Huang Chao

Also known as Chong Tian Da Jiang Jun · Daqi Huangdi

Huang Chao came from Yuanju in Caozhou (southwest of modern Heze, Shandong), from a family of salt traders; he had some education but failed the jinshi examination repeatedly. In 875 he joined the revolt begun by Wang Xianzhi, and after Wang was killed in 878 the rebels made him their leader with the title Heaven-Storming General. He then marched south through Jiangxi, eastern Zhejiang and Fujian, sacked Guangzhou, and turned north across the Yangzi and Huai, entering Chang'an at the end of the first Guangming year and declaring himself emperor of Great Qi with the reign title Jintong. In 883 the Shatuo leader Li Keyong and other commanders retook the capital, his general Zhu Wen having gone over to the Tang the year before. Trapped at Langhu Valley near Mount Tai in 884, he cut his own throat and, according to the New Book of Tang, was finished off by his nephew Lin Yan. A chrysanthemum poem attributed to him ends with a city filled with golden armour.