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Zang Tu

Zang Tu (died 202 BC) was a Chinese warlord who lived in the late qin dynasty and early han dynasty period of Chinese history.

Biography

Zang was originally a military general serving under Han Guang, king of Yan. Around 207 BC, when rebellions broke out all over China to overthrow the qin dynasty, Zang was sent to lead an army to assist the Zhao rebel forces, which were under attack by the Qin army led by Zhang Han. Following the defeat of Qin forces at the Battle of Julu, Zang joined the coalition rebel army under the command of Xiang Yu of Chu, and followed Xiang as they fought their way to Xianyang, capital city of Qin.

In 206 BC, after the fall of the qin dynasty, Xiang Yu divided the former Qin Empire into the Eighteen Kingdoms and appointed Zang as King of Yan. Part of the former Yan kingdom was granted to Han Guang, who was appointed by Xiang as King of Liaodong. Zang returned to Yan and attempted to force Han to move to his allocated fief, but the latter refused to comply. As a result, Zang attacked Han and killed him at Wuzhong, thereby becoming king of a united Yan kingdom.

In 204 BC, after his victory against Zhao at the Battle of Jingxing, Han Xin followed Li Zuojun's advice and sent a messenger to Zang, asking Zang to submit to Liu Bang. Zang agreed. In 202 BC, Liu defeated Xiang Yu and unified China under his rule, proclaiming himself Emperor Gaozu of the han dynasty. Zang became a vassal of Gaozu and retained his fief and title of King of Yan. Later that year, Zang rebelled against Gaozu, invading and capturing territory in Dai. Gaozu personally led an army to suppress the rebellion. Zang was defeated in battle and captured. He refused to surrender and was executed on Gaozu's orders.

Descendants

Zang had a son called Zang Yan (臧衍), who escaped to join the Xiongnu after his father died.

Zang's granddaughter, Zang Er (臧兒), married Wang Zhong, and had a daughter called Wang Zhi. Wang Zhi became the second wife of Emperor Jing of Han and bore the future Emperor Wu of Han.

Last update 30-05-2012

References