| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 姜母, 姜母, Jiāng Mǔ |
| Nickname | Mother of Jiang Wei |
| Other name | Khương mẫu |
| INFORMATION | |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Children | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Han Dynasty / Cao Wei |
| Battles | Tianshui Campaign (228 AD) |
Biography & Historical Record
Madam Jiang (姜母, Khương mẫu) was a noble matriarch of the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period from Ji County, Tianshui Commandery (present-day Qinzhou District, Tianshui, Gansu Province), and the mother of the premier Shu Han general Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy). Widowed at a young age when her husband Jiang Jiong (姜冏) died heroically in battle quelling regional tribal rebellions, she raised Jiang Wei independently along the rugged Northwest frontier, instilling in him deep classical learning and military strategy.
In 228 AD, during Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng)‘s First Northern Expedition, Grand Administrator Ma Miao abandoned Jiang Wei out of suspicion, forcing Jiang Wei to defect to Shu Han. Following the retreat after the loss at Jieting, Jiang Wei was separated from his mother, who remained in Cao Wei territory. Madam Jiang sent her son a letter containing the medicinal herb Yuanzhi (遠志, representing high ambition and a call to return home). Jiang Wei famously replied by sending back the herb Danggui (當歸, meaning “where one belongs”), declaring that he had found his true lord and would fulfill filial piety through ultimate loyalty to his cause. Understanding her son’s noble resolution, Madam Jiang supported his lifelong path and lived peacefully in Tianshui under Cao Wei jurisdiction.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 93 (Jiang Wei Yields to Zhuge Liang; Zhuge Liang Reviles Wang Lang to Death): When Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) devises a scheme to capture Tianshui, he captures Jicheng where Madam Jiang (姜母, Khương mẫu) resides. To win over Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy), Zhuge Liang ensures that his mother is treated with utmost honor and protection. Deeply moved by Zhuge Liang’s righteousness and filial care for his mother, Jiang Wei surrenders to Shu Han, dedicating his entire life to continuing Zhuge Liang’s legacy.
Madam Jiang (姜母) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Early 3rd Century AD
Widowed Mother in Tianshui
Single-handedly raises Jiang Wei in Ji County following the heroic death of her husband Jiang Jiong.
228 AD / Ch. 93
Defection and Separation
Separated from Jiang Wei after Zhuge Liang’s First Northern Expedition; protected with honor by Shu forces in Jicheng.
228 AD
Exchange of Letters and Herbs
Sends Jiang Wei the Yuanzhi herb; receives Danggui in response, accepting his unyielding loyalty to Shu Han.
After 228 AD
Peaceful Life in Tianshui
Resides unmolested in Cao Wei territory, spared from punishment as authorities recognize Jiang Wei’s forced defection.
See Sanguozhi 44 (Biography of Jiang Wei) and Jiang Wei.
Key Relationships
Family
- Son Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy): Grand General of Shu Han who led nine northern expeditions against Wei.
- Husband Jiang Jiong (姜冏, Khương Quýnh): Han officer who died heroically in battle quelling frontier uprisings.
Friends
- Local gentry and scholar-official families of Ji County, Tianshui Commandery.
Enemies
- Tribal insurgents whose rebellions claimed her husband’s life in Tianshui.
Other
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Prime Minister of Shu Han who treated Madam Jiang with great respect during the Tianshui campaign.
- Ma Miao (马邈, Mã Mẫn): Grand Administrator of Tianshui whose suspicion forced Jiang Wei’s surrender in 228 AD.
In Novel
Chapter 93
- Madam Jiang (姜母, Khương mẫu): Protected by Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) at Jicheng during the Tianshui campaign. Zhuge Liang's filial respect and protection toward her convince Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy) to submit to Shu Han, establishing an unbreakable bond between master and disciple.
In History
Summary
- Madam Jiang (姜母, Khương mẫu) was the mother of Jiang Wei from Tianshui who exchanged the famous Yuanzhi and Danggui herbs with her son following his defection to Shu Han in 228 AD.
Year: 228 AD
- Sanguozhi 44 records her letter to Jiang Wei urging his return with the Yuanzhi herb, and Jiang Wei's resolute reply sending back the Danggui herb to confirm his allegiance to Shu Han.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi 44 (Shu Book 14, Biography of Jiang Wei); Wai Shu (Book of Wei). Chen Shou highlights her story as an enduring example of maternal devotion and moral fortitude.
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