Huangfu Song

Last updated
Huangfu Song
皇甫嵩
Minister of Ceremonies (太常)
In office
192 (192) –195 (195)
Parent
  • Huangfu Jie (father)
OccupationGeneral
Courtesy name Yizhen (義真)
PeerageMarquis of a Chief District
(都鄉侯)

Huangfu Song [a] (died c. April 195 [b] ), courtesy name Yizhen, was a military general who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is known for the suppression the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Liang Province rebellion.

Contents

He was one of three imperial commanders when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, along with Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi. He was known to be a modest and generous person. Lu Zhi was removed from command after the eunuch Zuo Feng made false accusations against him; Lu Zhi had refused to bribe Zuo Feng. [1] Huangfu Song, who took over command of the imperial troops from Lu Zhi, continued to use Lu as a strategist and reported his contributions to the imperial court. Thus, in the same year, Lu Zhi regained his post as Master of Writing (尚书). [2]

Life

Huangfu Song was a nephew of Huangfu Gui (皇甫規; 104-174 [3] ), a military general, [c] and Lady Huangfu. His father Huangfu Jie (Huangfu Gui's elder brother) was the Administrator of Yanmen Commandery. [4] His grandfather Huangfu Qi (皇甫旗) and great-grandfather Huangfu Ling (皇甫棱; one of his known positions was General who Crosses the Liao (River)) were also military officials serving the Eastern Han. [5]

Since young, he was well versed with the Classic of History and the Poetry and also known as his masteries in archery and horsemanship. Nominated into the title of Filial and Incorrupt, he serves as a magistrate in Jingzhao and Hedong, but resigned after his father died. [6] Later, Huangfu Song was eventually nominated by his province's Office as a xiaolian and maocai. However, Huangfu Song also refused those offers to join the office of the Grand Tutor Chen Fan and the General-in-Chief Dou Wu. Only after Emperor Ling of Han personally sent an invitation and sent a special carriage, that Huangfu Song accepted to become Administrator of Beidi in 180. [6] [7]

Yellow Turban Rebellion

During the Yellow Turban rebellion, Huangfu was initially sent to defeat the Yellow Turban rebels in Yingchuan Commandery, along with Zhu Jun. [8] Zhu Jun first engaged the Yellow Turban rebels under Bo Cai but was defeated. Huangfu Song was forced to retreat to Changsha (northeast of present-day Changge County, Henan Province ), where Bo Cai led his troops to besiege the city. The city was short of soldiers and the disparity in numbers terrified the troops. Huangfu Song consoled his men. Later, a strong wind arose that night. Huangfu Song ordered his men to assemble torches and climb the city walls. He first sent elite troops outside the encirclement, setting fires and shouting loudly. Then, torches were lit on the city walls to echo the shouts. Huangfu Song, taking advantage of this momentum, beat drums and charged out. The Yellow Turbans, inexperienced in combat, panicked and scattered, forcing them to retreat. At this time, Cao Cao , the cavalry commander, also arrived on orders. Huangfu Song, Cao Cao, and Zhu Jun joined forces to fight again, defeating the Yellow Turban Army and killed tens of thousands of them. For this achievement, Huangfu Song was granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang. [9]

Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun then took advantage of the victory to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Runan and Chen Commanderies, pursued Bo Cai, and attacked Peng Tuo. The Yellow Turban Rebellion either surrendered or dispersed, and the three counties were completely pacified. [10]

