Yuchi Jiong (尉遲迥) (d. 580), courtesy name Bojuluo (薄居羅), was a general of the Chinese/Xianbei states Western Wei and Northern Zhou. Events By Place Europe Ethelbert becomes king of Kent. The Roman Senate sends an embassy to Constantinople A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name ( zì) is a given name to be used later in life Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Xianbei ( were a significant nomadic people residing in Manchuria and eastern Mongolia, or Xianbei Shan. The Western Wèi Dynasty (Chinese西魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556. The Northern Zhou Dynasty (Chinese北周 followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. He first came to prominence while his uncle Yuwen Tai served as the paramount general of Western Wei, and subsequently served Northern Zhou after the Yuwen clan established the state after Yuwen Tai's death. Yuwen Tai (宇文泰 (507-556 nickname Heita (黑獺 formally Duke Wen of Anding (安定文公 later further posthumously honored by Northern Zhou In 580, believing that the regent Yang Jian had designs on the throne, Yuchi rose against Yang but was soon defeated. Background Yang Jian's clan was from Hongnong Commandery (弘農 roughly modern Sanmenxia, Henan) He committed suicide.
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During Western Wei
It is not known when Yuchi Jiong was born. His ancestors were a branch of the Tuoba tribe, which founded Northern Wei, and their subtribe was referred to as the Yuchi -- and therefore took the name of the subtribe as the surname. Tuoba (拓拔 Pinyin Tuòbá or T'o-pa in Wade-Giles was a Clan of the Xianbei people in the early centuries of the 1st millennium The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or His father Yuchi Qidou (尉遲俟兜) married the sister of Northern Wei's branch successor state Western Wei's paramount general Yuwen Tai, and they had two sons together -- Yuchi Jiong and his brother Yuchi Gang (尉遲綱). The Western Wèi Dynasty (Chinese西魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556. Yuwen Tai (宇文泰 (507-556 nickname Heita (黑獺 formally Duke Wen of Anding (安定文公 later further posthumously honored by Northern Zhou (Yuchi Jiong's mother was later known as Princess Changle during Northern Zhou. The Northern Zhou Dynasty (Chinese北周 followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. ) Yuchi Qidou died fairly early. Yuchi Jiong, who was said to be handsome, intelligent, and ambitious in his youth, served under his uncle Yuwen Tai, and married the Princess Jinming, the daughter of Emperor Wen of Western Wei. Background Yuan Baoju was born in 507 His father Yuan Yu (元愉 the Prince of Jingzhao was the son of Emperor Xiaowen and a younger brother of the then-reigning He showed talent both in military matters and in governance, and Yuwen Tai gave him increasingly important positions.
In 552, rival Liang Dynasty, in the aftermaths of the major rebellion by Hou Jing and Hou's death earlier that year, had two major claimants to its throne -- Xiao Yi (Emperor Yuan of Liang), who controlled the central and eastern provinces, and Xiao Ji, who controlled the western provinces, both sons of the founding emperor Emperor Wu. Events By Place Europe Battle of Asfeld: Longobards under king Audoin defeat the Gepids. Liang Dynasty ( 梁[[wikt 朝|朝]] Pinyin: Liáng cháo (502-557 also known as Southern Liang Dynasty (南梁 was the third of Southern dynasties Early life and career It is not known when Hou Jing was born but it was known that he was from Huaishuo Garrison (懷朔鎮 -- one of the garrisons that Northern Wei Background Xiao Yi was born in 508 as the seventh son of the dynasty founder Emperor Wu. Background Xiao Ji was born in 508 as the eighth and youngest son of Emperor Wu. Background Xiao Yan was born in 464 during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song. Xiao Yi, under attack from Xiao Ji, requested aid from Western Wei -- in the form of an attack to Xiao Ji's rear, against Xiao Ji's home province Yi Province (益州, modern central Sichuan). ( Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in western China with its capital in Chengdu. Yuwen believed this to be a great opportunity for Western Wei to conquer the modern Sichuan and Chongqing region, but when he discussed the matters with the generals, most were in opposition. Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Yuchi, however, was supportive of the plan and advocated an immediate attack. Yuwen thus put him in command over six other generals to attack Xiao Ji's realm, and the attack was launched in spring 553. Events By Place Europe The Ostrogoth Kingdom is conquered by the Byzantines after the Battle of Mons Lactarius Yuchi quickly advanced to Xiao Ji's capital at Chengdu (成都, in modern Chengdu, Sichuan). ( located in southwest People's Republic of China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a Sub-provincial city. ( Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in western China with its capital in Chengdu. Xiao Ji's army, which was then battling Xiao Yi near Xiao Yi's capital of Jiangling (江陵, in modern Jingzhou, Hubei), collapsed, and Xiao Ji was killed by Xiao Yi. Jingzhou ( is a city in the Hubei province of the People's Republic of China, on the banks of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. After Yuchi had put Chengdu under siege for five months, Xiao Ji's cousin Xiao Hui (蕭撝) and son Xiao Yuansu (蕭圓肅), who were defending Chengdu, surrendered. The surrounding provinces also soon surrendered, and Western Wei had taken over Xiao Ji's domain. Yuwen made Yuchi the governor of Yi Province, in charge of 12 provinces centering Yi. In 554, six provinces were added to Yuchi's responsibility, for 18 provinces total. Events By Place Byzantine Empire General Narses reconquers all of Italy However, as Yuchi missed his mother deeply, and his mother was still at the capital Chang'an, Yuwen soon recalled him back to Chang'an. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history.
During Emperor Xiaomin's and Emperor Ming's reigns
Yuwen Tai died in 557, and his nephew Yuwen Hu, serving as the guardian for Yuwen Tai's son Yuwen Jue, forced Emperor Gong of Western Wei to yield the throne to Yuwen Jue in spring 558, ending Western Wei and establishing Northern Zhou, with Yuwen Jue as emperor (but using the alternative title "Heavenly Prince" (Tian Wang) (as Emperor Xiaomin). Events By Place Asia The Northern Zhou Dynasty begins in northern China; its first ruler is Northern Zhou Xiao Min Di Yuwen Hu (宇文護 (515-572 Courtesy name Sabao (薩保 formally Duke Dang of Jin (晉蕩公 was a Regent of the Chinese / Background Yuwen Jue was born in 542 as the son of Yuwen Tai, then the paramount general of Western Wei, and Yuwen Tai's wife Princess Fengyi the sister of Background Yuan Kuo was born in 537 as the fourth son of Emperor Wen. Events By Place Byzantine Empire May 7 — In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses Tian Wang (天王 translatable as either "heavenly prince" or "heavenly king" was a Chinese regal title that was most frequently used during the Sixteen Emperor Xiaomin created Yuchi Jiong the Duke of Shu, in commemoration of his victory (as the modern Sichuan region was known in ancient times as the region of Shu). Later in 558, when Emperor Xiaomin tried to seize power from Yuwen Hu, Yuwen Hu deposed and then killed him, making Emperor Xiaomin's older brother Yuwen Yu the Duke of Ningdu emperor instead (as Emperor Ming). Background Yuwen Yu was born in 534 as the oldest son of the then- Northern Wei general Yuwen Tai. Yuchi Jiong's stance in this power struggle is not known, but his brother Yuchi Gang sided with Yuwen Hu.
Yuchi's activities during Emperor Ming's reign were not recorded in history. In 560, Emperor Ming was poisoned by Yuwen Hu. Events By Place Europe Ceawlin of Wessex becomes King of Wessex (traditional date Emperor Ming's younger brother Yuwen Yong the Duke of Lu became emperor (as Emperor Wu). Background Yuwen Yong was born in 543 as the fourth son of the Western Wei paramount general Yuwen Tai.
During Emperor Wu's reign
In 562, Yuchi Jiong became the Minister of the Army -- one of the six departments of government, under a system designed by Yuwen Tai -- although his actual authority over the army is not clear, as Yuwen Hu, as prime minister, also oversaw the armed forces. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Belisarius stands trial for corruption in Constantinople, possibly with His brother Yuchi Gang served as Minister of Agriculture.
