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Wang Shichong
Sui general of Central Asian descent who held Luoyang, defeated Li Mi, made himself emperor of Zheng, and surrendered to Li Shimin in 621
In a side chamber of a palace, a yellow ceremonial robe embroidered with a dragon hangs on a wooden stand, its hem worked with waves and rocks, before a carved folding screen, while a black lacquer chest sits on a low table by a lattice window and no person is in view.
Also known as Zi Xingman
Wang Shichong, courtesy name Xingman, was born a Zhi: his grandfather Zhi Tuinou came from the Western Regions and died young, and when his widow married the official Wang Can, her son, Wang Shichong's father, took the name Wang. He rose to vice director in the Ministry of War under Emperor Wen, and under Emperor Yang held Jiangdu, where he massacred rebels he had promised to spare. In 617 he was sent to defend Luoyang. After Emperor Yang's murder he and Yuan Wendu enthroned the Sui prince Yang Tong; Wang then killed Yuan and routed Li Mi at Mount Mang. In 619 he deposed Yang Tong, made himself emperor of Zheng with the reign title Kaiming, and had Yang Tong poisoned. Besieged by Li Shimin, he surrendered in 621 after Dou Jiande's relief army was captured; spared and banished to Shu, he was killed by Dugu Xiude, whose father he had executed. The Old History of the Tang (Jiu Tangshu) pairs him with Dou Jiande in one chapter.
Life and times
Dates Birth unknown–621 CE