Yang Biao

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Yang Biao (Chinese: 楊彪; pinyin: Yáng Biāo; 142–225), courtesy name Wenxian (文先), was a Chinese scholar and official who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Known for his moral rectitude and classical scholarship, he served as one of the Three Excellencies and held senior roles under the warlords Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Cao Cao. He was also a contributor to the compilation of the now-lost Dongguan Hanji (東觀漢記), and the father of Yang Xiu.

Yang Biao was born in 142 in Hongnong Commandery (弘農郡), present-day Lingbao, Henan. He came from the prestigious Yang clan of Hongnong, a prominent lineage that produced many notable officials.^[1][2] His father was Yang Ci (楊賜), who served as Minister Steward and Minister of the Household.

Yang Biao refused all offers of official nomination until 177 CE.^[2] That year, he joined the group of scholars working on the official Han history project at the Dongguan (Eastern Library), contributing to the compilation of the Dongguan Hanji (東觀漢記). He was later appointed as Intendant of Jingzhao (京兆尹) in 179.^[2]

In 189 CE, the warlord Dong Zhuo promoted Yang Biao to the position of Excellency (one of the Three Excellencies), but dismissed him the following year in 190.^[2] He returned to office in 192 CE as an Excellency under Li Jue, only to be dismissed again in 193. In 194, he was appointed **Grand Commandant** (太尉), the highest military-administrative role in the Han government.

Yang Biao protested when Li Jue forcibly seized the emperor in 195 CE and was taken hostage by Guo Si. When he remonstrated again, he was nearly executed.^[2]

Later that year, he accompanied the emperor Liu Xie in his escape from Chang'an, helping to secure the loyalty of General Duan Wei in Hongnong by vouching for the emperor’s authority.^[2]

In 197, Yang Biao was imprisoned by Cao Cao, allegedly due to the fact that his wife was the sister of the warlord Yuan Shu, and possibly also because of political friction with Yuan Shao.^[2] He was interrogated by Man Chong, who found no wrongdoing and released him.

Cao Cao dismissed him in 205, and the family’s marquisate was abolished in 206.^[2] When Cao Cao executed Yang Biao’s son, Yang Xiu, in 219 for perceived disloyalty, Yang Biao reportedly confronted his son for showing sorrow,^[clarify] perhaps fearing political consequences.^[3][4]

After the Han dynasty was formally ended in 220 by Cao Pi, Yang Biao was invited to serve again as Grand Commandant under the newly declared Cao Wei regime. He refused, stating that he had already failed to serve the Han adequately and could not in good conscience serve its usurpers.^[2]

In his final years, Yang Biao focused on scholarly pursuits and worked to complete the historical compilation of the Dongguan Hanji, though the work itself was later lost.^[2]

Yang Biao was known for his classical learning and historical scholarship. In addition to his contributions to the Dongguan Hanji, he reportedly began composing a History of the Later Han (後漢書), but the work did not survive and was not cited by later historians such as Fan Ye, who compiled the extant Book of the Later Han.^[5]

• Father: Yang Ci (楊賜), a high-ranking official
• Son: Yang Xiu, adviser to Cao Cao, executed in 219 CE

Yang Biao died in 225 at the age of 83. He was remembered as a principled and dignified official, respected for his service to the Han during its decline. Though overshadowed in fame by his son, his scholarly legacy and loyalty to the Han were noted by later historians.

• Yang Xiu (Han dynasty)
• Three Excellencies (Han dynasty)
• Yang clan of Hongnong