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68-602: Yao Chang was born in 331, while his father Yao Yizhong (姚弋仲), a major Qiang chief, was a general under the Later Zhao emperor Shi Le . He was the 24th of Yao Yizhong's 42 sons. He was described as intelligent and deliberate, but uninterested in detail matters. After Later Zhao's collapse, Yao Yizhong submitted to Jin Dynasty (266–420) as a vassal, and, after he died in 351, his son Yao Xiang took over his troops and headed south to submit to Jin command. After realizing that

136-473: A fervent vanguard to deal with them in one fell swoop. Shi Hu immediately made Yizhong Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Palace Attendant, and General Who Conquers The West. He also gifted Yizhong an armoured horse without formality or ceremony as Yizhong disliked them. Before embarking, he said to Shi Hu, "Observe, do you think this Old Qiang will smash these rebels?" He wore his armour and mounted his new steed before leaving without any further say. Yizhong joined

204-590: A jocular tone: Another general, Dou Chong , immediately objected, stating that it is a bad omen for the emperor to joke, and Fu Jiān grew briefly silent. Later that year, against the much weaker Jin troops, Fu Rong's forces were nevertheless defeated at the Battle of Fei River —a battle that Yao Chang was not involved in—and Fu Rong was killed. In early 384, Murong Chui rebelled in the eastern empire, hoping to reestablish Yan, and upon hearing Murong Chui's rebellion, Murong Chui's nephew Murong Hong rebelled as well, near

272-408: A major attack on Jin, intending to destroy it and unite China. Yao Chang was one of the few generals who was in favor of the plan, as the vast majority of Fu Jiān's subordinates opposed, including his brother and prime minister Fu Rong—who specifically was suspicious of Yao Chang and Murong Chui (a general with Former Yan imperial ancestry), neither of whom was of Di ancestry and both of whom favored

340-511: A major defeat. However, Ran Min managed to escape, and after Yao Xiang's return, Yizhong had him flogged for not fulfilling his promise. Shi Zhi and his ministers were later assassinated by a defector named Liu Xian , allowing Ran Min to occupy the city. With the emperor dead, Yao Yizhong decided to submit to the Jin dynasty. Jin received his surrender and appointed him Grand Chanyu. In 352, Yao Yizhong grew deathly ill. He advised his sons to serve

408-509: A memorial that states, "Zu Yue was a rebellious thief in Jin who drove the Empress Dowager to death and was not loyal to his lord. Yet, Your Majesty continues to spoil him, and your ministers fear this will sprout into chaos. This is just the beginning." Shi Le took their advices and executed Zu Yue along with his family. Shi Le died in 333, leaving the throne to his son Shi Hong . However, not long after Shi Le's death, Shi Hu seized

476-415: A single person who escaped. In fall 385, Fu Jiān abandoned Chang'an, long under siege by Western Yan, and he sought to try to find food supplies. When he arrived at Wujiang Mountain (五將山, in modern Baoji , Shaanxi ), Yao Chang sent his general Wu Zhong (吳忠) to surround Fu Jiān, eventually capturing him and delivering him to Xinping to be imprisoned there. Yao Chang tried to persuade him to ceremonially pass

544-573: A year before he was defeated and captured by Later Qin . Dou Chong was an ethnic Di from Wudu . It is not known when Dou Chong specifically joined Fu Jian, but he first appeared in the records in 368, during the rebellion of Fu Liu (苻柳), Fu Shuang (苻雙), Fu Sou (苻廋) and Fu Wu (苻武). Dou Chong was serving as the General of the Forbidden Guards of the Left at the time and participated in quelling

612-536: The Di general Pu Hong both wanted the strategic position of Guanyou (關右, west of present-day Tongguan County , Shaanxi ). Yizhong sent his fifth son, Yao Xiang to capture it but Pu Hong routed him and occupied the area. Meanwhile, Shi Zhi formally declared himself as emperor after Shi Jian was killed by Ran Min, and Yizhong was appointed as his Prime Minister of the Right. Meanwhile, Yizhong chose Yao Xiang as his heir due to

