Yin Kui 殷馗
| Occupation | RNOccultist | Faction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appears | RN | Biography in | |
| Born | Native place | Liaodong Commandery | |
| Existence | Historical | Mentions | R1 |
Profile
Yin Kui was a man of Liaodong versed in astronomy. The Records has no separate biography of him, and he is mentioned once, in the Annals of Emperor Wu. In the time of Emperor Huan, when a yellow star appeared in the field of Chu and Song, he said that fifty years later a True Man would arise between Liang and Pei whose spearhead none could withstand. Chen Shou wrote that the time when Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao in the 5th year of Jian'an (200) was exactly fifty years later. Records, Wei 1 §58 · 72
In the Romance he first appears in Chapter 31, and his name appears in 2 of its 120 chapters, Chapters 31 and 37; his name is in no chapter title. In both chapters he does not appear in person but only in the words of others. In Chapter 31 old men relay Yin Kui's prophecy to Cao Cao, and in Chapter 37 Sima Hui cites Yin Kui's words as the reason Yingchuan has so many worthy scholars. Romance, Ch. 31 §10–11Romance, Ch. 37 §10
In the Records
The Annals of Emperor Wu cite Yin Kui's words in recording the aftermath of the 10th month of winter in the 5th year of Jian'an (200), when Cao Cao defeated Chunyu Qiong and Yuan Shao's army collapsed. Earlier, in the time of Emperor Huan, a yellow star had appeared in the field of Chu and Song, and Yin Kui of Liaodong, who was versed in astronomy, had said that fifty years later a True Man would arise between Liang and Pei whose spearhead none could withstand. Chen Shou adds that by this time exactly fifty years had passed, and that when the Duke defeated Yuan Shao, no one in the realm could stand against him. Records, Wei 1 §58 · 68–72
In Chen Shou's main text Yin Kui appears only in this passage, and his courtesy name, office, and years of birth and death are not recorded. Records, Wei 1 §72
In the Romance
In Chapter 31 of the Romance, when Cao Cao deploys his victorious army along the river, the local people come out to welcome him with rice in bamboo baskets and drink in jars. Cao Cao invites several old men with entirely white hair and beards into his tent, gives them seats, and tells the old men, who say they are nearly a hundred years old, that he is very uneasy that his soldiers have alarmed their village. Romance, Ch. 31 §10
The old men relate that in the time of Emperor Huan, when a yellow star appeared in the field of Chu and Song, Yin Kui of Liaodong, who was versed in astronomy, stayed here one night and told them: 'A yellow star has appeared in the heavens and is shining right on this place. Fifty years from now a True Man will surely arise between Liang and Pei.' They say that counting the years, exactly fifty have now passed, and that the Chancellor's defeat of Yuan Shao's army of a million in the single battle of Guandu fulfills Yin Kui's words. Cao Cao laughs and asks how he could dare to live up to that, and sends the old men away with gifts of wine, food and silk. Romance, Ch. 31 §10–12
In Chapter 37, Sima Hui tells Liu Bei that Zhuge Liang is a close friend of four men: Cui Zhouping of Boling, Shi Guangyuan of Yingchuan, Meng Gongwei of Runan, and Xu Yuanzhi. When Liu Bei remarks on how many worthy men Yingchuan has, Sima Hui replies that long ago Yin Kui, who was skilled at observing the heavens, once said that the stars had gathered in the field of Yingchuan, so that land would surely have many worthy scholars. Romance, Ch. 37 §9–10
Where the Romance differs
Who heard the prophecy: In Chapter 31 of the Romance, Yin Kui stays the night in the locality and speaks directly to the old men, who pass it on to Cao Cao fifty years later. The Annals of Emperor Wu in the Records merely relay Yin Kui's words in Chen Shou's narrative, which begins with 'earlier', and do not say to whom he spoke or whether Cao Cao heard these words. Romance, Ch. 31 §10–11Records, Wei 1 §72
Where the yellow star shone: In Chapter 31 of the Romance, Yin Kui says that the yellow star is shining right on this place. The Records says only that the yellow star appeared in the field of Chu and Song. Romance, Ch. 31 §10Records, Wei 1 §72
What came true: In Chapter 31 of the Romance, the old men say that the defeat of Yuan Shao's army of a million in the single battle of Guandu fulfills Yin Kui's words. The Records says that at this time, when fifty years had passed, the Duke defeated Yuan Shao and no one in the realm could stand against him. Romance, Ch. 31 §11Records, Wei 1 §72
The stars of Yingchuan: In Chapter 37 of the Romance, Sima Hui says that Yin Kui spoke of the stars gathering in the field of Yingchuan, and gives this as the reason Yingchuan has many worthy scholars. In Chen Shou's main text Yin Kui appears only in the yellow-star passage of the Annals of Emperor Wu, and there are no words about the stars of Yingchuan. Romance, Ch. 37 §10Records, Wei 1 §72
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.
Abilities
The Records score (Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms, main text) is the baseline. Each ability compares how the Romance redrew the same person, and the evidence from both sources explains the difference.
- LEA3131±0
- STR3131±0
- INT5555±0
- POL3535±0
- CHA3838±0
- VIR4040±0
- ADP4040±0
- SCH5552−3
- DIP3535±0
- DIS4040±0
Abilities shaped by the Romance — where it differs from the Records Differences of 10 or more
No ability differs by 10 or more — the Romance portrays this person much as the Records do.
10 similar abilities — show evidence
RNo direct record — estimated from his deeds as an astronomerWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deeds as an astronomerCh. 31 §10
RNo direct record — estimated from his deeds as an astronomerWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deeds as an astronomerCh. 31 §10
RForesaw that fifty years later a True Man would arise between Liang and PeiWei 1 §72
NSpoke of a True Man appearing fifty years later, and it came trueCh. 31 §11Ch. 37 §10
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 31 §11
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 31 §11
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 31 §11
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 31 §11
RRecorded as versed in astronomyWei 1 §72
NSima Hui says he was skilled at observing the heavensCh. 37 §10
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 31 §11
RNo direct record — estimated from his deedsWei 1 §72
NNo direct record — estimated from his deedsCh. 37 §10
Special — talents Records +25 · Romance +25
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Divination & astronomy
RNMaster +25 Versed in astronomy, he prophesied a True Man appearing fifty years laterWei 1 §72Ch. 37 §10
Records Romance Unverified No direct record; scored from their actions (evidence grade C)
3KDEX scoring — the Records use the main text of Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms; the Romance uses the 120-chapter Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Click a source tag to open that passage in the reader.
Romance chapters (2)
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