From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hou Andu
Hou Andu
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Hou. Hou, Zhou, and Xu Du (徐度), and then launched a sur-
Hou Andu (Chinese: 侯安都; pinyin: Hóu Āndū; Yale: Hau4 prise attack on Jiankang under the guise that he was
On1 Dou1) (520–563), courtesy name Chengshi (成師), only making troop movements to defend against a possi-
was a Chen Dynasty general, whose military accomplish- ble Northern Qi attack. However, as the army departed,
ments under Emperor Wu and Emperor Wen made him Chen hesitated, and only followed the army after Hou
one of the most powerful individuals in the state, but chased him down and told him, "Today, we are all pre-
whose arrogance and rudeness raised suspicions from pared to be bandits. Why hesitate? Do you think that
Emperor Wen, and Emperor Wen arrested him and forced your hesitation can save you from decapitation?" Chen
him to commit suicide. thereafter resolved to launch the attack, and Wang was
caught by surprise when Hou entered his headquarters
During Liang Dynasty at the fortress of Shitou, near Jiankang. Wang was unable
to resist, and Hou captured him. Chen put Wang to death
and deposed Xiao Yuanming, declaring Xiao Fangzhi em-
Hon Andu gains prominence peror (as Emperor Jing). Subsequently, when Chen was
Hou Andu came from a prominent clan of Shixing Com- away from Jiankang to attack Wang’s son-in-law Du Kan
mandery (始興, roughly modern Shaoguan, Guangdong). (杜龕), Hou and Du Leng (杜稜) were left in charge of
In his youth, he was known for being skilled at callig- the capital, and Hou fended the capital against a surprise
raphy, playing the qin, riding, and archery. When the attack by the generals Xu Sihui (徐嗣徽) and Ren Yue
rebel general Hou Jing (no relation) attacked the capital (任約), who were loyal to Wang. When Northern Qi sent
Jiankang and captured it in 549, the local general Chen forces to aid Xu and Ren, Chen returned to the capital
Baxian decided to try to raise an army to try to assist and commissioned Hou to defend against Northern Qi at-
in recovering Jiankang. Hou Andu gathered 3,000 men tacks. After Hou repelled Northern Qi forces, the armies
and joined Chen’s army. He, as one of Chen’s three key stalemated, and around the new year 556, Northern Qi
lieutenants (along with Du Sengming (杜僧明) and Zhou forces sued for peace.
Wenyu (周文育)) subsequently assisted Chen in his cam-
paigns against local warlords Cai Luyang (蔡路養) and Li Hou Andu is sent against Hou Tian but
Qianshi (李遷仕), and, when Chen served as the lieuten- returns
ant of Emperor Yuan’s general Wang Sengbian in 552 in
defeating Hou Jing and recapturing Jiankang with contri- Meanwhile, Hou Tian (侯瑱), the governor of Jiang
bution from Hou Andu, Emperor Yuan awarded Hou An- Province (江州, modern northern Jiangxi) also resisted
du with a general title and created him as the Viscount of Chen, and Chen sent Hou Andu and Zhou against Hou
Fuchuan. Tian. However, as they were departing Jiankang, North-
ern Qi prepared another attack in spring 556, and they
a surprise attack under the guise of had to be diverted to defend against Northern Qi again.
Hou Andu was effective in resisting Northern Qi attacks.
troop movements Northern Qi forces subsequently reached Jiankang’s
In 554, Western Wei attacked Emperor Yuan’s new capital vicinity, and Hou Andu, seeing the situation as critical,
Jiangling (江陵, in modern Jingzhou, Hubei), capturing fought against the wind (even though doing so was
it, and Western Wei forces put Emperor Yuan to death against military principles at the time) and was able to
around the new year 555. Initially, Wang and Chen pre- fight off Northern Qi forces. Eventually, when Northern
pared to declare Emperor Yuan’s only surviving son Xiao Qi forces ran out of food supplies, Chen’s armies crushed
Fangzhi the Prince of Jin’an emperor, but after Wang’s them. For Hou Andu’s contributions, Chen initially pro-
forces suffered defeats by Northern Qi forces, Wang ac- moted him to marquess, and then further created him
cepted the proposal by Emperor Wenxuan of Northern the Duke of Xijiang.