680-598: The Yellow River . In 389, after losing several battles to Former Qin, Yao Chang desecrated Fu Jiān's tomb and whipped his body before reburying it. However, soon he became apprehensive and thought that Fu Jiān's spirit was aiding Former Qin, so he, following Fu Deng's lead, made an image of Fu Jiān and worshipped it, claiming to it that he had killed Fu Jiān only to avenge Yao Xiang and asking for forgiveness. The image did not help Yao Chang, and he eventually cut off its head and sent it to Fu Deng. Later that year, as Fu Deng

748-525: The Former Qin capital Chang'an . Fu Jiān sent his brother Fu Rui (苻叡) against Murong Hong, assisted by Yao Chang. Yao Chang advocated letting Murong Hong, who was intent on leaving the Guanzhong region to return to his homeland, leave, but the brash Fu Rui insisted on intercepting Murong Hong, and was defeated and killed by Murong Hong. Yao Chang sent messengers Zhao Du (趙都) and Jiang Xie (姜協) to report

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816-584: The General Longxiang. I do not easily confer this title on others, so take good care of it." However, Dou Chong objected to his playful comment, telling him, "Kings should not joke, this is an ominous sign." Fu Jian made no reply. The Battle of Feishui ended in disaster for Fu Jian, and Former Qin began to fall apart. As the state disintegrated, Dou Chong remained by Fu Jian's side, serving under Fu Jian's son Fu Rui (苻叡) as his chief clerk. In 384, he helped Fu Rui in his campaign against Murong Hong but

884-515: The Grand Commander Shi Bin at Xingyang , where he took Liang Du's head and destroyed the remaining rebel forces. With the rebellion crushed, Shi Hu awarded Yizhong with the title Duke of Xiping Commandery . Despite the rebellion's demise, Shi Hu's body had taken a toll on him and he would die shortly after in 349. He was succeeded by his preteen son Shi Shi as expected but many including Yao Yizhong were angry that actual power

952-621: The Great and had a long conflicting history with the Han dynasty . His ancestor, Tianyu (填虞) harassed the western regions during the time of Emperor Guangwu of Han's reign between 57 and 58 AD but was eventually driven out by the general Ma Wu . Yizhong's great-great-great-grandfather was Qianna (遷那), who submitted to Han and moved in to what became Yizhong's birthplace. During the Conquest of Shu Han by Cao Wei , Yizhong's father Yao Kehui (姚柯回) assisted

1020-468: The Inspector of Yuzhou, Zhu Xu for help, so Zhu sent Huangfu Zhen (皇甫貞; not to be confused with Former Yan's Huangfu Zhen ) to assist him. The two drove Dou Chong back to the east of Chang'an while both Huangfu Zhao and Zhou Xun were killed. The following month, Fu Jian led a campaign north against Yao Chang, who had broken away and formed his state of Later Qin. With Dou Chong serving as General of

1088-527: The Jin dynasty, as the Shi clan with the recent deaths of its last members under Shi Kun was no more. Yizhong died shortly after at the age of 72 and was succeeded by Yao Xiang, who marched with his followers south to formally join Jin. Although Yao Xiang served Jin for a while, he claimed independence after his ally Yin Hao grew suspicious of him and tried to kill him. Yao Xiang carried his father's coffin around until he

1156-503: The Jin general Yin Hao was greatly suspicious of him, however, Yao Xiang rebelled in 352 and ambushed Yin, and then occupied the cities in the Luoyang region (although not Luoyang itself), intending on establishing himself as the ruler of the region. During this time, Yao Chang served as one of his strategists. In a battle in 352, Yao Xiang's horse was killed, and Yao Chang yielded his horse to Yao Xiang—telling Yao Xiang that as long as he

