Gaozu of Later Jin
Encyclopedia
Shi Jingtang was the founder of the Later Jin Dynasty
(936–946), the third of the Five Dynasties
that controlled much of northern China
from 907 to 960. The Later Jin Dynasty
was the second of three successive Shatuo Turk dynasties that made up the middle three of the Five Dynasties.
and Li Cunxu
. It is unknown when he changed his surname to Shi, and claimed to be a descendant of Shi Xi and Shi Fen. Interested in military strategy since a young age, he looked up to Li Mu
and Zhou Yafu
. When Li Siyuan was a cishi (regional inspector), he married his daughter to Shi and allowed him to command the Left Archer Corps (左射軍).
, so Cunxu, then Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang, order Li Siyuan to suppress the rebellion. Generals who had moved away from the rebellion attempted to force Siyuan into commanding the. Shi used this opportunity to talk Siyuan into overthrowing Zhangzong, and took Bian
with three hundred. Siyuan turned to the direction of Bian and Luoyang
. Zhuangzong was killed in an accident amidst the chaos, and Siyuan was crowned Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang.
Shi Jingtang was a high-ranking official during Mingzong's reign. He was the Governor (尹) of Taiyuan
, Administrator (留守) of Beijing
, and jiedushi
of Hedong
, and had great financial and military power.
He moved his possessions in Luoyang
to Jinyang
. Using defence against the Khitans as an excuse, he requested expansion of his military power, resulting in the troops of Bing
and You
being under his command. He sent his sons Shi Zhongyan and Shi Zhongyi to court to gain the positions of youwei shangjun (右衛上軍) and huangcheng fushi (皇城副使) and to use them to bribe Empress Cao's servants, enabling Shi to be notified of everything that Fei did.
On Fei's birthday one year, Shi did not attend the ball himself. Instead, his wife, the Princess of Jin, went in his place. Jin had to return to Jinyang immediately after the ball; Fei, drunk, commented that Shi could have been plotting against Fei. Shi thought Fei had seen through his conspiracy, so he requested that he move to a different town, to test if Fei had been suspicious of him.
In 936, rumours of Shi's plot were widespread. This fuelled Fei's suspicions. Bi Wenyu, the zhizhigao (知制誥), suggested removing Shi's threat before he had a chance to rise up. Fei took his advice and made him the Jiedushi of Tianping. Shi, who was moved to Yunzhou
, asked his courtiers for advice. Liu Zhiyuan advised Shi to take advantage of the geographical features of Jiao, where he was based, and the strength of his army and overthrow the Emperor. Sang Weihan also advised him to do so, and suggested asking for help from the Liao Dynasty
should it be necessary during the battle.
When Fei was notified of Shi's rebellion, he ordered his official positions and titles to be revoked, and ordered the siege of Jiao, and deployed Zhang Jingda and Yang Guangyuan. Zhang set up his camp in Jinan and surrounded Shi's troops. Despite Liu's opposition, Shi requested help from the Liao, offering the Sixteen Prefectures
and to declare himself son
and subject of Emperor Taizong of Liao
, who was a decade his junior.
Taizong, who had been planning to expand to the south, promptly agreed. As Tang focussed on defeating Shi, they neglected to protect the state from Liao's forces. Before Zhang could invade Jiao, he had to face the Liao army. Fei ordered troops from all over the state to aid Zhang, and went to the battlefield himself to raise morale. Long Min suggested that Li Zhanhua, Taizong's older brother, be crowned the Emperor of Liao and escorted to Liao, although the plan was not implemented due to obstruction from Lu Wenji, the chancellor.
Yang persuaded Zhang to surrender to Taizong. Zhang was reproached and furious at the suggestion. Yang murdered Zhang and surrendered to Taizong, ending the battle. Taizong crowned Shi Emperor Gaozu of Great Jin, known historically as Later Jin, in Jinyang, to which he left his nephew Shi Zhonggui before going south with Taizong. Fei and loyal Tang soldiers fled to Luoyang, where they killed Li. Not longer afterwards, Fei, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Consort took all the treasure to Xuanwu Tower (玄武樓), where they burnt themselves, ending the Tang Dynasty.