In August, Huangfu Song defeated the Yellow Turban Bu Yi's army at Cangting, captured Bu Yi, and beheaded over 7,000 (some say over 10,000). At this time, Zhang Jue occupied Guangzong and controlled the heartland of Hebei. Lu Zhi had previously been falsely accused by eunuchs of going on an expedition and was recalled, with his death sentence commuted. His successor, Dong Zhuo , was also recalled due to his failure in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, and his death sentence was commuted. The court then issued an edict ordering Huangfu Song to lead his troops to attack. Soon, Huangfu Song forces defeated the forces of Zhang Liang, brother of Zhang Jue, in swvwn consecutive clashes. By the last attack during dusk at Guangzong County (廣宗縣; southeast of present-day Guangzong County, Hebei), Huangfu Song managed to kill Liang, and killed 30,000 Yellow Turban rebels. Other 50,000 rebels dies after this battle after they jumped into the river. Huangfu Song also captured large number of the rebels, along with their wives and children. [11]

In November, Huangfu Song and Julu prefect Guo Dian captured Xiaquyang (now northwest of Jinxian County , Hebei Province), killed Zhang Jiao's brother Zhang Bao , and captured and killed more than 100,000 rwbela. Huangfu Song built a Jingguan (a memorial hall) with the remains of 100,000 people in the south of the city. The court appointed Huangfu Song as the General of the Left Cavalry and the Governor of Jizhou and promoted him to the Marquis of Huaili, with the tax revenue from Huaili and Meiyang counties, and a fief of 8,000 household. [12] (Another chapter in the Book of Han says that Huangfu Song served as the General of the Cavalry after the great defeat of Zhang Liang [13]

After the quelling of the Yellow Turban rebellion, Emperor Ling changed the era name to Zhongping. Huangfu Song recommended that one year's worth of taxes from Ji province be used as assistance for refugees who had been displaced by the rebellion; Emperor Ling agreed. The people chanted, "[The] Tianxia is in chaos; cities become rubble. Mothers cannot protect their children, while wives lose their husbands. It is because of Huangfu that we are able to live in peace." [14]

Also after the quelling of the Yellow Turban rebellion, a former official from Xindu (信都), Yan Zhong (阎忠), advised Huangfu to rebel in order to protect himself, lest he end up like Han Xin. Huangfu refused, and Yan left Huangfu. [15] [d]

Liang Province rebellion

In the spring of 185, Beigong Boyu; a chieftain of Yicong hu (義從胡; lit. "Loyal Nomad Auxiliary", [16] , a subtribe branch from Lesser cadet branch of Yuezhi, rebelled. He killed Ling Zheng, administrator of the Qiang tribe, and supported Bian Zhang and Han Sui from Jincheng as their leaders while also killing Chen Yi, the governor of Jincheng. This all ocfured at the sametime when Huangfu Song still busy with suppressing the Yellow Turban rebellions. [17]

During the rebellion, while passing through Ye, Huangfu noticed that the residence of eunuch Zhao Zhong (赵忠; one of the Ten Attendants) was more grand than what his rank or title entitled him to. When Huangfu reported this to the imperial court, Zhao's residence was confiscated. [18]

In response to the rebellion in Longyou by Beigong Boyu, Bian Zhang, and Han Sui , Huangfu Song moved to Chang'an (present-day Xi'an , Shaanxi ) to guard the imperial mausoleum. Xie Cheng's "Book of the Later Han" records that Huangfu Song was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry, and went to suppress the Qiang and Hu people in Pingliang. He selected generals and soldiers, and led 10,000 cavalry and 3,000 chariots. The ministers and officials all came to see him off at Pingle Temple and held a meeting. He wiped out the Qiang bandits, and left no one alive. He finally restored the two states and presented his victory to boost the army. [19] Later, Huangfu Song fought against Beigong Boyu and his group, who had invaded the Three Prefectural Regions in stalemate, he was unable pacify the rebellion. Furthermore, because he had offended the eunuchs Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang during the Yellow Turban Rebellion , they reported him as failed to immediately subdue the rebels. After four-month tenure the seventh lunar month of 185, Huangfu Song dismissed, have his seal and ribbon as the Left General of Chariots and Cavalry revoked, and reduction of his 6,000 households. [20]

