Xiahou Mao - Biography

Biography

Xiahou Mao was a close friend of Cao Pi, and after Cao Pi became emperor, he named Xiahou Mao as "General who Stabilizes the West" (安西将军), succeeding his father to take charge of Guanzhong, stationed in Chang'an (present day Xi'an). In terms of military talent, Xiahou Mao was alleged to be far from his capable father, and according to Weilüe, these allegations of incompetence even reached Shu Han, where the general Wei Yan sought to exploit Xiahou Mao's incompetence by sending an unexpected army across difficult terrain. The plan was rejected by Zhuge Liang.

In 228, Cao Rui personally led reinforcement to strengthen the local defense against Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, and removed Xiahou Mao from his command and reassigned him to a civilian job in the imperial court as Imperial Secretariat (尚书). However, Xiahou Mao became slandered by his own wife and younger brothers: Xiahou Dun's third and fourth sons Xiahou Zizang (夏侯子臧) and Xiahou Zijiang (夏侯子江).

Xiahou Mao's younger brothers had constantly misbehaved and abused their powers, and Xiahou Mao disciplined them repeatedly. The younger brothers hated Xiahou Mao for disciplining them and plotted against him by accusing Xiahou Mao of slandering. The younger brothers found an ally, their sister-in-law, Princess Qinghe, who was extremely jealous and upset that Xiahou Mao was keeping numerous concubines and found the opportunity to retaliate by joining her younger brothers-in-law. As a result, Xiahou Mao was arrested and was to be executed by Cao Rui. Xiahou Mao was saved when a military official in the imperial court, Duan Mo (段默), requested Cao Rui to investigate the matter further because it was extremely unlike for Xiahou Mao to commit such a serious crime. Cao Rui listened and indeed, investigation revealed that the charges were false. As a result, Xiahou Mao was released from jail and he reassumed the post of Imperial Secretariat.