Zhao Huang
Encyclopedia
Zhao Huang (d. 889) was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who ruled Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
, Anhui
) as its governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) from 887 to his death at the hands of rival Yang Xingmi
in 889.
and the New Book of Tang
. What was known that he, at an early age, formed a friendship with Zhu Wen — who would later be a major warlord.
As of 887, Zhao was the prefect of Chi Prefecture (池州, in modern Chizhou
, Anhui
), which belonged to Xuanshe Circuit, when the much larger Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), ruled by the military governor (Jiedushi
) Gao Pian
, fell into internecine warfare between Gao's favorite sorcerer Lü Yongzhi
and Gao's officer Bi Shiduo
. Bi, who put Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州) under siege but was unable to capture it quickly, decided to seek aid from Qin Yan
the governor of Xuanshe, offering the Huainan military governorship to Qin if they could jointly prevail. Before Qin's forces arrived, however, Yang Prefecture fell to Bi. Bi nevertheless still offered the military governorship to Qin, who went to Yang Prefecture to assume the post. Qin made Zhao the acting governor of Xuanshe to replace him.
the prefect of Lu Prefecture (廬州, in modern Hefei
, Anhui
) and Lü Yongzhi. They fled Yang Prefecture and joined forces with Sun Ru
, but Sun subsequently executed them, leaving Zhao Huang without an ally to the north. In 888, Sun defeated Yang Xingmi, causing Yang to flee back to Lu Prefecture. Yang was fearful that Sun would attack him there, too, and pondered an attack against Zhong Chuan
the military governor of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
) to try to take over Zhennan. Yang's strategist Yuan Xi (袁襲), however, convinced him that Zhao was an easier target — as, according to Yuan, Zhao had not ruled the circuit for long and had governed it violently and arbitrarily, causing his soldiers to be alienated. Yuan further suggested that Yang persuade Sun Duan (孫端) the prefect of He Prefecture (和州, in modern Chaohu, Anhui
) and Zhang Xiong
, who ruled Shangyuan (上元, in modern Nanjing
, Jiangsu
), to attack Zhao first, and then attack Zhao when Zhao was concentrating on repelling Zhao and Zhang. Yang agreed.
Yang was able to persuade Sun and Zhang to attack Zhao, and Zhao initially was able to repel their attacks. Yang took this opportunity to attack Zhao's officers Sun Tang (孫塘) and Qi Lang (漆朗) at Mount He (曷山, in modern Xuancheng); after he defeated them, he put Xuanshe's capital Xuan Prefecture under siege. Zhao Huang's older brother Zhao Qianzhi (趙乾之) was then the prefect of Chi Prefecture, and he tried to come to Zhao Huang's aid, but Yang's officer Tao Ya (陶雅) defeated Zhao Qianzhi, forcing Zhao Qianzhi to flee to Zhennan, leaving Zhao Huang without aid.
By summer 889, Xuan Prefecture was so desperate for food under Yang's siege that people had resorted to cannibalism. Zhao's officer Zhou Jinsi (周進思) then expelled Zhao. Zhao tried to flee to Yang Prefecture to join Sun Ru, but was captured in flight by Yang Xingmi's officer Tian Jun
. Subsequently, Zhou himself was arrested by other officers, who surrendered Xuan Prefecture to Yang.
After Yang took Zhao captive, Zhu Wen, who by that point was the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
) and one of the most powerful warlords of the Tang realm, sent an emissary to Yang, asking for Yang to deliver Zhao to him. Yang consulted Yuan, who instead advocating executing Zhao and then delivering his head to Zhu. Yang did so.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, who ruled Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
Xuancheng
Xuancheng is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui province of Eastern China. It borders Wuhu to the northwest, Chizhou to the west, Huangshan to the southwest, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the southeast and northeast respectively....
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
) as its governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) from 887 to his death at the hands of rival Yang Xingmi
Yang Xingmi
Yang Xingmi , né Yang Xingmin , courtesy name Huayuan , formally Prince Wuzhong of Wu , later posthumously honored King Xiaowu of Wu then Emperor Wu of Wu with the temple name of Taizu , was a military governor of...
in 889.
Background
Little is known about Zhao Huang's background, as there was no biography of his in either of the official histories of Tang, the Book of TangBook of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
and the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
. What was known that he, at an early age, formed a friendship with Zhu Wen — who would later be a major warlord.
As of 887, Zhao was the prefect of Chi Prefecture (池州, in modern Chizhou
Chizhou
Chizhou is a prefecture-level city in Anhui province, People's Republic of China. It borders Anqing to the northwest, Tongling and Wuhu to the northeast, Xuancheng to the east, Huangshan to the southeast, and the province of Jiangxi to the southwest....
