, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was most known for leading the empire's restoration movement against the state of
in Anding (安定, present-day Zhenyuan, Gansu) following the Disaster of Yongjia in 311. However, his untimely death the next year undermined the potential of the group, as power would fall into
in Chang'an. His name can be rendered as
.
Life
Jia Ya was from Wuwei Commandary in modern-day Gansu. His great-grandfather was the famed advisor of the warlord Cao Cao, Jia Xu who helped lay the foundation of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms. In his youth, he was well-respected by the people for his talents and openness to them. He joined the Jin government, and rose to the rank of Administrator of Anding. Jia Ya was also involved in the War of the Eight Princes in 306, in which he sided with Sima Yue against Sima Yong by killing his generals Ma Zhan and Liang Mai.
During the reign of Emperor Huai of Jin in 311, the Inspector of Yongzhou, Ding Chuo (丁綽) slandered Jia Ya to the Prince of Nanyang, Sima Mo (司馬模). Jia Ya was also hosting the rebel Pei Bao (裴苞), who had opposed Sima Mo. Jia Ya fled to the Lu River, where he befriended two tribal men named Peng Dangzhong (彭蕩仲) and Dou Shou (竇首). Together, they helped Jia Ya return to Anding, where they killed Sima Mo's general Xie Ban (謝班) and forced Ding Chuo to flee to Wudu. The emperor forgave Jia Ya and appointed him the new Inspector of Yongzhou.
Later that year, the forces of Han Zhao took over Luoyang and captured the emperor as well. Soon, Chang'an also capitulated after Sima Mo was captured and executed. Jia Ya and many of the tribal leaders around Anding sent their officials' children over to Luoyang to submit to Han Zhao. However, they did not reach the capital, rather they were led home by Sima Mo's subordinates Suo Chen and Qu Yun, who were fleeing from Han Zhao forces. Suo Chen, Qu Yun and the others discussed plans to restore Jin's authority in the north, and they all agreed to have Jia Ya lead them. Jia Ya accepted the position of General Who Pacifies the West.
Jia Ya set out with his army to Chang'an. The Inspector of Yongzhou, Qu Te (麴特), Administrator of Fufeng, Liang Zong (梁綜) and the Administrator of Xinping (新平县, in present-day Henan), Zhu Hui (竺恢) upon hearing Jia Ya's arrival, renounced their submission to Han Zhao and joined him. Jia Ya fought Liu Yao at Huangqiu (in present-day Tai'erzhuang District, Shandong), where he greatly routed his army. He then marched to attack his old friend, Peng Dangzhong and killed him. Jia Ya's success convinced many in the Guanxi (關西, west of Hangu Pass) to surrender to him as well, returning it under the Jin dynasty. Not long after, Jia Ya and his group received Yan Ding and the nephew of the captured emperor, Sima Ye. Jia Ya continued to besiege Chang'an to the following year, finally convincing Liu Yao to retreat.
Sima Ye was proclaimed as the new Crown Prince in Chang'an and Jia Ya was appointed as Grand General Who Conquers The West. However, Jia Ya would not hold onto his new position for long nor would he see the Crown Prince take the throne. Peng Dangzhong's son, Peng Tianhu (彭天護) attacked Jia Ya later in 312. He feigned retreat and Jia Ya chased him into the night. This proved to be a mistake, as he would fall into a gully and be captured by Tianhu, who then executed him. Although his run was very short-lived, the regime that he created would continue under the guidance of Suo Chen and Qu Yun. However, the government proved itself weak and corrupt, as it would fall in 316 when Sima Ye (now Emperor Min of Jin) was captured by Han Zhao, putting an end to Western Jin.
Jia Ya (died 312), courtesy name Yandu, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was most known for leading the empire's restoration movement against the state of Han Zhao in Anding (安定, present-day Zhenyuan, Gansu) following the Disaster of Yongjia in 311. However, his untimely death the next year undermined the potential of the group, as power would fall into Suo Chen and Qu Yun, who held on desperately to their influence on Emperor Min of Jin in Chang'an. His name can be rendered as Jia Pi.