Qi to declare Emperor Yuan’s cousin Xiao Yuanming em-
peror. Chen, then stationed at Jingkou (京口, in modern Hou is sent as a peacemaker
Zhenjiang, Jiangsu), was displeased with Xiao Yuan- In spring 557, when Xiao Bo (蕭勃) the Marquess of Qu-
ming’s elevation and, in fall 555, upon hearing rumors jiang and governor of Guang Province (廣州, modern
that Northern Qi may attack, decided to overthrow Wang central Guangdong) declared an uprising against the
and Xiao Yuanming. In doing so, he consulted only with
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hou Andu
Chen-led imperial administration, Chen initially sent on- Hou defeats Cao
ly Zhou to fight Xiao Bo’s forces. After Zhou crushed and
In winter 558, with Yu Xiaoqin’s brother Yu Xiaomai (余
captured Xiao Bo’s general Ouyang Wei (歐陽頠), how-
孝勱) defending Xinwu (新吳, in modern Yichun,
ever, Xiao Bo’s own generals assassinated him, throwing
Jiangxi) against Chen, Emperor Wu sent Zhou against Yu
Guang Province into a state of confusion. Chen, because
Xiaomai, while sending Hou to follow Zhou subsequent to
Ouyang was an old friend of his, made Ouyang the gover-
Zhou’s departure. Wang sent his general Cao Qing (曹慶)
nor of Guang Province and sent Hou south to assist Zhou
to assist Yu, and in spring 559, Zhou was ambushed by the
to pacify the region. They defeated Xiao Bo’s generals
warlord Xiong Tanlang (熊曇朗), who was ostensibly as-
Xiao Zi (蕭孜) and Yu Xiaoqing (余孝頃), and soon paci-
sisting Chen troops. Hou withdrew briefly, but then en-
fied the region.
gaged Cao and defeated him.
Meanwhile, also resisting Chen was the general Wang
Lin, who controlled the modern Hunan and part of mod-
ern Hubei region. In summer 557, Chen sent Hou and During Emperor Wen’s reign
Zhou to attack Wang.
Hou Andu supports Chen Qian
During Emperor Wu’s reign While Hou Andu was still on the campaign, however, Em-
peror Wu suffered a sudden illness in summer 559 and
Hou Andu is captured soon died, creating a succession crisis—as Emperor Wu’s
only surviving son, Chen Chang, was then detained by
However, before Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu could en-
Western Wei’s successor state Northern Zhou at its cap-
gage Wang Lin’s forces, Chen Baxian had Emperor Jing
ital Chang’an. Emperor Wu’s wife Empress Zhang Yao’er,
yield the throne to him in winter 557, establishing Chen
after consulting Du Leng and Cai Jingli (蔡景歷), kept
Dynasty as its Emperor Wu. When the news reached Hou
Emperor Wu’s death a secret and summoned Emperor
and Zhou’s forces, which had captured Wuchang (武昌,
Wu’s nephew Chen Qian the Prince of Linchuan from
in modern Ezhou, Hubei) from Wang’s general Fan Meng
Nanhuan (南皖, in modern Anqing, Anhui), where Chen
(樊猛), Hou lamented, "We will surely be defeated, be-
Qian was building a fortress. Hou happened to be at Nan-
cause we have lost our cause." (He was referring to that
huan at the time as well, and so he returned to Jiankang
ostensibly, his and Zhou’s forces had been launched
with Chen Qian. Hou, after discussing the matter with
against Wang because Wang was rejecting Emperor Jing’s
other officials, decided to support Chen Qian as emperor,
edicts—but now, Emperor Wu had himself overthrown
but Empress Zhang was still hesitant, hoping that Chen
Emperor Jing, and therefore lost any ability to refer to
Chang, her son, would return. Hou stated, "Now, the four
Wang as a rebel.) Hou and Zhou’s forces were also beset
corners of the world have not been pacified; how can
by disagreements between the two of them. When they
we wait for an imperial prince from afar? The Prince
eventually engaged Wang’s at Dunkou (沌口, in modern
of Linchuan had had great contributions to the state,
Wuhan, Hubei), Wang dealt them a crushing defeat—so
and we support him. Anyone who dares not to speak up
completely that both Hou and Zhou, as well as their lieu-
should be executed." He even proceeded toward Empress
tenants Xu Jingcheng (徐敬成), Zhou Tiehu (周鐵虎),
Zhang, with his hand on his sword hilt, requesting her
and Cheng Lingxi (程靈洗), were all captured. Wang put
to yield the imperial seal. He further pushed Chen Qian
Zhou Tiehu, who insulted him, to death, while imprison-
to the position where the imperial heir was supposed to
ing the others, including Hou, in a lower deck on his own
stand for the wake. Only then did Empress Zhang issue
command ship.
