Han Guang (died 206 BC) was the ruler of the Kingdom of Liaodong () of the

Eighteen Kingdoms The historiographical term "Eighteen Kingdoms" ( zh, t=十八國), also translated to as "Eighteen States", refers to the eighteen '' fengjian'' states in China created by military leader Xiang Yu in 206 BCE, after the collapse of the Qin dynasty. ...

during the Chu–Han Contention, an interregnum between the

Qin Qin may refer to: Dynasties and states * Qin (state) (秦), a major state during the Zhou Dynasty of ancient China * Qin dynasty (秦), founded by the Qin state in 221 BC and ended in 206 BC * Daqin (大秦), ancient Chinese name for the Roman Emp ...

and

Han Han may refer to: Ethnic groups * Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group. ** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...

dynasties of China. Han Guang was initially a minor official serving in the former Zhao state, which was conquered by the

Qin state Qin () was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty. Traditionally dated to 897 BC, it took its origin in a reconquest of western lands previously lost to the Rong; its position at the western edge of Chinese civilization permitted ex ...

in 228 BC. In 209 BC, when Chen Sheng and Wu Guang started an uprising to overthrow the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin state (modern Gansu and Shaanxi), ...

, Han Guang participated in the rebellion. Chen Sheng sent Wu Chen () to seize control of the former Zhao territories from Qin forces. After conquering the Zhao territories, Wu Chen sent Han Guang to rally support from the people living in the former

Yan state Yan (; Old Chinese pronunciation: ''*'') was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty. Its capital was Ji (later known as Yanjing and now Beijing). During the Warring States period, the court was also moved to another capital at Xiadu ...

. Han Guang received a warm welcome and was nominated by the people of Yan to be their king. The following year, the Zhao state came under attack by a Qin army led by Zhang Han. Han Guang sent his general

Zang Tu Zang Tu (died 202 BC) was a warlord who lived during the late Qin dynasty and early Han dynasty of China. Biography Zang Tu was originally a military general serving under Han Guang, the king of the Yan state. Around 207 BC, when rebellions b ...

to lead an army to help the Zhao state. Zang Tu followed the rebel coalition force led by

Xiang Yu Xiang Yu (, –202 BC), born Xiang Ji (), was the Hegemon-King (Chinese: 霸王, ''Bà Wáng'') of Western Chu during the Chu–Han Contention period (206–202 BC) of China. A noble of the Chu state, Xiang Yu rebelled against the Qin dyna ...

into subsequent battles against Qin forces and eventually overthrew the Qin dynasty in 206 BC. After the fall of the Qin dynasty, Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into the

. He granted Han Guang the title of King of Liaodong () and relocated Han Guang to the

Liaodong Peninsula The Liaodong Peninsula (also Liaotung Peninsula, ) is a peninsula in southern Liaoning province in Northeast China, and makes up the southwestern coastal half of the Liaodong region. It is located between the mouths of the Daliao River ...

. Han Guang's original territories in the former Yan state were granted to Zang Tu, who was appointed by Xiang Yu as the new King of Yan. When Zang Tu came to take control of the Yan territories from Han Guang, the latter refused to give up so Zang Tu defeated Han Guang in battle and killed him.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Han, Guang Chu–Han contention people Chinese nobility 206 BC deaths Year of birth unknown