He Qia

He Qia (died between 228 and 233 ), courtesy name Yangshi, was a Chinese official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was known for his austere lifestyle.

Early life He Qia was born in Xiping County , Runan Commandery (汝南郡), Yu Province, which is present-day Xiping County, Henan. In the 190s, the warlord Yuan Shao sent ambassadors to Runan Commandery inviting the gentry and nobility to join his cause. Yu Province was an area of contention between Yuan Shao and his half-brother Yuan Shu, so He Qia feared staying, but he did not want to serve under a man such as Yuan Shao, whose ambition He Qia felt exceeded his capability.

Instead, He Qia brought his family south to Jing Province to serve the provincial governor Liu Biao, whom He Qia considered to be a kind lord without higher ambition. Crossing the Yangtze river, he settled in at Wuling Commandery (武陵郡) in present-day Changde, Hunan.

Service under Cao Cao In the late 190s, Cao Cao gained control over parts of Jing Province, and He Qia found employment in his administration.

In 213, after Emperor Xian enfeoffed Cao Cao as the Duke of Wei , He Qia served as a Palace Attendant in Cao Cao's court. He unsuccessfully defended Mao Jie against rumours that Mao slandered Cao Cao. Correspondence on the matter between He Qia and Cao Cao has survived and has been preserved in the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Due to the rumours, Mao Jie was forced to commit suicide in 216.

Later career He Qia received successive promotions under Cao Cao and Cao Pi, rising to the position of Minister of the Household , the most important personnel manager of the Wei court. Under Cao Rui, he was granted 200 taxable households in his marquisate as the Marquis of Xiling District .

Late in life, He Qia reversed his position on asceticism and began living a greatly curtailed lifestyle. After he was promoted to the prestigious position of Minister of Ceremonies ), He You's son, served as Junior Protector of the Crown Prince for Sima Yu of the Western Jin dynasty; nephew of Xiahou Xuan He Yu (和郁; died between July and September 311), He You's son, served as Director of the Imperial Secretariat under the Western Jin dynasty He Ji , He Yu's son, served as a Palace Writer Attendant under the Western Jin dynasty