Ashina Jiesheshuai facts for kids

Ashina Jiesheshuai (simplified Chinese: 阿史那结社率; traditional Chinese: 阿史那結社率; pinyin: Ashǐnà Jiēshèshuai; died May 19, 639) was a prince from the Ashina tribe. This tribe was part of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. He also served as a general for the Tang dynasty in China.

Ashina Jiesheshuai: A Turkic Prince and General

Who Was Ashina Jiesheshuai?

Ashina Jiesheshuai was one of the sons of Shibi Khan, a powerful ruler of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. He was the younger brother of Ashina Shibobi, who later became a leader known as Tölis Khaghan.

In 630, the Tang dynasty of China defeated the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. After this, the Turkic lands became a state that was loyal to China. Many Turkic nobles, including Ashina Jiesheshuai, joined the Chinese army during this time.

The Plot Against the Emperor

Emperor Taizong Arriving at the Jiucheng Palace (print c. 1500).

By the summer of 639, Ashina Jiesheshuai had fallen out of favor with Emperor Taizong of Tang. This happened because he had wrongly accused his own brother, Ashina Shibobi, of being a traitor. Emperor Taizong found this act very dishonest.

Because of this, Ashina Jiesheshuai decided to plan something big. He teamed up with Ashina Hexiangu, who was his brother's son. Their plan was to attack and kill Emperor Taizong at his summer home, called the Jiucheng Palace.

The Raid and Its Outcome

They planned to attack on May 19. They thought they would wait for Prince Li Zhi (who later became Emperor Gaozong of Tang) to leave the palace in the morning. This would create an opening for them. However, on that day, a storm kept Prince Li Zhi inside the palace.

Even with the change in plans, Ashina Jiesheshuai attacked the palace anyway. He and his group fought against the palace guards. More soldiers quickly came to help the guards. Ashina Jiesheshuai and his friends managed to steal about 20 horses from the stables. They tried to escape by riding north. But they were caught by soldiers near the Wei River and were killed. Ashina Hexiangu was sent away to a far-off place.

What Happened Next?

After this attack, many officials in China suggested that the Turkic people should be moved away from the main parts of the country. So, in the fall of 639, Emperor Taizong created a new Turkic state. He made a Turkic prince named Li Simo (who was originally Ashina Simo) its new leader, known as Qilibi Khan. All the Turkic people who had surrendered to China were told to move north of the Great Wall and the Yellow River.

At first, the Turkic people were scared to move because of another group called the Xueyantuo. Emperor Taizong then sent a message to the Xueyantuo leader, telling him not to attack Li Simo's people. After getting a promise of peace, the Turkic people finally moved to their new home.

Later Impact

Ashina Jiesheshuai's rebellion did not succeed. However, much later, in 681, another Turkic leader named Qutlugh started a new revolt against the Tang dynasty. This led to the creation of the Second Turkic Khaganate in 682.

A Hero in Stories

A famous Turkish writer named Nihal Atsız used some ideas from Ashina Jiesheshuai's story to create a fictional hero. This character is named Kür Şad in his novel Bozkurtların Ölümü (which means The Deaths of Gray Wolves). In the book, Kür Şad's father is a different person, not Shibi Khan.

See Also

• Tang campaign against the Eastern Turks#Aftermath in Mongolia
• Turks in the Tang military