| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 楚顷襄王, 楚頃襄王, Chǔ Qǐngxiāng Wáng |
| Other name | Sở Khoảnh Tương Vương |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 329 BC |
| Birth Place | Yingdu, State of Chu (楚国郢都; Sính đô, nước Sở) |
| Died | 263 BC |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | State of Chu (Warring States Period) |
King Qingxiang of Chu (楚顷襄王, Sở Khoảnh Tương vương; personal name Xiong Heng 熊横; reigned 298–263 BC), was the monarch of the State of Chu during the tragic climax of the Warring States period, son of King Huai of Chu (King Huai of Chu) and Queen Zheng Xiu (Zheng Xiu).
Ascending the throne after his father was deceitfully captured and died in Qin captivity, King Qingxiang proved weak, hedonistic, and blind to loyal counsel. Surrounded by sycophants Zilan and Jin Shang, he banished the immortal patriotic poet Qu Yuan to the barren south. In despair at the dynastic collapse, Qu Yuan drowned himself in the Miluo River in 278 BC. That same year, Qin general Bai Qi stormed and sacked the ancestral Chu capital of Ying (郢都), burning the imperial tombs at Yiling and forcing King Qingxiang to flee east to Chen, permanently shattering Chu’s ancient grandeur.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 84, Biography of Qu Yuan): “King Qingxiang banished Qu Yuan to Jiangnan; Qu Yuan wandered the riverbanks with disheveled hair, weeping: ‘The world is muddy, but I am clean; all men are drunk, but I alone am sober!’ He cast himself into the Miluo, and Bai Qi burned Ying.”
King Qingxiang of Chu — Historical & Literary Timeline
298 BC
Accession in Ying
Succeeds while King Huai is held hostage in Qin.
c. 280s BC
Banishment of Qu Yuan
Listens to slanders from Zilan and exiles Qu Yuan to the southern marshes.
278 BC
The Sack of Ying & Suicide of Qu Yuan
Bai Qi captures Ying; Qu Yuan drowns in Miluo; King Qingxiang flees to Chen.
263 BC
Passing in Chen
Dies after thirty-six years of tragic reign; succeeded by King Kaolie.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father King Huai of Chu (King Huai): Died in Qin captivity.
- Mother Queen Zheng Xiu (郑袖): Infamous scheming queen of Chu.
- Son King Kaolie of Chu (楚考烈王): Successor king who patronized Lord Chunshen.
Friends
- Corrupt Kinsman Zilan (子兰): Lord who urged the exile of Qu Yuan.
Enemies
- Patriotic Martyr Qu Yuan (屈原, Khuất Nguyên): Immortal poet who drowned in the Miluo River.
- Qin Conqueror Bai Qi (白起 – Lord Wu’an): Sacked Ying and burned Chu’s royal tombs.
Other
- Allied Chancellor Lord Chunshen (Huang Xie): Later guided Chu in Chen.
In Shiji
The Fall of Ying
"The smoke of Ying rose to the clouds; the river wept as the songs of Chu turned to lamentation."
Cultural Significance
The tragic events of King Qingxiang's reign birthed China's Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival), commemorating Qu Yuan's ultimate sacrifice for his lost homeland.
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