Xu Chang's Rebellion
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

From late 172 to 174, the religious leader Xu Chang led a major uprising against the
Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
of China in the
Kuaiji Commandery Kuaiji Commandery ( Chinese:  t , s , p ''Kuàijī Jùn''), formerly romanized as K'uai-chi Commandery, was a former commandery of China in the area of Hangzhou Bay. When first established, its capital was at Wu (present-d ...
. Having proclaimed himself emperor while restoring the ancient state of Yue, Xu and his followers initially proved successful and overran much of Kuaiji. The Han central government consequently appointed Zang Min () as commander of the local pro-government forces and mobilized soldiers from across
Yang Province Yangzhou, Yangchow or Yang Province was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China mentioned in historical texts such as the ''Yu Gong, Tribute of Yu'', ''Erya'' and ''Rites of Zhou''. Name There are four different theories regarding the origi ...
. In late 174, the insurgents were finally destroyed.


Classical sources

Xu Chang's rebellion is mentioned in several classical sources, namely the ''Dongguan Hanji'', ''
Records of the Three Kingdoms The ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'' is a Chinese official history written by Chen Shou in the late 3rd century CE, covering the end of the Han dynasty (220 CE) and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). It is regard ...
'', ''
Annals of the Later Han ''Annals of the Later Han'' or ''Hou Hanji'' (後漢紀) is a Chinese history book of the Eastern Han dynasty. It was written by Yuan Hong (328–376) during the Jin dynasty (266–420). Yuan spent eight years to complete his Annals. The annals ...
'', ''
Book of the Later Han The ''Book of the Later Han'', also known as the ''History of the Later Han'' and by its Chinese name ''Hou Hanshu'' (), is one of the Twenty-Four Histories and covers the history of the Han dynasty from 6 to 189 CE, a period known as the Lat ...
'', and the ''
Zizhi Tongjian The ''Zizhi Tongjian'' (1084) is a chronicle published during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) that provides a record of Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynasties and spanning almost 1400 years. The main text is ...
''. These sources do not give detailed descriptions of the rebellion, and differ on several aspects, including the names and titles of the uprising's leaders. Some differences can be reconciled, while the most likely name of the head of the insurgency is "Xu Chang", as the name is associated with a prophecy about dynastic change in the ''
Zuo Zhuan The ''Zuo Zhuan'' ( zh, t=左傳, w=Tso Chuan; ), often translated as ''The Zuo Tradition'' or as ''The Commentary of Zuo'', is an ancient Chinese narrative history traditionally regarded as a commentary on the ancient Chinese chronicle the '' ...
''. By the late 2nd century, many believed that the prophecy claimed that someone named or connected with "xuchang" would overthrow the Han dynasty. Sinologist
Rafe de Crespigny Richard Rafe Champion de Crespigny (born 1936), also known by his Chinese name Zhang Leifu (), is an Australian sinologist and historian. He is an adjunct professor in the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University. ...
argued that the rebel leader probably based his uprising on his name, perhaps even adopting the name "Xu Chang" to fit the prophecy.


Background

The
Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...
of China faced growing difficulties in the 160s and 170s, as its central government became ever more factionalised and corrupt, while its regional authority suffered from defeats along the northern frontier as well as tensions with the local gentry across the empire. Despite these difficulties, the Han empire remained relatively stable, although religious movements spread as many people sought salvation from plagues and famines. The lower
Yangtze The Yangtze or Yangzi ( or ) is the longest river in Eurasia and the third-longest in the world. It rises at Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains of the Tibetan Plateau and flows including Dam Qu River the longest source of the Yangtze, i ...
region was one of the centers for unorthodox cults opposed to the state ideology of
Confucianism Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China, and is variously described as a tradition, philosophy, Religious Confucianism, religion, theory of government, or way of li ...
. Many heterodox cults promised to provide healing as well as secret knowledge. One of the local sects was led by a man named Xu Chang who claimed to have supernatural powers. His followers probably included both Han Chinese as well as Yue tribespeople.


Rebellion

Xu Chang launched his uprising at Juzhang (
Ningbo Ningbo is a sub-provincial city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. It comprises six urban districts, two satellite county-level cities, and two rural counties, including several islands in Hangzhou Bay and the Eas ...
) in 172, declaring himself "Emperor of the Brightness of Yang" (陽明皇帝), while appointing his father Xu Sheng "King of Yue", formally reviving the ancient state of the same name that had been destroyed in the 4th or 3rd century BC. According to some of the classical sources, Xu Chang had a brother or son named Xu Zhao and/or Xu Shao () who also received titles. However, it is possible that Xu Zhao / Xu Shao were actually alternate names for Xu Cheng. Besides the Xu family, a local tribal chieftain named Ju Kang served as rebel leader. The rebellion is believed to have been religiously motivated, although sinologist Werner Eichhorn has speculated that the uprising might also have been a
nationalist Nationalism is an idea or movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the State (polity), state. As a movement, it presupposes the existence and tends to promote the interests of a particular nation,Anthony D. Smith, Smith, A ...
Yue revolt against the Han Chinese. In contrast, de Crespigny considers it unlikely that nationalist motives played a role. The local armed forces of Kuaiji Administrator Yin Duan failed to defeat the insurgents, allowing them to overrun large parts of the commandery. A member of the local gentry,
Sun Jian Sun Jian () () (155–191?), courtesy name Wentai, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He allied himself with Yuan Shu in 190 when warlords from eastern China formed a ...
, was among those ordered to press-gang troops for the government cause. Appointed acting major, he managed to raise a militia of about 1,000 men. He and his force served with distinction while fighting the rebels. Despite the efforts of Kuaiji Commandery's loyalists, the insurgents were already so successful that they even invaded other commanderies. As result, the government appointed the official Zang Min as Inspector of
Yang Province Yangzhou, Yangchow or Yang Province was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China mentioned in historical texts such as the ''Yu Gong, Tribute of Yu'', ''Erya'' and ''Rites of Zhou''. Name There are four different theories regarding the origi ...
to deal with the issue. Troops from the entire province were mobilized, with Chen Yin ( or ), Administrator of Danyang, becoming Zang's most important co-commander. In 173, the provincial authorities reported Administrator Yin Duan for his failure to defeat the rebels, but his registrar Zhu Jun successfully bribed officials in the capital of
Luoyang Luoyang ( zh, s=洛阳, t=洛陽, p=Luòyáng) is a city located in the confluence area of the Luo River and the Yellow River in the west of Henan province, China. Governed as a prefecture-level city, it borders the provincial capital of Zheng ...
so that Yin only received a convict sentence instead of being executed. The troops of Zang Min and Chen Yin finally suppressed the uprising in late 174, killing Xu Chang, Xu Sheng, and Ju Kang.


Aftermath

Zang Min was rewarded for his success by being appointed Administrator of Danyang. He also recommended Sun Jian for his good service, whereupon the latter got a post as assistant magistrate in
Guangling Commandery Guangling Commandery was a historical commandery of China from Han dynasty to Tang dynasty, located in present-day central Jiangsu province in central coastal China. It was named after Guangling, a historical name of Yangzhou. In early Han dynasty ...
, and later in two counties in Xiapi. Sun Jian consequently expanded his following which helped him to rise to great prominence. Zhu Jun's involvement in the bribery to save Yin Duan's life initially remained unknown. He went on to have a distinguished career, faithfully serving the central government until the collapse of the Han dynasty into civil war.


Notes


References


Works cited

* * * * * {{Short description, Rebellion against the Han dynasty (172-174) 170s conflicts Rebellions in the Han dynasty