Xiahou Xuan was a leading official of Cao Wei. Wikidata uses Xiahou Xuan as his name. The Records of the Three Kingdoms say his courtesy name was Taichu and that he was the son of Xiahou Shang, so the title stays the personal name. This entry records his life as 209 to 254.[1][3]
Early career
He was famous young and, just after capping, became a mounted gentleman attendant of the yellow gate. Once, at an audience, he was seated with Mao Zeng, the empress's brother. He felt ashamed and did not hide it. Emperor Ming resented this and demoted him to supervisor of the feathered forest. At the start of Zhengshi, Cao Shuang held the regency. Xiahou Xuan was the son of Cao Shuang's paternal aunt and rose to mounted attendant and capital guard. He sent the grand tutor Sima Yi three discussions of the time: separating selection of officials from local reputation and from the secretariat's assessment, simplifying local posts and inspection, and reforming dress so as to check luxury. Sima Yi replied that the proposals were excellent but hard to impose on settled habit, and should wait for an able man. Xiahou Xuan wrote back that the moment to change was not a moment to wait.[3]
The western command and the fall
He was soon made general who campaigns in the west, with credentials to supervise military affairs in Yong and Liang provinces. With Cao Shuang he launched the campaign through Luogu, and contemporaries mocked it. After Cao Shuang was killed, Xiahou Xuan was summoned as grand herald and, some years later, moved to the ministry of ceremonies. He was unhappy at the suppression of Cao Shuang's party. Li Feng, director of the secretariat, outwardly close to Sima Shi, privately joined the empress's father Zhang Ji and planned to make Xiahou Xuan regent. In the second month of the sixth year of Jiaping they meant to kill the general-in-chief when a noble lady was received and the palace gates were under restricted troops, and to put Xiahou Xuan in his place. Sima Shi heard something of the plot, summoned Li Feng, and killed him when he came unaware. Xiahou Xuan, Zhang Ji, Su Shuo, Yue Dun and Liu Xian were sent to the commandant of justice.[3]
Execution
The Records say his capacity was broad. When he was taken to the eastern market for execution his color did not change and his movements stayed composed. He was forty-six. In the Zhengyuan era the heirs of meritorious officials were restored, and Xiahou Ben, a junior descendant of Xiahou Shang, was made Marquis of Changling so as to continue Xiahou Shang's sacrifices.[3]