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Huang Chao

Type Figure Region China Time c. 835–884 Also known as Great Bandit、General Who Reaches the Sky

Huang Chao (c. 835–884), a late Tang peasant uprising leader and salt smuggler, rose against the Tang in 875, captured Chang'an in 880, founded the G…

Timeline

  1. c. 835–874Yuanju, Caozhou · CaozhouHuang Chao was born to a poor family in Yuanju, Caozhou, and made a living smuggling salt. Well-versed in poetry and literature, he repeatedly failed the jinshi examinations, deepening his resentment toward the Tang court, and gradually gained a reputation among the common people east of the passes.
  2. 875–879various prefectures east of the passes · east of the passesIn the second year of Qianfu, he rose in arms in coordination with Wang Xianzhi and others, later taking sole command of a large army. Campaigning through the Central Plains and Jianghuai, he repeatedly defeated government forces, rapidly expanding his power into a grave threat to the Tang court.
  3. 880–883Chang'an · Jingzhao PrefectureIn the first year of Guangming, he breached Chang'an; Emperor Xizong fled, and Huang Chao proclaimed himself emperor under the state name Great Qi, changing the era name to Jintong. During his reign he massacred Tang imperial kin and officials; military discipline deteriorated and he lost all popular support.
  4. 883–884Langhu Valley · CaozhouLi Keyong and other loyalist regional commanders counterattacked, forcing Huang Chao to withdraw from Chang'an; after campaigning in the Central Plains he was defeated. In the fourth year of Zhonghe, legend holds that he either took his own life or was killed by a subordinate general at Langhu Valley in Caozhou, and the Great Qi regime perished with him.

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