In winter 564, Yuwen Hu launched a major attack on rival Northern Qi, and Yuchi Jiong had the responsibility of attacking Luoyang along with Daxi Wu (達奚武) and Emperor Wu's brother Yuwen Xian the Duke of Qi, but the attack was ultimately unsuccessful and withdrawn. Events Births Hermenegild, Spanish Visigoth prince Li Baiyao, Chinese government official and historian who completed The Northern Qi Dynasty (Chinese 北齊 Běiqí was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Yuwen Xian (宇文憲 (544-578 nickname Pihetu (毗賀突 formally Prince Yang of Qi (齊煬王 was an imperial prince of the Chinese state
In 568, Yuchi took on the even more honorific title of Taibao (太保) -- one of the three senior advisors to the emperor -- but with unclear authorities. Events By Place Europe April 1 — King Alboin leads the Lombards into Italy refugees fleeing from them go on
In 572, Emperor Wu ambushed Yuwen Hu and killed him, taking over power personally. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantine Empire begins a war with Persia. He made Yuchi Taishi (太師) -- one of the three senior advisors to him but slightly more honorific than Taibao.
In 576, Emperor Wu launched a major attack on Northern Qi, destroying it in 577 and taking over its territory. For the tv standard see 576i Events The Gokturks besiege Panticapaeum in the Crimea. Events By Place Europe Battle of Deorham: The Anglo-Saxons under Ceawlin of Wessex defeat the British Celts Yuchi's involvement, if any, in the campaign is unclear. [1] In 578, Emperor Wu died, and the crown prince Yuwen Yun became emperor (as Emperor Xuan). Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius II Constantine succeeds Justin II as Byzantine Emperor. Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Background Yuwen Yun was born in 559 as the oldest son of Yuwen Yong, then the Duke of Lu and younger brother of Emperor Ming.
During Emperor Xuan's and Emperor Jing's reigns
In spring 579, Emperor Xuan established four new senior advisor posts, and he made, as those four, his uncle Yuwen Sheng (宇文盛) the Prince of Yue, Yuchi Jiong, Li Mu (李穆) the Duke of Shen, and Yang Jian the Duke of Sui (and his father-in-law, as the father of his wife Empress Yang Lihua). Deaths February — Khosrau I, king of Persia Pope Benedict I Theodric, king of Bernicia Background Yang Jian's clan was from Hongnong Commandery (弘農 roughly modern Sanmenxia, Henan) Empress Yang Lihua (楊麗華 (561-609 was an Empress of the Chinese / Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou, and later a princess of Sui Dynasty He also made Yuchi in charge of the region around Xiang Province (相州, roughly modern Handan, Hebei) -- effectively, the region north of the Yellow River. Handan ( is a Prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China. ( Postal map spelling: Hopeh) is a northern province of the People's Republic of China. The Yellow River or Huang He / Hwang Ho ( Hatan Gol Queen river) is the second-longest river in China (after the Yangtze River) and the Later that year, Emperor Xuan passed the throne to his young son Yuwen Chan (Emperor Jing), becoming retired emperor -- but with the highly unusual title of "Emperor Tianyuan" (天元皇帝, Tianyuan Huangdi). Background Yuwen Chan was born in 573 initially with the name Yuwen Yan Taishang-huang ( was a Chinese title sometimes translated in English as Retired Emperor, Grand Emperor or Emperor Emeritus used throughout He proceeded to rule in an erratic and cruel manner, causing officials to become alienated. His acts included raping Yuchi Jiong's granddaughter Yuchi Chifan, who had married Emperor Xuan's cousin Yuwen Liang (宇文亮)'s son Yuwen Wen (宇文溫) the Duke of Xiyang, causing Yuwen Liang to plot rebellion. Empress Yuchi Chifan (尉遲熾繁 or Yuchi Fanchi (尉遲繁熾 (566-595 later Buddhist nun name Huashou (華首 was a Concubine of When Yuwen Liang's plot was discovered, Emperor Xuan killed him and Yuwen Wen, seizing Lady Yuchi as a concubine and then creating him one of his five empresses -- contrary to the tradition of creating only one empress. Concubinage is the state of a woman or youth in an ongoing quasi-matrimonial relationship with a man of higher social status An emperor (from the Latin " Imperator " is a (male Monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an Empire or another type of (Another granddaughter of Yuchi Jiong's, Sima Lingji, was the young Emperor Jing's wife and empress. Empress Sima Lingji (司馬令姬 was briefly an Empress of the Chinese / Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou. )
