Song Xian

Song Xian was a military general serving under the warlord Lü Bu during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. In 198, when Cao Cao besieged Lü Bu at the Battle of Xiapi, Song Xian and his colleagues Hou Cheng and Wei Xu kidnapped Lü Bu's chief advisor Chen Gong and defected to Cao Cao's side. Lü Bu was soon captured and executed as well.

In fiction

In chapter 19 of Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Song Xian's close friend and colleague Hou Cheng was flogged 50 times on Lü Bu's order for breaking the liquor ban. The disgruntled Hou then plotted with Song Xian and Wei Xu to betray Lü Bu to Cao Cao.

Under the cover of the night, Hou stole Lü Bu's steed Red Hare and galloped out of the city towards Cao Cao's camp. The next morning, Cao Cao's troops launched a fierce attack. Lü Bu had to personally take part in the defense of the walls. The battle dragged into high noon when at last the offensive subsided. The exhausted Lü then took a nap on top of the city gate. Taking the opportunity, Song Xian and Wei Xu tied Lü up and hoisted a white flag. The two also threw Lü's halberd down the wall as proof of allegiance. Seeing the signals, Cao Cao's troops then flocked into the city and seized it in no time.

In chapter 25, Song Xian was slain by Yuan Shao's general Yan Liang in a duel during the Battle of Boma. Wei Xu subsequently volunteered to avenge his old friend but was slain by Yan as well.

See also

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms

References

• Chen Shou (2002). San Guo Zhi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5. 
• Luo Guanzhong (1986). San Guo Yan Yi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80520-013-0. 
• Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3467-9.