Liu Hanhong
Encyclopedia
Liu Hanhong (d. 887
?) was a warlord of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
who initially was a rebel against Tang but later accepted Tang titles and controlled Yisheng Circuit (義勝, headquartered in modern Shaoxing
, Zhejiang
). Eventually, he was defeated and captured by Qian Liu
, and delivered to Qian's superior Dong Chang
and executed.
, Shandong
). In 879, he was serving at Jiangling under the chancellor Wang Duo
, who was overseeing the operations against the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
when Wang, upon hearing of Huang's defeating of Wang's deputy Li Xi (李係) at Tan Prefecture (潭州, in modern Changsha, Hunan
), became fearful, as at that time Wang had less than 10,000 men. He left Liu in charge of defending Jiangling and headed north himself, claiming to be rendezvousing Liu Jurong (劉巨容) the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangyang
, Hubei
). As soon as Wang left Jiangling, however, Liu rebelled against the Tang imperial government and pillaged and burned Jiangling. Liu then took his troops north and became an anti-imperial government army. His army grew in force and, as of summer 880 was pillaging the region between Song (宋州, in modern Shangqiu
, Henan
) and Yan Prefectures. Then-reigning Emperor Xizong
ordered the nearby circuits to launch troops to attack him, but was unable to effectuate much against him. He subsequently headed south and pillaged Shen (申州) and Guang (光州) (both in modern Xinyang
, Henan) Prefectures. Later in the year, however, he offered to submit to the Tang imperial government, and Emperor Xizong made him the prefect of Su Prefecture (宿州, in modern Suzhou, Anhui
).
, Zhejiang
) for unspecified offenses, the imperial government replaced Liu Tao with Liu Hanhong.
Once Liu Hanhong took over Zhedong, he had designs on seizing neighboring Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
, also known as Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海)) as well. In 882, he sent his brother Liu Hanyou (劉漢宥) and officer Xin Yue (辛約) with 20,000 and stationed them at Xiling (西陵, in modern Hangzhou
, Zhejiang
). Dong Chang
the prefect of Hang Prefecture (杭州, in modern Hangzhou) sent his officer Qian Liu
to resist Liu Hanyou and Xin. One foggy night, Qian took the opportunity to secretly cross the Qiantang River
and attack the Zhedong camp, crushing the Zhedong army; Liu Hanyou and Xin fled. Later that year, Liu Hanhong made another attempt, sending his officer Wang Zhen (王鎮). Qian again made a surprise attack across the Qiantang against Wang and crushed him. Wang fled as well.
As of spring 883, Liu Hanhong placed his troops at three bases, Huangling (黃嶺), Yanxia (嚴下), and Zhennü (貞女, all in modern Hangzhou). Qian launched an attack from Fuchun (富春, in modern Hangzhou), capturing Huangling, as well as the defenders of Yanxia and Zhennü. He then defeated Liu Hanhong's elite troops, stationed at Zhuji (諸暨, in modern Shaoxing), and Liu Hanhong fled.
In winter 883, Liu Hanhong tried to again launch an attack against Dong through Xiling. Qian again crossed the Qiantang and attacked and defeated him. The defeat was so crushing that Liu Hanhong had to flee by putting on the disguise of a fisherman, including carrying a fisherman's knife. However, he then regrouped and again battled Qian, but was again defeated, and his brother Liu Hanrong (劉漢容) and Xin were killed.
Meanwhile, throughout the years, Liu Hanhong had sent much tribute to Emperor Xizong, and Emperor Xizong, in late 883, promoted Zhedong Circuit with a new name of Yisheng (義勝), naming Liu Hanhong its military governor (Jiedushi
).
In spring 884, the agrarian rebel Wang Zhen (王鎮, unclear whether the same Wang Zhen that Liu Hanhong had sent against Dong in 882) captured Huang Jie (黃碣) the prefect of Wu Prefecture (婺州, in modern Jinhua
, Zhejiang
), and surrendered to Qian. Liu Hanhong sent his officer Lou Lai (婁賚) to attack and kill Wang, replacing him. Qian responded by joining his forces with those of Jiang Gui (蔣瓌); they attacked Lou and captured him.
). Qian executed Liu's mother and wife. Once Liu got to Tai Prefecture, the prefect of Tai, Du Xiong (杜雄), held a feast to welcome him and induced his troops to get drunk, and then captured him and delivered them to Dong, who executed him. Dong took over Yisheng Circuit, and yielded Hang Prefecture to Qian.
