Qiao Xuan (110 – 6 June 184), courtesy name Gongzu, was an official who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. Family background Qiao Xuan was born in the Eastern Han dynasty during the reign of Emperor An ( 106–125 CE). He was from Suiyang County () in the Liang State (梁國; south of present-day Shangqiu, Henan) and came from a scholar-gentry background. His ancestor, Qiao Ren (), who lived seven generations before him, served as a Minister Herald () during the reign of Emperor Cheng ( 33–7 BCE). Qiao Ren, who was nicknamed "Scholar Qiao" (), also wrote 49 volumes of the Li Ji Zhangju (禮記章句; Verses from the Book of Rites). Qiao Xuan's grandfather, Qiao Ji (), served as the Administrator () of Guangling Commandery (), while Qiao Xuan's father, Qiao Su (), served as the Administrator of Donglai Commandery (). Early career In his youth, Qiao Xuan served as an Officer of Merit () in the local county office. When Zhou Jing (), the Inspector () of Yu Province, visited the Liang State, Qiao Xuan reported to him the crimes of Yang Chang (), the Chancellor () of the Chen State (陳國; around present-day Zhoukou, Henan). Zhou Jing ordered Qiao Xuan to conduct an investigation so Qiao Xuan detained Yang Chang and wrote a thorough list of Yang Chang's offences. The general Liang Ji, an influential figure in the central government, favoured Yang Chang, so he wrote an urgent letter to Zhou Jing, asking him to release Yang Chang. Zhou Jing feared Liang Ji so he obliged and instructed Qiao Xuan to free Yang Chang. However, Qiao Xuan returned the letter and ordered his men to escort Yang Chang as a prisoner to the imperial capital, Luoyang. Qiao Xuan became famous after this incident. Qiao Xuan was later nominated as a xiaolian and appointed as a Left Commandant () in Luoyang. His superior, the Intendant of Henan (), was Liang Ji's brother, Liang Buyi (). Liang Buyi made life difficult for Qiao Xuan because of Yang Chang's case and often found excuses to humiliate Qiao Xuan. Qiao Xuan eventually resigned and returned to his hometown. Mid career Qiao Xuan later became the Chancellor () of the Qi State (齊國; around present-day Zibo, Shandong). On one occasion, he committed an offence and stripped of his post and sent to perform hard labour. After serving his sentence, he