Yang An (died c. 378) was a military general of Former Qin and possibly a prince of Chouchi. He was mostly active in Qin's conquest of western China, helping Fu Jian in conquering Chouchi, Yizhou and Liangzhou. Although not as grand as his contemporaries, Deng Qiang and Zhang Ci, the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms classed him as an important general of Qin whose merits were comparable to the two. Early life Yang An's background is one of contradiction and uncertainty. Prior to his first military act serving Former Qin in 366, there was a crisis in Chouchi back in 356 involving a prince who fled to Qin whose name was also Yang An. If it is to believe that they for the same people, Yang An was a prince of the Di state Chouchi whose father, Yang Guo (楊國) was its Duke. Yang Guo came to power in 355, after his father Yang Chu (楊初) was killed by his uncle Yang Songnu (楊宋奴). Yang Guo avenged his father and claimed his title of duke. The Jin dynasty Grand Marshal, Huan Wen, petitioned him to be given appointments while Yang An was appointed as Administrator of Wudu. Just a year into his reign, Yang Guo would be assassinated by his nephew Yang Jun (楊俊), who usurped his position and caused Yang An to flee to Qin. The Book of Song shows that Yang Jun remained Duke until his death in 360 and was succeeded by his son Yang Shi (楊世). There was an attempt to call back Yang An to the state by Yang Jun but what became of this was not known. However, the Book of Wei provides a different account, as it states that Yang An actually killed Yang Jun right after his father's assassination in 356. Yang An then took the throne and also died in 360. He was succeeded by Yang Shi, who this time appears to be An's son, not Jun's. Service under Fu Jian Early career Regardless of his background, what was clear is that Yang An's first appearance under Qin would be in 365, during the Xiongnu rebellion of Liu Weichen and Cao Gu. Yang An led the vanguard together with Mao Sheng (毛盛) while Fu Jian personally campaigned against Cao Gu. Yang An defeated Cao Gu's army and killed his brother, Cao Huo (曹活), forcing Cao Gu to surrender