In summer 580, Emperor Xuan died suddenly, and after Yang's friends and Emperor Xuan's associates Liu Fang (劉昉) and Zheng Yi (鄭譯) maneuvered behind the scenes by issuing an edict in Emperor Xuan's name, Yang became regent, and quickly took control of the political scene. Events By Place Europe Ethelbert becomes king of Kent. The Roman Senate sends an embassy to Constantinople A regent, from the Latin regens "who reigns" is a person selected to act as Head of state (ruling or not because the ruler is a minor As Yuchi had high reputation, Yang feared that Yuchi would oppose him, and therefore sent Yuchi's son Yuchi Dun (尉遲惇) the Duke of Wei'an to Xiang Province, summoning Yuchi back to the capital to attend Emperor Xuan's funeral and replacing him with the general Wei Xiaokuan. Wei Xiaokuan (韋孝寬 (509-580 formal personal name Wei Shuyu (韋叔裕 (but went by the Courtesy name of Xiaokuan known by the Xianbei name
Yuchi, believing that Yang was intending to seize the throne, instead announced an uprising against Yang, declaring that he was intending to protect Northern Zhou's imperial lineage. He took the son of Emperor Xuan's uncle Yuwen Zhao (宇文招) the Prince of Zhao and declared him emperor. A number of important generals declared for him -- the chief of whom were Sima Xiaonan (司馬消難), who controlled the southern provinces, and Wang Qian (王謙), who controlled the southwestern provinces -- but he was unable to persuaded Li Mu, who controlled the modern Shanxi region, to join him. ( Postal map spelling: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the People's Republic of China. He was also unable to get Northern Zhou's vassal state Western Liang (ruled by Emperor Ming of Western Liang, a great-grandson of Liang Dynasty's Emperor Wu) to join him. Background Xiao Kui was born in 542 during the reign of his great-grandfather Emperor Wu of Liang.
Yuchi, despite his reputation, was by this point described as senile, entrusting most of his important matters to his secretary Cui Dana (崔達拏) and his second wife Lady Wang. Cui and Lady Wang's decisions were largely described as inappropriate ones, and the rebels made little advances. Soon, the central government forces, commanded by Wei, arrived at Yuchi's headquarters at Yecheng (鄴城, in modern Handan) and sieged it. Ye ( was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County Henan. Handan ( is a Prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China. When the city fell, just 68 days after Yuchi declared his rebellion, his son's father-in-law Cui Hongdu (崔弘度), who served under Wei, approached him, and gave him time to commit suicide. Yuchi did so, but only after hurling repeated insults at Yang Jian. His sons were killed.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Tang (618-626), Yuchi Jiong's grandnephew Yuchi Qifu (尉遲耆福) submitted a petition to have Yuchi Jiong given a proper burial. Background and early career Li Yuan's seventh-generation ancestor was Li Gao, the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms state Western Liang. Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines defeat the Avars and Slavs, who were besieging Constantinople Emperor Gaozu, because Yuchi Jiong was faithful to Northern Zhou, agreed.
- ^ Yuchi's reputation as a great general, often referred to by historians, makes it fairly inexplicable that references to his military involvement -- particularly in this major campaign where virtually all important Northern Zhou generals participated -- were exceedingly sparse after his victory over Xiao Ji's forces. One can perhaps speculate (but only speculate) that perhaps after his defeat by Yang Jian, Yang had references to him excised from Northern Zhou's official records.
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