(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Yao Yizhong - Wikipedia
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Yao Yizhong

Yao Yizhong (280–352), posthumously honored as Emperor Jingyuan, was a Qiang military general of the Later Zhao dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Starting out as a refugee leader during the Disaster of Yongjia, Yizhong later submitted to Later Zhao in 329, where he became a favorite general of the state's third ruler, Shi Hu. As Zhao collapsed in 350, he sided with Shi Zhi against the Ran Wei breakaway state, becoming one of Shi Zhi's top commanders, but ultimately could not prevent the state’s demise. After his death in 352, his fifth son Yao Xiang led his family to join the Jin dynasty (266–420) before becoming a roving warlord in the Central Plains. Yizhong's twenty-fourth son, Yao Chang, would go on to establish the Later Qin dynasty and posthumously honor him as an emperor in 384.

Yao Yizhong
姚弋仲なか
Grand Chanyu (大だい單たん于)
In office
351 (351)–352 (352)
MonarchEmperor Mu of Jin
Grand Commander of the Western Qiang (西にし羌大都と督とく)
In office
333 (333)–351 (351)
MonarchShi Hong/Shi Hu/Shi Shi/Shi Zun/Shi Jian/Shi Zhi
Prime Minister of the Right (右みぎ丞相じょうしょう)
In office
351 (351)–351 (351)
MonarchShi Zhi
Personal details
Born280
Died352
ChildrenYao Yi
Yao Ruo
Yao Xiang
Yao Chang
Yao Xu
Yao Yinmai
Yao Shuode
Yao Shao
Yao Jing
Yao Huang
32 unnamed sons
Parent
  • Yao Kehui (father)
Posthumous nameEmperor Jingyuan (景元かげもと皇帝こうてい)
Temple nameShizu (始祖しそ)

Background and early career

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Yao Yizhong was a Qiang chieftain from Chiting county, Nan'an commandery (赤あか亭てい, 南みなみ安やす郡ぐん; southeast of present-day Longxi County, Gansu). His family claimed to be descendants of Yu the Great and had a long conflicting history with the Han dynasty. His ancestor, Tianyu (填はま虞おそれ) harassed the western regions during the time of Emperor Guangwu of Han's reign between 57 and 58 AD but was eventually driven out by the general Ma Wu. Yizhong's great-great-great-grandfather was Qianna (遷那), who submitted to Han and moved in to what became Yizhong's birthplace. Yizhong's father Yao Kehui (姚柯回かい) served Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period as General Who Conquers The West, Colonel Who Organizes The Rong and Protector of the Western Qiang. In his youth, Yizhong was characterised as dutiful and well-respected all around.[1]

In 312, a year after the Disaster of Yongjia, Yao Yizhong moved to Yumei (榆眉; east of present-day Qianyang County, Shaanxi) and set his base, where he opened himself to provide shelter to refugees from the east. He attracted thousands of both tribal and Han refugees wishing to escape the chaos. Soon, he proclaimed himself as the Duke of Fufeng, Inspector of Yongzhou and Colonel Who Protects the Qiang.[2] After the emperor of Han-Zhao, Liu Yao defeated the rebel Chen An in 323, Liu Yao formally appointed him as General Who Pacifies the West and Duke of Pingxiang.[3]

Service under Shi Le

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After Han-Zhao was conquered by its rival state, Later Zhao, Yizhong submitted to the Later Zhao general Shi Hu. Yizhong advised Shi Hu to relocate the strong and influential families of Longshang (隴上; north of present-day Shaanxi and west of present-day Gansu) to the region surrounding their capital, Xiangguo. This, according to Yizhong, would keep the families in check while also strengthening the capital. Shi Hu considered his suggestion and persuaded his uncle, Zhao's ruler, Shi Le, to award Yizhong with the offices of General Who Maintains The West and Commander of the Left of the Six Tribes.[4]

