Jiang Qin was from Shouchun County, Jiujiang Commandery, which is in present-day Shou County, Anhui. He served as an Attendant under Sun Ce when Sun Ce gained independence from the warlord Yuan Shu. When Sun Ce crossed the Yangtze River to start his conquests of the territories in the Jiangdongregion, Jiang Qin was appointed as a Major of Separate Command and placed in command of some troops. He accompanied Sun Ce on the campaigns and assisted in the conquest of Yuzhang Commandery. He was later reassigned to be the Commandant of Geyang and was placed in charge of three counties. During his tenure, he defeated some bandits and was promoted to Commandant of the West. When Lü He and Qin Lang led an uprising in the five eastern counties in Kuaiji Commandery, Jiang Qin led his troops to fight them and succeeded in pacifying the five counties and capturing the two rebel leaders. For his achievement, he was promoted to General of the Household Who Attacks the Yue and placed in charge of Jingqu and Zhaoyang counties. Jiang Qin later led 10,000 troops to assist He Qi in suppressing a rebellion in You County.
Service under Sun Quan
Jiang Qin participated in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214-215. When his lord, Sun Quan, came under attack by the enemy general Zhang Liao at Xiaoyao Ford, Jiang Qin fought bravely to protect Sun Quan and succeeded in buying time for Sun Quan to escape to safety. He was promoted to General Who Defeats Bandits and Area Commander of Ruxu for his achievements. He was later recalled to the Wu capital and was commissioned as Right Protector of the Army and given additional responsibilities in the judiciary. In 219, Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to lead an army to invadeJing Province when its defender, Guan Yu, was away at the Battle of Fancheng. Jiang Qin participated in the campaign and led a naval force at Mian. However, after the victory, Jiang Qin fell sick and died on the way back to Wu. Sun Quan personally donned mourning attire when he attended Jiang Qin's funeral. He also gave 200 taxable households and of land in Wuhu to Jiang Qin's family.
Anecdotes
Sun Quan's home visit
Sun Quan once visited Jiang Qin's house and saw that Jiang's mother had only a light bed-curtain and cotton blankets, while Jiang's wife and concubines wore only simple cloth dresses. Sun Quan was so impressed with Jiang Qin's frugality that he ordered his own household to make silk blankets for Jiang's mother and exchange her curtains for better ones. Jiang Qin's wife and concubines also received silk and embroidered garments.
Once, when Jiang Qin was stationed in Xuancheng County and was out fighting rebels in Yuzhang Commandery, Xu Sheng, who was then the Prefect of Wuhu, arrested an officer under Jiang Qin and requested for permission from Sun Quan to have the officer executed. As Jiang Qin was away at that time, Sun Quan denied the request. Xu Sheng had since estranged himself from Jiang Qin. Later, during the Battle of Ruxu in 217, Jiang Qin and Lü Meng were put in charge of military discipline. Xu Sheng was constantly worried that Jiang Qin would find fault with him, but, much to his surprise, Jiang praised him instead, and Xu was very impressed by Jiang's virtuous behaviour. Jiang Qin became more highly regarded after this incident. Sun Quan later asked Jiang Qin, "Xu Sheng offended you earlier on, but yet now you praise him. You wish to emulate Qi Xi, don't you?" Jiang Qin replied, "I heard that one should not let his personal feuds affect his official duties. Xu Sheng is loyal and hardworking, possesses both courage and talent, and is capable of leading thousands of troops. Now, we've yet to accomplish our great task, so I should help to scout for and recommend talents to serve the state instead of letting my private problems cloud my judgment." Sun Quan was very pleased.
Descendants
Jiang Qin's son, Jiang Yi, received the title "Marquis of Xuancheng" and fought at the Battle of Xiaoting in 221-222 against Liu Bei's forces. He was later dispatched to Nan Commandery to join in the Battle of Jiangling but was killed in service of Wu. Jiang Yi had no son so his military post was inherited by his younger brother, Jiang Xiu. Jiang Xiu was later discharged from service for committing an offence.
