Yang Ding (Chouchi)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Yang Ding, also known as Duke of Chouchi, was a Di ruler of Chouchi and a prominent general for Former Qin during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. His Yang clan had fled to Former Qin after a failed bid to seize Chouchi’s throne; he became Fu Jian’s son-in-law by marrying Fu Jian’s daughter and held high offices in his government.

After Fu Jian’s defeat at Feishui in 383 and the rebellions in 384, Yang Ding rose in 385. He fought Western Yan and defeated Murong Chong, helping to push back the threat to Former Qin. He later left Western Yan, submitted back to Former Qin, and was made Governor of Yongzhou. In 385 he proclaimed himself Prancing Dragon General and Duke of Chouchi, reviving the Chouchi state; the Jin dynasty recognized his titles.

From 389 to 394 he styled himself Prince of Longxi and ruled Chouchi with growing power, while Jin appointed him Inspector of Qinzhou and Fu Deng supported him as Prime Minister of the Left. He remained a major warlord in the region for several years.

In 394, Fu Deng was captured and killed by Later Qin. Yang Ding and his ally Fu Chong fought the Qifu rulers; they won an initial victory at Pingchuan but were overwhelmed in the end, and Yang Ding was killed. His death helped end Former Qin’s power. He died childless, and his cousin Yang Sheng succeeded him as Duke of Chouchi, with Jin posthumously naming him Prince Wu.