In 330, the Jin rebel Zu Yue involved in Su Jun's rebellion fled to Later Zhao, seeking their protection. Shi Le entertained him initially but deep down he was not fond of Zu Yue, and even his close advisor Cheng Xia urged him to execute him and his family, believing that they could not be trusted. Yao Yizhong supported Cheng Xia's idea, sending Shi Le a memorial that states, "Zu Yue was a rebellious thief in Jin who drove the Empress Dowager to death and was not loyal to his lord. Yet, Your Majesty continues to spoil him, and your ministers fear this will sprout into chaos. This is just the beginning." Shi Le took their advices and executed Zu Yue along with his family.[5]

Service under Shi Hong and Shi Hu

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Shi Le died in 333, leaving the throne to his son Shi Hong. However, not long after Shi Le's death, Shi Hu seized the government in a coup and made Shi Hong a puppet emperor. Shi Hu acted out Yizhong's early suggestion of moving the powerful families of Longshang to the capital region and appointed Yizhong Grand Commander of the Western Qiang, relocating him and thousands of families from the west to Shetou (灄頭; southeast of present-day Zaoqiang County, Hebei), Qinghe Commandery.

The following year, Shi Hu killed Shi Hong and declared himself "Regent Heavenly King". Yizhong was not pleased with what had happened, so he feigned illness to avoid needing to congratulate Shi Hu. He was eventually forced to in the end, and when the two finally met, Yizhong sternly criticised him for what he had done to Shi Hong. Shi Hu defended himself by saying that Shi Hong was too young for a ruler and would not be able to handle affairs. Yizhong was not satisfied with Shi Hu's answer, but at the same time, Shi Hu did not dare to punish Yizhong. Eventually, Yizhong came to accept Shi Hong's fate.[6]

In 338, he served as the Champion General during the Later Zhao and Murong tribe's joint campaign on the Duan tribe in Liaoxi. During the campaign, he and Zhi Xiong commanded the vanguard with 70,000 troops to attack Duan Liao.[7] In 345, he was made Credential Bearer and Grand Champion General and given command over ten commanderies and the Six Tribes.

Yizhong stood out in Shi Hu court for being both humble yet very blunt with his words, his most notable habit being that he referred to everyone, including Shi Hu, as "you (汝なんじ; rǔ)" rather than their respective titles when talking to them. Shi Hu greatly valued him and put aside any judgement when it came to him. On major discussions, Shi Hu always gave Yizhong the final say on what was to be carried out, and the ministers all feared him because of this. Despite Shi Hu's flattery, Yizhong remained stern and strict when it came to the law. On one occasion, the brother of Shi Hu's favorite concubine, Zuo Wei (左ひだり尉じょう), trespassed into his camp and harassed the soldiers. Yizhong eventually caught him and, despite Zuo Wei's relations, was set to have him executed for his crimes. Zuo Wei was said to have kowtowed relentlessly until his head began to bleed. Yizhong's subordinate urged him to let him off, and so Yizhong did.[8]

Liang Du's Rebellion

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In 349, Shi Hu had chosen Shi Shi as his new heir and declared himself Heavenly King, but a crisis struck Zhao when Shi Hu was granting out amnesty. He had left out the guards of one of his sons, Shi Xuan (石いし宣せん), who were exiled to Liaodong after Xuan was executed for killing his younger brother, Shi Tao (石いし韜) and attempting to assassinate his father. The guards rallied under their captain Liang Du (梁りょう犢) and marched south to capture Luoyang, defeating many generals in their way. The rebels' victories shocked Shi Hu so much that he was driven to illness.

