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Yuwen Tai

Type Figure Region Western Wei Time 507–556 Also known as Yuwen Heita、Emperor Wen of Northern Zhou、Grand Preceptor of Western Wei、Duke of Anding

Yuwen Tai (507–556), courtesy name Heita, was the de facto ruler of Western Wei of the Northern Dynasties and founder of the Northern Zhou dynasty.…

Timeline

  1. 507–528Wuchuan Town · Wuchuan TownYuwen Tai was born into a Xianbei aristocratic family in Wuchuan Town; his father Yuwen Gong was a garrison general of Wuchuan Town. As a youth he followed his father to join Heba Yue's command, participating in campaigns to pacify the Rebellion of the Six Towns and distinguishing himself.
  2. 528–534Chang'an · Chang'anAfter Heba Yue was assassinated in Guanzhong in 533, Yuwen Tai was elected the new commander, quickly stabilizing the situation in Guanzhong and repelling the advance of Gao Huan's forces. Using Chang'an as his base, he integrated the Guanlong military group and gradually established an independent political and military system.
  3. 534–556Chang'an · Chang'anIn 534 Emperor Xiaowu fled west; Yuwen Tai welcomed him into Guanzhong and separately enthroned Emperor Wen (Yuan Baoju) to establish Western Wei, with its capital at Chang'an. Yuwen Tai served as Grand Chancellor, in fact the supreme power holder of Western Wei. During his tenure he implemented the fubing militia system to strengthen military power; cooperated with Su Chuo to promulgate the Six-Edict reforms to rectify administration; advocated Sinicization and restored Han ritual institutions; and fought many major wars against Gao Huan's Eastern Wei, with victories and defeats on both sides. Yuwen Tai died of illness in 556; his son Yuwen Jue succeeded him and the following year founded Northern Zhou—should be Northern Zhou, posthumously honoring Yuwen Tai as Emperor Wen.

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