Yang Shili
Encyclopedia
Yang Shili (d. June 29, 884?) was a general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who came to control Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
, Sichuan
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
) due to his association with the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
. He later had a fall out with Tian and Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
, however, and in a subsequent military confrontation, Chen's forces, under the command of Gao Renhou
, defeated his. When his own army turned against him in light of its defeat, he committed suicide.
. That year, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
, who was in command of the Shence Armies, faced with the prospects that the court of Emperor Xizong
would face threats from the ever-growing agrarian rebellions, began to prepare a contingency flight plan from the capital Chang'an
to the Shu (蜀, i.e., modern Sichuan
and Chongqing
) region. Tian thus recommended four close associates — Yang, Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
, Niu Xu (牛勗), and Luo Yuangao (羅元杲) — to be candidates to be military governors of the three circuits covering the region — Xichuan (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
), Dongchuan, and Shannan West (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
). Emperor Xizong held a polo game for the four of them, with the stakes being that the best player would receive Xichuan. Chen did the best during that game, and therefore was given the most important of the three circuits, Xichuan. Later in the year, Yang was made the military governor of Dongchuan and Niu the military governor of Shannan West.
Around the new year 881
, the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
captured Chang'an, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee toward Xichuan's capital Chengdu. He issued orders to Chen, Yang, and Niu, to keep the way to Chengdu open for him. Subsequently, when Emperor Xizong went through Mian Prefecture (綿州, in modern Mianyang) toward Chengdu, Yang paid homage to him there. In spring 883
, while Emperor Xizong was still at Chengdu, he bestowed on Yang the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). At some point, he was also created the Duke of Zhongshan.
against the agrarian rebel Han Xiusheng (韓秀升), Chen promised Dongchuan to Gao, and thus became angry that Chen promised his circuits to someone else without consulting with him. In spring 884
, Tian, fearing that Yang would rise against him, decided to recall him to the imperial government to serve as You Pushe (右僕射), a highly-honored position carrying little actual power. When Yang received the order, he was incensed and refused to follow the order; he executed the eunuch delivering the order as well as the eunuch monitor of Dongchuan, and rose, declaring that he was waging a campaign against Chen and declaring 10 crimes of Chen's. He advanced to Fucheng (涪城, in modern Mianyang) and sent his officer Hao Juan (郝蠲) to try to capture Mian Prefecture, but was unable to do so. Emperor Xizong stripped him of his posts and commissioned Gao to be the acting military governor of Dongchuan to attack him.
Gao soon advanced to Deyang (德陽, in modern Deyang
, Sichuan
). Yang sent his officers Zheng Junxiong (鄭君雄) and Zhang Shi'an (張士安) to defend Lutou Pass (鹿頭關, in modern Deyang) to defend against Gao. Zheng and Zhang launched a night surprise attack against Gao's forces, initially having some successes and causing Gao's deputy, Yang Maoyan (楊茂言), to flee in panic. However, Gao launched his counterattack and crushed Dongchuan forces. He chased them to Lutou Pass, and defeated them again there. They fled back to Dongchuan's capital Zi Prefecture (梓州, in modern Mianyang), which Gao put under siege.
Gao made initial attempts to capture the city, but could not do so. He then made a declaration to the people in the city that he would stop attacking for 10 days, and that he would resume his attack in 10 days if Yang Shili's head were not delivered. Several days later, Zheng launched a mutiny against Yang and attacked his headquarters. Yang committed suicide; Zheng cut off his head, delivered it to Gao, and surrendered. Gao arrested Yang's family members and delivered them to Chengdu. Chen nailed Yang's son to the city wall. When Chen's sons came out to view him, he yelled, "This will soon happen to you. Be prepared to receive it!" Gao was given Dongchuan Circuit to succeed Yang.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, who came to control Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
Mianyang
Mianyang is the second largest prefecture-level city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. Its administrative area includes the city proper of Mianyang, with 985,586 inhabitants in the built up area , the county-level city of Jiangyou, and six counties, covering an area of over and a population...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) due to his association with the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi , courtesy name Zhongze , formally the Duke of Jin , was a powerful eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang...
. He later had a fall out with Tian and Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese...
, however, and in a subsequent military confrontation, Chen's forces, under the command of Gao Renhou
Gao Renhou
Gao Renhou was an army general late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who served under the warlord Chen Jingxuan the military governor of Xichuan Circuit...
, defeated his. When his own army turned against him in light of its defeat, he committed suicide.