In November of 188 AD, the Liang rebel leader Wang Guo surrounded Chencang (now east of Baoji, Shaanxi). At this time, Emperor Ling of Han appointed Huangfu Song as the Left General and commanded the Front General Dong Zhuo, each leading 20,000 soldiers to resist the enemy. In December, the two were stationed in Youfufeng. [21] Chencang had been besieged by Wang Guo (王国). [22] In the process, Dong had several tactical and strategic disagreements with Huangfu; after Huangfu managed to achieve victory despite Dong's disagreements (resulting in Wang Guo's death), Dong became resentful and fearful of Huangfu Song. [23] [24] [e]

Rise of Dong Zhuo

In 189, Dong Zhuo was made Governor of Bing Province, and was asked to hand troops under his command to Huangfu Song; Dong refused to comply. At the time, Huangfu Song's nephew Huangfu Li (皇甫郦) advised him, "The dynasty has lost its ability to govern and China is hanging by a thread. Only Your Excellency (Huangfu Song) and Dong Zhuo can bring stability to the realm. Now, there is bad blood between the two of you, with no possibility of co-existence. Dong Zhuo is resisting orders by refusing to hand over his troops. He is harbouring wickedness by delaying his advance and claiming that there is chaos in the capital. As he is brutal and heartless, his troops are not loyal to him. Your Excellency, as grand marshal, should attack Dong Zhuo. In this way, you can show your loyalty and righteousness, as well as remove a great threat to the state. This was what Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin did in the past." Huangfu Song replied, "Although it is a crime to disobey orders, it is also wrong to kill someone arbitrarily. Let us report this to the imperial court and let the court decide." After Huangfu's report reached Emperor Xian, the young emperor showed it to Dong Zhuo, increasing his resentment of Huangfu. [25]

In 190, [f] Dong Zhuo, now in control of the imperial court, intended to kill Huangfu Song, using the pretext of giving him a new appointment to summon him to Luoyang. As Huangfu was about to depart, Liang Yan (梁衍) advised him, "Now, the Han dynasty is weak and eunuchs had caused chaos in court. Although Dong Zhuo has killed them, he is not loyal to the state. He has pillaged the capital, and deposed and crowned emperors at will. Today, he has summoned Your Excellency. In the worst case scenario, Your Excellency will be in great peril. At the very least, Your Excellency will be trapped and humiliated. Now, Dong Zhuo is at Luoyang, while the emperor is in the west. Your Excellency should use 30,000 elite troops to welcome the emperor, while declaring your intent to attack Dong Zhuo. You should then spread this intent throughout the country, and recruit troops and officers. With the Yuans closing in from his east and Your Excellency closing in from his west, Dong Zhuo can be captured." Huangfu ignored Liang Yan's advice and continued his journey to Luoyang. [26] During this time Dong Zhuo courted Huangfu Song's aunt, Lady Ma of Fufeng. He was delighted with her beauty and intelligence for working at Han court, so he forced her to marry him. Lady Huangfu refused and confronted him, then Dong Zhuo had her executed.

Huangfu Song's son Huangfu Jianshou was on good terms with Dong Zhuo. After knowing of Dong Zhuo's plans for his father, Jianshou hurried from Chang'an to Luoyang to meet Dong; Dong set a banquet to welcome him. Jianshou gave an emotional speech at the banquet, moving those present; even Dong Zhuo stood up, took Jianshou's hand and had Jianshou sit by his side.Huangfu Song's son, Huangfu Jianshou , was a friend of Dong Zhuo and fled from Chang'an to Luoyang to join Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo was preparing a banquet to welcome his guests when Huangfu Jianshou rushed forward to argue with him, urging him to uphold justice, and kowtowed in tears. The guests were deeply moved and pleaded for Huangfu Song. Dong Zhuo then left the table, pulled Huangfu Jianshou to sit with him, and sent someone to release Huangfu Song and appointed him to the position of Chief Censor. [27] [28]

