The Making of a Jin Dynasty Strongman

Hushahu, also known by his Sinicized name Zhizhong, emerged from the prestigious Gushilie clan, a noble lineage of the Jurchen people whose ancestors once led their tribe before the rise of the Wanyan clan. His political career began under Prince Yun’gong (posthumously honored as Emperor Xianzong), the crown prince of Emperor Shizong and father of Emperor Zhangzong. The prince, known for his appreciation of Han culture, likely bestowed upon him the Confucian-inspired name “Zhizhong” (“Holding to the Middle Way”), quoting the Book of Documents. This name served as an ironic counterpoint to his Jurchen moniker “Hushahu” (meaning owl—a bird of ill omen in Chinese tradition) and his notoriously violent temperament.

The Unchecked Rise of a Brutal Official

Emperor Zhangzong’s reign (1189–1208) saw Hushahu’s violent tendencies surface repeatedly. In 1193, he assaulted officials over trivial matters like late greetings and subpar wine, earning a flogging. As magistrate of Daxing Prefecture, his rap sheet grew: embezzlement, grave desecration, absenteeism, and assaulting colleagues. Despite censors like Meng Zhu condemning him as “a menace who gathers prostitutes during rain prayers,” Emperor Zhangzong dismissed him as “just an unruly brute,” reflecting the emperor’s leniency toward his father’s old guards.

Military Failures and Political Survival

The Mongol invasions (1211–1214) paradoxically bolstered Hushahu’s career. After abandoning the strategic city of Xijing (Datong) and suffering defeat at Cuiping Pass, he fled through Yuzhou, confiscating horses and killing a county magistrate. Despite these failures, Emperor Weishaong (r. 1208–1213) repeatedly reinstated him. By 1213, Hushahu commanded 5,000 imperial guards near Zhongdu (Beijing), plotting rebellion with allies like Wanyan Chounu and Pucha Liujin.

The Coup of 1213: A Fog-Shrouded Rebellion

The turning point came in August 1213. When Emperor Weishaong reprimanded Hushahu for neglecting defenses in favor of falconry, the warlord smashed his prized hawk in fury. Exploiting discontent over withheld military rewards and a bizarre four-day “black fog” that blanketed Zhongdu, Hushahu staged his coup:
– Night of August 23: He tricked and captured ally-turned-rival Fuhai.
– August 24: Under fog cover, his forces stormed Zhongdu’s gates, killing key officials Tushan Nanping and Tushan Molie at Donghua Gate.
– The Emperor’s Downfall: With guards neutralized and a bounty on Hushahu ignored, Weishaong was imprisoned and later murdered.

Aftermath and Legacy

Hushahu installed Emperor Xuanzong (r. 1213–1224) as a puppet but was soon assassinated by rival general Juzhen Gaogi. His rebellion fatally weakened the Jin Dynasty, paving the way for the Mongol conquest in 1234.

Cultural Impact: The Paradox of Violence

Hushahu’s career exposes contradictions in Jin governance:
– Nepotism vs. Merit: His protection by emperors highlights the dynasty’s reliance on old loyalties over competence.
– Military Decay: The coup revealed systemic corruption, notably the withholding of soldiers’ pay—a factor later exploited by the Mongols.
– Symbolism of the Owl: His Jurchen name became synonymous with treachery, illustrating cultural tensions between Jurchen identity and Han Confucian ideals.

Modern Relevance

Hushahu’s story resonates as a cautionary tale about unchecked power and institutional decay. His ability to thrive despite repeated failures mirrors patterns in autocracies where loyalty trumps competence—a theme with enduring parallels in political systems today.

The 1213 coup also underscores how environmental factors (like the anomalous fog) can shape history, offering lessons on how societies respond to crises amid institutional fragility.

In the annals of Jin history, Hushahu remains the ultimate “wild card”—a man whose brutality accelerated an empire’s collapse, leaving historians to ponder whether his name, “Holding to the Middle Way,” was an emperor’s hopeful admonition or history’s cruel joke.