As the rebels approached Luoyang, Shi Hu ordered his son, Shi Bin (石いし斌あきら) to quell the rebellion together with Yizhong and Pu Hong. Before leaving to face them, Yizhong visited the capital to personally meet with Shi Hu. As Shi Hu was sick, he refused to come out and instead had Yizhong treated with food at the royal table. Yizhong was furious and demanded Shi Hu to meet him at once. After Shi Hu finally came out to see him, Yizhong said to him:[9]

Is your dead son [Shi Xuan] the source of your worries? It's even having you sick! When your children were young, you failed to get good people to teach them, so they grew up looking to kill each other. Your son had his faults, but punishing his subordinates was too far, and that's why they rebelled. You have been ill for a long time, and your heir is still a child. If something bad were to happen, the world will be thrown into chaos, so worry about this rather than those rebels. Their desire to return home had turned Liang Du and his men into treacherous thieves, and their wicked acts alone warrants their capture. This old Qiang requests a fervent vanguard to deal with them in one fell swoop.

Shi Hu immediately made Yizhong Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Palace Attendant, and General Who Conquers The West. He also gifted Yizhong an armoured horse without formality or ceremony as Yizhong disliked them. Before embarking, he said to Shi Hu, "Observe, do you think this Old Qiang will smash these rebels?" He wore his armour and mounted his new steed before leaving without any further say. Yizhong joined the Grand Commander Shi Bin at Xingyang, where he took Liang Du's head and destroyed the remaining rebel forces. With the rebellion crushed, Shi Hu awarded Yizhong with the title Duke of Xiping Commandery.[10]

During the Ran Min Disturbance

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Reign of Shi Shi and Shi Zun

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Despite the rebellion's demise, Shi Hu's body had taken a toll on him and he would die shortly after in 349. He was succeeded by his preteen son Shi Shi as expected but many including Yao Yizhong were angry that actual power was held by Empress Dowager Liu and the Prime Minister Zhang Chai in the court. This was made worse when Liu and Zhang sent an army to kill the Minister of Works, Li Nong. While returning from their campaign against Liang Du, Yizhong and other prominent generals such as Pu Hong and Shi Min conspired with Shi Shi's half-brother, Shi Zun at Licheng (李り城じょう; in present-day Wen County, Henan) to overthrow Shi Shi and his regents. Later, Shi Zun took the capital and executed Shi Shi, the Empress Dowager and Zhang Chai along with their followers, proclaiming himself as the new emperor.[11]

Shi Zun did not last a year however, as he was executed following a coup by Shi Min, the adopted Han Chinese grandson of Shi Hu, who had found out of Zun's plans to kill him. Shi Min and his ally Li Nong installed Zun's brother Shi Jian as the new emperor, but power was virtually held by the duo. Shi Jian's brother, Shi Zhi, who was positioned in Xiangguo (襄じょう國こく, in modern Xingtai, Hebei) called for a coalition against Shi Min and Li Nong. Among those who joined the coalition was Yizhong, who rose in Shetou.[12]

Wei-Zhao War

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Main article: Ran Wei–Later Zhao War

The following year, Yao Yizhong camped at Hunqiao (混こん橋きょう) to campaign against Shi Min (now named Ran Min). His sons Yao Yi (姚益) and Yao Ruo (姚若) managed to escape Yecheng and joined their father. Yizhong and the Di general Pu Hong both wanted the strategic position of Guanyou (關せき右みぎ, west of present-day Tongguan County, Shaanxi). Yizhong sent his fifth son, Yao Xiang to capture it but Pu Hong routed him and occupied the area. Meanwhile, Shi Zhi formally declared himself as emperor after Shi Jian was killed by Ran Min, and Yizhong was appointed as his Prime Minister of the Right.[13] Meanwhile, Yizhong chose Yao Xiang as his heir due to the popular support that Xiang was receiving.[14]

Ran Min eventually besieged Xiangguo, and Shi Zhi desperately called Yizhong for help. Yizhong sent Yao Xiang to lift the siege, but not before asking him to swear that he would capture Ran Min, and contacted the state of Former Yan to send reinforcements. Former Yan sent Yue Wan and together with Yao Xiang and Shi Kun (石いし琨), they attacked Ran Min from three sides, dealing him a major defeat.[15] However, Ran Min managed to escape, and after Yao Xiang's return, Yizhong had him flogged for not fulfilling his promise.[16]