After Dong Zhuo's death

After Dong Zhuo's death, Huangfu Song was tasked to attack Dong's fortress at Meiwu; Dong's brother Dong Min, their relatives and clansmen who were at Meiwu were slaughtered. [29] Huangfu was then made Grand Commandant in c.September 192, but was relieved of the position c.February 193; he was replaced by Zhou Zhong (周忠), an uncle of Zhou Yu. [30]

After the death of Dong Zhuo in August, Huangfu Song was appointed Grand Marshal due to Li Jue's efforts. [31] [32]

In 195 AD, Huangfu Song died of illness. The court bestowed upon him the seal and ribbon of General of the Cavalry and appointed one of his family members as a palace attendant. [33]

Children and descendants

Huangfu Song was recorded to have at least 2 sons: Huangfu Jianshou and Huangfu Shuxian. Huangfu Shuxian is the paternal grandfather of Huangfu Mi. [34] He also had a daughter who later became She Yuan's wife. [35]

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , Huangfu Song was involved in Wang Yun's plot in getting rid of Dong Zhuo, and led the imperial forces to capture Dong Zhuo's family members and remnants in the capital. [36]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Chinese :皇甫嵩; pronounced [xuǎŋfùsʊ́ŋ] in Mandarin
  2. ↑ Volume 61 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Li Jue and Guo Si took their respective hostages on the bingyin day of the 3rd month of the 2nd year of the Xingping era of Liu Xie's reign. This corresponds to 22 Apr 195 on the Julian calendar. As this event marks the beginning of the civil war between Li Jue and Guo Si, Huangfu Song probably died in April 195.
  3. ↑ Eventually, Huangfu Gui became famous in the capital Luoyang. As his courtesy name had the character "ming", along with the courtesy names of Zhang Huan and Duan Jiong, the three became known as the "Three Mings of Liang Province" (初，颎与皇甫威明、张然明，并知名显达，京师称为“凉州三明”云。) Houhanshu, vol.65.
  4. ↑ This anecdote was also recorded in Jiuzhou Chunqiu. Pei Songzhi included this anecdote in his annotation of Jia Xu's biography in Sanguozhi as Yan Zhong had been one of the few people (if not the only one) who saw Jia's talent in his youth and compared Jia to Zhang Liang and Chen Ping (少时人莫知，唯汉阳阎忠异之，谓诩有良、平之奇。). An Yingxiong Ji annotation in the same biography also recorded that Yan Zhong died of illness after he was abducted by Wang Guo and forced to become the rebels' leader (《英雄记》曰：凉州贼王国等起兵，共劫忠为主，统三十六部，号车骑将军。忠感慨發病而死。). Dong Zhuo's biography in Book of the Later Han also recorded Yan's death.
  5. ↑ de Crespigny (1989), Zhongping 5: Q: "When Huangfu and Dong reached Chencang, Dong urged Huangfu to relief the siege immediately. Huangfu, however, had a different opinion – he argued that Chencang's strong defences would not be easily captured and they would only need to wait for Wang Guo's men to become discouraged. Sure enough, Wang Guo's men laid siege to Chencang for more than eighty days with no success." de Crespigny (1989), Zhongping 6: A: "In spring 189, Wang Guo's men became worn out and abandoned the siege. With his men rested, Huangfu Song ordered his men to give chase. Dong Zhuo protested, citing the rule of warfare that a retreating army is not to be pursued (lest the enemy retaliates in desperation). Huangfu dismissed the protest, saying Wang Guo's retreat was not an organised retreat but a result of losing all will to fight. Huangfu led his men to attack, leaving Dong Zhuo behind as rearguard, and achieved a great victory, cutting off more than ten thousand heads. Dong Zhuo was said to be ashamed and angry at this and bore a grudge against Huangfu from here on."
  6. ↑ 1st year of the Chuping era

