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Xin Qiji

Type Figure Region Southern Song Time 1140–1207 Also known as You'an、Jiaxuan、Jiaxuan Lay Buddhist

Xin Qiji (1140–1207), style name You'an, sobriquet Jiaxuan, was a famous Southern Song ci poet and general.…

Timeline

  1. 1140–1162Licheng · Shandong East CircuitBorn in Licheng under Jin rule, in the 31st year of Shaoxing (1161) he gathered followers to resist the Jin, later joining Geng Jing's uprising. In the 32nd year of Shaoxing he returned to the Song court, was received by Emperor Xiaozong, and submitted the 'Ten Discourses on Beautiful Celery' and 'Nine Discussions,' advocating an active northern expedition and displaying his ambition combining civil and military talents.
  2. 1163–1171Jiangxi · Jiangnan West CircuitDuring the Qiandao era he held successive posts in Jiangxi, Hubei, and elsewhere, suppressing rebellions and tightening administration, his ci reputation gradually growing. Because his views clashed with the court's peace faction his career was troubled, yet his ambition to recover the Central Plains never wavered.
  3. 1172–1180Changsha Prefecture · Changsha PrefectureFrom the third year of Chunxi (1176) he served as Hunan Pacification Commissioner, creating the Flying Tiger Army at Tanzhou and recruiting two thousand men to garrison central Hunan, a major step in building strong local forces for the Southern Song. Ci of this period such as 'Water Dragon Chant — Climbing the Shangxin Pavilion in Jiankang' express unfulfilled ambitions; late in Chunxi he was impeached and dismissed over his memorials.
  4. 1181–1207Shangrao · XinzhouAfter dismissal he lived in retirement at Daihu and Piaoquan in Shangrao, establishing an estate and writing ci to express his feelings alongside the 'Ten Discourses on Beautiful Celery.' He died in the third year of Qingyuan (1207); his ci are collected in 'Jiaxuan Changduanju,' where haofang ci reached its zenith.

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