Background and commission as military governor of Dongchuan
It is not known when Yang Shili was born or where he was from. It is known that he was a general of the eunuch-commanded Left Shence Army as of 880880
Year 880 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* Pope John VIII issues the bull Industriae Tuae, creating an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Saint Methodius as its head...
. That year, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi , courtesy name Zhongze , formally the Duke of Jin , was a powerful eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang...
, who was in command of the Shence Armies, faced with the prospects that the court of Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
would face threats from the ever-growing agrarian rebellions, began to prepare a contingency flight plan from the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to the Shu (蜀, i.e., modern Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
and Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
) region. Tian thus recommended four close associates — Yang, Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese...
, Niu Xu (牛勗), and Luo Yuangao (羅元杲) — to be candidates to be military governors of the three circuits covering the region — Xichuan (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
), Dongchuan, and Shannan West (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
). Emperor Xizong held a polo game for the four of them, with the stakes being that the best player would receive Xichuan. Chen did the best during that game, and therefore was given the most important of the three circuits, Xichuan. Later in the year, Yang was made the military governor of Dongchuan and Niu the military governor of Shannan West.
Around the new year 881
881
Year 881 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor.* Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu: Louis III of France routs Norman pirates....
, the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
captured Chang'an, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee toward Xichuan's capital Chengdu. He issued orders to Chen, Yang, and Niu, to keep the way to Chengdu open for him. Subsequently, when Emperor Xizong went through Mian Prefecture (綿州, in modern Mianyang) toward Chengdu, Yang paid homage to him there. In spring 883
883
Year 883 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Oldest known mention of the city of Duisburg.* Monte Cassino is sacked and burned down by the Saracens....
, while Emperor Xizong was still at Chengdu, he bestowed on Yang the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). At some point, he was also created the Duke of Zhongshan.
Break with Tian Lingzi and Chen Jingxuan
However, although Yang Shili was a close associate of Tian Lingzi's earlier, he eventually became resentful of the tight control that Tian and Chen Jingxuan had of Emperor Xizong. In particular, he had heard rumors that when Chen sent the officer Gao RenhouGao Renhou
Gao Renhou was an army general late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who served under the warlord Chen Jingxuan the military governor of Xichuan Circuit...
against the agrarian rebel Han Xiusheng (韓秀升), Chen promised Dongchuan to Gao, and thus became angry that Chen promised his circuits to someone else without consulting with him. In spring 884
884
Year 884 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 1 – Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos....
, Tian, fearing that Yang would rise against him, decided to recall him to the imperial government to serve as You Pushe (右僕射), a highly-honored position carrying little actual power. When Yang received the order, he was incensed and refused to follow the order; he executed the eunuch delivering the order as well as the eunuch monitor of Dongchuan, and rose, declaring that he was waging a campaign against Chen and declaring 10 crimes of Chen's. He advanced to Fucheng (涪城, in modern Mianyang) and sent his officer Hao Juan (郝蠲) to try to capture Mian Prefecture, but was unable to do so. Emperor Xizong stripped him of his posts and commissioned Gao to be the acting military governor of Dongchuan to attack him.
Gao soon advanced to Deyang (德陽, in modern Deyang
Deyang
Deyang is a prefecture-level city in Sichuan province, China. Deyang is a wealthy, mostly industrial city, with the Erzhong Heavy Machinery Company Deyang is a prefecture-level city in Sichuan province, China. Deyang is a wealthy, mostly industrial city, with the Erzhong Heavy Machinery Company...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
). Yang sent his officers Zheng Junxiong (鄭君雄) and Zhang Shi'an (張士安) to defend Lutou Pass (鹿頭關, in modern Deyang) to defend against Gao. Zheng and Zhang launched a night surprise attack against Gao's forces, initially having some successes and causing Gao's deputy, Yang Maoyan (楊茂言), to flee in panic. However, Gao launched his counterattack and crushed Dongchuan forces. He chased them to Lutou Pass, and defeated them again there. They fled back to Dongchuan's capital Zi Prefecture (梓州, in modern Mianyang), which Gao put under siege.
Gao made initial attempts to capture the city, but could not do so. He then made a declaration to the people in the city that he would stop attacking for 10 days, and that he would resume his attack in 10 days if Yang Shili's head were not delivered. Several days later, Zheng launched a mutiny against Yang and attacked his headquarters. Yang committed suicide; Zheng cut off his head, delivered it to Gao, and surrendered. Gao arrested Yang's family members and delivered them to Chengdu. Chen nailed Yang's son to the city wall. When Chen's sons came out to view him, he yelled, "This will soon happen to you. Be prepared to receive it!" Gao was given Dongchuan Circuit to succeed Yang.