Bian Zhuangzi (卞莊子)

Overview

Bian Zhuangzi was a Warrior and Official.

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Alternate name	Bian Yanzi	弁嚴子	Bian Yanzi

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 600 春秋典故
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 47, passage 62
BC 600 to BC 550 有卞莊之威
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 89, passage 139

Key source chapters

References in the histories

Book of Han, Chapter 76Volume 65: Dongfang Shuo · 1 passage

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譬若以周、邵為丞相，孔丘為御史大夫，太公為將軍，畢公高拾遺於後，弁嚴子為衛尉，皋陶為大理，後稷為司農，伊尹為少府，子贛使外國，顏、閔為博士，子夏為太常，益為右扶風，季路為執金吾，契為鴻臚，龍逢為宗正，伯夷為京兆，管仲為馮翊，魯般為將作，仲山甫為光祿，申伯為太僕，延陵季子為水衡，百里奚為典屬國，柳下惠為大長秋，史魚為司直，蘧伯玉為太傅，孔父為詹事，孫叔敖為諸侯相，子產為郡守，王慶忌為期門，夏育為鼎官，羿為旄頭，宋萬為式道候。」 Imagine the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao as your chancellors; Confucius as chief censor; the Grand Duke as commander; Duke Bi Gao as court remonstrant; Bian Zhuangzi as captain of the guard; Gao Yao as chief judge; Hou Ji as minister of agriculture; Yi Yin as palace treasurer; Zigong as foreign envoy; Yan Hui and Min Ziqian as court scholars; Zixia as master of rites; Yi as western capital intendant; Zilu as capital commandant; Xie as master of guest ceremonies; Guan Longpeng as keeper of the imperial genealogy; the minister Boyi as metropolitan governor; Guan Zhong as northern capital intendant; Lu Ban as chief engineer; Zhong Shanfu as palace chamberlain; the Earl of Shen as master of the horse; Prince Jizi of Yanling as keeper of parks and waters; Baili Xi as commissioner for dependent peoples; Liuxia Hui as chamberlain to the empress; Shi Yu as censor of conduct; Qu Boyu as grand tutor; Kong Fu as supervisor of the heir apparent's household; Sunshu Ao as chancellor to the feudal lords; Zichan as commandery governor; Prince Qingji as a palace gate guard; Xia Yu as cauldron officer; Yi the Archer as vanguard officer; and Song Wan as road-clearing scout."

Book of Han, Chapter 89Volume 78: Xiao Wangzhi · 1 passage

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朋奏記望之曰：「將軍體周、召之德，秉公綽之質，有卞莊之威。 Zheng Peng submitted a note to Wangzhi, saying, "General, you embody the virtue of the Dukes of Zhou and Shao, possess the character of Meng Gongchuo, and command the awe of Bian Zhuang.

Book of Han, Chapter 91Volume 80: The Six Sons of Emperors Xuan and Yuan · 1 passage

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子高素有顏、冉之資，臧武之智，子貢之辯，卞莊子之勇，兼此四者，世之所鮮。 You have Yan Hui’s and Ran Boniu’s gifts, Zang Wuzhong’s wit, Zigong’s tongue, and Bian Zhuangzi’s nerve—four virtues seldom met in one man.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 47Volume 47 Biographies 28: Wang Rong, Xie Tiao · 1 passage

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於是風土之思深，愎戾之情動，拂衣者連裾，抽鋒者比鏃，部落爭于下，酋渠危於上，我一舉而兼吞，卞莊之勢必也。 Then homesickness would run deep, rebellious passions would stir; men brushing their robes would stand shoulder to shoulder, men drawing blades would stand arrow to arrow; tribes would fight below and chiefs would totter above—and we with one stroke would take them all, as Bian Zhuangzi took both tigers.