Shi Zhi and his ministers were later assassinated by a defector named Liu Xian, allowing Ran Min to occupy the city. With the emperor dead, Yao Yizhong decided to submit to the Jin dynasty. Jin received his surrender and appointed him Grand Chanyu.[17]

Death and posthumous honours

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In 352, Yao Yizhong grew deathly ill. He advised his sons to serve the Jin dynasty, as the Shi clan with the recent deaths of its last members under Shi Kun was no more. Yizhong died shortly after at the age of 72 and was succeeded by Yao Xiang, who marched with his followers south to formally join Jin. Although Yao Xiang served Jin for a while, he claimed independence after his ally Yin Hao grew suspicious of him and tried to kill him. Yao Xiang carried his father's coffin around until he was killed in battle in 357 when fighting Former Qin forces. Former Qin's emperor Fu Sheng ordered that Yizhong’s body be buried as a prince in Ji County (冀縣, present-day Gangu County, Gansu), Tianshui. When his 24th son, Yao Chang, became emperor of Later Qin in 386, Yizhong was posthumously named Emperor Jingyuan.[18]

References

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  1. ^ (姚弋仲なか，南みなみ安やす赤あか亭てい羌人也。其先有ゆう虞おそれ氏し之の苗裔びょうえい。禹封舜しゅん少子しょうし於西戎せいじゅう，世せい為ため羌酋。其後燒しょう當とう雄ゆう於洮、罕之間あいだ，七なな世せい孫まご填はま虞おそれ，漢かん中元ちゅうげん末まつ寇擾西にし州しゅう，為ため楊虛侯こう馬うま武たけし所しょ敗はい，徙出塞ふさが。虞おそれ九世孫遷那率種人內附，漢かん朝ちょう嘉之よしゆき，假かり冠かんむり軍ぐん將軍しょうぐん、西にし羌校尉じょう、歸順きじゅん王おう，處しょ之の于南安やす之の赤あか亭てい。那な玄孫げんそん柯回為ため魏ぎ鎮西ちんぜい將軍しょうぐん、綏戎校こう尉じょう、西にし羌都督とく。回生かいせい弋仲，少しょう英毅ひでき，不ふ營產業さんぎょう，唯ただ以收恤為務つとむ，眾皆畏かしこ而親之の。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  2. ^ (永えい嘉之よしゆき亂みだれ，戎えびす夏なつ繈負隨ずい之これ者しゃ數すう萬まん，自稱じしょう雍州刺史しし，護まもる羌校尉じょう，扶風公こう。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
  3. ^ (劉りゅう曜以弋仲為平ためひら西にし將軍しょうぐん。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
