Gai Yu
Encyclopedia
Gai Yu (d. 905), formally the Duke of Chengyang (成陽公), was a key strategist of Li Keyong
, a major warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
.
, Hebei
), and that both his grandfather Gai Zuo (蓋祚) and father Gai Qing (蓋慶) served as officer at Wei Prefecture. When the ethnically-Shatuo
officer Li Keyong
rose against Duan Wenchu (段文楚) the defender of Datong Circuit (大同, headquartered at Datong
, Shanxi
) (which Wei Prefecture belonged to) at Datong's capital Yun Prefecture (雲州) in 878
, Gai was one of the proponents, and he became a close associate of Li's.
) of Yanmen Circuit (雁門, i.e., the Datong region) in 882
, he made Gai Yu a base supervisor as well as the prefect of Lan Prefecture (嵐州, in modern Lüliang
, Shanxi
). After Li Keyong was later made the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
), Gai continued as a base supervisor. It was said that Li Keyong consulted him on all important matters and listened to his suggestions, and that he accompanied Li Keyong on all campaigns.
In 885
, after a dispute between the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
and Li Keyong's ally Wang Chongrong
the military governor of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng
, Shanxi
) erupted into a armed conflict, Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's forces defeated the forces of Tian and his allies Zhu Mei
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
) and Li Changfu
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
). Fearful of Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's approaching forces, Tian took then-reigning Emperor Xizong
and fled to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
). Zhu broke his relationship with Tian and Emperor Xizong, took over the imperial capital Chang'an
, and instead supported Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor. Zhu elicited support for Li Yun from the various regional governors, and when his emissary reached Hedong, Gai pointed out that the people of the realm had blamed Li Keyong for chasing Emperor Xizong out of Chang'an and that the only way for Li Keyong to clear himself in their eyes would be to see to Zhu's and Li Yun's destruction. Under Gai's suggestion, Li Keyong burned Li Yun's edict and put Zhu's emissary under arrest, and instead issued a declaration that supported Emperor Xizong and vowing to destroy Zhu. This helped to affirm Emperor Xizong's status as the legitimate emperor. Subsequently, Zhu was assassinated by his own subordinate Wang Xingyu
, and Li Yun was killed by Wang Chongrong, allowing Emperor Xizong to return to Chang'an.
In 894
, Gai suggested that Li Keyong support the former Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) officer Liu Rengong
, who had fled to Hedong after an unsuccessful attempt to take over the circuit, in his endeavors to capture the circuit against Li Kuangchou
. Li Keyong agreed, and after a campaign against Li Kuangchou took over Lulong and gave it to Liu to rule as his vassal. (However, Liu would betray Li Keyong in 897
and became independent.)
In 895
, Li Keyong waged a successful campaign against Wang Xingyu (who had succeeded Zhu as the military governor of Jingnan) and Li Maozhen
the military governor of Fengxiang (who had succeeded Li Changfu) after they had marched on Chang'an and killed the chancellors Li Xi
and Wei Zhaodu
. Then-reigning Emperor Zhaozong
(Emperor Xizong's brother and successor) created Li Keyong the Prince of Jin and bestowed many titles on his followers. As part of this, Gai was made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Rong District (容管, in modern Yulin, Guangxi
), but did not actually report there. He was also created a marquess. As the Song Dynasty
historian Sima Guang
described in his Zizhi Tongjian
as Gai's standing with Li Keyong at that point:
Shortly afterwards, when many of Li Keyong's subordinates suggested that he should head to Chang'an to pay homage to the emperor, Gai argued against it, pointing out that this would cause the people of Chang'an to be disturbed, as they would not be able to discern Li Keyong's intentions. Li Keyong agreed, and withdrew back to Hedong Circuit. Meanwhile, when Li Keyong's general Li Hanzhi
requested the military governorship of Jingnan, but Li Keyong declined on the basis that the imperial government had already commissioned Su Wenjian (蘇文建), Li Hanzhi complained to Gai. Gai, fearful that Li Hanzhi would eventually rebel, tried several times to speak on his behalf with Li Keyong, but Li Keyong refused to grant Li Hanzhi a military governorship, believing that doing so would hasten Li Hanzhi's betrayal. (Li Hanzhi did, as Gai feared, seize Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
) in 898
, turn against Li Keyong, and submit to Zhu Quanzhong.
In 897, Emperor Zhaozong upgraded Rong District to Ningyuan Circuit (寧遠) and made Gai its military governor. Subsequently, Emperor Zhaozong also created him the Duke of Chengyang.
