Huang Chao

Huang Chao

Huang Chao (835 – July 13, 884) was a rich Chinese salt trader and soldier. He is best known for starting the Huang Chao Rebellion, which troubled the Tang dynasty.

Early Life and Rebellion

Before his rebellion, Huang Chao worked for many years as a salt trader. He later joined another rebel named Wang Xianzhi but then split away to lead his own group.

Rise to Power

In 878, Huang Chao declared himself emperor and created a new Qi dynasty. His army moved south and captured the important city of Guangzhou.

Capture of Chang'an

In 881, Huang Chao's forces took the Tang capital, Chang'an, forcing the Emperor Xizong of Tang to leave the city. Huang Chao ruled there for almost four years.

Defeat and Disappearance

Huang Chao was finally defeated by Tang forces led by a leader named Li Keyong, a Shatuo chieftain, in 883. After losing many battles, Huang Chao disappeared. Some stories say he was killed, while others suggest he escaped safely.

Background

The Tang dynasty started in 618 A.D. and was slowly getting weaker. Even though it had some victories, like beating a group in Mongolia, it faced many problems. One big problem was a rebellion led by a man named Huang Chao from 874 to 884. This rebellion caused a lot of trouble for the Tang dynasty.

Huang Chao came from a family that made money by trading salt without government permission. He was good with a sword and could ride and shoot arrows. Because he had money, he gathered people who were having a hard time to join him. He tried to do well in government tests but failed, so he decided to fight against the government instead.

As Emperor of Qi

In 881, Huang Chao went to the Tang palace in Chang'an and said he was the emperor of a new state called Qi. He made his wife, Lady Cao, the empress and chose some people to help lead his government. He asked Tang officials to work for him, but those who said no were removed.

Tang forces, led by Li Keyong, fought against Huang’s army. In 883, Huang could not protect Chang'an anymore and had to leave the city and go east. Later, Huang was killed by his own nephew, Lin Yan. Lin Yan tried to give up to another leader named Shi Pu, but he was also killed on the way to Shi Pu’s camp.

Poetry

Huang Chao wrote some poems. They showed strong feelings, like anger. One line was, "The capital's full of golden armored soldiers." This described his plans for rebellion. Later, this phrase was used for the 2006 film Curse of the Golden Flower. The Hongwu Emperor wrote a poem that was quite similar.