Huang Chao

Huang Chao (835 – July 13, 884) was a Chinese rebel, best known for leading a major rebellion that severely weakened the Tang dynasty. Huang was a salt smuggler before joining Wang Xianzhi's rebellion in 875. After splitting with Wang in 876, Huang turned south and conquered the port of Guangzhou in 879. His army then marched back north and in 881 sacked the Tang capital Chang'an, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee. Huang subsequently proclaimed himself emperor of the new state of Qi, but was defeated by the Tang army led by the Shatuo chieftain Li Keyong in 883, forcing him to abandon the capital. He fled east but was met with further defeats, with his former subordinates Zhu Wen and Shang Rang surrendering to Tang. In 884, Huang was killed in Shandong by his nephew Lin Yan, bringing an end to his rebellion. Background The Tang dynasty, established in 618 A.D., had already passed its golden age and entered its long decline beginning with the An Lushan Rebellion by general An Lushan. The Tang dynasty recovered its power decades after the An Lushan rebellion and was still able to launch offensive conquests and campaigns like its destruction of the Uyghur Khaganate in Mongolia in 840–847. It was the Huang Chao rebellion in 874–884 by the native Han rebel Huang Chao that permanently destroyed the power of the Tang dynasty. The power of the jiedushi or provincial military governors increased greatly after imperial troops crushed the rebels. The discipline of these generals also decayed as their power increased, the resentment of common people against the incapacity of the government grew, and their grievances exploded into several rebellions during the mid-9th century. Many impoverished farmers, tax-burdened landowners and merchants, as well as many large salt smuggling operations, formed the base of the anti-government rebellions of this period. Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao were two of the important rebel leaders during this era. It is not known when Huang was born, but it is known that he was from Yuanqu (within the present-day Mudan District of Heze, Shandong). His family had been salt privateers for generations (with the salt trade officially monopolized by the state ever since the Anshi Rebellion), and the Huang family became wealthy from smuggling. It was said that Huang was capable in swordsmanship, riding, and archery, and was somewhat capable in writing and rhetoric. He used his wealth to take in desperate men who then served under him.