Appendix

Reference

  1. ↑ (帝遣小黄门左丰诣军观贼形埶，或劝植以赂送丰，植不肯。丰还言于帝曰：“广宗贼易破耳。卢中郎固垒息军，以待天诛。”帝怒，遂槛车征植，减死罪一等。) Houhanshu, vol.64
  2. ↑ (及车骑将车皇甫嵩讨平黄巾，盛称植行师方略，嵩皆资用规谋，济成其功。以其年复为尚书。) Houhanshu, vol.64
  3. ↑ (熹平三年，以疾召還，未至，卒於谷城，年七十一。) Houhanshu, vol.65
  4. ↑ (度辽将军规之兄子也。父节，雁门太守。) Houhanshu, vol.71
  5. ↑ ([规]祖父棱，度辽将军。父旗，扶风都尉。) Houhanshu, vol.65
  6. 1 2 Rafe de Crespigny (2006 , p. 355)
  7. ↑ (初举孝廉、茂才。太尉陈蕃、大将军窦武连辟，并不到。) Houhanshu, vol. 71
  8. ↑ (嵩、俊各统一军，共讨颖川黄巾。) Houhanshu vol.71
  9. ↑ Houhanshu, vol.8, 71
  10. ↑ Houhanshu, vol.71. Quote: 嵩、俊乘胜进讨汝南、陈国黄巾，追波才于阳翟，击彭脱于西华，并破之。馀贼降散，三郡悉平
  11. ↑ Houhanshu, vol.8, 71
  12. ↑ Houhanshu vol. 71
  13. ↑ Houhanshu vol. 8
  14. ↑ (以黄巾既平，故改年为中平。嵩奏请冀州一年田租，以赡饥民，帝从之。百姓歌曰：“天下大乱兮市为墟，母不保子兮妻失夫，赖得皇甫兮复安居。”) Houhanshu vol.71
  15. ↑ (故信都令汉阳阎忠干说嵩曰：“难得而易失者，时也；时至不旋踵者，几也。故圣人顺时以动，智者因几以发。今将军遭难得之运，蹈易骇之机，而践运不抚，临机不发，将何以保大名乎？”嵩曰：“何谓也？”忠曰：“天道无亲，百姓与能。今将军受钺于暮春，收功于末冬。兵动若神，谋不再计，摧强易于折枯，消坚甚于汤雪，旬月之闲，神兵电埽，封尸刻石，南向以报，威德震本朝，风声驰海外，虽汤武之举，未有高将军者也。今身建不赏之功，体兼高人之德，而北面庸主，何以求安乎？”嵩曰：“夙夜在公，心不忘忠，何故不安？” 忠曰：“不然。昔韩信不忍一餐之遇，而弃三分之业，利剑已揣其喉，方发悔毒之叹者，机失而谋乖也。今主上埶弱于刘、项，将军权重于淮阴，指㧑足以振风云，叱宛可以兴雷电。赫然奋发，因危扺颓，崇恩以绥先附，振武以临后服，征冀方之士，动七州之众，羽檄先驰于前，大军响振于后，蹈流漳河，饮马孟津，诛阉官之罪，除腢凶之积，虽僮儿可使奋拳以致力，女子可使褰裳以用命，况厉熊罴之卒，因迅风之埶哉！功业已就，天下已顺，然后请呼上帝，示以天命，混齐六合，南面称制，移宝器于将兴，推亡汉于已坠，实神机之至会，风发之良时也。夫既朽不雕，衰世难佐。若欲辅难佐之朝，雕朽败之木，是犹逆坂走丸，迎风纵棹，岂云易哉？且今竖宦腢居，同恶如市，上命不行，权归近习，昏主之下，难以久居，不赏之功，谗人侧目，如不早图，后悔无及。”嵩惧曰：“非常之谋，不施于有常之埶。创图大功，岂庸才所致。黄巾细孽，敌非秦、项，新结易散，难以济业。且人未忘主，天不佑逆。若虚造不冀之功，以速朝夕之祸，孰与委忠本朝，守其臣节。虽云多谗，不过放废，犹有令名，死且不朽。反常之论，所不敢闻。”忠知计不用，因亡去。) Houhanshu, vol.71
  16. ↑ Dominik Declercq, ed. (27 January 2025). A Prince of Martial Splendour in the Sixteen Kingdoms: Li Hao (351-417), Ruler of Western Liang. Brill. p. 25. ISBN   9789004727380.
  17. ↑ Houhanshu vol.72
  18. ↑ (初，嵩讨张角，路由邺，见中常侍赵忠舍宅逾制，乃奏没入之。) Houhanshu vol.71
  19. ↑ Yu Shinan(虞世南). "北堂書鈔 (四庫全書本)" [Beitang shuchao 64, Establishment of Officials, 16]. Wikisource (in Chinese).
  20. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 72
  21. ↑ Houhanshu, vol.8
