Yuwen Huaji
Sui general who murdered Emperor Yang and briefly ruled as emperor.
Yuwen Huaji was a Chinese military general and monarch of the Sui dynasty who led a coup against Emperor Yang of Sui in 618. He briefly declared himself emperor of a Xu state before being captured and executed by Dou Jiande in 619.
Quick Facts
- Died
- March 22, 619
- Family name
- Yǔwén (宇文)
- Given name
- Huàjí (化及)
- Reign
- 618–619
- Era name
- Tiānshòu (天壽)
- Occupation
- Military general
- monarch
- politician
Facts from the source article.
Background
Yuwen Huaji was the oldest son of Yuwen Shu, a Sui official who helped Yang Guang become crown prince in 600. Yuwen Huaji served as a guard commander for Yang Guang's palace and was known for riding strong horses at high speed through Chang'an while shooting stones from a sling. He was removed from his post several times for bribery, but Yang Guang persuaded Emperor Wen to restore him. Yang Guang gave a daughter, Princess Nanyang, to Yuwen Huaji's brother Yuwen Shiji in marriage. He made Yuwen Huaji deputy minister of husbandry. In 607, Yuwen Huaji and his brother Yuwen Zhiji engaged in forbidden trade with Tujue; Emperor Yang ordered their execution but spared them, awarding them to their father as slaves. In 616, Emperor Yang went to Jiangdu at Yuwen Shu's suggestion. Yuwen Shu died in winter 616, and Emperor Yang made Yuwen Huaji a general, returned Yuwen Zhiji to office, and allowed Yuwen Huaji to inherit the title Duke of Xu.
Coup against Emperor Yang
Emperor Yang considered moving the capital to Danyang, but Xiaoguo soldiers, largely from Guanzhong, missed home and planned to flee. Officers including Sima Dekan, Pei Qiantong, and Yuan Li organized a plot. Yuwen Zhiji's friend Zhao Xinshu and nephew Yang Shilan discussed the plan with Yuwen Zhiji, who suggested a coup instead. They invited Yuwen Huaji to lead; he initially panicked but accepted. In late spring 618, the Xiaoguo officers quickly gained access to the palace. They denounced Emperor Yang for his crimes and killed his youngest son Yang Gao. Emperor Yang offered to commit suicide by poison, but poison could not be found quickly, so officer Linghu Xingda strangled him with his scarf as he requested.
As regent over Yang Hao
Yuwen Huaji declared himself grand chancellor and regent, issuing an edict in Empress Xiao's name declaring Yang Hao emperor but not allowing him to exercise authority. He gathered Emperor Yang's court and headed northwest toward Luoyang, leaving Chen Leng in charge at Jiangdu. On the way, officers Mai Mengcai, Qian Jie, and Shen Guang attempted a counter-coup but only killed Yuan Min before being surrounded and killed. Yuwen Huaji began living in luxury with imperial items. Sima Dekan, Zhao Xingshu, and others plotted to support Sima as leader, but when they sought support from Meng Haigong, Meng did not respond quickly, and the plot leaked. Yuwen Huaji had Sima arrested. Sima said they executed the tyrant because of his immorality and cruelty, but Yuwen Huaji was even worse. Yuwen Huaji then had Sima executed.
As emperor of Xu
In spring 619, Yuwen Huaji attacked Yuan Baozang, a former general under Li Mi. Yuan surrendered to Tang, and Tang general Li Shentong attacked Yuwen Huaji, who fled east to Liaocheng. Li Shentong besieged Liaocheng. Yuwen Huaji used his treasures to entice Wang Bo, who entered Liaocheng to help defend it. When food ran out, Yuwen Huaji offered to surrender, but Li Shentong refused, wanting to show power and seize treasures. Yuwen Huaji's brother Yuwen Shiji delivered food supplies, allowing Yuwen Huaji to withdraw his surrender offer. Li Shentong could not capture the city. Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia arrived, forcing Li Shentong to withdraw. Dou besieged Liaocheng, and Wang Bo opened the gates. Dou captured Yuwen Huaji, greeted Empress Xiao as a subject, declared mourning for Emperor Yang, and comforted Sui officials. He arrested and executed Yuwen Zhiji, Yang Shilan, and others. Dou delivered Yuwen Huaji and his sons Yuwen Chengji and Yuwen Chengzhi to Xiangguo, where they were beheaded in public. Before execution, Yuwen Huaji said, 'I have never done any harm to the Prince of Xia!' His brother Yuwen Shiji survived and later became a Tang official.
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