A Study on the Authenticity of Zhong Yao's Xuanshi Biao

Abstract

  Zhong Yao's Xuanshi Biao cannot be considered authentic in terms of its calligraphic traces. But what about its text—might it be genuine? This article examines this question.

  Considering the sentiments behind Sun Quan's intention to become a vassal and the main argument of the Xuanshi Biao, which is to advocate the acceptance of his vassalage, and judging from the historical fact that, in the eighth month of Huangchu 2 (221), faced with Sun Quan's proposal of allegiance in the aftermath of Liu Bei's campaign to avenge the death of Guan Yu, Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, after court debates, resolved to accept it and invested Sun Quan as King of Wu, the Xuanshi Biao would appear to be the memorial (biao) submitted to Emperor Wen by Zhong Yao at this very moment. The debates over whether to accept Sun Quan's submission first took place in the inner court and later expanded to the outer court as well. The Xuanshi Biao presented by Zhong Yao, who was serving in the outer court at that time, was one of the arguments raised during the latter phase of the debate in the outer court.

  What deserves attention are two peculiar points in the text of the Xuanshi Biao: one is that it is not strictly in the official form of biao, and the other is that the form of address is not “his majesty” but “you.” They suggest that the Xuanshi Biao stands as an extension of personal correspondence to Cao Pi, crown prince of the state of Wei and 36 years younger than Zhong Yao, someone with whom he had a close teacher-student relationship. For this reason, it does not strictly follow the formal conventions of biao, but instead shows aspects of a private letter.

  From the above considerations, I conclude that the text of the Xuanshi Biao, with the two peculiar points as well as the subtle expressions of Zhong Yao's careful concern, should not be regarded as a forgery but rather as genuine.