Wu Guang
Encyclopedia
Wu Guang was a leader of the first rebellion against Qin Dynasty
during the reign of Qin Er Shi
, following the death of Qin Shi Huang
. Less is known about him than Chen Sheng
.
, Henan
). In 209 BC, he was a military captain along with Chen Sheng
when the two of them were ordered to lead 900 soldiers to Yuyang (in present-day Beijing
) to help defend the northern border against Xiongnu
. Due to storms, it became clear that they could not get to Yuyang by the deadline, and according to law, if soldiers could not get to their posts on time, they would be executed. Chen and Wu, believing that they were doomed, led their soldiers to start a rebellion. They announced that Fusu
, the crown prince
of Qin, who had wrongly been forced to commit suicide, and Xiang Yan (項燕), a general of Chu
, had not died and were joining their cause. They also declared the reestablishment of Chu.
Using 900 men to resist an empire seemed to be a suicidal move, but the people, who had felt deeply oppressed by the Qin regime, joined Chen and Wu's cause quickly. Soon, there were people asking Chen to declare himself the King of Chu
. Against the advice of Zhang Er and Chen Yu, Chen Sheng declared himself as such, rather than, as according to their advice, seek out a descendant of Chu's royal house to be the prince.
After Chen Sheng set up his capital at Chenqiu (in present-day Zhoukou, Henan), he appointed Wu as acting King of Chu and ordered Wu to head west toward Qin proper. Wu's forces, however, became bogged down while laying siege to Yingyang (in present-day Zhengzhou
, Henan). Wu's generals became concerned that Qin reinforcements under Zhang Han would soon arrive and attack them on two sides. They wanted to change Wu's plans, end the siege of Yingyang, and face Zhang's forces directly. Unconvinced that Wu would change his plans, they assassinated Wu and took over the army.
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
during the reign of Qin Er Shi
Qin Er Shi
Qin Er Shi , literally Second Emperor of Qin Dynasty, personal name Huhai, was emperor of the Qin Dynasty in China from 210 BC until 207 BC.-Name:...
, following the death of Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang
Qin Shi Huang , personal name Ying Zheng , was king of the Chinese State of Qin from 246 BC to 221 BC during the Warring States Period. He became the first emperor of a unified China in 221 BC...
. Less is known about him than Chen Sheng
Chen Sheng
Chen Sheng , also known in some sources as Chen She , was the leader of the first rebellion, known as Daze Village Uprising, against the Qin Dynasty during the reign of Qin Er Shi.-Start of the rebellion:...
.
Biography
Wu was born in Yangxia (in present-day ZhoukouZhoukou
Zhoukou is a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders Zhumadian to the southeast, Xuchang and Luohe to the west, Kaifeng to the northwest, Shangqiu to the northeast, and the province of Anhui on all other sides....
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). In 209 BC, he was a military captain along with Chen Sheng
Chen Sheng
Chen Sheng , also known in some sources as Chen She , was the leader of the first rebellion, known as Daze Village Uprising, against the Qin Dynasty during the reign of Qin Er Shi.-Start of the rebellion:...
when the two of them were ordered to lead 900 soldiers to Yuyang (in present-day Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) to help defend the northern border against Xiongnu
Xiongnu
The Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
. Due to storms, it became clear that they could not get to Yuyang by the deadline, and according to law, if soldiers could not get to their posts on time, they would be executed. Chen and Wu, believing that they were doomed, led their soldiers to start a rebellion. They announced that Fusu
Fusu
Fusu was the first son of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and hence the heir apparent. He believed that society would be impeccably run if everyone shared perfect knowledge ....
, the crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
of Qin, who had wrongly been forced to commit suicide, and Xiang Yan (項燕), a general of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
, had not died and were joining their cause. They also declared the reestablishment of Chu.
Using 900 men to resist an empire seemed to be a suicidal move, but the people, who had felt deeply oppressed by the Qin regime, joined Chen and Wu's cause quickly. Soon, there were people asking Chen to declare himself the King of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
. Against the advice of Zhang Er and Chen Yu, Chen Sheng declared himself as such, rather than, as according to their advice, seek out a descendant of Chu's royal house to be the prince.
After Chen Sheng set up his capital at Chenqiu (in present-day Zhoukou, Henan), he appointed Wu as acting King of Chu and ordered Wu to head west toward Qin proper. Wu's forces, however, became bogged down while laying siege to Yingyang (in present-day Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou , is the capital and largest city of Henan province in north-central China. A prefecture-level city, it also serves as the political, economic, technological, and educational centre of the province, as well as a major transportation hub for Central China...
, Henan). Wu's generals became concerned that Qin reinforcements under Zhang Han would soon arrive and attack them on two sides. They wanted to change Wu's plans, end the siege of Yingyang, and face Zhang's forces directly. Unconvinced that Wu would change his plans, they assassinated Wu and took over the army.
See also
- Daze Village Uprising