  4. ^ (及石季き龍りゅう克かつ上じょう邽，弋仲說せつ之の曰：「明あきら公おおやけ握にぎ兵へい十じゅう萬まん，功こう高だか一いち時じ，正せい是ぜ行ぎょう權けん立りつ策さく之これ日にち。隴上多た豪ごう，秦はた風かぜ猛たけし勁，道隆みちたか後ご服ふく，道みち洿先叛，宜むべ徙隴上じょう豪ごう強きょう，虛きょ其心腹はら，以實畿甸。」季き龍りゅう納おさめ之の，啟けい勒以弋仲行ぎょう安西あんざい將軍しょうぐん、六ろく夷えびす左ひだり都と督とく。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  5. ^ (後ご晉すすむ豫よ州しゅう刺史しし祖そ約やく奔於勒，勒禮待まち之の，弋仲上じょう疏曰：「祖そ約やく殘ざん賊ぞく晉すすむ朝あさ，逼殺太ふとし后きさき，不忠ふちゅう於主，而陛下か寵ちょう之の，臣しん恐おそれ奸亂之の萌もえ，此其始はじめ矣。」勒善之の，後こう竟誅約やく。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  6. ^ (及季龍りゅう廢はい石せき弘ひろ自立じりつ，弋仲稱しょう疾やまし不ふ賀が。季き龍りゅう累るい召之，乃赴，正せい色いろ謂いい季き龍りゅう曰：「奈何いかん把わ臂ひじ受託じゅたく而反奪だつ之これ乎！」季き龍りゅう憚はばか其強正せい而不之の責せめ。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  7. ^ (虎とら乃以桃もも豹ひょう為ため橫よこ海うみ將軍しょうぐん，王おう華はな為ため渡わたり遼りょう將軍しょうぐん，帥そち舟ふね師し十じゅう萬出漂渝津；支ささえ雄お為ため龍りゅう驤大將軍しょうぐん，姚弋仲なか為ため冠かんむり軍ぐん將軍しょうぐん，帥そち步ふ騎き七なな萬前鋒以伐遼。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 96
  8. ^ (遷弋仲なか持じ節ぶし、十じゅう郡ぐん六ろく夷えびす大だい都と督とく、冠かんむり軍ぐん大將軍だいしょうぐん。性せい清きよし儉鯁直じき，不ふ修おさむ威儀いぎ，屢獻讜言，無む所しょ回避かいひ，季き龍りゅう甚重之の。朝あさ之の大だい議ぎ，靡不參ふさん決けつ，公卿くぎょう亦また憚はばか而推下之したの。武たけ城しろ左ひだり尉じょう，季き龍りゅう寵姬ちょうき之の弟おとうと也，曾擾其部，弋仲執と尉じょう，數すう以迫脅おびえ之これ狀じょう，命いのち左右さゆう斬き之これ。尉じょう叩頭こうとう流血りゅうけつ，左右さゆう諫，乃止。其剛直ごうちょく不ふ回かい，皆みな此類也。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  9. ^ (季き龍りゅう末まつ，梁りょう犢敗李り農みのり于滎陽ひ，季き龍りゅう大だい懼，馳はせ召弋仲なか。弋仲率りつ其部眾八千餘人屯於南郊，輕けい騎き至いたり鄴。時季じき龍りゅう病びょう，不時ふじ見み弋仲，引入領りょう軍ぐん省しょう，賜たまもの其所食しょく之の食しょく。弋仲怒いか不ふ食しょく，曰：「召我擊げき賊ぞく，豈あに來らい覓食邪よこしま！我わが不知ふち上じょう存亡そんぼう，若わか一見いっけん，雖死無む恨。」左右さゆう言ごと之の，乃引見いんけん。弋仲數すう季き龍りゅう曰：「兒こ死し來き愁邪？乃至ないし於疾！兒こ小しょう時じ不能ふのう使し好こう人ひと輔相，至いたり令れい相殺そうさい。兒こ自じ有ゆう過か，責せめ其下人じん太ふとし甚，故こ反はん耳みみ。汝なんじ病びょう久ひさ，所しょ立りつ兒じ小しょう，若わか不ふ差さ，天下てんか必亂。當とう宜むべ憂う此，不ふ煩はん憂ゆう賊ぞく也。犢等因いん思おもえ歸き之の心しん，共きょう為ため奸盜，所行しょぎょう殘ざん賊ぞく，此成擒とりこ耳みみ。老ろう羌請效こう死し前ぜん鋒ほこさき，使つかい一いち舉而了りょう。」) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  10. ^ (弋仲性せい狷直，俗ぞく無む尊卑そんぴ皆みな汝なんじ之の，季き龍りゅう恕じょ而不責せめ，於坐授使持じ節ぶし、侍さむらい中ちゅう、征せい西にし大將軍だいしょうぐん，賜たまもの以鎧馬ば。弋仲曰：「汝なんじ看み老ろう羌堪破やぶ賊ぞく以不？」於是貫ぬき鉀跨馬ば於庭中ちゅう，策さく馬ば南みなみ馳はせ，不ふ辭じ而出，遂とげ滅めつ梁はり犢。以功加か劍けん履くつ上殿かみどの，入朝にゅうちょう不ふ趨，進しん封ふう西平にしだいら郡ぐん公おおやけ。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  11. ^ (彭城王おう遵至河かわ內，聞喪；姚弋仲なか、蒲かば洪ひろし、劉りゅう寧やすし及征虜とりこ將軍しょうぐん石せき閔、武たけ衛まもる將軍しょうぐん王おう鸞等討梁犢還，遇ぐう遵于李り城しろ，共とも說せつ遵曰：「殿下でんか長ちょう且賢，先帝せんてい亦また有意ゆうい以殿下か爲ため嗣；正せい以末年ねん惛惑，爲ため張ちょう豺所誤あやま。今こん女おんな主ぬし臨朝，奸臣かんしん用事ようじ，上白じょうはく相しょう持じ未み下した，京師けいし宿衛しゅくえい空虛くうきょ，殿下でんか若わか聲こえ張ちょう豺之罪ざい，鼓つづみ行ゆき而討之の，其誰不ふ開門かいもん倒たおせ戈ほこ而迎殿下でんか者しゃ！」遵從之の。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 98
  12. ^ (新興しんこう王おう祗，虎とら之子ゆきこ也，時じ鎮襄國こく，與あずか姚弋仲なか、蒲かば洪ひろし等とう連れん兵へい，移うつり檄げき中外ちゅうがい，欲よく共ども誅閔、農のう；閔、農のう以汝陰かげ王おう琨爲大だい都と督とく，與あずか張ちょう舉及侍さむらい中ちゅう呼よび延のべ盛もり帥そち步ふ騎き七なな萬まん分ふん討祗等とう。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 98
  13. ^ (石いし祗稱尊號そんごう于襄國こく，以仲為ため右みぎ丞相じょうしょう。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
  14. ^ (姚襄字じ景けい國こく，戈ほこ仲なか第だい五ご子し，雄武おうむ多才たさい藝げい，能のう明察めいさつ，善ぜん撫なで納おさめ，士民しみん愛敬あいきょう之の，咸請為ため嗣。仲なか以襄非ひ嫡，不ふ許もと。石いし祗僭號ごう，以襄為ため使し持じ節ぶし驃騎將軍しょうぐん、護まもる烏丸からすま校こう尉じょう。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
  15. ^ (二に年ねん三さん[二に]月がつ，閔攻襄じょう國こく百ひゃく餘よ日にち，祗怯，乃去皇帝こうてい之これ號ごう，改稱かいしょう趙ちょう王おう。遣や太ふと尉じょう張はり奉たてまつ乞帥于慕容よう雋。中ちゅう軍ぐん張ちょう春はる請救于姚弋仲... 雋遣將軍しょうぐん悅えつ綰たがね帥そち甲かぶと士し三さん萬まん。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 2
  16. ^ (襄じょう擊げき閔于常つね盧の澤さわ，大破たいは之の而歸。弋仲怒いか襄じょう之の不ふ擒とりこ閔也，杖つえ之の一いち百ひゃく。) Book of Jin, Volume 116
  17. ^ (乃使使し降くだ晉すすむ。晉すすむ永和えいわ七なな年ねん，拜はい仲なか使し持じ節ぶし六ろく夷えびす大だい都と督とく、督とく江こう淮諸軍事ぐんじ、儀ただし同どう三さん司つかさ、大だい單たん于，封ふう高陵こうりょう郡ぐん公おおやけ。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
  18. ^ (石いし祗為劉りゅう顯あらわ所しょ弒，仲なか乃與燕つばめ連れん和わ。有子ゆうこ四よん十じゅう二に人にん，常つね誡諸子しょし曰；「我が死し之これ後ご，汝なんじ歸かえり晉すすむ家か，竭盡臣節しんせつ。」...八はち年ねん薨，時じ年ねん七なな十じゅう三さん... 萇稱尊號そんごう追つい諡おくりな景元かげもと皇帝こうてい，廟びょう號ごう始祖しそ，陵りょう曰高陵りょう。) Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms, Volume 5
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