an edict having Chen Qian take the throne (as Emperor
They remained in Wang’s captivity until winter 558,
Wen).
when Hou, along with Zhou Wenyu and Xu, promised to
In winter 559, after hearing that Emperor Wu had
pay Wang’s associate Wang Zijin (王子晉) a large bribe,
died, Wang Lin, with Northern Qi assistance, launched a
and Wang Zijin released them at night. They fled. on foot,
major attack on Chen, hoping to destroy it and reestab-
to the Chen army and then returned to Jiankang, where
lish Liang. Emperor Wen sent Hou Tian (who had, after
they offered apologies to Emperor Wu. Emperor Wu par-
initial resistance, submitted to Chen), Hou Andu, and Xu
doned them and returned them to command positions in
Du against Wang. In spring 560, Wang was defeated by
the Chen forces. Meanwhile, perhaps because of this in-
Hou Tian, and both he and Xiao Zhuang fled to Northern
cident, Wang Lin, who had by that point declared Emper-
Qi; the territory under their control was divided between
or Yuan’s grandson Xiao Zhuang the Emperor of Liang,
Chen and Emperor Xuan of Western Liang, whom North-
agreed to a truce with Chen.
ern Zhou supported. (The degree of Hou Andu’s involve-
ment in the victory is unclear.)
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hou Andu
Hon Andu as a royal escort 陽, in modern Jinhua, Zhejiang). When Hou tried to be-
siege Liu’s fotress at Taozhi Mountain (桃枝嶺, in mod-
Wang’s defeat, however, precipitated another succession
ern Lishui, Zhejiang), he was wounded by an arrow, but
crisis. After news of Emperor Wu’s death reached North-
nevertheless continued his assault and defeated Liu. Liu
ern Zhou, Northern Zhou had sent Chen Chang back to
fled to Jin’an (晉安, in modern Fuzhou, Fujian), to his
Chen, but because his way was blocked by the territory
son-in-law Chen Baoying (陳寶應). Hou took Liu’s terri-
under Xiao Zhuang’s control, he was forced to stop at An-
tory and returned to Jiankang. (Subsequently, the other
lu (安陸, in modern Xiaogan, Hubei). After Xiao Zhuang’s
generals were able to defeat Chen Baoying and another
flight to Northern Qi, Chen Chang continued his journey
warlord, Zhou Di (周迪), largely integrating their territo-
to the Yangtze River -- and on his way, he wrote impolite
ries into direct imperial control.)
letters to Emperor Wen, which Emperor Wen took as a
In the meantime, however, Hou, because of his con-
demand for the throne. Emperor Wen, displeased, nev-
tributions, was growing arrogant and rude, much to Em-
ertheless put on a calm face and summoned Hou Andu,
peror Wen’s displeasure, although Emperor Wen’s dis-
telling him, "The Crown Prince is about to return. I will
pleasure went unnoticed by Hou. His officers, knowing
retire and ask for a princely domain." Hou replied, "Ever
that Hou would protect them, had largely ignored laws,
since ancient times, emperors were not allowed to retire.
and whenever they were sought on criminal amtters,
Although I am foolish, I will not accept this edict." He
they would flee to Hou and go unpunished. When attend-
thereafter requested to personally escort Chen Chang,
ing imperial gatherings, Hou would often take impolite
and Emperor Wen sent him to meet Chen Chang and cre-
postures, and once, while attending an imperial feast, he
ated Chen Chang the Prince of Hengyang. Once Hou Andu
asked Emperor Wen, "How do you feel compared to when
met Chen Chang, he escorted him down the Yangtze Riv-
you were the Prince of Linchuan?" Emperor Wen initial-
er, and on the way, had Chen Chang killed and thrown in-
ly refused to answer, but after Hou asked again, he re-
to the Yangtze. He then returned to Jiankang, announc-
sponded, "Although it was by the will of Heaven, it is also
ing that Chen Chang had slipped and fallen into the river.
by your contributions." Upon the completion of the feast,
Grateful that Hou had eliminated a rival for him, Emperor
Hou asked that the imperial decorations be lent to him
Wen created Hou the Duke of Qingyuan—going from be-
for his own feast, and Emperor Wen, while displeased,
ing the duke of a county to the duke of a commandery.
