He Shikai

He Shikai (Chinese: 和士開) (524 – 30 August 571^[1]), courtesy name Yantong (彥通), was an official of the Northern Qi dynasty of China. He was a close associate of the Emperor Wucheng (Gao Zhan) prior to the latter's accession to the throne, and he became a powerful official (and lover to Emperor Wucheng's wife Empress Hu) during Emperor Wucheng's reign. He was criticized in traditional histories as a corrupt and incompetent official. After Emperor Wucheng's death, Emperor Wucheng's son Gao Yan, the Prince of Langya, was displeased with the authority that He Shikai was still wielding, and killed him in a coup in 571, but subsequently was himself killed.

^ geng'wu day of the 7th month of the 2nd year of the Wu'ding era, per vol.8 of Bei Qi Shu. He Shikai's biography in the same work indicate that he was 48 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died.

[1] geng'wu day of the 7th month of the 2nd year of the Wu'ding era, per vol.8 of Bei Qi Shu. He Shikai's biography in the same work indicate that he was 48 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died.

[1]