887
Year 887 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The city of Toledo rises against the Umayyad leader....
?) was a warlord of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
who initially was a rebel against Tang but later accepted Tang titles and controlled Yisheng Circuit (義勝, headquartered in modern Shaoxing
Shaoxing
Shaoxing is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Located on the south bank of the Qiantang River estuary, it borders Ningbo to the east, Taizhou to the southeast, Jinhua to the southwest, and Hangzhou to the west. It was once known as "越"...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
). Eventually, he was defeated and captured by Qian Liu
Qian Liu
Qian Liu , courtesy name Jumei , nickname Poliu , formally King Wusu of Wuyue with the temple name of Taizu , was founder and first king of the Kingdom of Wuyue during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, ruling over roughly modern Zhejiang on the east coast of China.- Background :Qian...
, and delivered to Qian's superior Dong Chang
Dong Chang
Dong Chang was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He began his career as the leader of a local militia at Hang Prefecture and gradually increased in power to control most of modern Zhejiang...
and executed.
Background and rebellion against Tang
It is not known when Liu Hanhong was born or his family background was, other than his family was from Yan Prefecture (兗州, in modern JiningJining, Shandong
Jining is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Heze to the southwest, Zaozhuang to the southeast, Tai'an to the northeast, and the provinces of Henan and Jiangsu to the northwest and south respectively...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
). In 879, he was serving at Jiangling under the chancellor Wang Duo
Wang Duo
Wang Duo , is a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and poet in Ming Dynasty.Wang was born in Mengjin in the Henan province. His style name was 'Juesi' or 'Juezhi' and his sobriquets were 'Songqiao', 'Chi'an', or 'Yantan Yusou'...
, who was overseeing the operations against the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
when Wang, upon hearing of Huang's defeating of Wang's deputy Li Xi (李係) at Tan Prefecture (潭州, in modern Changsha, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
), became fearful, as at that time Wang had less than 10,000 men. He left Liu in charge of defending Jiangling and headed north himself, claiming to be rendezvousing Liu Jurong (劉巨容) the military governor (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 Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangyang
Xiangyang
Xiangzhou District is a district of Xiangyang, Hubei, China. The district itself was formerly known as Xiangyang. It was a city famous for the Siege of Xiangyang by invading forces of the Mongol-founded Yuan Dynasty...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
). As soon as Wang left Jiangling, however, Liu rebelled against the Tang imperial government and pillaged and burned Jiangling. Liu then took his troops north and became an anti-imperial government army. His army grew in force and, as of summer 880 was pillaging the region between Song (宋州, in modern Shangqiu
Shangqiu
Shangqiu is a city in eastern Henan province, Central China. It borders Kaifeng to the northwest, Zhoukou to the southwest, and the provinces of Shandong and Anhui to the northeast and southeast respectively. An ancient city with a rich history, Shangqiu was also the first capital of the Shang...
, 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...
) and Yan Prefectures. Then-reigning Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
ordered the nearby circuits to launch troops to attack him, but was unable to effectuate much against him. He subsequently headed south and pillaged Shen (申州) and Guang (光州) (both in modern Xinyang
Xinyang
Xinyang is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Henan province, People's Republic of China, the southernmost such administrative division in the province.-Recent history:...
, Henan) Prefectures. Later in the year, however, he offered to submit to the Tang imperial government, and Emperor Xizong made him the prefect of Su Prefecture (宿州, in modern Suzhou, Anhui
Suzhou, Anhui
-Administration:Suzhou administers five county-level divisions, including one district and four counties.*Yongqiao District *Dangshan County *Xiao County *Lingbi County *Si County...
).
Takeover and rule of Zhedong/Yisheng
However, it was said that Liu Hanhong was displeased that the imperial government made him only a prefectural prefect. Therefore, in 880, with the imperial government set to punish Liu Tao (柳瑫) the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Zhedong Circuit (浙東, headquartered in modern ShaoxingShaoxing
Shaoxing is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Located on the south bank of the Qiantang River estuary, it borders Ningbo to the east, Taizhou to the southeast, Jinhua to the southwest, and Hangzhou to the west. It was once known as "越"...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
) for unspecified offenses, the imperial government replaced Liu Tao with Liu Hanhong.
