Cheng Xia

Cheng Xia joined Shi Le while the latter was raising an army in Hebei. His sister was Consort Cheng who married Shi Le and gave birth to Shi Le's soon-to-be heir, Shi Hong.[1] Cheng Xia's first role in Shi Le's administration was the Prefect of Changle and Marshal of the Right. In 315, a man named Wang Gen (王眘) rebelled and harassed Bohai and Henei commanderies. Shi Le had Cheng Xia camped at Changting (昌亭) to support him as he suppresses the rebellion.[2] After Shi Le occupied all of Jizhou in 316, Cheng Xia was promoted to General Who Calms The Northern Frontier and commander of military affairs in seven counties in Jizhou.[3] In 319, Cheng Xia was one of the many ministers who urged Shi Le to claim the imperial title, although this was rejected.[4]

In 322, Shi Le's most favourite advisor, Zhang Bin passed away. Cheng Xia replaced him as the new Chief Clerk of the Right. However, Shi Le did not like Cheng Xia as much as he did with Zhang Bin as the two men were constantly at disagreement with each other. It is said that every time Shi Le disagreed with Cheng Xia, he would sigh and say, "The Right Marquess abandoned me and let me work with this man. Was it not cruel for him to do so?"[5]

Cheng Xia advised Shi Le in 326 to garrison troops in the palaces in Ye. Shi Le assigned the thirteen year old Shi Hong to take command of the army in Ye with assistance from the general Wang Yang (王陽). Shi Hu took offense from this decision as he believed that he deserved full control over Ye due to his merits in Shi Le's conquest. Shi Hu was forced to move his family and households under him out of Ye, but he built the Three Terrace near the city, where he relocated them. He also violently retaliated by having his soldiers dressed up as bandits to raid Cheng Xia's household, where they raped the women inside and stole their clothes.[6]

The following year in 328, Shi Le personally led a campaign against his rival, Liu Yao of Han Zhao in Luoyang after Shi Hu failed to subdue him. Cheng Xia and the other ministers opposed his decision to lead the army, saying, "Liu Yao has marched his army a thousand li, and he cannot last for long. Great King, you should not go yourself, for your safety cannot be assured." Shi Le was angry at their remonstration, drawing his sword and shouting at them until they left. With help from Xu Guang, Shi Le's campaign ended in success with Shi Le even capturing Liu Yao himself.[7]

Han Zhao was annihilated in 329 with the death of Liu Yao's sons, Liu Yin and Liu Xi. The following year in 330, Shi Le claimed the title of Heavenly Prince. Appointments were handed out, with Cheng Xia becoming Supervisor of the Right and acting Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.[8]

That same year, the Jin dynasty rebel, Zu Yue had fled to Later Zhao after loyalist forces had defeated his army. Shi Le did not like him but still entertained him initially. However, Cheng Xia soon stood up and told him, "The realm has only just been settled, so you ought to make clear distinctions between those who are loyal and those who are traitorous. This was the reason why Emperor Gao of Han pardoned Ji Bu, but beheaded Duke Ding. Great King, ever since you first rose up with your soldiers, you have always commended those who remained loyal to their lords, while you have always executed those ministers who rebelled against theirs. This is the reason why all the realm has submitted to your abundant virtue. Yet Zu Yue still lives. This is what I do not understand." Cheng Xia's advice was supported by the general Yao Yizhong, so Shi Le agreed. Cheng Xia invited Zu Yue and his family to a banquet where Shi Le arrested them for execution.[9]

In 332, Cheng Xia made another attempt to reduce Shi Hu's power. He states,"The Prince of Zhongshan (Shi Hu) is brave and fierce, calculating and cunning; there is no other minister who can match him. In observing his ambitions, I believe it is clear that he views everyone other than Your Majesty with disdain. He is 'a ruffian and a robber, forceful and cruel'. He has long served as a general, and his might is felt throughout the land. Even his grown sons wield military power. So long as Your Majesty is here, he will do nothing, but I fear that he will not submit to the young master. He should be done away with, to further the grand design."[10]

However, Shi Le had confidence in Shi Hu and suspected that Cheng Xia was worried of not being able to fully control Shi Hong. Shi Le assured him that Cheng would serve as one of Shi Hong's advisors but Cheng Xia once again remonstrated him, this time tearfully, "My concerns are purely on behalf of the state, yet Your Majesty dismisses them as only my own selfish desires; what use will loyal words be? Although the Prince of Zhongshan was raised by the Empress Dowager, he is not of Your Majesty's immediate family. Even if he has made some slight contributions to the state, Your Majesty has already rewarded him and his sons well enough with grace and honor. But he has unceasing ambition; how could he be of benefit in the future? If he is not done away with, there shall be no one left to offer blood and food at your ancestral temple." Shi Le once again ignored his plead.[11]

After failing to convince Shi Le, Cheng Xia went to Xu Guang, telling him, "The Prince of Zhongshan has long held a grudge against the two of us. I fear that not only is the state in danger, but even our families will suffer misfortune." Xu Guang also attempted to persuade Shi Le on removing Shi Hu. Xu Guang was somewhat successful, as Shi Le increased Shi Hong's power and appointed the Palace Regular Attendant Yan Zhen (嚴震) to be his guide. However, this was not enough to stop Shi Hu completely. Shi Le died on August 17th of 333, and Shi Hu immediately had Shi Hong placed under his control through a coup. Cheng Xia and Xu Guang were arrested and brought before the Minister of Justice. Shi Hu granted a general amnesty but Cheng Xia and Xu Guang were exempted from this and instead executed.[12]