Gao Cheng

Who was Gao Cheng?

Gao Cheng, courtesy name Zihui, formally Prince Wenxiang of Bohai, later further posthumously honored by Northern Qi as Emperor Wenxiang with the temple name Shizong, was the paramount official of the Chinese/Xianbei state Eastern Wei, a branch successor state of Northern Wei. He was Gao Huan's oldest son, and because his father wielded actual power during Emperor Xiaojing's reign, Gao Cheng also received increasingly great authority, and after his father's death in 547 took over the rein of the state. He was considered capable but frivolous and arrogant, as well as lacking in sexual discretion. In 549, he was assassinated by his servant Lan Jing, and his younger brother Gao Yang took over the control over the Eastern Wei regime.