Yang Hu
Encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Yang Hu :zh:阳虎/陽虎, the Spring and Autumn retainer-usurper in the state of Lu.
Yang Hu (221–278), style name
Shuzi (叔子), was a military general during the Jin Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. His advocacy for plans to conquer the rival state of Eastern Wu
finally persuaded Emperor Wu
to carry them out, but he would not live to see the plans implemented. He was known for his humility and foresight. Chen Shou, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
, described him as a man of medium height with fine eyebrows and a beautiful beard.
Both Yang Hu's grandfather Yang Xu (羊續) and father Yang Chai (羊茝) were commandery governors, and his mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty
historian and musician Cai Yong
. His sister Yang Huiyu was Sima Shi
's third wife, subsequently honored as an empress dowager
after Emperor Wu established the Jin Dynasty in 265.
Yang Hu lost his father at age 11. He was raised by his uncle Yang Chen (羊耽) and served his uncle filially. As he grew in age, he became known for his intelligence, knowledge, and physical beauty. The general Xiahou Wei
became impressed with him and married his niece (Xiahou Ba
's daughter) to Yang. After his father-in-law defected to Shu Han
in 249 in light of Sima Yi
's coup against Cao Shuang
, Yang was one of the few who were related by marriage who still dared to associate with the Xiahou clan. He served as a low level official during the reigns of Cao Wei
's emperors Cao Mao
and Cao Huan
. Because he warned Sima Zhao
about Zhong Hui
's intentions, Sima trusted his judgment greatly after Zhong rebelled (as he predicted) in 264, and he served as an executive secretary for Sima.
After Sima Zhao's death in 265, his son Sima Yan succeeded him, and later that year forced Cao Huan to abdicate to him, ending Cao Wei and establishing Jin (as Emperor Wu). Emperor Wu wanted to create Yang a duke, but Yang declined.
Throughout the early part of Emperor Wu's reign, Yang was one of the few key officials who strenuously advocated for a plan to conquer the rival Eastern Wu. Emperor Wu, who liked the strategies that Yang submitted, had him become in charge of the western border with Eastern Wu and stationed at Xiangyang (襄陽, in present-day Xiangfan
, Hubei
). In 272, Yang participated in a failed mission to rescue the Eastern Wu defector Bu Chan (步闡) from Xiling (西陵, in present-day Yichang
, Hubei
), and was temporarily demoted but was soon restored to his rank. After that defeat he set up a détente
with the Eastern Wu general Lu Kang
and treated the Eastern Wu border residents with kindness, with intent to win their hearts. The strategy worked, and while Lu tried to counter it by reciprocating, after Lu's death in 274 the Eastern Wu border residents became more and more impressed with Jin in light of Yang's kindness.
By 277, Yang was ill, with plans of conquest that he submitted having been approved by Emperor Wu but not quite at implementation. He carried out one last act that was helpful to the empire—recommending the capable Du Yu
to succeed him, and Du would eventually be a major part of the success against Eastern Wu. He died in 278. The people of Xiangyang built a monument for Yang on Mount Xian (峴山), and ever after Yang's death, visitors to the monument often wept at the monument in memory of his benevolent governance, and so the monument became known as the "Monument of Tears" (墮淚碑). After Jin conquered Eastern Wu in 280, Emperor Wu had the declaration of victory read at Yang's shrine, and created his wife Lady Xiahou a lady over 5,000 households in appreciation.
Yang Hu (221–278), style name
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Shuzi (叔子), was a military general during the Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
period of Chinese history
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...
. His advocacy for plans to conquer the rival state of Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
finally persuaded Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
to carry them out, but he would not live to see the plans implemented. He was known for his humility and foresight. Chen Shou, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, described him as a man of medium height with fine eyebrows and a beautiful beard.
Both Yang Hu's grandfather Yang Xu (羊續) and father Yang Chai (羊茝) were commandery governors, and his mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
historian and musician Cai Yong
Cai Yong
Cai Yong was a Chinese scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He was well-versed in calligraphy, music, mathematics and astronomy. One of his daughters is the famous Cai Wenji.-Early life:...
. His sister Yang Huiyu was Sima Shi
Sima Shi
Sima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
's third wife, subsequently honored as an empress dowager
Empress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
after Emperor Wu established the Jin Dynasty in 265.
