MUZIChinese Matrix
Writers › Writer / Poet
Late Eastern Han scion of the Yang clan of Hongnong, Cao Cao's quick-witted registrar, executed amid the succession rivalry between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi.
In a study at night, a desk holds a brush pot, a porcelain vase with a plum branch, a lit red lantern, a folded fan and an unrolled blank scroll, with no one seated there, while through a round window the moon rises over a lake with a sailboat.
Also known as Zi Dezu · Yang Dezu
Yang Xiu, courtesy name Dezu, came from Huayin in Hongnong and was the son of the Grand Commandant Yang Biao. Learned and brilliant, he served as registrar to the chancellor Cao Cao and became a close ally of Cao Zhi, drawing him into the contest over the succession. In 219 Cao Cao had him executed, aged forty-four by Western count, for leaking instructions and colluding with the princes. A New Account of Tales of the World credits him with decoding the riddle on the Cao E stele as 'supreme and exquisite words' before Cao Cao could. Cao Zhi's Letter to Yang Dezu is addressed to him.
HanYang Xiu, courtesy name Dezu and son of Yang Biao, was fond of learning and quick of talent. He served Chancellor Cao Cao as registrar and managed affairs for the Cao house, and was later put to death by Cao Cao over an incident. He was a great-grandson of Yang Zhen and a grandson of Yang Ci.
Yang Xiu's writings comprised rhapsodies, eulogies, stele texts, encomia, poems, laments, memorials, records and letters, fifteen pieces in all; he was described as a man of fine talent who loved learning, and the text quotes the remark that though Xiu was a man of talent he had spoiled the simple standard.
