Division of Northern Wei into Eastern and Western Wei

Timeline

1. 532–534Luoyang · HenanNorthern Wei Emperor Xiaowu Yuan Xiu resented the powerful minister Gao Huan's monopolization of power, and tensions between the two sides intensified. Gao Huan based himself in Yecheng to control the region east of the passes, while Emperor Xiaowu sought to use Yuwen Tai in the west to counterbalance Gao Huan; court power struggles became increasingly open.
2. 534Chang'an · ShaanxiIn 534 CE, Emperor Xiaowu Yuan Xiu fled Luoyang and entered Guanzhong to join Yuwen Tai, splitting the Northern Wei court into eastern and western halves. Emperor Xiaowu died in Guanzhong shortly afterward, and Yuwen Tai enthroned Yuan Baoju, laying the foundation for the Western Wei regime.
3. 534–535Yecheng · HebeiGao Huan enthroned Yuan Shanjian as Emperor Xiaojing at Yecheng, moved the capital there, and established the Eastern Wei regime. Eastern Wei nominally continued the Northern Wei state name, but real power was held by the Gao clan group, forming a north–south standoff with the Western Wei controlled by Yuwen Tai in the west.