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Gao Huan

Type Figure Region Eastern Wei Time 496–547 Also known as Heluohun、Emperor Shenwu of Northern Qi、Grand Chancellor of Eastern Wei、Prince of Bohai

Gao Huan (496–547), courtesy name Heluohun, was the de facto ruler of Eastern Wei in the Northern Dynasties.

Timeline

  1. 496–523Huaishuo Garrison · Huaishuo GarrisonGao Huan was born in Huaishuo Garrison to a Sinicized Han Chinese family, grew up poor, and made his living as a garrison soldier. He married the prominent clan woman Lou Zhaojun, and with his in-laws' support obtained the capital to advance within the Six Garrisons. Quick-witted and resourceful, skilled at winning people over, he gradually built up his reputation.
  2. 523–534Xindu (present-day Jizhou, Hebei) · XinduAfter the Six Garrisons uprising broke out, Gao Huan first attached himself to Erzhu Rong and took part in suppressing the rebellion. After the Heyin Incident of 529 threw the power structure into chaos, Gao Huan gradually broke away from the Erzhu clan and struck out on his own; in 532 he raised troops at Xindu, defeated the Erzhu generals, welcomed Emperor Xiaowu to the throne, took control of the Northern Wei court, and served as Grand Chancellor and Grand General Tianzhu.
  3. 534–547Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi) · JinyangIn 534 Emperor Xiaowu fled west to Yuwen Tai, and Gao Huan enthroned Yuan Shanjian as Emperor Xiaojing, moved the capital to Yecheng, and established Eastern Wei. As Grand Chancellor he monopolized court affairs while based in Jinyang. Over the following decade-plus he fought Yuwen Tai of Western Wei in several major battles, including Shayuan (537), Heqiao (538), and Yubi (546), with victories and defeats on both sides. In the first month of 547 Gao Huan died of illness shortly after the Battle of Yubi, and on his deathbed passed his power to his eldest son Gao Cheng.

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