agreed. The next day, Hou held his feast, while sitting on
Because of Hou Andu’s contributions, at some point
the same seat Emperor Wen sat on, while his guests sat at
during Chen Dynasty (but unclear when), his father Hou
the seats that imperial officials sat on—acts that Emper-
Wenhan (侯文捍) had been made the governor of his
or Wen could not tolerate, and his anger was exacerbated
home commandery, Shixing. In summer 560, when Hou
when a fire occurred at Chongyun Palace (重雲宮) -- and
Wenhan died, Emperor Wen sent imperial messengers
Hou, while trying to command the soldiers to put out the
to escort Hou Andu’s mother back to Jiankang, but she
fire, entered the palace in full armor. Emperor Wen thus
declined, as she preferred to stay at Shixing. To honor
became resolved to act against Hou.
the Hous, Emperor Wen carved out the surrounding re-
Therefore, when Zhou Di officially rebelled in winter
gion into an Eastern Heng Province and made Hou Andu’s
562, although the imperial officials largely recommended
cousin Hou Xiao (侯曉) its governor, while making Hou
that Hou be put in command of the troops against Zhou,
Andu’s eight-year-old son Hou Mi (侯秘) the comman-
Emperor Wen sent Wu Mingche instead, and further be-
dery governor, to look after Hou Andu’s mother. He also
gan to investigate Hou’s protection of criminals. Hou be-
created Hou Andu the Duke of Guiyang, an even larger
gan to sense that something was wrong, and he sent his
commandery than Qingyuan.
assistant Zhou Hongshi (周弘實) to try to get informa-
In winter 560, with Hou Tian in a stalemate against
tion from the Cai Jingli. Cai recorded details of Zhou
the Northern Zhou generals Heruo Dun (賀若敦) and
Hongshi’s contact and secretly accused Hou of planning
Dugu Sheng (獨孤盛), trying to seize the modern Hunan
a rebellion. Emperor Wen, worried that if he simply sum-
region from Northern Zhou and its vassal Western Liang,
moned Hou that Hou would refuse, issued an edict trans-
Emperor Wen sent Hou Andu to assist Hou Tian. By
ferring Hou from being the governor of Southern Xu
spring 561, however, without apparent involvement by
Province (南徐州, roughly modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu)
Hou Andu, Hou Tian was able to negotiate an agreement
to being the governor of Jiang Province. Hou, believing
with Heruo to have him yield the territory to Chen, in ex-
this to be a routine transfer, stopped at Jiankang before
change for guarantee of safe passage for his troops back
going to Jiang Province. Emperor Wen invited him to a
to Northern Zhou.
feast and arrested him there; he also arrested Hou’s of-
In winter 561, Emperor Wen, wanting to force the
ficers, but released them after confiscating their horses
warlord Liu Yi (留異), who controlled modern eastern
and weapons. Emperor Wen then issued an edict an-
Zhejiang, to submit, sent Hou Andu against Liu. In spring
nouncing Hou’s crimes, and the next day ordered Hou
562, Hou surprised Liu by taking his army over the moun-
to commit suicide, but spared his wife and children and
tain and descending on Liu’s stronghold of Dongyang (東
buried Hou at imperial expense. In 571, Emperor Wen’s
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hou Andu
brother Emperor Xuan posthumously created Hou the stop, and you are frivolous and temperamental. These
Marquess of Chenji and allowed his son Hou Dan (侯亶) are not ways to protect your lives.
to inherit the title.
Traditional historians believe that Hou’s (and Zhou (It should be noted, however, that if this account was
Wenyu’s) fate were foretold by Chen Baxian. According true, Chen was not accurate abut Du, who died honorably
to their accounts, while Chen was still a Liang general de- of natural causes, albeit before the establishment of Chen
fending Jingkou, he once held a feast with his officers. Du Dynasty.)
Sengming, Zhou, and Hou were all bragging about their Persondata
contributions. Chen responded: Name Hou, Andu
You are all great soldiers of this time, but you all have
Alternative names
weaknesses as well. Lord Du has great foresight but
insufficient wisdom; you engage in foolish games with Short description
your subordinates and are proud to your superiors. Lord Date of birth 520
Zhou is true to friends, but you are not selective in whom Place of birth
you associate with, and you are overly trusting of others.
Date of death 563
Lord Hou is overly arrogant and does not know when to
Place of death
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hou_Andu&oldid=450483115"
Categories:
• 520 births
• 563 deaths
• Chen Dynasty generals
• Liang Dynasty generals
• People from Shaoguan
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