(Henan
). The Later Jin Dynasty
is often derided as being a puppet of the Khitans. Apart from the tribute
, Gaozu also gave a lot of gifts to Liao's royal family and courtiers.
An Chongrong, the Jiedushi of Chengde, advised him to take advantage of Liao's internal conflicts and attack it. Gaozu refused. Taizong criticised Gaozu for his inability to control An An later rebelled, but was defeated. Gaozu gave Taizong An's head, but Taizong did not forgive him and frequently condemned Gaozu.
Shi died of natural causes in 942.
Later Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
(936–946), the third of the Five Dynasties
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was between 907–960/979 AD and an era of political upheaval in China, between the fall of the Tang Dynasty and the founding of the Song Dynasty. During this period, five dynasties quickly succeeded one another in the north, and more than 12 independent states were...
that controlled much of northern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
from 907 to 960. The Later Jin Dynasty
Later Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
was the second of three successive Shatuo Turk dynasties that made up the middle three of the Five Dynasties.
Background and early life
Shi was of Shatuo descent. His ancestors had been commoners. His father, Nielieji, was skilled in riding and archery, and had been a successful general under Li KeyongLi Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
and Li Cunxu
Li Cunxu
Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang , personal name Li Cunxu , nickname Yazi , was the Prince of Jin and later became Emperor of Later Tang...
. It is unknown when he changed his surname to Shi, and claimed to be a descendant of Shi Xi and Shi Fen. Interested in military strategy since a young age, he looked up to Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
and Zhou Yafu
Zhou Yafu
Zhou Yafu was a renowned Han Dynasty general who put down the Rebellion of the Seven States, but whose honesty and integrity eventually cost him the favor of Emperor Jing and his life...
. When Li Siyuan was a cishi (regional inspector), he married his daughter to Shi and allowed him to command the Left Archer Corps (左射軍).
Mingzong's reign
In 926, a group of soldiers who were supposed to be stationed at Waqiao-guan Pass, rebelled, and threatened Zhao Zaili into assuming leadership. They seized YeYe, China
Ye or Yecheng was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County, Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County, Henan....
, so Cunxu, then Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang, order Li Siyuan to suppress the rebellion. Generals who had moved away from the rebellion attempted to force Siyuan into commanding the. Shi used this opportunity to talk Siyuan into overthrowing Zhangzong, and took Bian
Bian
-Place:*Kaifeng, a prefecture-level city in eastern Henan province, People's Republic of China.*An old name for the county of Uiseong, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.-Others:...
with three hundred. Siyuan turned to the direction of Bian and Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. Zhuangzong was killed in an accident amidst the chaos, and Siyuan was crowned Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang.
Shi Jingtang was a high-ranking official during Mingzong's reign. He was the Governor (尹) of Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, Administrator (留守) of Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, and jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
of Hedong
Hedong
Hedong may refer to the following Chinese entities:* Hedong Commandery , ancient division of China* Hedong District ** Hedong District, Linyi, in Shandong** Hedong District, Tianjin** Hedong District, Sanya, in Hainan...
, and had great financial and military power.
Overthrow of Tang
During Emperor Fei of Later Tang's reign, internal conflicts arised among the House of Tang. On top of that, the power of the state was declining. Shi decided to take advantage of the situation and prepare for the deposition of Tang.He moved his possessions in Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
to Jinyang
Jinyang
Jinyang may refer to:*Jinyang County, a county in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China*Jinyang Lake, a lake in Korea*Jinyang New District, a new urban district of the city of Guiyang, Guizhou, China...
. Using defence against the Khitans as an excuse, he requested expansion of his military power, resulting in the troops of Bing
Bing (province)
Bing was a province of China during the Han Dynasty, in the approximate area of modern Shanxi and western Hebei. At the end of the Han Dynasty, during a succession dispute among heirs of Yuan Shao , Bing was one of the first provinces to come under control of the warlord Cao Cao...
and You
Youzhou
Youzhou is a historical place name in northern China. From the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty in 106 BC to the Five Dynasties period in the 10th century AD, Youzhou generally referred to the prefecture around modern-day Beijing and parts of Hebei Province...
being under his command. He sent his sons Shi Zhongyan and Shi Zhongyi to court to gain the positions of youwei shangjun (右衛上軍) and huangcheng fushi (皇城副使) and to use them to bribe Empress Cao's servants, enabling Shi to be notified of everything that Fei did.
