The Huang Chao Rebellion
- The common man was living under excessive taxes.The rebellion threw up a leader, Huang Chao, who is a military genius and won many victories over superior and well-armed soldiers. The Huang Chao rebellion took place in the years 874-884. The rebellion which lasted about a decade had many crucial stages. The rebellion started with Wang Xianzhi and a large band of citizens against Emperor Xizong and his military. Huang Chao was one of hundreds who joined Wang Xianzhi's army. Due to differences in strategy, the rebel forces split into two. One half was led by Huang Chao. Huang Chao captured Yi Prefecture in spring of 877AD. Later in the year he formed an alliance with Sang Rang. In 878, his offer was refused. Huang Chao marched South and captured many prefectures South of Yangtze. His attempt to capture Xuan failed as he was attacked by Tang forces during circuitous mountain march. Due to these reverses a number of his followers surrendered. Huang then marched South towards Lingnan. Though he captured Lingnan, recognizing his adverse position Huang offered to surrender to the Imperial authority if he was made military governor of Tianping. The Emperor refused and offered him a position as Imperial Guard General. This was taken as an insult to Huang and he attacked and captured Guang Prefecture. While in the Lingnan refion, he lost about 40% of his troops making him return North. In the winter of 880 AD Huang declaired his aim to capture the Emperor Xizong. The Emperor put Qi Kerang in charge of stopping Huang from reaching Chang'an. The ill-equipped and ill-trained army was defeated by Huang. In 884 Huang marched East and attacked Cai Prefecture. The city Governor meng submitted and joined Huangs forces. Meng was killed in the battle of Chen Prefecture and Huang laid siege to the city, but could not capture it. The imperial troops regrouped and Huang's army was caught off guard when they were crossing the Yellow River and suffered further military losses and most of his army was annihilated at Yan Prefecture. On July 13, 884, Huang and his family was killed by his nephew Lin Yan, drawing curtains to a rebellion which hastened the end of the Tang dynasty.