Xue Rengao facts for kids

Xue Rengao (Chinese: 薛仁杲; died 618), also known as Xue Renguo (薛仁果), was a ruler (called an emperor) of a small, short-lived kingdom named Qin. His father, Xue Ju, started this kingdom during the final years of the Sui dynasty in China. People knew Xue Rengao as a strong military leader, but he was also very harsh. He ruled for only three months. He was then forced to give up to a general named Li Shimin from the new Tang dynasty. Xue Rengao was later executed.

Xue Rengao's Early Life and Rise to Power

In 617, Xue Rengao's father, Xue Ju, was a military commander in a place called Jincheng (which is in modern Lanzhou, Gansu). At this time, many farmers were rebelling against the Sui dynasty. A local official, Hao Yuan, gathered thousands of men and asked Xue Ju to lead them.

Starting the Qin Kingdom

In the summer of 617, while Hao Yuan was hosting a party for the soldiers, Xue Ju, his oldest son Xue Rengao, and 13 other friends captured Hao. They announced that they were rebelling against the Sui dynasty. Xue Ju then declared himself the "Hegemonic Prince of Western Qin." He gave Xue Rengao the title of Duke of Qi, and later, Prince of Qi.

Xue Rengao, with help from a general named Zong Luohou, attacked nearby areas. They brought these places under his father Xue Ju's control. In the fall of 617, Xue Ju declared himself the Emperor of Qin. He then made Xue Rengao the crown prince, meaning Xue Rengao would be the next emperor. Xue Rengao soon captured the city of Tianshui, and Xue Ju moved his capital there.

Xue Rengao's Strengths and Weaknesses

People said Xue Rengao was very strong and skilled at riding horses and shooting arrows. His soldiers respected him, believing he could fight against 10,000 men by himself. However, he was also known for being greedy and cruel. For example, when he captured Tianshui, he made rich people hang upside down and poured vinegar into their noses to force them to give up their treasures.

His father, Xue Ju, often warned him, "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."

Battles and Defeats

Around the start of 618, Xue Ju sent Xue Rengao to attack Fufeng Commandery. But Xue Rengao was stopped by other rebel leaders, Li Hongzhi and Tang Bi. Xue Ju sent messages to Tang Bi, asking him to surrender. Tang Bi then killed Li Hongzhi and offered to give up. However, Xue Rengao attacked Tang Bi anyway and took his soldiers.

Facing Li Shimin

Xue Ju then went to Fufeng himself. He planned to attack the Sui capital, Chang'an. At this time, a Sui general named Li Yuan had taken Chang'an and made Emperor Yang's grandson, Yang You, the new emperor. Li Yuan sent his son, Li Shimin, to fight Xue Rengao. Li Shimin defeated Xue Rengao badly.

After this defeat, Xue Ju even thought about surrendering to Li Yuan. But Hao Yuan, who had become an important advisor, convinced him not to. Soon after, Li Yuan became the first emperor of the Tang dynasty.

Becoming Emperor

In the fall of 618, Xue Ju won a big victory against Li Shimin, forcing Li Shimin to go back to Chang'an. Hao Yuan suggested that Xue Ju should attack Chang'an right away. Xue Ju agreed, but then he became sick and died. Xue Rengao then became the new emperor.

Xue Rengao's Short Reign

After his father's death, Xue Rengao paused his army for a short time. A month later, he successfully fought off an attack by a Tang general named Dou Gui. Then, when another Tang general, Li Shuliang, arrived, Xue Rengao had some of his men pretend to surrender. He then ambushed Li Shuliang, crushing the Tang forces. He also defeated and captured Chang Da.

Losing Support

However, when Xue Rengao was the crown prince, he did not get along well with many of his father's generals. After he became emperor, these generals became scared and did not fully support him. Also, Hao Yuan, his father's wise advisor, was so sad about Xue Ju's death that he also became sick and died.

Three months after Xue Rengao became emperor, Li Shimin arrived again. After a fierce battle between Li Shimin and Zong Luohou at Qianshuiyuan, Li Shimin completely defeated Zong's army. Li Shimin then attacked Xue Rengao.

Surrender and Execution

Xue Rengao was forced to retreat into the city of Gaozhi. Once he was inside, his soldiers started surrendering to Li Shimin in large numbers. Xue Rengao himself was then forced to surrender.

Li Shimin spared Xue Rengao's brothers and Zong Luohou, letting them join his army as officers. However, Li Shimin took Xue Rengao back to Chang'an. There, Emperor Gaozu (Li Yuan) ordered Xue Rengao to be executed. Two of Xue Rengao's generals, Wu Shizheng and Zhang Gui, were also executed.