On Fei's birthday one year, Shi did not attend the ball himself. Instead, his wife, the Princess of Jin, went in his place. Jin had to return to Jinyang immediately after the ball; Fei, drunk, commented that Shi could have been plotting against Fei. Shi thought Fei had seen through his conspiracy, so he requested that he move to a different town, to test if Fei had been suspicious of him.
In 936, rumours of Shi's plot were widespread. This fuelled Fei's suspicions. Bi Wenyu, the zhizhigao (知制誥), suggested removing Shi's threat before he had a chance to rise up. Fei took his advice and made him the Jiedushi of Tianping. Shi, who was moved to Yunzhou
Yunzhou
Yunzhou Township is a township in northwestern Hebei province, People's Republic of China, on the upper reaches of the Bai River. It is under the administration of Chicheng County, to the south-southeast.-History:...
, asked his courtiers for advice. Liu Zhiyuan advised Shi to take advantage of the geographical features of Jiao, where he was based, and the strength of his army and overthrow the Emperor. Sang Weihan also advised him to do so, and suggested asking for help from the Liao Dynasty
Liao Dynasty
The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...
should it be necessary during the battle.
When Fei was notified of Shi's rebellion, he ordered his official positions and titles to be revoked, and ordered the siege of Jiao, and deployed Zhang Jingda and Yang Guangyuan. Zhang set up his camp in Jinan and surrounded Shi's troops. Despite Liu's opposition, Shi requested help from the Liao, offering the Sixteen Prefectures
Sixteen Prefectures
The Sixteen Prefectures are a region in northern China stretching from present-day Beijing westward to Datong. In most areas, it is approximately seventy to one hundred miles in width...
and to declare himself son
Fictive kinship
Fictive kinship is a term used by anthropologists and ethnographers to distinguish between forms of kinship or social ties that are based on neither consanguinal nor affinal ties...
and subject of Emperor Taizong of Liao
Emperor Taizong of Liao
The Emperor Taizong of Liao , born as Yelü Deguang , was the second emperor of the Khitan Empire .-Succession to the Throne:...
, who was a decade his junior.
Taizong, who had been planning to expand to the south, promptly agreed. As Tang focussed on defeating Shi, they neglected to protect the state from Liao's forces. Before Zhang could invade Jiao, he had to face the Liao army. Fei ordered troops from all over the state to aid Zhang, and went to the battlefield himself to raise morale. Long Min suggested that Li Zhanhua, Taizong's older brother, be crowned the Emperor of Liao and escorted to Liao, although the plan was not implemented due to obstruction from Lu Wenji, the chancellor.
Yang persuaded Zhang to surrender to Taizong. Zhang was reproached and furious at the suggestion. Yang murdered Zhang and surrendered to Taizong, ending the battle. Taizong crowned Shi Emperor Gaozu of Great Jin, known historically as Later Jin, in Jinyang, to which he left his nephew Shi Zhonggui before going south with Taizong. Fei and loyal Tang soldiers fled to Luoyang, where they killed Li. Not longer afterwards, Fei, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Consort took all the treasure to Xuanwu Tower (玄武樓), where they burnt themselves, ending the Tang Dynasty.
Rule and death
Gaozu moved the capital to Bian, now known as KaifengKaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
(Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). The Later Jin Dynasty
Later Jin Dynasty (Five Dynasties)
Note that there are four periods of Chinese history using the name "Jin" The Later Jìn was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Shi Jingtang, posthumously known as Gaozu of Later Jin...
is often derided as being a puppet of the Khitans. Apart from the tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
, Gaozu also gave a lot of gifts to Liao's royal family and courtiers.
An Chongrong, the Jiedushi of Chengde, advised him to take advantage of Liao's internal conflicts and attack it. Gaozu refused. Taizong criticised Gaozu for his inability to control An An later rebelled, but was defeated. Gaozu gave Taizong An's head, but Taizong did not forgive him and frequently condemned Gaozu.
Shi died of natural causes in 942.