page_title: Xu Chang's rebellion
section_title: Rebellion
hierarchical_section_title: Xu Chang's rebellion / Rebellion
caption_attribution_description: English: Qing Dynasty illustration of Sun Jian
context_page_description: From 172 to 174, the religious leader Xu Chang led a major uprising against the Han dynasty of China in the Kuaiji Commandery. Having proclaimed himself emperor while restoring the ancient state of Yue, Xu and his followers initially proved successful and overran much of Kuaiji. The Han central government consequently appointed Zhang Min as commander of the local pro-government forces and mobilized soldiers from across Yang Province. In late 174, the insurgents were finally destroyed.
context_section_description: Xu Chang launched his uprising at Juzhang (Ningbo) in 172, declaring himself "Emperor of the Brightness of Yang", while appointing his father Xu Sheng "King of Yue", formally reviving the ancient state of the same name that had been destroyed in the 4th or 3rd century BG. According to some of the primary sources, Xu Chang had a brother or son (named Xu Zhao and/or Xu Shao) who also received titles, though it is possible that Xu Zhao / Xu Shao were actually alternate names for Xu Cheng. Besides the Xu family, a local tribal chieftain named Ju Kang served as rebel leader. The rebellion is believed to have been religiously motivated, although sinologist Werner Eichhorn has speculated that the uprising might also have been a nationalist Yue revolt against the Han Chinese. In contrast, de Crespigny considers it unlikely that nationalist motives played a role.
  The local armed forces of Kuaiji Administrator Yin Duan failed to defeat the insurgents, allowing them to overrun large parts of the commandery. A member of the local gentry, Sun Jian, was among those ordered to press-gang troops for the government cause. Appointed acting major, he managed to raise a militia of about 1,000 men. He and his force served with distinction while fighting the rebels.
  Despite the efforts of Kuaiji Commandery's loyalists, the insurgents were already so successful that they even invaded other commanderies. As result, the government appointed the official Zhang Min as Inspector of Yang Province to deal with the issue. Troops from the entire province were mobilized, with Chen Yi, Administrator of Danyang, becoming Zhang's most important co-commander. In 173, the provincial authorities reported Administrator Yin Duan for his failure to defeat the rebels, but his registrar Zhu Jun successfully bribed officials in the capital of Luoyang so that Yin was only received a convict sentence instead of being executed.
  The troops of Zhang Min and Chen Yi finally suppressed the uprising in late 174, killing Xu Chang, Xu Sheng, and Ju Kang.
caption: Sun Jian (pictured) rose to promince during the rebellion, serving with distinction as major in the pro-government army.
exif: {}