reached the pinnacle of his achievements.