Gai died in 905
. In his will, he advised Li Keyong to reduce construction projects, lower taxes and levies, and seek out wise counselors. After Li Keyong's son and successor Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang founded Later Tang Dynasty
, he gave Gai posthumous honors.
Li Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
, a major warlord late in the Chinese
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...
.
Background
It is not known when Gai Yu was born, but it was known that he was from Wei Prefecture (蔚州, in modern ZhangjiakouZhangjiakou
Zhangjiakou, also known also by several other names, is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hebei province of North China, adjacent to Beijing to the southeast. Its administrative area has a population of 4.35 million, and covers...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
), and that both his grandfather Gai Zuo (蓋祚) and father Gai Qing (蓋慶) served as officer at Wei Prefecture. When the ethnically-Shatuo
Shatuo
The Shatuo were a Turkic tribe that heavily influenced northern Chinese politics from the late ninth century through the tenth century. They are noted for founding 3 of the 5 dynasties and 1 of the kingdoms during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period....
officer Li Keyong
Li Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
rose against Duan Wenchu (段文楚) the defender of Datong Circuit (大同, headquartered at Datong
Datong
Datong is a prefecture-level city in northern Shanxi Province of North China, located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) (which Wei Prefecture belonged to) at Datong's capital Yun Prefecture (雲州) in 878
878
Year 878 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :...
, Gai was one of the proponents, and he became a close associate of Li's.
Services under Li Keyong
After Li Keyong resubmitted to Tang authority and was made the military governor (JiedushiJiedushi
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...
) of Yanmen Circuit (雁門, i.e., the Datong region) in 882
882
Year 882 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Carloman, King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother....
, he made Gai Yu a base supervisor as well as the prefect of Lan Prefecture (嵐州, in modern Lüliang
Lüliang
Lüliang is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi province in China. It has an area of 21,000 square kilometers and a population of 3,600,000.-Administration:Lüliang has direct jurisdiction over:-External links:*...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
). After Li Keyong was later made the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), Gai continued as a base supervisor. It was said that Li Keyong consulted him on all important matters and listened to his suggestions, and that he accompanied Li Keyong on all campaigns.
In 885
885
Year 885 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings besiege Paris.* Godfrith, the Sea King is killed in Lobith...
, after a dispute between 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...
and Li Keyong's ally Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong , formally the Prince of Langye , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Hezhong Circuit...
the military governor of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng
Yuncheng
Yuncheng is the southernmost municipality in Shanxi province, China. It borders Linfen and Jincheng municipalities to the north and east, and Henan and Shaanxi provinces to the south and west....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) erupted into a armed conflict, Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's forces defeated the forces of Tian and his allies Zhu Mei
Zhu Mei
Zhu Mei was a warlord of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Disillusioned with Emperor Xizong and the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi, he tried to support Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor, but was soon thereafter killed by his own officer Wang Xingyu.-...
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, 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...
) and Li Changfu
Li Changfu
Li Changfu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Fengxiang Circuit from 884 to 887...
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, 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...
). Fearful of Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's approaching forces, Tian took then-reigning 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...
and fled to Xingyuan (興元, 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...
). Zhu broke his relationship with Tian and Emperor Xizong, took over the imperial 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...
, and instead supported Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor. Zhu elicited support for Li Yun from the various regional governors, and when his emissary reached Hedong, Gai pointed out that the people of the realm had blamed Li Keyong for chasing Emperor Xizong out of Chang'an and that the only way for Li Keyong to clear himself in their eyes would be to see to Zhu's and Li Yun's destruction. Under Gai's suggestion, Li Keyong burned Li Yun's edict and put Zhu's emissary under arrest, and instead issued a declaration that supported Emperor Xizong and vowing to destroy Zhu. This helped to affirm Emperor Xizong's status as the legitimate emperor. Subsequently, Zhu was assassinated by his own subordinate Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
, and Li Yun was killed by Wang Chongrong, allowing Emperor Xizong to return to Chang'an.
In 894
894
Year 894 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Northumbrians and East Angles swear allegiance to Alfred the Great, but promptly break their truce by attacking the south-west of England.* Mojmír II becomes King of Great Moravia after the death of his father...
, Gai suggested that Li Keyong support the former Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern 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...
) officer Liu Rengong
Liu Rengong
Liu Rengong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Lulong Circuit from 895 to 907...
