Gao Pian facts for kids

Gao Pian (Chinese: 高駢; 821? – September 24, 887), also known by his courtesy name Qianli, was an important Chinese general, poet, and politician during the Tang dynasty. He first became famous for stopping attacks from the Nanzhao kingdom. Later, he was known for not being able to defeat the rebel army led by Huang Chao. He also struggled to manage the Huainan region (near modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), where he was the military governor.

In 887, a rebellion against him started. This led to a big fight in Huainan and Gao Pian was captured by Qin Yan. He was later put to death.

Early Life and Military Career

Gao Pian might have been born in 821. He was the grandson of a famous general named Gao Chongwen. His father, Gao Chengming, was an officer in the imperial Shence Army. Even though his family had a military background, Gao Pian loved writing when he was young. He often talked with Confucian scholars. People thought he was very smart, and even important eunuchs in the army respected him.

Early in the rule of Emperor Yizong, there was a rebellion by the Dangxiang people. Gao Pian was given command of 10,000 soldiers. He was very good at attacking the Dangxiang and often won battles. Because of his success, he was promoted to be a leader in Qin Prefecture (near modern Tianshui, Gansu).

Defending Annan from Dali

In 863, forces from the Dali kingdom attacked and took over Annan District (modern Hanoi, Vietnam). The Tang dynasty tried many times to get it back but failed. In 864, a top official named Xiahou Zi suggested Gao Pian lead the Tang forces. Gao Pian was made the protector general of Annan.

By late 865, Gao Pian was training his army. An official named Li Weizhou, who didn't like Gao Pian, pushed him to attack Annan's capital, Jiaozhi. Gao Pian agreed to go with 5,000 men and asked Li to follow with the rest. But Li took over the remaining troops and didn't help Gao Pian.

Dali sent more soldiers to defend Annan. Gao Pian, with another official named Wei Zhongzai, kept winning battles against Dali. However, Li Weizhou stopped Gao Pian's victory reports from reaching the capital, Chang'an. Emperor Yizong was confused why Gao Pian wasn't sending updates. Li then falsely reported that Gao Pian was refusing to advance. The emperor was angry and sent another general, Wang Yanquan, to replace Gao Pian.

Gao Pian left his army, which was surrounding Jiaozhi, to meet Wang. But messengers Gao Pian had sent earlier, Zeng Gun and Wang Huizan, found a way to get their reports to Emperor Yizong in Chang'an. The emperor was happy with the news and ordered Gao Pian to keep his command. Gao Pian returned to Jiaozhi, where the siege had been lifted by Li and Wang. He restarted the attack and finally captured Jiaozhi in late 866. He killed the Dali general and a local leader.

After this victory, Emperor Yizong created a new region called Jinghai Circuit and made Gao Pian its military governor. Gao Pian rebuilt Jiaozhi's defenses so well that Dali didn't attack again. He also improved sea travel, making it easier to supply Jiaozhi.

Governing Different Regions

In 868, Gao Pian was called back to Chang'an. He suggested his grandnephew, Gao Xun, take his place in Jinghai, which the emperor agreed to. Gao Pian then became the military governor of Tianping Circuit (near modern Tai'an, Shandong) and was praised for his good leadership. In 873, when Emperor Yizong died and his son Emperor Xizong took over, Gao Pian was given an honorary title.

In 874, Dali attacked Tang's Xichuan Circuit (near modern Chengdu, Sichuan). The local governor couldn't stop them. Emperor Xizong sent Gao Pian to Xichuan to deal with Dali. Gao Pian became the new military governor of Xichuan. He saw that many people were crowded into the city of Chengdu, which could cause sickness. Even before he arrived, he ordered the city gates opened so people could leave. People were very happy about this.

When he arrived in early 875, Gao Pian launched a small attack against Dali. He then built many strong forts along the border. Because of his defenses, Dali stopped attacking Xichuan.

However, Gao Pian soon faced trouble from his own soldiers. Earlier, a group of soldiers called the "Raiders" had helped defend Chengdu. Gao Pian removed their positions and even stopped giving them food. He also angered soldiers by using magic before battles and saying Xichuan soldiers were weak. He punished people very harshly. In mid-875, the Raiders attacked Gao Pian's headquarters, but he hid and was safe. Gao Pian then apologized and gave the Raiders their jobs and pay back. Later that month, he had the Raiders and their families arrested and punished.

In 876, Gao Pian built new outer walls for Chengdu. He also sent a Buddhist monk to Dali to promise peace. Because of these actions, Dali did not try to stop his defense building.

In 878, Gao Pian was moved to Jingnan Circuit (near modern Jingzhou, Hubei). He was also put in charge of salt and iron taxes and food supplies for the capital cities.

Fighting Rebels in Zhenhai and Huainan

In 878, after a rebel leader named Wang Xianzhi was defeated, his followers spread out. Many went to Zhenhai Circuit (near modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu). Since many of these rebels were from Tianping Circuit, where Gao Pian was respected, Emperor Xizong sent Gao Pian to Zhenhai. He hoped the rebels would surrender to him. However, most of Wang's followers joined another rebel leader, Huang Chao.

In 879, Gao Pian sent his officers Zhang Lin and Liang Zuan to attack Huang Chao. They won a battle, and some of Huang Chao's followers, including Qin Yan, Bi Shiduo, and Li Hanzhi, surrendered. This defeat made Huang Chao move south.

