Zhiyuanduo
Zhiyuanduo | |
|---|---|
| Native name | 治元多 |
| Died | c. 220s |
| Allegiance | Hu Rebels |
| Rank | Leader |
| Commands held | Hu Rebels army |
| Battles/wars | Xīhú Rebellion against Cao Wei |
Zhiyuanduo (治元多) was a non-Han Chinese rebel leader during the late Eastern Han dynasty to the early Three Kingdoms period. She hailed from the Hu group, a nomadic confederacy in northern China, and emerged as a rebel leader for Hu people during a tumultuous period in Chinese history. She started a rebellion and led thousands of people against the Emperor Wen of Wei of the state of Cao Wei. While much of her life remains shrouded in obscurity, her rebellion against the Emperor Wen of Wei left a lasting mark on the annals of Chinese history.[1]
Background
There are few records of Zhiyuanduo's life. She was from the end of the Han dynasty period (189-220) and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 AD) when China was divided into the states of Cao Wei in northern China, Eastern Wu in eastern China, and Shu Han in southwestern China. During this time, Liang Province was under the authority of the kingdom of Cao Wei. In December 220, Cao Pi (Emperor Wen of Wei), who ruled as King of Wei, forced Emperor Xian, the last Han emperor, to abdicate in favor of him, after which he crowned himself Emperor Wen of Wei.
Ethnic description, marriage and emerging rebel leader
Zhiyuanduo belonged to a tribe known to the Han Chinese as part of a broader category of non-Han Chinese populations referred to as the Xīhú (Chinese: 西胡, translating to "Western barbarians" or "non-Chinese peoples in the west"). The term "Hu" encompassed a range of ethnic groups and was often used to describe individuals with Caucasian or partially Caucasian features living to the north and west of China. Zhiyuanduo's traits are different from those known to Han Chinese people, having characteristics possibly more similar to Western Caucasians.
Unfortunately, Zhiyuanduo's original birth name remains unrecorded in Han Chinese historical accounts. The name bestowed upon her by the Han Chinese translates to "There are many rulers." Beyond being identified as the concubine of a Han Chinese man named Yi Jian (易謙), little information exists about Zhiyuanduo herself. Yi Jian was likely associated with the Cao Wei government, potentially serving as a lower-ranking official in Liang Province or the adjacent region of Yong Province or Yongzhou (雍州).
Yi Jian's marriage to Zhiyuanduo possibly aimed to foster closer relations between her tribe and the Cao Wei government, akin to the centuries-later marriage of Lady Xian, queen of the Hlai people, to Feng Bao (冯宝 or 馮寶), a Han Chinese prefect in Guang Province or Guangzhou (廣州) in southeastern China. These unions served to blur the traditional social boundaries that often prevailed in more remote frontier areas.[2]
The most notable mention of Zhiyuanduo comes from the Biography of Zhang Ji (Zhāng Jì Zhuàn 张既传) within the Book of Wei (Wèishū 魏書) of the historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sānguózhì 三國志) recorded: "Yi Jian's concubine Zhiyuanduo and other people of the Lushui Hu, in the three counties of Lixian (骊蚠), Fanhe (番和), and Xianmei (显美), caused great disturbance in Hexi (Corridor) (河西走廊)."[2]
The rebellion
In 221, Zhiyuanduo led a non-Chinese rebellion against the central authority of the Cao Wei kingdom. She started the rebellion in Liang Province (covering parts of present-day Shaanxi and Gansu). She instigated many inhabitants to join her revolt, which threw the Hexi area into complete chaos. Zhiyuanduo's force grew to up to tens of thousands of warriors. Cao Pi (Emperor Wen of Wei) appointed Zhang Ji, a capable official and general, as the Governor of Liang Province. He dispatched Zhang Ji with a new provincial garrison to quell the uprising of Zhiyuanduo. He later sent additional forces, Fei Yao joined Zou Qi, Zhang Ji, Xiahou Ru and others in suppressing the rebellion.[2]
The Battle of Wuwei South Gate
Zhang Ji, a brilliant military strategist, arrived in Liang Province well ahead of his allied forces. His decision to act swiftly was driven by the imminent threat posed by Zhiyuanduo's rebel forces, who were besieging the vital Hexi Corridor city of Wuwei in northwest central Gansu Province. Despite concerns among his subordinates about the potential peril of advancing without support, Zhang Ji resolved to confront Zhiyuanduo head-on to save Wuwei.
In a daring move, Zhiyuanduo led around 7,000 warriors to intercept Zhang Ji's army at the mouth of the Zhanyin River (湛銀河). However, Zhang Ji employed a cunning deception tactic, disseminating false information suggesting that his troops would follow the river's course. In reality, he took an indirect route, catching Zhiyuanduo off guard as he arrived unexpectedly at Wuwei.[1]
Caught in this surprise maneuver, Zhiyuanduo hastily retreated to Xianmei, which is now known as Jinchang City, situated 194.2 li (97.1 km, 60.3 miles) to the northwest of Wuwei. With Wuwei's safety secured, Fei Yao later arrived with his reinforcements, while other generals were still lagging behind.[1]
Fierce last stand at Xianmei
In December of that year, Zhang Ji and Fei Yao mounted an offensive against Xianmei. As the Cao Wei forces set up camp for the night, Zhiyuanduo seized the opportunity presented by favorable winds to launch a fire attack with her elite fighters. However, Zhang Ji had anticipated this night attack and covertly stationed 3,000 troops outside his camp in an ambush position.[1]
When Zhiyuanduo's forces initiated their assault, Zhang Ji dispatched his trusted subordinate, Cheng Gongying, at the head of a small force from their camp. Cheng Gongying's soldiers engaged Zhiyuanduo's warriors but were eventually compelled to retreat. Zhiyuanduo and her fighters pursued Cheng Gongying, only to find themselves ensnared in a pincer attack from the troops strategically positioned in ambush by Zhang Ji.
The rebel forces of Zhiyuanduo suffered devastating losses, with thousands killed or captured, effectively ending Zhiyuanduo's revolt. Curiously, there is no specific mention of Zhiyuanduo's fate, leaving room for the possibility that she survived and lived a more subdued life thereafter.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "治元多-三国人物-三国在线". 2018-02-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Zhāng Jì Zhuàn 张既传". Book of Wei (Wèishū 魏書). Search this book on
Sources
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms 23–220 AD. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004156050. Search this book on
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