, who had fled to Hedong after an unsuccessful attempt to take over the circuit, in his endeavors to capture the circuit against Li Kuangchou
Li Kuangchou
Li Kuangchou was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, ruling Lulong Circuit from 893, when he overthrew his older brother Li Kuangwei, to his own defeat in late 894/early 895, as its military governor .- Background and takeover of Lulong Circuit :It is not known when Li Kuangchou...
. Li Keyong agreed, and after a campaign against Li Kuangchou took over Lulong and gave it to Liu to rule as his vassal. (However, Liu would betray Li Keyong in 897
897
Year 897 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Uda of Japan is succeeded by Emperor Daigo....
and became independent.)
In 895
895
Year 895 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The seven tribes of the Magyars settle in the Carpathian Basin under the leadership of Árpád...
, Li Keyong waged a successful campaign against Wang Xingyu (who had succeeded Zhu as the military governor of Jingnan) and Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen , né Song Wentong , courtesy name Zhengchen , formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin , was the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi...
the military governor of Fengxiang (who had succeeded Li Changfu) after they had marched on Chang'an and killed the chancellors Li Xi
Li Xi
Li Xi or Li Qi , courtesy name Jingwang , nicknamed Li Shulou , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
and Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu , courtesy name Zhengji , formally the Duke of Qi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
. Then-reigning Emperor Zhaozong
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang , né Li Jie , name later changed to Li Min , yet later name changed to Li Ye , was the penultimate emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 888 to 904...
(Emperor Xizong's brother and successor) created Li Keyong the Prince of Jin and bestowed many titles on his followers. As part of this, Gai was made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Rong District (容管, in modern Yulin, Guangxi
Yulin, Guangxi
Yulin is one of the fourteen prefecture-level cities of Guangxi autonomous region, in China.-Geography and climate:Yulin is located in southeastern Guangxi province along the border with Guangdong. It is a hilly basin with a total area of 12,838 sq. km....
), but did not actually report there. He was also created a marquess. As the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
historian Sima Guang
Sima Guang
Sīmǎ Guāng was a Chinese historian, scholar, and high chancellor of the Song Dynasty, jinshi 1038.-Life, profession, and works:...
described in his Zizhi Tongjian
Zizhi Tongjian
The Zizhi Tongjian was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084, under the form of a chronicles. In 1065 CE, Emperor Yingzong of Song ordered the great historian Sima Guang to lead with other scholars such as his chief assistants Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, the...
as Gai's standing with Li Keyong at that point:
Shortly afterwards, when many of Li Keyong's subordinates suggested that he should head to Chang'an to pay homage to the emperor, Gai argued against it, pointing out that this would cause the people of Chang'an to be disturbed, as they would not be able to discern Li Keyong's intentions. Li Keyong agreed, and withdrew back to Hedong Circuit. Meanwhile, when Li Keyong's general Li Hanzhi
Li Hanzhi
Li Hanzhi , formally the Prince of Longxi , nickname Li Moyun , was a late-Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty warlord. He was initially a follower of the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao, and later became a Tang general, mostly known for his service under Li Keyong...
requested the military governorship of Jingnan, but Li Keyong declined on the basis that the imperial government had already commissioned Su Wenjian (蘇文建), Li Hanzhi complained to Gai. Gai, fearful that Li Hanzhi would eventually rebel, tried several times to speak on his behalf with Li Keyong, but Li Keyong refused to grant Li Hanzhi a military governorship, believing that doing so would hasten Li Hanzhi's betrayal. (Li Hanzhi did, as Gai feared, seize Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) in 898
898
Year 898 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* A Magyar army headed by Álmos besieges Kiev.* Magyar tribes found the state of Szekesfehervar in Hungary....
, turn against Li Keyong, and submit to Zhu Quanzhong.
In 897, Emperor Zhaozong upgraded Rong District to Ningyuan Circuit (寧遠) and made Gai its military governor. Subsequently, Emperor Zhaozong also created him the Duke of Chengyang.
Gai died in 905
905
Year 905 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Abbasid Caliphate re-establishes control of Egypt from the Tulunids.- Asia :...
. In his will, he advised Li Keyong to reduce construction projects, lower taxes and levies, and seek out wise counselors. After Li Keyong's son and successor Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang founded Later Tang Dynasty
Later Tang Dynasty
The Later Tang Dynasty was a short-lived dynasty that lasted from 923 to 937 one of the five dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was also the first in a series of three dynasties ruled by the Shatuo Turks...
, he gave Gai posthumous honors.