23 Facts About Du Tao

Du Tao, courtesy name Jingwen, was a Chinese rebel leader during the Jin dynasty.

Du Tao's rebellion lasted for roughly four years, before he presumably died while fleeing in 315.

Du Tao was from Chengdu, Yi province and was the grandson of a famous official in Shu Han named Du Zhi during the Three Kingdoms period.

Li Te's envoy, Yan Shi, managed to persuade Du Tao into helping the refugees by talking his superior into extending their stay.

Du Tao was inclined to give the refugees a year-long extension instead of Yan Shi's initial proposal of extending to winter.

In 311, a Shu native named Li Xiang began a rebellion in Lexiang, so Ying Zhan and Du Tao attacked and routed him.

Du Tao agreed to lead the rebellion, declaring himself the Governor of Liang and Yi provinces.

Du Tao occupied the city of Changsha where Xun Tiao resided, forcing him to abandon his post and flee to Guang province.

Du Tao allowed his men to plunder and pillage, and for a brief while, he surrendered to the Jin commander, Shan Jian before resuming his revolt.

Du Tao killed the Administrator of Chengtai, Guo Cha, and continued his successes by conquering Lingling, Guiyang and Wuchang while killing many officials along the way.

Du Tao sent his subordinate Wang Zhen to help the rebels by attacking Mianyang, enveloping Zhou Yi from two sides.

Du Tao later predicted that Du Tao would go to Wuchang next, so Tao Kan took many shortcuts to get to the commandery as quick as possible.

Du Tao had indeed been planning to go to Wuchang, but as Tao Kan had arrived first, he was defeated by a counterattack which caused him to retreat back to Changsha.

Later that year, Du Tao faced Tao Kan and Zhou Fang again, but was once more defeated.

Along the way, Du Tao was appointed as Chief of military affairs in Badong commandery.

However, although Du Tao's surrender was acknowledged by Sima Rui, the Jin generals were eager to claim credit for putting down the rebellion, so they continued relentlessly harassing Du Tao's forces.

Therefore, when Wang Yun arrived, Du Tao had him killed and resumed his rebellion.

Du Tao sent his general Zhang Yan to raid Yuzhang commandery.

Later, Zhou Fang attempted to attack Xiangcheng with a navy, but at the same time, Du Tao had sent his general Du Hong to attack Penkou.

Later that year, Du Tao was locked with Tao Kan in a stalemate.

Du Tao retreated, but what became of him after this was unknown.

Regardless, the rebellion ended in 315 after Du Tao Kan recovered Changsha.

Du Tao's followers were granted amnesty by Sima Rui after they surrendered.