Xue Ju facts for kids

Xue Ju (薛舉) was a powerful leader who lived a long time ago in China. He started his own short-lived kingdom called Qin. This happened during the end of the Sui dynasty, a time when China was in chaos. His kingdom was later defeated by the new Tang dynasty.

Xue Ju began to fight against the Sui rulers in 617. He quickly took control of an area that is now eastern Gansu province. Even though he won some battles against the Tang army, he couldn't reach their capital city, Chang'an. He sadly died from an illness in 618. His son, Xue Rengao, took over as ruler. However, the Tang general Li Shimin soon defeated and killed Xue Rengao. This brought an end to the kingdom Xue Ju had founded.

How Xue Ju Started His Kingdom

Xue Ju's family originally came from a place called Hedong Commandery. This area is now part of Yuncheng, Shanxi. But his father, Xue Wang (薛汪), moved the family to Jincheng, which is in modern Lanzhou, Gansu.

People said Xue Ju was very brave and strong. His family was also very rich. He used his family's wealth to make friends and build connections with many people. This made him an important person among the local leaders. He eventually became a commander of the local army.

In 617, many groups of farmers were rebelling in eastern Gansu. The local official in Jincheng, Hao Yuan (郝瑗), asked people to join the army. He gathered thousands of men and put Xue Ju in charge of them.

In the summer of 617, Hao Yuan gave armor and weapons to the soldiers. He also held a big feast for them. During this event, Xue Ju, his oldest son Xue Rengao, and 13 other friends took Hao Yuan captive. They then announced that they were rebelling against the Sui dynasty.

Xue Ju arrested the local government officials. He also opened the food storage areas to help poor people. He called himself the "Hegemonic Prince of Western Qin" (西秦霸王). This title was similar to one used by an ancient hero named Xiang Yu. To show he was breaking away from the Sui dynasty, he changed the official time period name. He changed it from Daye (大业) to Qinxing (秦興).

He gave his sons important titles. Xue Rengao became the Duke of Qi, and his younger son, Xue Renyue (薛仁越), became the Duke of Jin. Xue Ju also brought together other rebel groups. They joined him in taking resources from the Sui government's animal farms. One of these rebel leaders, Zong Luohou (宗羅睺), became a key general for Xue Ju. Xue Ju made him the Duke of Yixing. Soon, most of eastern Gansu had joined Xue Ju. He then promoted Xue Rengao, Xue Renyue, and Zong to even higher titles as princes.

Becoming Emperor of Qin

Map of the situation in northern China during the transition from the Sui to the Tang, showing the main leaders and battles.

In the fall of 617, Xue Ju declared himself the Emperor of Qin. He made his wife, Lady Ju, his empress. He also named Xue Rengao his crown prince, meaning Xue Rengao would rule after him.

Xue Rengao then captured the city of Tianshui. Xue Ju moved his capital city to Tianshui. Xue Rengao was a fierce fighter, but he was often very cruel to the people he captured. Xue Ju often warned him about this. He told his son, "You can do great things, but you are too strict and cruel. You don't show kindness to others. One day, you will surely destroy the kingdom I built and our family."

However, history books say that Xue Ju himself was also cruel. He often killed soldiers he captured. He even cut off their tongues and noses. Because of this, he didn't gain as many followers as he had hoped.

Xue Ju sent his general Xue Renyue south to try and take lands in modern Sichuan. But Xue Renyue was stopped by Xiao Yu, a governor, and couldn't move forward. Xue Ju also sent his general Chang Zhongxing (常仲興) west of the Yellow River. He was sent to attack Li Gui, another powerful leader. Chang's army was defeated by Li Gui's general Li Yun (李贇). Li Gui captured the entire army, but he later released them back to Xue Ju.

Around the start of 618, Xue Ju sent Xue Rengao to attack Fufeng Commandery. But Xue Rengao was stopped by two other rebel leaders. One was Li Hongzhi (李弘芝), who called himself the Emperor of Chu. The other was Tang Bi (唐弼), who called himself the Prince of Tang. Xue Ju sent messages to Tang Bi to convince him to surrender. Tang Bi then killed Li Hongzhi and offered to surrender. But instead, Xue Rengao attacked Tang Bi and took his soldiers.

