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People: Yuwen Hu
Topic: Western Art: 1684 to 1696
Location: Thale Sachsen-Anhalt Germany

Yuwen Hu

regent of the Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou
Years: 515 - 572

Yuwen Hu (515–572), with Chinese title Sabao (a distorted form of Sogdian sartpāw “caravan leader”, also applicable to Sogdian religious leaders), formally Duke Dang of Jin, is as a regent of the Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou in China.

He first comes into prominence as the nephew of Western Wei's paramount general Yuwen Tai, and after Yuwen Tai's death in 556, he becomes the guardian to Yuwen Tai's son Yuwen Jue.

In 557, he forces Emperor Gong of Western Wei to yield the throne to Yuwen Jue (Emperor Xiaomin), establishing Northern Zhou.

However, Yuwen Hu dominates the political scene, and after Emperor Xiaomin tries to seize power later that year, he kills Emperor Xiaomin and replaces him with another son of Yuwen Tai, Emperor Ming.

In 560, he poisons Emperor Ming, who is succeeded by another son of Yuwen Tai, Emperor Wu.

In 572, Emperor Wu ambushes Yuwen Hu and kills him, personally taking power.