Hầu Mạc Trần Sùng

Houmochen Chong (513–563), courtesy name Shangle, was a Xianbei military general of the Northern Wei, Western Wei and Northern Zhou during the Northern and Southern dynasties. He joined Erzhu Rong's army at a young age, and during Erzhu Tianguang and Heba Yue's expedition in the Guanzhong region, he personally captured the rebel leader, Moqi Chounu in battle. Houmochen later joined Yuwen Tai, who founded the Western Wei, and further distinguished himself in campaigns against Houmochen Yue and the Eastern Wei before eventually becoming one of the Eight Zhuguo (八柱國) in 549. He continued to hold important civil positions under the Northern Zhou, but in 563, he was forced to commit suicide after he spread a prophecy that the regent, Yuwen Hu would die that year.

Service under Northern Wei

Early life and career Houmochen Chong's ancestors were a branch of the ruling Tuoba tribe of Northern Wei, and originally lived along the Kuhuzhen River. His fifth generation ancestor was Taiguduhou (太骨都侯), and the Houmochen served as chieftains from Taiguduhou onwards. Houmochen Chong's father, Houmochen Yun (侯莫陳允 or 侯莫陳雲) was well-off and assigned to garrison the Wuchuan frontier town in Dai commandery, where he and his family settled down. Chong's father, Houmochen Xing (侯莫陳興) was appointed General of the Palace and Feathered Forest Imperial Guard.

At a young age, Houmochen was described as brave and good at horseback archery, but also cautious and taciturn. In 528, at the age of 15, Houmochen followed Heba Yue and Erzhu Rong to attack the rebel, Ge Rong. In 529, he accompanied the Prince of Shandang, Yuan Tianmu to suppress the rebellion of Xing Gao in Qing province, earning the office of General Who Establishes Might for his military deeds. Later that year, he followed Heba Yue to defeat Yuan Hao and Chen Qingzhi at Luoyang and was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards.

Pacifying the Guanzhong In 530, Houmochen was one of the generals assigned to Erzhu Tianguang's western expedition to pacify the Guanzhong region. Along the way, he helped Heba Yue in defeating bandits from the Shu region at Chishui (赤水; in present-day Weinan, Shaanxi). The most prominent rebel leader in the Guanzhong was Moqi Chounu, who proclaimed himself as emperor two years prior. Hearing of the Wei army's arrival, Moqi laid siege to Qi province and sent his general, Yuchi Pusa (尉遲菩薩) towards Wugong County. Houmochen fought with distinction in the campaign, defeating and pursuing the enemies before helping in lifting the siege on Qi. Later, he marched to Bailixichuan (百里細川; southwest of present-day Lingtai County, Gansu), where he captured the camp of the rebel general, Hou Yuanjin (侯元進).

Campaign against Houmochen Yue In 534, Heba Yue was assassinated by the Inspector of Qin province, Houmochen Yue (no known relation to Houmochen Chong) under the orders of the paramount general, Gao Huan. Houmochen Chong and the rest of Heba's generals converged at Pingliang, where they elected the Inspector of Xia province, Yuwen Tai to succeed Heba as their leader and defeat Houmochen Yue. Yuwen dispatched Houmochen Chong with 1,000 light cavalry to attack the Inspector of Yuan province, Shi Gui (史歸).

With Shi Gui dead, Houmochen was then appointed the new Inspector of Yuan province. He then followed Yuwen Tai to defeat Houmochen Yue later that year, and he was promoted to General Who Attacks the West. He was later sent to pacify Qin province, after which he was enfeoffed the Count of Guangwu County.

Houmochen was still buried according to the usual rites, but he was initially given the negative posthumous name of "Zhao" (躁; meaning "Impetuous"). After Yuwen Hu was killed by Emperor Wu in 572, his posthumous name was changed to the more dignified "Zhuangmin" (莊閔; meaning "Solemnly Careful").

Anecdote

Humiliating Wang Yong Wang Yong was a fierce and brave Northern Zhou general. He often boasted about his achievements while also publicly belittling others for their shortcomings, and so many people despised him. Houmochen was already a high-ranking and respected official at the time. During a visit to Yuwen Hu with the other generals, Houmochen learnt of Wang Yong's irksome behaviour, so he had Wang humilitiated in public. Wang was so angry and ashamed that it aggravated the carbuncle on his back, causing him to die shortly after.