Xian Zhen

Xian Zhen (died 627 BC) was a general and politician of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. He served under Duke Wen of Jin.

At the end of 633 BC, Duke Wen of Jin established three armies, with Xian Zhen and Luan Zhi ​​commanding the lower army. King Cheng of Chu led his army to besiege the State of Song. Duke Cheng of Song sent gifts to ask for help from the Jin Dynasty. In early 632 BC, before Duke Wen of Jin could start his army, Xi Hu passed away. Duke Wen of Jin then appointed Xian Zhen as the commander of the central army. He gave a plan to save Song and attack Chu to Duke Wen of Jin. The plan was to attack Cao and Wey. He gave the lands of Wey and Cao to Song, and ceded them to Qi and Qin. After that, Song asked Qi and Qin to tell Chu to stop besieging Song. Chu, which had to protect Wey and Cao under its alliance, refused. This caused Qi and Qin to resent Chu, and Chu also turned its attention to Wey and Cao rather than attacking Song. Seeing that the war situation was going against him, King Cheng of Chu retreated to his home country. However, Ziyu remained, despite incurring King Cheng's wrath, and offered to Jin, "If Jin forgives Wey and Cao, Chu will also forgive Song." Jin took advantage of this and generously forgave Wey and Cao, who then broke their alliances with Chu and became friendly with Jin. Enraged by this, Ziyu attacked the Jin army. In the Battle of Chengpu, the Jin army led by Xian Zhen defeated the Chu army led by Ziyu. After Hu Yan died, Xian Zhen became a minister. In 628 BC, Duke Wen of Jin died and Duke Xiang ascended to the throne. In 627 BC, Duke Mu of Qin invaded Jin. Xian Zhen defeated the Qin army at the Battle of Xiao and captured three generals. After that, Wen Ying, who was a concubine of Duke Wen of Jin, also a daughter of Duke Mu of Qin, entreated Duke Xiang of Jin to release the three generals. Her entreaty was accepted by Duke Xiang of Jin and the three generals were released and went back to Qin later. When Xian Zhen heard that the Qin generals were released, he was very angry because the merits of the generals and soldiers in the battle were being ignored, so he ran to blame Duke Xiang of Jin. In his anger, Xian Zhen snapped and spat in the Duke's face. In the same year, Di in the north invaded the State of Jin. Xian Zhen again led his army to fight the enemy and defeated the Di army. After winning the battle, Xian Zhen punished himself for being disrespectful to Duke Xiang of Jin, so he took off his armor and helmet and rushed into the crowd of Di army and died.