Wu Guang

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Wu Guang (Traditional Chinese: 吳廣) (d. 209 BC or 208 BC (around the new year)) was a leader of the first rebellion against Qin Dynasty during the reign of Qin Er Shi, following the death of Qin Shi Huang. Less is known about him than Chen Sheng.

Wu Guang was born in Yangxia (陽夏, in modern Zhoukou, Henan). In 209 BC, he was a military captain along with Chen Sheng when the two of them were ordered to lead 900 soldiers to Yuyang (漁陽, in modern Beijing) to help defend the northern border against Xiongnu. Due to storms, it became clear that they could not get to Yuyang by the deadline, and according to law, if soldiers could not get to their posts on time, they would be executed. Chen and Wu, believing that they were doomed, led their soldiers to start a rebellion. They (falsely) announced that Ying Fusu (嬴扶蘇), the beloved elder son of Qin Shi Huang and elder brother of Qin Er Shi, who had wrongly been forced to commit suicide, and Xiang Yan (項燕), a beloved general of Chu, had not died and were joining their cause. They also declared the restablishment of Chu.

Using 900 men to resist an empire seemed to be a suicidal move, but the people, who had felt deeply oppressed by the Qin regime, joined Chen and Wu's cause quickly. Soon, there were people asking Chen to declare himself the Prince of Chu. Against the advice of Zhang Er (張耳) and Chen Yu (陳餘), Chen declared himself as such, rather than, as according to their advice, seek out a descendant of Chu's royal house to be the prince.

After Chen set his capitall at Chenqiu (陳丘, in modern Zhoukou, Henan), he created Wu Guang Acting Prince (假王) of Chu and ordered Wu to head west toward Qin proper. Wu's forces, however, became bogged down while sieging Yingyang (滎陽, in modern Zhengzhou, Henan). Wu's generals became concerned that Qin reinforcements under Zhang Han (章邯) would soon arrive and attack them on two sides. They wanted to change Wu's plans, end the siege of Yingyang, and face Zhang's forces directly. Unconvinced that Wu would change his plans, they assassinated Wu and took over the army.

See also Chen Sheng Wu Guang Uprising.