Gao Huan
Defeated the Erzhu clan at the Battle of Hanling, installed the Eastern Wei, and contended with Yuwen Tai for half his life.
Life
From the Six Garrisons
Gao Huan was a Xianbei-acculturated Han Chinese from the Six Garrisons who early on joined Erzhu Rong. After Erzhu Rong's death, he rose in revolt at Xindu in 531, and in 532 at Hanling, with the few defeating the many, he crushed the Erzhu clan coalition and took control of the Northern Wei court.
Battle of Hanling
In 534 Emperor Xiaowu, unwilling to remain under his control, fled west into Guanzhong to join Yuwen Tai. Gao Huan installed Emperor Xiaojing instead and moved the capital to Ye; from then on the Northern Wei was split into the Eastern Wei and Western Wei.
East-West Standoff
Thereafter he fought Yuwen Tai in great battles year after year, with victories and defeats on both sides at Shayuan, Heqiao and Mangshan. In 546 he besieged Yubi for more than 50 days but was held off by Wei Xiaokuan, losing 70,000 men; grief and indignation made him ill, and he died the following year. His son Gao Yang later founded the Northern Qi.
Legacy
Gao Huan was one of the most important hegemons of the late Northern Dynasties. The Eastern Wei–Northern Qi he established faced Yuwen Tai's Western Wei–Northern Zhou in a standoff lasting more than forty years.
Major works & achievements
- Battle of Hanling
- Installed the Eastern Wei
Did you know? After his defeat at Yubi, he had Hulü Jin sing the "Song of the Chile" and sang along himself, weeping with grief.
Key dates
- 532Defeated the Erzhu clan at the Battle of Hanling
- 534Installed the Eastern Wei and moved the capital to Ye
- 537Defeated at the Battle of Shayuan
- 543Victory at the Battle of Mangshan
- 546Repulsed at the Battle of Yubi
- 547Died