1. Yuwen Huaji was a Chinese military general, monarch, and politician of the Sui dynasty who, in 618, led a coup against and murdered Emperor Yang of Sui.
23 Facts About Yuwen Huaji
1. 2.
Yuwen Huaji subsequently declared Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao emperor and led Emperor Yang's elite Xiaoguo Army north.
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Yuwen Huaji was the oldest son of the Sui dynasty official Yuwen Shu, a close associate of Yang Guang the Prince of Jin, the son of Sui's founder Emperor Wen, and played a large role in helping Yang Guang displacing his older brother Yang Yong as Emperor Wen's crown prince in 600.
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Thereafter, Yuwen Huaji served as a guard commander for Yang Guang's palace.
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Yuwen Huaji made Yuwen Huaji the deputy minister of husbandry.
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Yuwen Huaji allowed Yuwen Huaji to inherit Yuwen Shu's title of Duke of Xu.
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At the suggestion of Zhao and Xue Shiliang, they decided to invite Yuwen Huaji to be their leader.
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Yuwen Huaji, who was described as cowardly, initially panicked when offered the leadership, but eventually accepted.
9.
Yuwen Huaji briefly considered declaring Emperor Yang's brother, the former Prince of Shu Yang Xiu, emperor, but the other coup leaders opposed the idea, and so Yang Xiu and his sons were put to death, as were Emperor Yang's son Yang Jian the Prince of Qi, Emperor Yang's grandson Yang Tan the Prince of Yan, and other members of the imperial Yang clan.
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Yuwen Huaji declared himself grand chancellor and effectively served as regent.
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Yuwen Huaji issued an edict in Empress Xiao's name, declaring Yang Hao emperor, but did not allow Yang Hao to actually exercise any imperial authorities.
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Yuwen Huaji soon gathered Emperor Yang's court, including his concubines and ladies in waiting, as well as officials, and began heading back northwest, toward the eastern capital Luoyang, leaving the general Chen Leng in charge at Jiangdu.
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Meanwhile, Yuwen Huaji began to live in luxury, using items and ceremonies only appropriate for emperors.
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Yuwen Huaji made several attacks on Li Mi but could not prevail.
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Yuwen Huaji discovered the plot and executed Zhang and his co-conspirators, but by this point was growing increasingly despondent over the increasing desertions from his rank.
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Yuwen Huaji, believing that defeat was near, wanted to take imperial title.
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In spring 619, Yuwen Huaji attacked Yuan Baozang, a general previously under Li Mi.
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Yuwen Huaji then tried to use the treasures he carried to entice other rebel generals into assisting him.
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Soon Yuwen Huaji ran out of food and offered to surrender to Li Shentong.
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Meanwhile, Yuwen Huaji had sent Yuwen Shiji out of the city to seek food, and Yuwen Shiji was able to deliver some food supplies to Liaocheng, allowing Yuwen Huaji to recover somewhat, and therefore he withdrew his surrender offer and continued to resist.
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However, Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia, another rebel leader intent on attacking Yuwen Huaji, soon arrived, forcing Li Shentong to withdraw.
22.
Dou captured Yuwen Huaji and, referring to himself as "your subject" when greeting Empress Xiao, declared a mourning period for Emperor Yang and comforted the Sui officials.
23.
Yuwen Huaji arrested Yuwen Zhiji, Yang Shilan, and several other associates of Yuwen Huaji, executing them publicly.