Yao Yizhong

Yao Yizhong was a Qiang chieftain from Chiting county, Nan'an commandery (赤亭, 南安郡; southeast of present-day Longxi County, Gansu). His family claimed descent from Yu the Great and the Shaodang Qiang. His ancestor, Dianwu harassed the western regions during the time of Emperor Guangwu of Han's reign between 57 and 58 AD. Yizhong's great-great-great-grandfather was Qianna (遷那), who submitted to Han and moved to Chiting. During the Conquest of Shu Han by Cao Wei, Yizhong's father Yao Kehui (姚柯回) assisted the Wei army in confining Jiang Wei's forces, and for his merits, he was appointed as the General Who Conquers The West, Colonel Who Organizes The Rong and Protector of the Western Qiang.^[2]

Yao Yizhong was characterised as dutiful and well-respected all around in his youth. In 312, a year after the Disaster of Yongjia, Yao Yizhong moved to Yumei (榆眉; east of present-day Qianyang County, Shaanxi) and set his base, where he opened himself to provide shelter to refugees from the east. He attracted thousands of both tribal and Han refugees wishing to escape the chaos. Soon, he proclaimed himself as the Duke of Fufeng, Inspector of Yongzhou and Colonel Who Protects the Qiang.^[3] After the emperor of Han-Zhao, Liu Yao defeated the rebel Chen An in 323, Liu Yao formally appointed him as General Who Pacifies the West and Duke of Pingxiang.^[4]

After Han-Zhao was conquered by its rival state, Later Zhao, Yizhong submitted to the Later Zhao general Shi Hu. Yizhong advised Shi Hu to relocate the strong and influential families of Longshang (隴上; north of present-day Shaanxi and west of present-day Gansu) to the region surrounding their capital, Xiangguo. This, according to Yizhong, would keep the families in check while also strengthening the capital. Shi Hu considered his suggestion and persuaded his uncle, Zhao's ruler, Shi Le, to award Yizhong with the offices of General Who Maintains The West and Commander of the Left of the Six Tribes.^[5]

In 330, the Jin rebel Zu Yue involved in Su Jun's rebellion fled to Later Zhao, seeking their protection. Shi Le entertained him initially but deep down he was not fond of Zu Yue, and even his close advisor Cheng Xia urged him to execute him and his family, believing that they could not be trusted. Yao Yizhong supported Cheng Xia's idea, sending Shi Le a memorial that states, "Zu Yue was a rebellious thief in Jin who drove the Empress Dowager to death and was not loyal to his lord. Yet, Your Majesty continues to spoil him, and your ministers fear this will sprout into chaos. This is just the beginning." Shi Le took their advices and executed Zu Yue along with his family.^[6]

Shi Le died in 333, leaving the throne to his son Shi Hong. However, not long after Shi Le's death, Shi Hu seized the government in a coup and made Shi Hong a puppet emperor. Shi Hu acted out Yizhong's advice of moving the powerful families of Longshang to the capital region and appointed him Grand Commander of the Western Qiang. He and his family were relocated to Shetou (灄頭; northeast of present-day Zaoqiang County, Hebei), Qinghe Commandery where he was tasked with supervising the Qiang tribes.

The following year, Shi Hu killed Shi Hong and declared himself "Regent Heavenly King". Yizhong was not pleased with what had happened, so he feigned illness to avoid needing to congratulate Shi Hu. He was eventually forced to in the end, and when the two finally met, Yizhong sternly criticised him for what he had done to Shi Hong. Shi Hu defended himself by saying that Shi Hong was too young for a ruler and would not be able to handle affairs. Yizhong was not satisfied with Shi Hu's answer, but at the same time, Shi Hu did not dare to punish Yizhong. Eventually, Yizhong came to accept Shi Hong's fate.^[7]

In 338, he served as the Champion General during the Later Zhao and Murong tribe's joint campaign on the Duan tribe in Liaoxi. During the campaign, he and Zhi Xiong commanded the vanguard with 70,000 troops to attack Duan Liao.^[8] In 345, he was made Credential Bearer and Grand Champion General and given command over ten commanderies and the Six Tribes.

Yizhong stood out in Shi Hu court for being both humble yet very blunt with his words, his most notable habit being that he referred to everyone, including Shi Hu, as "you (汝; rǔ)" rather than their respective titles when talking to them. Shi Hu greatly valued him and put aside any judgement when it came to him. On major discussions, Shi Hu always gave Yizhong the final say on what was to be carried out, and the ministers all feared him because of this. Despite Shi Hu's flattery, Yizhong remained stern and strict when it came to the law. On one occasion, the brother of Shi Hu's favorite concubine, Zuo Wei (左尉), trespassed into his camp and harassed the soldiers. Yizhong eventually caught him and, despite Zuo Wei's relations, was set to have him executed for his crimes. Zuo Wei was said to have kowtowed relentlessly until his head began to bleed. Yizhong's subordinate urged him to let him off, and so Yizhong did.^[9]

In 349, Shi Hu had chosen Shi Shi as his new heir and declared himself Heavenly King, but a crisis struck Zhao when Shi Hu was granting out amnesty. He had left out the guards of one of his sons, Shi Xuan (石宣), who were exiled to Liang province after Xuan was executed for killing his younger brother, Shi Tao (石韜) and attempting to assassinate his father. The guards rallied under their captain Liang Du (梁犢) and marched east to capture Luoyang, defeating many Zhao generals along the way. The rebels were joined by the people of Guanzhong, and their victories shocked Shi Hu so much that he was driven to illness.

As the rebels approached Luoyang, Shi Hu ordered his son, Shi Bin (石斌) to quell the rebellion together with Yizhong and Pu Hong. Before leaving to face them, Yizhong visited the capital to personally meet with Shi Hu. As Shi Hu was sick, he refused to come out and instead had Yizhong treated with food at the royal table. Yizhong was furious and demanded Shi Hu to meet him at once. After Shi Hu finally came out to see him, Yizhong said to him:^[10]

Is your dead son [Shi Xuan] what bothers you? It's even having you sick! When your children were young, you did not surround them with good people, so once they grew old, they only looked to kill each other. Your son had his faults, but punishing his subordinates was a step too far, and that drove them to rebellion. You have been ill for quite a while, and your heir is still a child. If something bad were to happen to you, then the world will be thrown into chaos. Worry about this rather than those rebels. The longing to return home had turned Liang Du and his men into treacherous thieves. Their wicked acts alone guarantees their capture. This old Qiang requires a fervent vanguard to deal with them in one fell swoop.

Shi Hu immediately made Yizhong Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Palace Attendant, and General Who Conquers The West. He also gifted Yizhong an armoured horse without formality or ceremony as Yizhong disliked them. Before embarking, he said to Shi Hu, "Observe, do you think this Old Qiang will smash these rebels?" He wore his armour and mounted his new steed before leaving without any further say. Yizhong joined the Grand Commander Shi Bin at Xingyang, where he took Liang Du's head and destroyed the remaining rebel forces. With the rebellion crushed, Shi Hu awarded Yizhong with the title Duke of Xiping Commandery.^[11]