1224-507: The Later Qin generals Qiang Xi (強熙) and Qiang Duo (強多) revolted against their state and acclaimed Dou Chong as their leader. Yao Xing, now Later Qin's emperor, personally campaigned against Dou Chong and the rebels. Qiang Duo's nephew, Qiang Liangguo (強良國), killed Qiang Duo and submitted back to Yao Xing. Qiang Duo's death caused alarm among the rebels, leading to Qiang Xi and Dou Chong fleeing and parting ways. Dou Chong reached Qianchuan but

1292-494: The Later Zhao general Shi Hu. Yizhong advised Shi Hu to relocate the strong and influential families of Longshang (隴上; north of present-day Shaanxi and west of present-day Gansu) to the region surrounding their capital, Xiangguo . This, according to Yizhong, would keep the families in check while also strengthening the capital. Shi Hu considered his suggestion and persuaded his uncle, Zhao's ruler, Shi Le , to award Yizhong with

1360-436: The Left, Fu Jian camped at Fort Zhaoshi (趙氏塢; in present-day Tongchuan , Shaanxi ) and defeated Yao Chang numerous times. Dou and his contemporaries also built a weir to cut off Yao Chang's water supply. Yao Chang's men were dying of thirst, so in desperation, he sent his brother, Yao Yinmai (姚尹買), to destroy the weir. However, Dou Chong attacked and beheaded Yinmai, inflicting Later Qin with 13,000 casualties. Yao Chang's army

1428-516: The Six Tribes. Yizhong stood out in Shi Hu court for being both humble yet very blunt with his words, his most notable habit being that he referred to everyone, including Shi Hu, as "you (汝; rǔ )" rather than their respective titles when talking to them. Shi Hu greatly valued him and put aside any judgement when it came to him. On major discussions, Shi Hu always gave Yizhong the final say on what

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1496-530: The Sixteen Kingdoms period. Dou Chong rose to prominence after the Battle of Feishui in 383, remaining loyal to Fu Jian after most of Qin's generals had betrayed the state and becoming a key general. Dou Chong continued his service with Qin under Fu Pi and Fu Deng , but by 393, despite receiving much favour from Fu Deng, he rebelled and declared himself the King of Qin. Dou Chong's Qin only lasted for

1564-734: The Wei army in confining Jiang Wei's forces, and for his merits, he was appointed as the General Who Conquers The West, Colonel Who Organizes The Rong and Protector of the Western Qiang. Yao Yizhong was characterised as dutiful and well-respected all around in his youth. In 312, a year after the Disaster of Yongjia , Yao Yizhong moved to Yumei (榆眉; east of present-day Qianyang County , Shaanxi) and set his base, where he opened himself to provide shelter to refugees from

1632-609: The Western Yan people were unhappy that Murong Chong was not leading them back to their homeland in the east, and, in 386, Murong Chong was assassinated in a coup and replaced with Duan Sui , who was then assassinated and replaced with Murong Yi , under whom the Western Yan people abandoned Chang'an and headed east. Briefly, Chang'an was held by the Lushuihu chief Hao Nu (郝奴), but Yao Chang then advanced on Chang'an, and Hao surrendered. Yao Chang made Chang'an his capital and claimed

1700-458: The attack on Jin. Fu Jiān proceeded with the plan despite Fu Rong's opposition, making Fu Rong the commander of the main invasion force. Yao Chang was put in charge of the armies of the southwest (on a separate front away from the main front), and as Fu Jiān was handing out the command assignments, he gave Yao Chang the title General Longxiang (龍驤將軍) -- a title that he himself carried previously when he overthrew Fu Sheng—and he commented, apparently in

1768-766: The bad news to Fu Jiān—and Fu Jiān, inexplicably, executed Zhao and Jiang in anger. Yao Chang became fearful and abandoned his troops, gathered the Qiang of the region, and rebelled himself, claiming the title of "King of Qin of 10,000 Years" (萬年秦王), thus establishing Later Qin. Yao Chang initially opted to keep his troops mobile, as he anticipated Murong Hong's Western Yan forces to siege Chang'an and destroy Former Qin and then depart for their homeland, so that he could take Chang'an without major engagements. In doing this, he hoped to conserve and increase his strength while his rivals battled. He therefore temporarily placed his capital at Beidi (北地, in modern Tongchuan , Shaanxi ), seizing