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
), which belonged to Xuanshe Circuit, when the much larger Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), ruled by the military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) Gao Pian
Gao Pian
Gao Pian , courtesy name Qianli , formally the Prince of Bohai , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
, fell into internecine warfare between Gao's favorite sorcerer Lü Yongzhi
Lü Yongzhi
Lü Yongzhi was a sorcerer late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who became trusted by Gao Pian the military governor of Huainan Circuit and became very powerful at Huainan, at one point becoming more powerful than Gao himself...
and Gao's officer Bi Shiduo
Bi Shiduo
Bi Shiduo was an army officer of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He initially was part of the agrarian rebellions of Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao, but later became a Tang officer...
. Bi, who put Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州) under siege but was unable to capture it quickly, decided to seek aid from Qin Yan
Qin Yan
Qin Yan , né Qin Li , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who seized control of Xuanshe Circuit , and thereafter briefly seized control of Yang Prefecture , the capital of Huainan Circuit , before being defeated by Yang Xingmi...
the governor of Xuanshe, offering the Huainan military governorship to Qin if they could jointly prevail. Before Qin's forces arrived, however, Yang Prefecture fell to Bi. Bi nevertheless still offered the military governorship to Qin, who went to Yang Prefecture to assume the post. Qin made Zhao the acting governor of Xuanshe to replace him.
Rule of Xuanshe Circuit
Qin Yan and Bi Shiduo, however, were then defeated by the joint forces of Yang XingmiYang Xingmi
Yang Xingmi , né Yang Xingmin , courtesy name Huayuan , formally Prince Wuzhong of Wu , later posthumously honored King Xiaowu of Wu then Emperor Wu of Wu with the temple name of Taizu , was a military governor of...
the prefect of Lu Prefecture (廬州, in modern Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
) and Lü Yongzhi. They fled Yang Prefecture and joined forces with Sun Ru
Sun Ru
Sun Ru , formally the Prince of Le'an , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who initially served as a general under the pretender emperor Qin Zongquan...
, but Sun subsequently executed them, leaving Zhao Huang without an ally to the north. In 888, Sun defeated Yang Xingmi, causing Yang to flee back to Lu Prefecture. Yang was fearful that Sun would attack him there, too, and pondered an attack against Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan , formally the Prince of Nanping , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled a large portion of Zhennan Circuit as its military governor for over 20 years.- Background and seizure of Jiangxi :It is not known when Zhong Chuan was...
the military governor of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
) to try to take over Zhennan. Yang's strategist Yuan Xi (袁襲), however, convinced him that Zhao was an easier target — as, according to Yuan, Zhao had not ruled the circuit for long and had governed it violently and arbitrarily, causing his soldiers to be alienated. Yuan further suggested that Yang persuade Sun Duan (孫端) the prefect of He Prefecture (和州, in modern Chaohu, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
) and Zhang Xiong
Zhang Xiong
Zhang Xiong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, from 886 and on, controlled an army that initially roved in the lower Yangtze River region and became a key player in the power struggles between various warlords for the control of Huainan and Zhenhai...
, who ruled Shangyuan (上元, in modern Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), to attack Zhao first, and then attack Zhao when Zhao was concentrating on repelling Zhao and Zhang. Yang agreed.
Yang was able to persuade Sun and Zhang to attack Zhao, and Zhao initially was able to repel their attacks. Yang took this opportunity to attack Zhao's officers Sun Tang (孫塘) and Qi Lang (漆朗) at Mount He (曷山, in modern Xuancheng); after he defeated them, he put Xuanshe's capital Xuan Prefecture under siege. Zhao Huang's older brother Zhao Qianzhi (趙乾之) was then the prefect of Chi Prefecture, and he tried to come to Zhao Huang's aid, but Yang's officer Tao Ya (陶雅) defeated Zhao Qianzhi, forcing Zhao Qianzhi to flee to Zhennan, leaving Zhao Huang without aid.
By summer 889, Xuan Prefecture was so desperate for food under Yang's siege that people had resorted to cannibalism. Zhao's officer Zhou Jinsi (周進思) then expelled Zhao. Zhao tried to flee to Yang Prefecture to join Sun Ru, but was captured in flight by Yang Xingmi's officer Tian Jun
Tian Jun
Tian Jun is a male Chinese rower, who competed for Team China at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-Major performances:*2006 World Championships - 1st lightweight fours;*2007 World Cup Leg 1/2 - 1st lightweight fours;...
. Subsequently, Zhou himself was arrested by other officers, who surrendered Xuan Prefecture to Yang.
After Yang took Zhao captive, Zhu Wen, who by that point was the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
) and one of the most powerful warlords of the Tang realm, sent an emissary to Yang, asking for Yang to deliver Zhao to him. Yang consulted Yuan, who instead advocating executing Zhao and then delivering his head to Zhu. Yang did so.