Liang Shidu facts for kids

Liang Shidu (died June 3, 628) was a leader who started a rebellion against the Sui dynasty in China. This happened near the end of Emperor Yang of Sui's rule. Liang Shidu called himself the Emperor of Liang. He ruled over parts of northern Shaanxi and western Inner Mongolia for more than ten years.

He got help from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, a powerful group of nomads. However, the new Tang dynasty slowly weakened his power. The Tang emperors, Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, defeated other rebel leaders one by one. This left Liang Shidu all alone. In 628, the Eastern Turks had their own problems and could not help him. Emperor Taizong launched a final attack. Liang Shidu's cousin, Liang Luoren, killed him and surrendered. This completed the Tang dynasty's goal of reuniting China after the Sui dynasty fell.

Starting the Rebellion

Liang Shidu came from an important family in Xia Province (which is now Yulin, Shaanxi). He was a military officer during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui. Around 617, he left the army and went back home.

At that time, many farmers were rebelling in the area. Liang Shidu gathered his own group of men. They ambushed and defeated a local official. He first called himself the "Grand Chancellor" and made an alliance with the Eastern Tujue. When a Sui general tried to attack him, Liang Shidu defeated him.

After this, he captured several nearby areas. He then officially joined the Eastern Tujue leader, Shibi Khan. Shibi Khan gave him a special title and a flag with a wolf head, which was a symbol of the Tujue people. Liang Shidu helped the Eastern Tujue forces take over the Ordos Desert region. Later, Shibi Khan gave Liang Shidu another special title. Liang Shidu then declared his own state called Liang and became its emperor.

Early Years as Emperor

Map of northern China during the change from Sui to Tang. It shows the main leaders and battles.

Liang Shidu teamed up with another rebel leader named Guo Zihe. In 618, Li Yuan rebelled against Emperor Yang. Li Yuan took the capital city of Chang'an and made Emperor Yang's grandson the new emperor. Another rebel ruler, Xue Ju, also made an alliance with Liang Shidu and the Eastern Tujue. They planned to attack Chang'an. However, Li Yuan convinced the Eastern Tujue general to stop the attack.

In late 618, Li Yuan became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty. Liang Shidu tried to attack Ling Prefecture, which had joined the Tang dynasty. But he was pushed back.

In early 619, the Eastern Tujue leader, Ashina Duojishi, planned a big attack on China. Both Liang Shidu and another rebel ruler, Liu Wuzhou, joined him. But Ashina Duojishi died, and his brother took over. The new leader stopped the attack after the Tang dynasty gave him a lot of gifts. Liang Shidu tried to attack Ling Prefecture again but failed.

In late 619, he attacked Yan Prefecture, which had also joined the Tang dynasty. A Tang general named Duan Decao stopped him. Another attack by Liang Shidu in 620, with the Eastern Tujue, was also stopped by Duan. Meanwhile, Liang Shidu's former ally, Guo Zihe, had joined the Tang dynasty. Guo Zihe then turned against Liang Shidu and took one of his cities.

Liang Shidu became worried after some of his generals joined the Tang dynasty. He also saw that Liu Wuzhou had been defeated by the Tang. Liang Shidu sent an official to tell the Eastern Tujue leader that they should attack the Tang before it became too strong. The Eastern Tujue leader agreed and made a big plan to attack the Tang from many sides. However, he died before he could start the plan. His brother, Ashina Duobi, became the new leader.

In early 622, the Tang general Duan Decao attacked Liang Shidu. He captured the eastern part of Liang Shidu's capital city, forcing Liang Shidu to move to the western part. But Eastern Tujue forces arrived to help, and Duan had to retreat. Liang Shidu then sent his brother, Liang Luo'er, with Eastern Tujue forces to attack a Tang area. But they were stopped by a Tang general.

Later Years and Decline

In early 623, two of Liang Shidu's generals joined the Tang dynasty, taking their land with them. In summer 623, Duan Decao attacked Liang Shidu again. He reached the capital city but left after taking supplies. In response, a Liang general helped Eastern Tujue troops attack a Tang area. Then Liang Shidu himself led Eastern Tujue forces to attack another Tang area.

In late 624, an important official of Liang Shidu also joined the Tang dynasty.

In 626, Emperor Gaozu's son, Li Shimin, became the new Tang emperor. Meanwhile, Liang Shidu's forces were getting weaker. He suggested to the Eastern Tujue leader that they invade the Tang dynasty. The Eastern Tujue leader and his nephew attacked the Tang capital, Chang'an. But they left after Emperor Taizong met them and offered more gifts.

The End of Liang Shidu

After this, the Eastern Tujue had their own problems and could not help Liang Shidu as much. Emperor Taizong wrote to Liang Shidu many times, asking him to surrender. But Liang Shidu refused. Emperor Taizong sent small groups to attack Liang Shidu's land. They burned crops to reduce his food supplies. He also sent people into Liang Shidu's territory to cause problems between Liang and his officials.

In summer 628, some Khitan tribes surrendered to the Tang. The Eastern Tujue leader offered to trade Liang Shidu for these tribes, but Emperor Taizong refused.

Emperor Taizong sent his brother-in-law, Chai Shao, and other generals to attack Liang Shidu's capital. They quickly defeated Eastern Tujue forces and surrounded the city. The Eastern Tujue forces could not break the siege. When the food ran out, Liang Shidu's cousin, Liang Luoren, killed Liang Shidu. He then surrendered the city to the Tang dynasty.

Era Name

• Yonglong (永隆 yǒng lóng) 617-628