1836-475: The capital and executed Shi Shi, the Empress Dowager and Zhang Chai along with their followers, proclaiming himself as the new emperor. Shi Zun did not last a year however, as he was executed following a coup by Shi Min, the adopted Han Chinese grandson of Shi Hu, who had found out of Zun's plans to kill him. Shi Min and his ally Li Nong installed Zun's brother Shi Jian as the new emperor, but power

1904-464: The cities of the modern northern Shaanxi. Despite this, he had periodic battles with Former Qin and Western Yan forces, as Former Qin and Western Yan also battled each other. In 385, an incident involving the city of Xinping (新平, in modern Xianyang , Shaanxi ) helped to further establish Yao Chang's reputation as wily and treacherous. The people of Xinping had fought extremely hard to preserve their city for Former Qin when Yao Chang first started sieging

1972-424: The city in late 384. Eventually, when Xinping ran out of food supplies and military equipment, Yao Chang assured the governor of Xinping commandery, Gou Fu (苟輔), that if he yielded the city, he would be allowed to safely lead the people of Xinping to Chang'an. Gou believed him, but as soon as he exited the city with the 5,000 remaining people, Yao Chang surrounded them with his troops and slaughtered them all, with only

2040-538: The city. In 391, Fu Deng attacked Chang'an but was once again defeated by Yao Chang. Dou Chong reached his highest position in Qin in 392, as Fu Deng made him his Prime Minister of the Left. Dou Chong then shifted his base to Huayin . From there, he attacked Jin's Administrator of Pingyang (平陽; in modern Linfen , Shanxi ), Zhang Yuanxi (張元熙), at Huangtian Castle (皇天塢). However, he was repelled at Hucheng (湖城; present-day Lingbao City , Henan ) by Yang Quanqi . Despite

2108-420: The death of Fu Jiān's son Fu Pi that year, claimed imperial title and became the main adversary for Yao Chang. Fu Deng used Yao Chang's killing of Fu Jiān to good propaganda effect, and for several years was quite successful in battles against Yao Chang, although the battles were generally inconclusive in their impact, with neither Fu Deng nor Yao Chang being able to decisively defeat the other. However, Yao Chang

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2176-559: The east. He attracted thousands of both tribal and Han refugees wishing to escape the chaos. Soon, he proclaimed himself as the Duke of Fufeng, Inspector of Yongzhou and Colonel Who Protects the Qiang. After the emperor of Han-Zhao , Liu Yao defeated the rebel Chen An in 323, Liu Yao formally appointed him as General Who Pacifies the West and Duke of Pingxiang. After Han-Zhao was conquered by its rival state, Later Zhao, Yizhong submitted to

2244-594: The ethnically- Di emperor Fu Sheng . In 357, Yao Xiang advanced into Former Qin territory, and a number of Qiang, Xiongnu , and Han submitted themselves to him. Fu Sheng sent a force commanded by Fu Huangmei (苻黃眉), Fu Dao (苻道), Fu Jiān , and Deng Qiang to resist him. Initially, Yao Xiang refused to engage them, but after Deng openly insulted him, Yao attacked and fell into a trap and was captured and killed. Yao Chang took over his troops but knew he could not resist, and so surrendered. Initially, Fu Huangmei wanted to execute Yao Chang, but at Fu Jiān's intercession, Yao Chang

2312-523: The first year of Yuanguang (元光). Fu Deng responded to Dou Chong's declaration by attacking him at Fort Yeren (野人堡, in modern Pucheng County , Shaanxi ), Dou Chong asked Later Qin for aid, and at the advice of Yin Wei , Yao Chang sent his son Yao Xing to help him. Yao Xing attacked Fu Deng's vulnerable defences at Fort Hukong, forcing Fu Deng to lift his siege against Dou Chong. Fu Deng was then ambushed and routed by Yao Xing, sparing Dou Chong from another attack from Former Qin. The following year in 394,