Once Liu Hanhong took over Zhedong, he had designs on seizing neighboring Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Jiangsu province in the eastern People's Republic of China . Sitting on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north.Once...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
, also known as Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海)) as well. In 882, he sent his brother Liu Hanyou (劉漢宥) and officer Xin Yue (辛約) with 20,000 and stationed them at Xiling (西陵, in modern Hangzhou
Hangzhou
Hangzhou , formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Governed as a sub-provincial city, and as of 2010, its entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
). Dong Chang
Dong Chang
Dong Chang was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He began his career as the leader of a local militia at Hang Prefecture and gradually increased in power to control most of modern Zhejiang...
the prefect of Hang Prefecture (杭州, in modern Hangzhou) sent his officer Qian Liu
Qian Liu
Qian Liu , courtesy name Jumei , nickname Poliu , formally King Wusu of Wuyue with the temple name of Taizu , was founder and first king of the Kingdom of Wuyue during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, ruling over roughly modern Zhejiang on the east coast of China.- Background :Qian...
to resist Liu Hanyou and Xin. One foggy night, Qian took the opportunity to secretly cross the Qiantang River
Qiantang River
The Qiantang River is a southeast Chinese river that originates in the borders of Anhui and Jiangxi provinces and passes through Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, before flowing into the East China Sea through Hangzhou Bay....
and attack the Zhedong camp, crushing the Zhedong army; Liu Hanyou and Xin fled. Later that year, Liu Hanhong made another attempt, sending his officer Wang Zhen (王鎮). Qian again made a surprise attack across the Qiantang against Wang and crushed him. Wang fled as well.
As of spring 883, Liu Hanhong placed his troops at three bases, Huangling (黃嶺), Yanxia (嚴下), and Zhennü (貞女, all in modern Hangzhou). Qian launched an attack from Fuchun (富春, in modern Hangzhou), capturing Huangling, as well as the defenders of Yanxia and Zhennü. He then defeated Liu Hanhong's elite troops, stationed at Zhuji (諸暨, in modern Shaoxing), and Liu Hanhong fled.
In winter 883, Liu Hanhong tried to again launch an attack against Dong through Xiling. Qian again crossed the Qiantang and attacked and defeated him. The defeat was so crushing that Liu Hanhong had to flee by putting on the disguise of a fisherman, including carrying a fisherman's knife. However, he then regrouped and again battled Qian, but was again defeated, and his brother Liu Hanrong (劉漢容) and Xin were killed.
Meanwhile, throughout the years, Liu Hanhong had sent much tribute to Emperor Xizong, and Emperor Xizong, in late 883, promoted Zhedong Circuit with a new name of Yisheng (義勝), naming Liu Hanhong its military governor (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...
).
In spring 884, the agrarian rebel Wang Zhen (王鎮, unclear whether the same Wang Zhen that Liu Hanhong had sent against Dong in 882) captured Huang Jie (黃碣) the prefect of Wu Prefecture (婺州, in modern Jinhua
Jinhua
Jinhua is a prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It borders the provincial capital of Hangzhou to the northwest, Quzhou to the southwest, Lishui to the south, Taizhou to the east, and Shaoxing to the northeast....
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
), and surrendered to Qian. Liu Hanhong sent his officer Lou Lai (婁賚) to attack and kill Wang, replacing him. Qian responded by joining his forces with those of Jiang Gui (蔣瓌); they attacked Lou and captured him.
Defeat and death
In fall 886, Dong Chang offered to give Hang Prefecture to Qian Liu if Qian could capture Yisheng for him. Qian agreed, and pointed out that unless Liu Hanhong were destroyed, he would remain a danger for Hang Prefecture. Qiu thus took his army, cut through a mountainous route, and surprised the Yisheng troops by attacking them from the east. The Yisheng officer Bao Junfu (鮑君福) surrendered. Qian then engaged the rest of the Yisheng army and defeated them. He then captured Yisheng's capital Yue Prefecture (越州). Liu Hanhong fled to Tai Prefecture (臺州, in modern Taizhou, ZhejiangTaizhou, Zhejiang
Taizhou is a prefecture-level city in middle eastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China...
). Qian executed Liu's mother and wife. Once Liu got to Tai Prefecture, the prefect of Tai, Du Xiong (杜雄), held a feast to welcome him and induced his troops to get drunk, and then captured him and delivered them to Dong, who executed him. Dong took over Yisheng Circuit, and yielded Hang Prefecture to Qian.