  22. ↑ (贼王国围陈仓,复拜嵩为左将军，督前将军董卓，各率二万人拒之。) Houhanshu, vol.71.
  23. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 72
  24. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 71. Quote: 国走而死。卓大笾恨，由是忌嵩
  25. ↑ (明年，卓拜为并州牧，诏使以兵委嵩，卓不从。嵩从子郦时在军中，说嵩曰：“本朝失政，天下倒悬，能安危定倾者，唯大人与董卓耳。今怨隙已结，埶不俱存。卓被诏委兵，而上书自请，此逆命也。又以京师昏乱，踌躇不进，此怀奸也。且其凶戾无亲，将士不附。大人今为元帅，杖国威以讨之，上显忠义，下除凶害，此桓文之事也。”嵩曰：“专命虽罪，专诛亦有责也。不如显奏其事，使朝廷裁之。于是上书以闻。帝让卓，卓又增怨于嵩。) Houhanshu, vol.71
  26. ↑ (初平元年，乃征嵩为城门校尉，因欲杀之。嵩将行，长史梁衍说曰：“汉室微弱，阉竖乱朝，董卓虽诛之，而不能尽忠于国，遂复寇掠京邑，废立从意。今征将军，大则危祸，小则困辱。今卓在洛阳，天子来西，以将军之众，精兵三万，迎接至尊，奉令讨逆，发命海内，征兵腢帅，袁氏逼其东，将军迫其西，此成禽也。”嵩不从，遂就征。) Houhanshu, vol.71
  27. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 71
  28. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 8
  29. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 72. Biography of Dong Zhuo.
  30. ↑ According to Liu Xie's biography in Book of the Later Han, Huangfu Song was made Grand Commandant in the 8th month of the 3rd year of the Chuping era of his reign, and was relieved of the post in the 12th month of the same year. The two months correspond to 26 Aug to 24 Sep 192 and 21 Jan to 18 Feb 193 in the Julian calendar. ([初平三年]八月，...车骑将军皇甫嵩为太尉。....冬十二月，太尉皇甫嵩免. 光禄大夫周忠为太尉，...) Houhanshu, vol.09
  31. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 9
  32. ↑ Records of the Three Kingdoms with annotations by Pei Songzhi (in Chinese). zh:三國志  – via Wikisource. Volume 6, Book of Wei, Volume 6, Biography of Dong, Yuan, and Liu, Volume 6
  33. ↑ Houhanshu, vol. 71
  34. ↑ (谧字士安，安定朝那人，汉太尉嵩曾孙也。祖叔献，灞陵令。) Jin Shu (by Wang Yin) annotation in Shishuo Xinyu, vol.04
  35. ↑ (援亦少有名行，太尉皇甫嵩賢其才而以女妻之。) San Fu Jue Lu Zhu annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.32
  36. ↑ Sanguo Yanyi ch. 9. According to Dong Zhuo's biography in Book of the Later Han, Huangfu was tasked to attack Dong Min at Meiwu, where Huangfu slaughtered the Dong clan.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.