during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlords
(later the founding emperor of Shu Han) in the late Eastern Han dynasty. In 243, Xiang Lang resigned and spent the remaining years of his life reading, writing, proofreading and editing various classical texts. By the time of his death in 247, he was one of the foremost book collectors of his time and a major source of influence for many later scholars. He was an uncle of the Shu general Xiang Chong.
Early career
Xiang Lang was from Xiangyang Commandery, Jing Province and was born in Yicheng, Hubei. In his youth, Xiang Lang was a student of Sima Hui alongside Han Song, Pang Tong, Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang. Among them, all were close and friendly. Known for his intelligence, he was appointed as the Chief of Linju County by Liu Biao. Upon Liu Biao's death, Xiang Lang went to serve under Liu Bei.
Service under Liu Bei
After Liu Bei conquered the lands south of the Yangtze River, he put Xiang Lang in charge of all military and civil affairs of Mushan, Yidao, Yiling and Zigui counties. After Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from Liu Zhang in 214, he appointed Xiang Lang as the Administrator of Baxi Commandery. Later, Xiang Lang was reassigned to serve as the Administrator of Zangke Commandery and then as the Administrator of Fangling Commandery.
Service under Liu Shan
In 223, after Liu Shan succeeded his father Liu Bei as the emperor of Shu, he appointed Xiang Lang as a Colonel of Infantry and as Chief Clerk to the Imperial Chancellor, Zhuge Liang. In 225, when Zhuge Liang led the Shu forces on a campaign to pacify rebellions in the Nanzhong region, he left Xiang Lang in charge of domestic affairs at Shu's imperial capital, Chengdu.
In 228, when Zhuge Liang led Shu forces on the first of a series of campaigns against Shu's rival state, Cao Wei, he brought Xiang Lang along and left him in charge of the Shu base at Hanzhong Commandery. The Shu vanguard, led by Ma Su, suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Jieting against Wei forces led by Zhang He. Xiang Lang received news of Ma Su's defeat before Zhuge Liang did, but due to his friendship with Ma Su, he did not report it to Zhuge Liang. Later, after Zhuge Liang found out, he was so furious that he dismissed Xiang Lang and sent him back to Chengdu.
Some years later, Xiang Lang returned to serve in the Shu government as Minister of the Household. In 234, after Zhuge Liang's death, Liu Shan promoted Xiang Lang to the position of General of the Left and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Xianming Village in recognition of his past contributions.
When he was young, even if he didn't study the fundamentals Xiang Lang did study diligently through literature and for his ability as an official received many praises. From the moment he was dismissed from his office as Chief Clerk, he observed, traveled and reflected without personal affairs for almost thirty years. He concentrated his mind and heart on the collection of records working assiduously and never slacking. When he was more than eighty years old, still he would check personally each documents and would correct and check any errors from his own hands. He collected many books, volumes and scrolls and at the time disposed of the largest library. He would welcome any guests and would teach and receive many of the later generations but only to debate over ancient principles and not speaking about the current affairs. For this, he was respected from those still in office to those not yet scholars. Whatever the status, all honored him. He died in 247.
Xiàng Tiáo
Xiang Lang's son, Xiàng Tiáo (向條) succeeded him and during Shu Han Jingyao (景耀; 258–263) became Censorate Central Deputy.
The Xiangyang Ji records that Xiang Lang last words to his son were :
It also states that Xiàng Tiáo courtesy name was Wenbao (文豹) was famous for his wide study and tallented, he later joined the Jin government as the Administrator of Jiangyang and Major of the South Central Army.
Xiang Lang (died 247), courtesy name Juda, was an official and scholar of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under the warlords Liu Biao and Liu Bei (later the founding emperor of Shu Han) in the late Eastern Han dynasty. In 243, Xiang Lang resigned and spent the remaining years of his life reading, writing, proofreading and editing various classical texts. By the time of his death in 247, he was one of the foremost book collectors of his time and a major source of influence for many later scholars. He was an uncle of the Shu general Xiang Chong.