Xue Ju then went to Fufeng himself. He planned to attack the Sui capital, Chang'an. This city had been taken by the Sui general Li Yuan. Li Yuan had made Emperor Yang's grandson, Yang You, the new emperor (Emperor Gong). Li Yuan sent his son Li Shimin to fight Xue Rengao. Li Shimin gave Xue Rengao a big defeat.

Xue Ju became scared and asked his officials, "Have emperors ever surrendered in history?" Chu Liang (褚亮) gave examples of emperors who had. But Hao Yuan, who was now working for Xue Ju, immediately said:

You, Emperor, should not ask such a question. Chu Liang's answer was wrong. Gaozu of Han was often defeated, and the first emperor of Shu couldn't even protect his family. Winning and losing battles happens all the time. How can you give up your kingdom just because of one defeat?"

Xue Ju realized Hao Yuan was right. He rewarded Hao Yuan greatly and made him his main advisor. Later, Li Yuan sent his generals Jiang Mo (姜謨), Dou Gui (竇軌), and Liu Shirang (劉世讓) to fight Xue Ju. Xue Ju defeated them and captured Liu. Jiang and Dou had to retreat.

Hao Yuan then suggested that Xue Ju should form an alliance. This alliance would be with the Eastern Tujue (a powerful northern group) and another rebel leader, Liang Shidu. They would work together to capture Chang'an. However, Li Yuan's general Zhang Changsun (張長遜) warned the Tujue general Ashina Duobi about their secret plan. Ashina Duobi then decided not to help Xue Ju or Liang Shidu. (Soon after, Li Yuan heard that Emperor Yang had been killed. Li Yuan then made Yang You give the throne to him. This is how the Tang dynasty began, with Li Yuan as its first emperor, Emperor Gaozu.)

In the summer of 618, Xue Ju attacked Tang's Jing Prefecture. Tang's Emperor Gaozu sent Li Shimin to stop Xue Ju. Li Shimin set up strong defenses and refused to fight directly. He wanted to wear out Xue Ju's army. But Li Shimin got sick with malaria. He let his friends Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan (殷開山) take command. He told them not to fight Xue Ju.

However, Liu and Yin did not take Xue Ju seriously. Xue Ju ambushed them at Qianshui Plain. He crushed the Tang forces, causing many casualties. Li Shimin had to retreat back to Chang'an. Liu and Yin were removed from their positions. Hao Yuan then told Xue Ju that he should attack Chang'an right away. Xue Ju agreed, but he then became ill and died.

Xue Rengao took over as emperor. He gave his father the special name of Wu ("Martial"). But three months later, Li Shimin defeated Xue Rengao. Xue Rengao was forced to surrender and was executed, even before he could properly bury his father.

Xue Ju's Family

Not much is known about Empress Ju (鞠皇后), not even her personal name. When Xue Ju first rebelled in 617, there is no record of him giving her any special title. But in the fall of 617, when Xue Ju became Emperor of Qin, he made her his empress. It's not clear if his son and heir, Xue Rengao, or his other son, Xue Renyue (薛仁越), were her children.

Some historical accounts say Empress Ju was cruel. She liked to whip and hit her servants. If they rolled on the ground in pain, she would bury their feet in dirt so they couldn't move. Then she would keep hitting them. It is believed that her cruelty was one reason why Xue Ju did not gain as many followers as he hoped.

After Xue Rengao surrendered and was executed in 618, his brothers and generals were mostly spared. However, there is no mention of what happened to Empress Ju. History does not say if Xue Rengao honored her as an empress dowager.

Personal Information

• Father
  • Xue Wang (薛汪)
• Wife
  • Empress Ju (became empress in 617)
• Children
  • Xue Rengao (薛仁杲), first the Duke of Qi, then Prince of Qi, then Crown Prince, and finally emperor
  • Xue Renyue (薛仁越), first the Duke of Jin, then Prince of Jin