2380-494: The government in a coup and made Shi Hong a puppet emperor. Shi Hu acted out Yizhong's advice of moving the powerful families of Longshang to the capital region and appointed him Grand Commander of the Western Qiang. He and his family were relocated to Shetou (灄頭; southeast of present-day Zaoqiang County , Hebei ), Qinghe Commandery where he was tasked with supervising the Qiang tribes. The following year, Shi Hu killed Shi Hong and declared himself "Regent Heavenly King ". Yizhong

2448-499: The modern Sichuan , Chongqing , and southern Shaanxi from Jin, Yao Chang was made the governor of Ning Province (寧州, modern southern Sichuan). In 376, Yao Chang also assisted Gou Chang (苟萇) in Former Qin's conquest of Former Liang , and in 378 involved in the sieged against the Jin city Xiangyang (襄陽, in modern Xiangfan , Hubei ). Sometime during Fu Jiān's reign, he created Yao Chang the Marquess of Yidu. In 383, Fu Jiān prepared

2516-479: The new year 394, Yao Chang died. It is recorded in the Book of Jin that he was haunted by Fu Jiān's spirit in his dreams and became insane. A guard attempted to help him but accidentally injured him in the groin, causing him to die from blood loss. He continued to beg Fu Jiān for forgiveness before he died. Yao Xing succeeded him. Yao Yizhong Yao Yizhong (280–352), posthumously honored as Emperor Jingyuan,

2584-491: The next few years, Fu Deng was unable to again threaten Later Qin's existence from this point on. In 392, Yao Chang grew ill, and Fu Deng, hearing this, made a major attack on the important Later Qin city Anding (安定, in modern Pingliang , Gansu ), but Yao Chang, in his illness, nevertheless faced him in battle, forcing Fu Deng to withdraw—and then, in the engagement, made a clean evasive maneuver with his troops and disengaged, to Fu Deng's surprise, and Fu Deng commented: Around

2652-493: The night to catch the defenders by surprise, but Dou Chong and others routed him, killing around 800 of Murong Chong's soldiers. There was lack of ration and widespread hunger in Chang'an at the time, so Dou Chong and the generals ordered for the bodies of dead enemies to be carved up and used as food. Chang'an eventually fell to Murong Chong, while Fu Jian was captured and killed by Yao Chang in 385. News of his son, Fu Pi ascending

2720-506: The offices of General Who Maintains The West and Commander of the Left of the Six Tribes. In 330, the Jin rebel Zu Yue involved in Su Jun's rebellion fled to Later Zhao, seeking their protection. Shi Le entertained him initially but deep down he was not fond of Zu Yue, and even his close advisor Cheng Xia urged him to execute him and his family, believing that they could not be trusted. Yao Yizhong supported Cheng Xia's idea, sending Shi Le

2788-460: The plot, Tu Xian's sister revealed to Dou Chong of Murong Wei's intentions. Dou Chong immediately notified Fu Jian about it, and when it was revealed that Murong Wei had already got the Xianbei citizens in Chang'an involved in the scheme, Fu Jian executed Murong Wei and massacred the Xianbei in the city. In 385, Murong Chong sent his general Gao Gai (高蓋) to attack Chang'an. Gao Gai attacked during

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2856-429: The popular support that Xiang was receiving. Ran Min eventually besieged Xiangguo, and Shi Zhi desperately called Yizhong for help. Yizhong sent Yao Xiang to lift the siege, but not before asking him to swear that he would capture Ran Min, and contacted the state of Former Yan to send reinforcements. Former Yan sent Yue Wan and together with Yao Xiang and Shi Kun (石琨), they attacked Ran Min from three sides, dealing him

2924-399: The promotions that Fu Deng had given him, Dou Chong was still discontent and wanted to become Prince of Tianshui. Fu Deng refused to give him such a title, which irritated Dou. By the middle of 393, Dou Chong's patience had waned, resulting in him rebelling and declaring himself the King of Qin, thus challenging Fu Deng's claimant. Dou Chong also went as far as to changing the reign era title to

