Qin and Han · Chu general who advised Xiang Liang

Song Yi 宋義

Sòng Yì

Attested BC 207

Passages: 6
Chapters: 2
Histories: 2

Overview

Song Yi was a Chu general who advised Xiang Liang.

Life and dates

Death

Killed · Killed by Xiang Yu (項羽) · At by the river 河上
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 91, passage 20

Attested activity

BC 207 北救趙時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 91, passages 19-20

Key source chapters

Book of Han, Chapter 1 Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 4 passages
Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 91 Biography of Qing Bu 2 passages

Career and standing

supreme commander 上將
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 91, passage 19
Supreme Commander
Directly stated · Book of Han 1, passage 148

References in the histories

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 4 passages

宋義諫，不聽。 Song Yi advised against it, but Xiang Liang did not listen.

趙數請救，懷王乃以宋義為上將，項羽為次將，范增為末將，北救趙。 Zhao repeatedly requested rescue, so King Huai appointed Song Yi as supreme commander, Xiang Yu as deputy commander, and Fan Zeng as rear commander, to go north and rescue Zhao.

十一月，項羽殺宋義，并其兵渡河，自立為上將軍，諸將黥布等皆屬。 In the eleventh month, Xiang Yu killed Song Yi and took his troops, crossed the river, and established himself as supreme commander. Generals like Ying Bu and others all came under his command.

羽矯殺卿子冠軍，自尊，罪二也。 Xiang Yu forged orders and killed Lord Champion of the Lords Song Yi, then exalted himself. This is crime two.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 91Biography of Qing Bu · 2 passages

懷王使宋義為上將，范曾為末將，項籍為次將，英在、蒲將軍皆為將軍，悉屬宋義，北救趙。 King Huai appointed Song Yi as supreme commander, Fan Zeng as rear general, and Xiang Ji as deputy commander. Ying Bu and General Pu were both given generalships, and all were placed under Song Yi's authority with orders to march north and relieve Zhao.

及項籍殺宋義於河上，懷王因立籍為上將軍，諸將皆屬項籍。 When Xiang Ji killed Song Yi by the river, King Huai thereupon appointed Ji as supreme commander, and all the generals were placed under his authority.