Yang Hu lost his father at age 11. He was raised by his uncle Yang Chen (羊耽) and served his uncle filially. As he grew in age, he became known for his intelligence, knowledge, and physical beauty. The general Xiahou Wei
Xiahou Wei
Xiahou Wei, style name Jiquan , was a military general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.The fourth son of Xiahou Yuan, and trained as a horse archer like his father, he would succeed to the head of Xiahou Yuan's troops after the Battle of Mount Dingjun...
became impressed with him and married his niece (Xiahou Ba
Xiahou Ba
Xiahou Ba , style name Zhongquan , was a military general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
's daughter) to Yang. After his father-in-law defected to Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
in 249 in light of Sima Yi
Sima Yi
Sima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
's coup against Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang , style name Zhaobo , was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cao Zhen...
, Yang was one of the few who were related by marriage who still dared to associate with the Xiahou clan. He served as a low level official during the reigns of Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
's emperors Cao Mao
Cao Mao
Cao Mao , formally known as the Duke of Gaogui, was the fourth emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a grandson of Cao Wei's first emperor Cao Pi. Described as intelligent and studious, Cao Mao made repeated attempts to seize back state power...
and Cao Huan
Cáo Huàn
Cao Huan , formally known as Emperor Yuan of Wei, was the fifth and last emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history....
. Because he warned Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
about Zhong Hui
Zhong Hui
Zhong Hui was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Zhong Yao, a calligrapher and politician of Wei....
's intentions, Sima trusted his judgment greatly after Zhong rebelled (as he predicted) in 264, and he served as an executive secretary for Sima.
After Sima Zhao's death in 265, his son Sima Yan succeeded him, and later that year forced Cao Huan to abdicate to him, ending Cao Wei and establishing Jin (as Emperor Wu). Emperor Wu wanted to create Yang a duke, but Yang declined.
Throughout the early part of Emperor Wu's reign, Yang was one of the few key officials who strenuously advocated for a plan to conquer the rival Eastern Wu. Emperor Wu, who liked the strategies that Yang submitted, had him become in charge of the western border with Eastern Wu and stationed at Xiangyang (襄陽, in present-day Xiangfan
Xiangfan
Xiangyang is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. It was formed from two famous ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
). In 272, Yang participated in a failed mission to rescue the Eastern Wu defector Bu Chan (步闡) from Xiling (西陵, in present-day Yichang
Yichang
Yichang is a prefecture-level city located in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Hubei province after the province capital, Wuhan. The Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District.-History:In ancient times Yichang...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
), and was temporarily demoted but was soon restored to his rank. After that defeat he set up a détente
Détente
Détente is the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation. The term is often used in reference to the general easing of relations between the Soviet Union and the United States in the 1970s, a thawing at a period roughly in the middle of the Cold War...
with the Eastern Wu general Lu Kang
Lu Kang
Lu Kang , style name Youjie , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Lu Xun and a maternal grandson of Sun Ce. He was praised for his talent and wisdom....
and treated the Eastern Wu border residents with kindness, with intent to win their hearts. The strategy worked, and while Lu tried to counter it by reciprocating, after Lu's death in 274 the Eastern Wu border residents became more and more impressed with Jin in light of Yang's kindness.
By 277, Yang was ill, with plans of conquest that he submitted having been approved by Emperor Wu but not quite at implementation. He carried out one last act that was helpful to the empire—recommending the capable Du Yu
Du Yu
Du Yu , style name Yuankai , was a military general of Cao Wei during the late Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He served the Jin Dynasty after the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Also a prolific author, it is said that Du Yu read the Zuozhuan so often that he was addicted to the book...
to succeed him, and Du would eventually be a major part of the success against Eastern Wu. He died in 278. The people of Xiangyang built a monument for Yang on Mount Xian (峴山), and ever after Yang's death, visitors to the monument often wept at the monument in memory of his benevolent governance, and so the monument became known as the "Monument of Tears" (墮淚碑). After Jin conquered Eastern Wu in 280, Emperor Wu had the declaration of victory read at Yang's shrine, and created his wife Lady Xiahou a lady over 5,000 households in appreciation.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms