Yao Guangxiao
The "Black-Robed Chancellor," who planned the Jingnan Campaign and supervised compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia.
Life
Became a Buddhist monk
Yao Guangxiao was a native of Changzhou who became a Buddhist monk at fourteen, taking the dharma name Daoyan, and studied yin-yang and numerological arts. In 1382 he was chosen to serve Zhu Di, Prince of Yan, and from then on became the prince's trusted confidant.
Chief strategist of the Jingnan campaign
He strongly urged Zhu Di to rise in revolt. When the Jingnan Campaign broke out in 1399, he stayed behind to hold Beiping, defending the city, and devised for Zhu Di the strategy of striking straight at Nanjing.
Black-Robed Chancellor
After Zhu Di took the throne, Yao refused to return to lay life or accept rewards, and continued to live in a monastery; he wore official robes at court and changed back into monk's robes afterward, so people called him the "Black-Robed Chancellor." He supervised compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia and died in 1418.
Legacy
Yao Guangxiao was the chief strategist of the Jingnan Campaign. As a monk who assisted an emperor and refused wealth and honors all his life, he is one of the most legendary figures in Ming history.
Major works & achievements
- Planned the Jingnan campaign
- Supervised compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia
Did you know? When he went home to visit his elder sister, she shut her door on him, saying she did not acknowledge him as her younger brother.
Key dates
- 1382Served Zhu Di, Prince of Yan
- 1399Urged Zhu Di to rise in revolt; the Jingnan Campaign
- 1402Zhu Di takes the throne
- 1407Supervised compilation of the Yongle Encyclopedia
- 1418Died