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Rebellion of the Shuidong and Shuixi Tusi in Guizhou

Type Event Region China Time 1410–1412

In 1411 (Yongle 9), the Tian clan tusi of Sizhou and Sinan in eastern Guizhou fought a civil war over cinnabar mines;…

Timeline

  1. 1410–1411Sinan Pacification Commissioner's Office · GuizhouSizhou pacification commissioner Tian Chen allied with Chenzhou prefect Huang Xi and, on the pretext of disputing cinnabar mines, led troops to attack Sinan. Tian Zongding was defeated and fled, his brother was killed, ancestral graves were dug up, and his mother's corpse was mutilated. Tian Zongding fled to the capital to seek redress. The Song clan of Shuidong and the An clan of Shuixi were at this time still garrisoned in Guiyang and did not become involved in the fighting.
  2. 1411Capital (Nanjing) · JiangsuThe Chengzu Emperor summoned Tian Chen and Huang Xi to the capital to defend themselves; the two defied the order and did not appear, and instead plotted to raise troops in rebellion. The court sent Jiang Tingzan to investigate in Sizhou and again ordered the two Tians to come to the capital. Zhu Di, citing the crimes of 'instigating neighboring prefectures, slaughtering the innocent, and resisting imperial commands,' decided to resolve the matter by force.
  3. 1411Border region between Sizhou and Sinan · GuizhouMarquis of Zhenyuan Gu Cheng led 50,000 government troops into Guizhou, combining grace with force; the two Tians' followers collapsed without battle. Gu Cheng captured Tian Chen, Tian Zongding, and Huang Xi and escorted them to the capital. Tian Chen's wife, Lady Ran, soon incited Miao people of the Tailuo villages to rebel; the court was furious and ultimately executed Tian Chen for treason.
  4. 1412Capital (Nanjing) · JiangsuTian Zongding was ordered to commit suicide in March of Yongle 10 for crimes including violating kinship norms, and Tian Chen was beheaded. The Chengzu Emperor told Xia Yuanji that Sizhou and Sinan could no longer be left under tusi rule; in Yongle 11 the two pacification commissioners' offices were abolished, eight prefectures were established, and the Guizhou Provincial Administration Commission was set up, with its seat at Guiyang in the heartland of the Song clan of Shuidong. The tusi of Shuidong and Shuixi continued to serve as Guizhou pacification commissioners.

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