16 Facts About Tufa Wugu

Tufa Wugu was initially a vassal of Later Liang's emperor Lu Guang, but seeing how Lu Guang was misruling his people, declared independence in 397.

Tufa Wugu ruled for only two years before he died from injuries suffered in a horse-riding accident.

Tufa Wugu's father Tufa Sifujian was a great-grandnephew of the early Jin Dynasty Xianbei general Tufa Shujineng, who had been a menace to Jin forces during the reign of Emperor Wu.

Tufa Wugu himself was described as brave and ambitious, and he considered ways to take over Liang Province.

Tufa Wugu strived to follow Fen's suggestions, and soon became known for his abilities.

In 395, Tufa Wugu attacked a number of unsubmissive tribes around his, including Yifu and Zhejue, forcing them to submit.

Tufa Wugu built Lianchuan Castle to serve as headquarters.

Tufa Wugu therefore rejected the titles, although he kept the musicians and artisans that Lu Guang sent to him as part of the title bestowment.

In 397, after Lu Guang had suffered a loss on the battlefield against Western Qin's prince Qifu Gangui, Tufa Wugu declared himself the Prince of Xiping and changed era name, signifying a declaration of independence for Southern Liang.

Tufa Wugu then captured Later Liang's city Jincheng, which Later Liang had only captured from Western Qin earlier that year.

The major aim for Tufa Wugu was to weaken Later Liang and eventually capture its capital Guzang, and later in 397, when Later Liang's rebel general, the prophet Guo Nen, under attack by Lu Guang's son Lu Zuan, sought help from him, he sent his brother Tufa Lilugu to relieve Guo, although Guo later submitted to Western Qin.

In spring 399, Tufa Wugu moved his capital to Ledu.

Tufa Wugu sought advice on whom to attack first, among Western Qin, Later Liang, or Northern Liang.

Pursuant to suggestions by Yang Tong, who pointed out that Lu Guang was incompetent and that his sons were distrusting of each other, and that Tufa Wugu should let his troops harass Later Liang's borders and eventually conquer it.

When Lu Guang's sons Lu Shao and Lu Zuan attacked Northern Liang later that year, Tufa Wugu went to the Northern Liang prince Duan Ye's aid, helping to stave off the Later Liang attack.

Later that year, Tufa Wugu fell off his horse while drunk, and he suffered a severe chest injury.