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[Chinaconqueror]

Can someone tell me more about the war between Northern Qi and Northern Zhou? Why did northern Zhou win ultimately?

[General_Zhaoyun]

Northern Qi came into existence from the evolution of eastern Wei. At first, it was strong, but after Gao Yang's (高洋) death, internal power struggle and killing were carried out ceaselessly, which gradually weakened the dynasty. When Gao Wei (高纬) came into power, his tyranny was noteworthy. Dogs, horses, chickens and eagles reared at the palace were fed with meat and fine food. They were even conferred titles and paid a salary.

Landlords annexed land wantonly, destroying rapidly northern Qi's equal farmland system. Government's taxation and corvee became heavier and harsher day by day, which intensified class contradictions and brought about riots by the peasantry constantly. Employing all possible means aristocractic bureaucrats indulged in corruption and exploitation and led a befuddled and luxurious life.

In 576, Emperor Zhou Wudi (Yuwen Yong 宇文邕) of northern Zhou led an army pf 80,000 to attack Northern Qi. They surrounded Jinzhou and a battle ensued, in which the NQA (Northern Qi army) was defeated. Weapons and other things abandones by the army stretched to a distance of a few hundred li and heaped like mountains. The Emperor of Northern Qi and scores of cavarlyman fled back to Jinyang.


In the flush of victory, the NZA proceeded to attack Jinyang. Upon hearing of the imminent onslaught, the emperor of Northern Qi fled back to Yecheng. In its attack against Jinyang, the NZA met with a tenacious resistance. Children and women in the city also stood on the roofs of houses ot throw bricks and stones at the attackers. However, the resistance proved futile. The NZA broke the eastern city gate of Jinyang and caught Gao Yanzong (高延宗), prince of Ande of Northern Qi, who was guarding the city, which finally fell into the hands of NZA. Capturing Jinyang, a place of strategic importance, was crucial to Northern Zhou's victory.

In January 577, the NZA attacked and captured Yecheng, capital of northern Qi, the next year, engulfing its Imperial court in confusion and depriving the fighting will of its soldiers. Court officials came out of the city in succession to surrender to the NZA.

At this time, Gao Wei, the Emperor of Northern Qi, had fled the city with the newly installed young emperor, Gao Heng, the Empress, his concubines and others. They were all caught by the NZA and brought back to Yecheng. Northern Qi was exterminated.