Gao Pian suggested a plan to the emperor to trap Huang Chao. But the emperor turned down his idea. Gao Pian later captured Guang Prefecture (near modern Guangzhou) and held it for some time. Emperor Xizong then moved Gao Pian to Huainan Circuit, where he continued to manage salt and iron taxes.

Campaign Against Huang Chao

After Gao Pian moved to Huainan, his officer Zhang Lin continued to win against Huang Chao. Gao Pian gathered 70,000 more soldiers and was praised for his success.

In 880, the government needed money. Some suggested forcing rich merchants to lend half their money. Gao Pian argued against this, saying that merchants were the only ones still supporting the government during a famine. The emperor agreed and stopped the plan.

In mid-880, Huang Chao's army was sick and stuck. Zhang Lin was about to attack. Huang Chao offered to surrender to Gao Pian. Gao Pian wanted to take credit for Huang Chao's surrender. He even sent away extra troops that had arrived to help him, saying he didn't need them. But when Huang Chao found out Gao Pian's extra troops had left, he broke off talks. Huang Chao then surprisingly defeated Zhang Lin in battle and killed him. This made Huang Chao's army strong again.

In late 880, Huang Chao crossed the Yangtze River and entered Huainan. Gao Pian became afraid after Zhang Lin's death and refused to fight Huang Chao. He asked the emperor for help, which disappointed the government. Emperor Xizong criticized Gao Pian for sending away the extra troops earlier. Gao Pian then claimed to be sick and refused to fight. This made the relationship between Gao Pian and the emperor very cold.

Huang Chao's forces moved towards the capital cities, Luoyang and Chang'an. Around early 881, Emperor Xizong had to leave Chang'an and flee. The emperor still hoped Gao Pian would attack Huang Chao. He gave Gao Pian more power to appoint generals, but Gao Pian still refused to send his troops. Huang Chao entered Chang'an and declared himself the emperor of a new state called Qi.

Gao Pian, influenced by sorcerers he trusted, gathered 80,000 men and camped just outside the city. He claimed he was ready to attack Huang Chao but refused to move further. He also asked other regions to join him. But his old friend Zhou Bao, who was leading Zhenhai troops, realized Gao Pian had no real plan to attack. Zhou refused to join, believing Gao Pian might act against him. They exchanged angry letters, and their friendship ended. Gao Pian then used Zhou's refusal as an excuse to send his troops home.

Gao Pian's Downfall and Death

Gao Pian was supposed to be the main commander against Huang Chao, but he refused to act. So, in early 882, Emperor Xizong gave the main command to another official, Wang Duo. Gao Pian remained military governor of Huainan but lost control of the salt and iron taxes. By this time, Gao Pian trusted a sorcerer named Lü Yongzhi very much. Lü Yongzhi and his friends were basically running the region, and anyone who spoke against them was punished.

In mid-882, Emperor Xizong took away Gao Pian's control over the taxes, which meant less money for him. Gao Pian was very angry. He sent a rude letter to the emperor, complaining and criticizing other officials. Emperor Xizong responded harshly. After this, Gao Pian stopped sending any tax money to the imperial government.

In 885, Huang Chao was defeated, and Emperor Xizong returned to Chang'an. A powerful eunuch named Tian Lingzi caused more trouble, forcing the emperor to flee again. Some officials tried to make Gao Pian an ally. They had a distant relative of the emperor, Li Yun, declare himself regent. Li Yun gave Gao Pian back his old titles, and Gao Pian then asked Li Yun to become emperor, which he did.

Meanwhile, Gao Pian realized that Lü Yongzhi was truly in charge of Huainan, not him. He tried to limit Lü's power, but Lü started planning to remove Gao Pian.

In mid-887, a former Tang general, Qin Zongquan, who had declared himself emperor, was preparing to attack Huainan. Gao Pian got ready to defend. However, Bi Shiduo, one of Gao Pian's commanders, believed Lü Yongzhi was going to act against him. So, Bi gathered his forces and attacked Gao Pian's headquarters, which were controlled by Lü. Bi's forces surrounded Yang Prefecture. Bi said he would surrender if Gao Pian killed Lü and his friend. Gao Pian, fearing Lü would harm Bi's family, took Bi's family under his protection. The fight for Yang Prefecture became a three-way battle between Bi, Gao Pian, and Lü.

Bi's forces couldn't capture Yang Prefecture quickly. So, Bi asked for help from Qin Yan, another official. Qin Yan sent his officer to help Bi. Soon, Yang Prefecture fell, and Lü fled. Bi briefly took control before giving it to Qin Yan. Qin Yan and Bi then arrested Gao Pian and his family and held them in a Taoist temple.

Lü, now outside the city, used Gao Pian's name to call for help from another officer, Yang Xingmi. Yang gathered troops and headed for Yang Prefecture. Yang and Lü joined forces and defeated Qin and Bi's attacks. Qin and Bi started to believe Gao Pian was using magic against them. A sorceress told Qin that a famous person needed to die to end the problems. So, on September 24, Qin sent an officer to execute Gao Pian, his sons, brothers, nephews, and their families.

Later that year, Yang Xingmi captured Yang Prefecture and forced Qin Yan and Bi to flee. Yang gave Gao Pian's grandnephew, Gao Yu, an honorary title and put him in charge of reburying Gao Pian and his family. However, Gao Yu died before he could do it. Later, an old subordinate of Gao Pian's, Guang Shiqian, finally reburied Gao Pian.