Qian Hui (died 310) was a military general and rebel of the Jin dynasty (266–420).

Qian Hui
錢璯
Senior General Who Pacifies the West
(平西大將軍) (Self-appointed)
In office
310 (310)–310 (310)
Personal details
Born258
Huzhou, Zhejiang
Died310
Yixing, Jiangsu

Life

edit

Qian Hui was a member of the Qian clan of Wuxing Commandery (吳興, roughly modern Huzhou, Zhejiang). He raised an army and participated in the suppression of Chen Min's rebellion in 307, and for his achievements, the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, appointed him as the General Who Establishes Might.[1]

In 310, Sima Yue summoned Qian Hui and the Inspector of Yang province, Wang Dun to the capital, Luoyang. At the time, the Jin was at war with the Han-Zhao dynasty in northern China. When Qian Hui reached Guangling Commandery, he learned that the Han general, Liu Cong was attacking Luoyang and stopped out of hesitation. As he delayed, Emperor Huai of Jin urged him to hasten, but Qian Hui instead planned to kill Wang Dun and rebel. However, Wang Dun was able to escape to Jianye, where he informed the Prince of Langya, Sima Rui about the matter.[2]

Qian Hui killed the Colonel of Logistical Affairs, Chen Feng (陳豊) and burnt down his residence. He proclaimed himself as Senior General Who Pacifies the West and Chief Controller of the Eight Provinces. He also installed Sun Chong (孫充), son of the last emperor of the Eastern Wu dynasty, Sun Hao, as the new King of Wu, but later killed him as well. Qian Hui attacked Yangxian County in Wuxing Commandery, prompting Sima Rui to send his generals, Guo Yi (郭逸) and Song Dian (宋典) to attack him.[3]

At first, Guo Yi and Song Dian were unwilling to engage Qian Hui as they had very few soldiers under their command. The Assistant Granary Manager and native of Wuxing, Zhou Qi, volunteered to gather people from his village to join Guo Yi and Song Dian. The Jin forces then attacked Qian Hui and killed him, sending his head to Jianye.[4][5]

References

edit
  1. ^ (初,呉興人錢璯亦起義兵討陳敏,越命爲建武將軍,使率其屬會於京都。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  2. ^ (璯至廣陵,聞劉聰逼洛陽,畏懦不敢進。帝促以軍期,璯乃謀反。時王敦遷尚書,當應徵與璯俱西。璯陰欲殺敦,藉以舉事,敦聞之,奔告帝。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  3. ^ (璯遂殺度支校尉陳豐,焚燒邸閣,自號平西大將軍、八州都督,劫孫皓子充,立爲呉王,既而殺之。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  4. ^ (來寇圮縣。帝遣將軍郭逸、郡尉宋典等討之,並以兵少未敢前。玘復率合鄕里義眾,與逸等俱進,討璯,斬之,傳首於建康。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  5. ^ (太傅越徵建威將軍吳興錢璯及揚州刺史王敦。璯謀殺敦以反,敦奔建業,告琅邪王睿。璯遂反,進寇陽羨,睿遣將軍郭逸等討之;周玘糾合鄕里,與逸等共討璯,斬之。玘三定江南,睿以玘爲吳興太守,於其鄕里置義興郡,以旌之。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.87