2992-655: The rebellion by leading cavalries. In 380, Fu Jian's cousin, Fu Luo , rebelled against him in Helong (和龍, in modern Jinzhou , Liaoning ). Fu Jian sent Dou Chong and Lü Guang to campaign against them. Dou Chong fought Fu Luo at Zhongshan , where he greatly routed and captured him. Dou Chong sent Fu Luo back to the capital, while Lü Guang defeated Fu Luo's remaining followers. Before the Battle of Feishui in 383, Fu Jian appointed Yao Chang as Prancing Dragon General. Fu Jian jokingly said to him, "Before, I established my rule as

3060-399: The rebellion together with Yizhong and Pu Hong . Before leaving to face them, Yizhong visited the capital to personally meet with Shi Hu. As Shi Hu was sick, he refused to come out and instead had Yizhong treated with food at the royal table. Yizhong was furious and demanded Shi Hu to meet him at once. After Shi Hu finally came out to see him, Yizhong said to him: Is your dead son [Shi Xuan]

3128-403: The rebels in modern eastern Gansu , who were led by the Qiang general Lian Qi (斂岐), whose subordinates were originally all Yao Yizhong's subordinates and therefore surrendered to him readily. Fu Jiān made him the governor of Longdong Commandery (隴東, roughly modern Baoji , Shaanxi ). In 371, he was part of the campaign against Chouchi 's ruler Yang Cuan (楊篡), and in 373, after Former Qin seized

3196-625: The same time, Shi Hu did not dare to punish Yizhong. Eventually, Yizhong came to accept Shi Hong's fate. In 338, he served as the Champion General during the Later Zhao and Murong tribe's joint campaign on the Duan tribe in Liaoxi . During the campaign, he and Zhi Xiong commanded the vanguard with 70,000 troops to attack Duan Liao . In 345, he was made Credential Bearer and Grand Champion General and given command over ten commanderies and

3264-618: The source of your worries? It's even having you sick! When your children were young, you failed to get good people to teach them, so they grew up looking to kill each other. Your son had his faults, but punishing his subordinates was too far, and that's why they rebelled. You have been ill for a long time, and your heir is still a child. If something bad were to happen, the world will be thrown into chaos, so worry about this rather than those rebels. Their desire to return home had turned Liang Du and his men into treacherous thieves, and their wicked acts alone warrants their capture. This old Qiang requests

3332-666: The state’s demise. After his death in 352, his fifth son Yao Xiang led his family to join the Jin dynasty (266–420) before becoming a roving warlord in the Central Plains . Yizhong's twenty-fourth son, Yao Chang , would go on to establish the Later Qin dynasty and posthumously honor him as an emperor in 384. Yao Yizhong was a Qiang chieftain from Chiting county, Nan'an commandery (赤亭, 南安郡; southeast of present-day Longxi County , Gansu ). His family claimed to be descendants of Yu

3400-438: The throne to him, but Fu Jiān, angry at Yao's betrayal, refused. Later in 385, Yao sent his soldiers to strangle Fu Jiān. Even Later Qin soldiers mourned Fu Jiān, however, and Yao, in order to pretend as if he did not put Fu Jiān to death, posthumously honored him as Heavenly King Zhuanglie (壯烈天王). Western Yan forces, under its now-emperor Murong Chong , occupied Chang'an, and Western Yan and Later Qin battled on-and-off. However,

3468-610: The throne took a while to reach his family members and generals. Once it reached Dou Chong, he quickly occupied Zichuan (兹川; southeast of Chang'an), where he gathered thousands of followers under his command. Dou Chong then submitted to Fu Pi, and he and the other loyalists sent their messengers to Fu Pi asking him to lead a joint attack against Later Qin. Fu Pi appointed Dou Chong as Governor of Liangzhou, and in mid-386, Dou Chong, along with Deng Jing (鄧景), attacked front and rear against Later Qin's Prefect of Pingliang , Jin Xi (金熙). After Fu Pi

