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Yang Nandi

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Yang Nandi

Yang Nandi (died c. March 334) was a ruler of Chouchi during the Jin dynasty (266–420) and Sixteen Kingdoms period. He was the son of Yang Maosou who founded Chouchi in 296. During his reign, attacks on Chouchi by Former Zhao and Cheng-Han became more frequent. Nandi met these with mixed results, sometimes having to resort to vassalage, but was ultimately successful in preserving the survival of Chouchi.

Nandi was the son of Yang Maosou, a Di chieftain from Qingshui County in Lueyang Commandery, who in 296, led his followers to Chouchi and declared independence during Qi Wannian's rebellion in Qinzhou and Yongzhou.

In an unspecified year, Nandi sent his adopted son to Liangzhou for a business trip. However, he was caught and executed by the provincial inspector, Zhang Guang (張光) when it was discovered that he had illegally sold a slave. Nandi was angry when he heard of his son's death and bore a grudge against Zhang Guang.

By 313, Zhang Guang was at war with a rebel named Yang Hu (楊虎). Both sides called for Chouchi to aid them and Maosou chose to support Zhang Guang in their conflict. Nandi was sent to assist Zhang Guang but due to their bad history and Zhang's refusal to grant him funds, Nandi was not eager to help him. Meanwhile, Yang Hu decided to win over Nandi with bribes and also told him that Zhang Guang possessed innumerous amount of treasure for Nandi to take if he were to fight him. In the end, Nandi agreed to join Yang Hu but waited to catch Zhang Guang off guard.

Zhang Guang and Yang Hu's armies met with one another later that year. Zhang Guang had his son Zhang Mengchang (張孟萇) lead the front while Nandi defended the rear. As the two sides fought, Nandi attacked Mengchang from behind. Nandi and Yang Hu routed Zhang Guang's army and killed Zhang Mengchang. Zhang Guang retreated back into Hanzhong, where he died shortly after and was succeeded by his son Zhang Mai (張邁). However, in a later battle, Zhang Mai went missing and was replaced by his subordinate Hu Zixu (胡子序).

Nandi and Yang Hu pressed on into Hanzhong, causing Hu Zixu to abandon the city. The attackers dug up Zhang Guang's grave and had his corpse burnt. Nandi then took Zhang Guang's dancers and instrument before appointing himself the new Inspector of Liangzhou. In 314, Yang Hu plundered the region and fled to Cheng-Han. Around the same time, the people of Liangzhou rose up against Nandi and ousted him back to Chouchi before surrendering their territory over to Cheng-Han.

Yang Maosou died in 318 and Nandi would take his throne. Upon ascending the throne, Nandi chose to split command over the state between him and his younger brother, Yang Jiantou (楊堅頭). Nandi became the Worthy King of the Left and based in Xiabian (下辯; northwest of present-day Cheng County, Gansu) while Jiantou became Worthy King of the Right and based in Hechi (河池, in modern Baoji, Shaanxi).

In 322, Former Zhao invaded Chouchi. The Zhao emperor, Liu Yao, personally led the army to conquer him. Nandi brought his troops out to attack the invading army but was defeated, so he retreated back to his defenses. Many of the Di and Qiang tribes in Chouchi began to surrender to Liu Yao, and Liu had them relocated to Chang'an. As Liu Yao marched into Chouchi, a plague struck his army and Liu Yao himself had caught a disease. Liu Yao wanted to retreat but was worried that Nandi would attack from behind. Instead, he sent an envoy in the form of Wang Guang (王獷) to negotiate with Nandi. After lengthy discussions regarding his position, Nandi was convinced by the envoy to become a vassal to Zhao. For his submission, Nandi was showered with new offices including that of the Prince of Wudu.

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