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Gao Yang

Type Figure Region Northern Qi Time 529–559 Also known as Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi、Emperor Wenzuan Shizu、Gao Yang Tianbao

Gao Yang (529–559), courtesy name Zijin, was the founding emperor of Northern Qi, temple name Shizu, posthumous name Emperor Wenxuan.

Timeline

  1. 529–547Yecheng · YechengGao Yang was the second son of Gao Huan and Lou Zhaojun, born in Yecheng. In childhood his appearance was plain, and his elder brother Gao Cheng once mocked his ordinary looks; yet Gao Yang was reserved, steady, and outstanding in strategy. While his father Gao Huan lived, Gao Yang already showed exceptional administrative talent, handling affairs on his father's behalf many times.
  2. 547–550Yecheng · YechengAfter his elder brother Gao Cheng was assassinated in 549, Gao Yang quickly stabilized the situation, took over all power, served as Grand General and Grand Chancellor, and was enfeoffed as Prince of Qi. He then prepared to replace Wei with Qi, and in May 550 forced Eastern Wei Emperor Xiaojing to abdicate the throne to him.
  3. 550–559Yecheng · YechetGao Yang founded Northern Qi with the era name Tianbao and made Yecheng his capital. Early in his reign he personally campaigned against the Rourans and crushed them, then campaigned against the Khitans and attacked the Shanhu, greatly enhancing the state's prestige, while also repairing the Great Wall against the Turkic. But after Tianbao 5 his temperament changed drastically: he drank heavily, indulged in lust, executed officials, and grew tyrannical and capricious, and politics gradually decayed. Gao Yang died of illness in 559 at only thirty-one, having reigned nine years; Northern Qi thereafter passed to a succession of incompetent rulers and its fortunes declined sharply.

Sources