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3536-433: The title of emperor. He created his wife Lady She as empress and his son Yao Xing as crown prince . For the next few years, Yao Chang would not have complete control over the region, as many Di, Qiang, Xiongnu, and Han generals were still remaining semi-independent throughout the region. Further, in 386, a distant member of Former Qin's imperial Fu clan, Fu Deng , rose in modern eastern Gansu to oppose him, and after

3604-566: Was a Qiang military general of the Later Zhao dynasty during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. Starting out as a refugee leader during the Disaster of Yongjia , Yizhong later submitted to Later Zhao in 329, where he became a favorite general of the state's third ruler, Shi Hu . As Zhao collapsed in 350, he sided with Shi Zhi against the Ran Wei breakaway state, becoming one of Shi Zhi's top commanders, but ultimately could not prevent

3672-408: Was able to gradually subdue the other Former Qin generals of the region, taking advantage of Fu Deng's cautiousness. In 387, for example, after the Former Qin general Fu Zuan (苻纂) was killed by his brother Fu Shinu (苻師奴), Yao Chang took the opportunity to quickly advance against Fu Shinu and defeat him, seizing his troops. He also, at the same time, seized the remaining cities held by Western Yan west of

3740-418: Was defeated. In 389, after Fu Deng was forced back into Fort Hukong (胡空堡; in modern day Xianyang , Shaanxi) by Yao Chang, Fu Deng had Dou Chong promoted to Grand Marshal, Chief Controller of Longdong (隴東, roughly modern Baoji , Shaanxi ), and Governor of Yongzhou . He then ordered Dou to advance from Fanchuan (繁川; in modern day Xi'an , Shaanxi) to Later Qin's Chang'an to serve as the vanguard in capturing

3808-497: Was executed for killing his younger brother, Shi Tao (石韜) and attempting to assassinate his father. The guards rallied under their captain Liang Du (梁犢) and marched east to capture Luoyang, defeating many Zhao generals along the way. The rebels were joined by the people of Guanzhong, and their victories shocked Shi Hu so much that he was driven to illness. As the rebels approached Luoyang, Shi Hu ordered his son, Shi Bin (石斌) to quell

3876-590: Was held by Empress Dowager Liu and the Prime Minister Zhang Chai in the court. This was made worse when Liu and Zhang sent an army to kill the Minister of Works, Li Nong . While returning from their campaign against Liang Du, Yizhong and other prominent generals such as Pu Hong and Shi Min conspired with Shi Shi's half-brother, Shi Zun at Licheng (李城; in present-day Wen County, Henan ) to overthrow Shi Shi and his regents. Later, Shi Zun took

3944-492: Was killed in 386, a distant relative of his, Fu Deng, succeeded him. Following the succession, Dou Chong was made Governor of Southern Qinzhou and Grand General of Chariot and Cavalry. Not long after, Dou Chong attacked Later Qin, capturing the cities of Qiancheng (汧城; present-day Long County, Shaanxi ) and Yongcheng (雍城; present-day Fengxiang District , Shaanxi) and killing the generals, Yao Yuanping (姚元平) and Zhang Lue (張略). Dou pressed on east from Yongcheng to fight Yao Chang, but

4012-495: Was killed in battle in 357 when fighting Former Qin forces. Former Qin's emperor Fu Sheng ordered that Yizhong’s body be buried as a prince in Ji County (冀縣, present-day Gangu County , Gansu), Tianshui . When his 24th son, Yao Chang, became emperor of Later Qin in 386, Yizhong was posthumously named Emperor Jingyuan. Dou Chong Dou Chong ( fl. 368–394) was a Di military general and ruler of Former Qin during

