Jiang Qin 蔣欽

Jiang Qin 蔣欽

Biography
In 193 A.D., Sun Ce split from Yuan Shu and went to annex the lands of old Wu. Jiang Qin admired Sun Ce, so he followed in his campaigns and gave him advice. Jiang Qin was made a Senior Major and given his own command. Jiang Qin helped settle the commanderies Danyang (丹楊), Wu (吳), Kuaiji (會稽) and Yuzhang (豫章), which would later form the foundation for the Wu empire.

Jiang Qin was appointed Commandant of Geyang (葛陽) county, where he served 3 different Chiefs, subdued various bandits and robbers, and was eventually appointed as Commandant of the Western Divisions. The bandits of Kuaiji, under Lü He and Qin Lang, began to cause disorder. In response, Jiang Qin led forces to pacify them; capturing Land and He and settling the five counties disturbed by their actions. Jiang Qin was promoted to (討越中郎將) Elite General of the Household Who Subdues. Jingju (經拘) and Zhaoyang (昭陽) were also added to his fief. When He Qi went to subdue the bandits of Yi (黟), Jiang Qin brought 10,000 soldiers in support and assisted in their pacification.

Service to Sun Quan
In 215 A.D., Jiang Qin followed Sun Quan to Hefei (合肥), and helped defend him from Zhang Liao at Xiaoyao Crossing. Jiang Qin was appointed as General Who Defeats Rebels and Commander of Ruxu (濡須). Jiang Qin was later summoned to the capital and promoted to Protector of the Army of the Right with additional responsibilities within the court.

At one time, Sun Quan paid a visit to Jiang Qin's household. Sun Quan observed that the clothing worn by Qin's mother, his wife and his concubines was drab and plain. Sun Quan sighed and thought even though he is high-ranking noble, he still maintains his frugality. Wanting to show his admiration, Sun Quan ordered the treasury to bestow fine embroidered clothes to Jiang Qin.

Earlier, Jiang Qin had been stationed at Xuan city (宣城), where he had fought the Yuzhang bandits. At that time, County Magistrate of Wuhu (蕪湖) Xu Sheng was overseeing affair in the city. One of the officials committed some sin, so Xu Sheng arrested him; he also sent a memorial to Sun Quan asking permission to execute the man. Sun Quan denied it, stating that Sheng should wait for Jiang Qin to return instead of deciding for him. Due to this, Xu Sheng began to suspect Jiang Qin harboured ill-will towards him.

Fact vs. Fiction
Historically…