[ Rebelled against the Han for over thirty years until he was defeated by Xiahou Yuan.
Officer Details
Wade-Giles: Sung Chien
Simplified Chinese: 宋建
Pronunciation: Song4 Jian4
Cantonese (Yale): Sung Gin
Cantonese (Jyutpin): Sung Gin
Min-Nan: Song Kian
Birthplace: Fuhan
Rank and Titles
King of the Sources of the River Who Will Pacify Han
Literary Appearances
Sanguozhi: Wei 1, Wei 9, Wei 15, Wei 17, Wei 28
Hou Han shu: 9, 72
Zizhi tongjian: 67
Biography
Song Jian was a man from either Longxi or Fuhan who participated in the Liang rebellion on the side of the insurgents. Xiandi Chunqiu states that he might have been of Yuezhi stock (like Beigong Boyu). His exact role in the revolt against the Han is unclear. After the Han general Huangfu Song inflicted a devastating defeat on the forces of Liang, the rebellion was greatly weakened. However, three main leaders emerged in the West led by Song Jian, Han Sui and Ma Teng. Song Jian declared himself “King of the Sources of the River Who Will Pacify Han” and continued to keep independence for several decades. He set up reign titles and followed Han customs. His territory encompassed Didao and Lintao, with his capital at Fuhan. Eventually, Cao Cao’s general Xiahou Yuan attacked Fuhan and defeated Song Jian. Song Jian and his ministers were put to death.
Source: Dr. Rafe de Crespigny’s Biographical Dictionary and Gustav Haloun’s The Liangzhou Rebellion