Yao Yanzhang facts for kids

Yao Yanzhang (Chinese: 姚彥章), whose courtesy name was Jihui (繼徽), was an important general who served under Ma Yin, the King of the Chu kingdom. He passed away on May 25, 939.

Early Life and Military Career

We don't know exactly when Yao Yanzhang was born, but he came from a place called Ru'nan, which is in modern-day Zhumadian, Henan province. His early military career isn't very clear. It's thought that, like Ma Yin, he was first forced to join the army of a powerful military leader named Qin Zongquan during the late Tang dynasty. Qin controlled Yao's home area.

Later, Qin Zongquan declared himself emperor. He sent his general Sun Ru on a military trip south. After Sun Ru was defeated and killed, Yao Yanzhang, likely along with Ma Yin, joined Liu Jianfeng. Liu Jianfeng moved southwest and eventually took control of the Wu'an area, becoming its military governor.

Joining Ma Yin's Side

In 896, Liu Jianfeng was killed by his soldier Chen Zhan. Other officers then killed Chen Zhan. They first offered leadership to Liu's advisor, Zhang Ji. However, Zhang Ji's horse bit his leg just as he was about to accept. Believing this was a bad sign, he suggested Ma Yin should lead instead.

At that time, Ma Yin was attacking Shao Prefecture, which was held by rebel officers. Zhang Ji sent messengers to call Ma Yin back. Ma Yin wasn't sure what to do. Yao Yanzhang, who was serving under Ma Yin during the attack, convinced him to accept. Yao said, "You, Lord, were like one with General Liu and Commander Zhang. Now the General is gone, and the Commander hurt his leg. Heaven and the people want you to lead!"

So, Ma Yin left another officer, Li Qiong, to continue the attack on Shao Prefecture. Ma Yin himself returned to Tan Prefecture, the capital of Wu'an, to take command. Zhang Ji then took over the Shao campaign and captured the prefecture in 897.

In 898, Yao Yanzhang suggested that Ma Yin try to capture several prefectures: Heng, Yong, Dao, Lian, and Chen. Yao also recommended Li Qiong to lead this mission, and Ma Yin agreed. Ma Yin's army successfully captured all five prefectures. After this victory, Ma Yin made Yao Yanzhang the prefect (a local official) of Li Prefecture. Later, he became the commander of the Jingjiang army.

Serving the Chu Kingdom

By 910, the Tang dynasty had fallen. Ma Yin had become the ruler of his own state, called Chu. Chu was officially a smaller kingdom under the new Later Liang dynasty. At this time, Yao Yanzhang was the prefect of Heng Prefecture and still the commander of the Jingjiang army.

Expanding Chu's Territory

Around this time, a powerful leader named Liu Yin tried to capture Rong and Gao Prefectures. His brother, Liu Yan, was stopped by the local leaders. However, one of these leaders, Liu Changlu, felt he couldn't hold out against another attack from Liu Yin. So, in 910, he wrote to Ma Yin and offered Gao Prefecture to him.

Ma Yin sent Yao Yanzhang to welcome Liu Changlu and bring him to Chu territory. When Yao Yanzhang passed through Rong Prefecture, an officer there wanted to ambush him, but the leader, Pang Juzhao, refused. Instead, Pang Juzhao killed the officer and surrendered his own area to Ma Yin. Ma Yin made Yao Yanzhang the temporary prefect of Rong. Yao then sent Pang Juzhao, Liu Changlu, and their families safely to Chu's capital, Changsha.

In 911, the Later Liang emperor officially made Yao Yanzhang a deputy military governor. However, Liu Yan attacked Rong Prefecture again that year. Ma Yin sent General Xu Dexun to help Yao. But Yao Yanzhang believed they couldn't defend the area. So, he took the people and the treasures from Rong and returned to Changsha. This allowed Liu Yin to take control of Rong and Gao.

In 913, Yao Yanzhang led the Chu navy to attack E Prefecture, which belonged to Chu's neighbor, Wu. Wu sent a general to help E, but Yao Yanzhang pulled back his forces before the general arrived.

Later Victories and High Office

In 921, Chu was attacked by a group called the "barbarians of Chen and Xu." Yao Yanzhang led an army against them and defeated them.

By 927, the Later Liang dynasty had fallen, and Ma Yin was now a leader under the new Later Tang dynasty. The Later Tang emperor gave Ma Yin the important title of King of Chu. With this higher title, Ma Yin set up a government that was like the imperial government. He appointed Yao Yanzhang and Xu Dexun as his chancellors, which meant they were his top advisors and high-ranking officials.

Yao Yanzhang passed away in 939.