4080-690: Was later given personal command by Fu Jian to defeat Hong's brother, Murong Chong at Pingyang , who had also rebelled. Dou Chong defeated Murong Chong at Hedong , causing Murong Chong to abandon his infantry and flee to his brother. In the middle of 384, Dou Chong feigned surrender to the Jin dynasty. The Jin court appointed Dou Chong as a general but shortly after his appointment, he defected back to Qin and invaded Hanzhong . The Jin administrators, Huangfu Zhao (皇甫釗) and Zhou Xun (周勳) surrendered three counties of Baxi (巴西; around present-day Langzhong , Sichuan ) to Dou, and Jin's Inspector of Liangzhou , Zhou Qiong (周瓊) had little troops to resist them. Qiong asked

4148-407: Was not pleased with what had happened, so he feigned illness to avoid needing to congratulate Shi Hu. He was eventually forced to in the end, and when the two finally met, Yizhong sternly criticised him for what he had done to Shi Hong. Shi Hu defended himself by saying that Shi Hong was too young for a ruler and would not be able to handle affairs. Yizhong was not satisfied with Shi Hu's answer, but at

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4216-490: Was on the brink of collapse but was saved when a storm occurred to replenish their water. In early 385, the former emperor of Former Yan and also Murong Hong's brother, Murong Wei , apologized to Fu Jian for the actions of his brothers. In reality, this was a ruse to let his guard down and assassinate him. One of the conspirators involved was Tu Xian (突賢), who had a sister that happened to be Dou Chong's concubine. The two did not get along with each other, and with knowledge of

4284-438: Was pressuring Yao Chang, however, Yao Chang made a surprise attack at night, around Fu Deng's army, against Fu Deng logistics base Dajie (大界, in modern Xianyang , Shaanxi ), capturing it and Fu Deng's wife Empress Mao and killing his sons Fu Bian (苻弁) and Fu Shang (苻尚). He initially wanted to make Empress Mao his concubine , but after she cursed him, he executed her. While Former Qin and Later Qin would continue to stalemate for

4352-400: Was said to have kowtowed relentlessly until his head began to bleed. Yizhong's subordinate urged him to let him off, and so Yizhong did. In 349, Shi Hu had chosen Shi Shi as his new heir and declared himself Heavenly King, but a crisis struck Zhao when Shi Hu was granting out amnesty. He had left out the guards of one of his sons, Shi Xuan (石宣), who were exiled to Liang province after Xuan

4420-491: Was spared. In 357, Fu Jiān overthrew the cruel and whimsical Fu Sheng (who had, in addition to many others, put Fu Huangmei to death even after his great victory) and took the throne himself. Sometime early in his reign, Fu Jiān made Yao Chang a general. The first campaign in which he was mentioned by name was in 366, when he assisted Wang Meng in an attack on Jin's Jing Province (荊州, modern Hunan and central and southern Hubei ). In 367, he again assisted Wang Meng in attacking

4488-465: Was still alive, the enemy would not dare to touch Yao Chang. However, as they were still discussing, they were rescued by their troops. However, before Yao Xiang could strengthen his rule over the region, the Jin general Huan Wen attacked him in 356 and defeated him, capturing cities that he held and forcing him to abandon the plans to establish himself in the region. Instead, He was forced to advanced northwest and then west to face Former Qin , ruled by

4556-402: Was to be carried out, and the ministers all feared him because of this. Despite Shi Hu's flattery, Yizhong remained stern and strict when it came to the law. On one occasion, the brother of Shi Hu's favorite concubine, Zuo Wei (左尉), trespassed into his camp and harassed the soldiers. Yizhong eventually caught him and, despite Zuo Wei's relations, was set to have him executed for his crimes. Zuo Wei

4624-564: Was virtually held by the duo. Shi Jian's brother, Shi Zhi, who was positioned in Xiangguo (襄國, in modern Xingtai , Hebei) called for a coalition against Shi Min and Li Nong. Among those who joined the coalition was Yizhong, who rose in Shetou. The following year, Yao Yizhong camped at Hunqiao (混橋) to campaign against Shi Min (now named Ran Min). His sons Yao Yi (姚益) and Yao Ruo (姚若) managed to escape Yecheng and joined their father. Yizhong and

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