Tang Zhengcai

Tang Zhengcai (Chinese: 唐正才, 1816–1863, born in Qiyang County, Hunan) was an eminent navy leader of the Taiping Rebellion, known during his tenure as the King of Hang (航王).[1] He led the Taiping fleet in many battles, nearly destroying the Xiang Army. He trained other naval officers, including Li Rongfa and Li Xiucheng. Tang was killed in action in 1863.

King of Hang

Tang Zhengcai
Born1816
Qiyang County, Hunan, Qing China
Died1863
Wuxi, Jiangsu, Qing China
AllegianceTaiping Heavenly Kingdom
Service/branchNavy
Battles/warsTaiping Rebellion

Tang Zhengcai employed wooden bridges similar in design to the Bailey bridge later developed by Donald Bailey.

Battles

In the a battle near Nanjing on March 10, 1853, Tang commanded the first offensive, successfully cutting off every river pass that could reinforce Nanjing. In 1854, at Lake Dongting, Tang's fleet surrounded the Xiang Army's fleet and destroyed much of it. Tang's fleet later transported 30,000 of Shi Dakai's troops along the Yangtze in a swift surprise attack.

In 1857, Tang's fleet moved to Wuhu, between Wuhan and Nanjing; it remained there to defend the location until 1861, when a Xiang counterattack forced Tang to retreat to Nanjing.

In 1863, he was killed in action – shot by the Huai Army in Wuxi.

References
  1. Gray, Jack (2002). Rebellions and Revolutions: China from the 1800s to 2000. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-821576-9.
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