Liu Zhijun (Later Liang)
Encyclopedia
Liu Zhijun (d. January 21, 918?), courtesy name Xixian (希賢), nicknamed Liu Kaidao (劉開道, "Liu who opened the way"), was a general under Emperor Taizu of Later Liang (Zhu Quanzhong) while Emperor Taizu was a major warlord during the late Tang Dynasty
and then during Emperor Taizu's reign in his new Later Liang Dynasty
. Later, fearing that Emperor Taizu was going to act against him, he defected, first to Qi
, then to Former Shu
. Former Shu's emperor Wang Jian (Emperor Gaozu), however, also was apprehensive of his talent and later had him executed.
. It was said that he had a handsome appearance and had great ambitions. He initially served under Shi Pu
the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Ganhua Circuit (感化, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
), and was highly-regarded by Shi. However, his bravery and good use of tactics eventually caused Shi to be apprehensive of him. Around the new year 892
, he submitted to Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), who was then engaged in a lengthy campaign against Shi. It was said that Liu's surrender to Zhu was a big blow to the Ganhua army, which from that point on was no longer able to stand up against Xuanwu. (Ganhua's capital Xu Prefecture (徐州) would eventually fall to Zhu's army in 893
, and Shi committed suicide.) Zhu put the two Yisheng armies (義勝軍) under Liu's command, and made him "Kaidao Commander" (開道指揮使, "the commander who opens the way"), thus leading to Liu's receiving the nickname of "Liu Kaidao." He later successively served as the prefect of Hai Prefecture (海州, in modern Lianyungang
, Jiangsu
), Huai Prefecture (懷州, in modern Jiaozuo
, Henan
), and Zheng Prefecture (鄭州, in modern Zhengzhou
, Henan
).
In 901
, the powerful eunuchs, led by Han Quanhui
, feared that then-reigning Emperor Zhaozong
and the chancellor Cui Yin
were about to slaughter them. They therefore seized Emperor Zhaozong and took him from the capital Chang'an
to Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
), then ruled by the eunuchs' ally Li Maozhen
. Cui summoned Zhu, who subsequently put Fengxiang's capital Fengxiang Municipality under siege. However, the siege stalled, and Zhu was unable to capture Fengxiang for a long duration. As of fall 902
, with his army facing rains and the accompanying illnesses, Zhu was considering lifting the siege and withdrawing to Hezhong (河中, in modern Yuncheng
, Shanxi
). Only at the urging by Liu and Gao Jichang
did Zhu maintain the siege. (Subsequently, at Gao's suggestion, Zhu had a soldier surrender to Li and falsely claim that the Xuanwu forces were withdrawing. Li came out of Fengxiang and tried to attack Zhu's "withdrawing" army, and was trapped; he was only able to get back into Fengxiang with heavy losses. Li eventually slaughtered the eunuchs and surrendered the emperor to Zhu in spring 903
to sue for peace.)
In spring 904
, after Zhu had Cui killed (after suspecting Cui of turning against him), he further forced Emperor Zhaozong to move the capital from Chang'an to Luoyang
. In the aftermaths, Zhu made Han Jian
the military governor of Youguo Circuit (佑國, headquartered at Chang'an) and Liu the military governor of Kuangguo Circuit (匡國, headquartered in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
), to defend against potential attacks from Li Maozhen and Li Maozhen's adoptive son Li Jihui
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
). In 906
, when Li Jihui, along with the forces of Fengxiang and three other circuits then under Li Maozhen's control — Baosai (保塞, headquartered in modern Yan'an
, Shaanxi
), Zhangyi (彰義, headquartered in modern Pingliang
, Gansu
), and Baoda (保大, headquartered in modern Yan'an as well) — attacked Dingnan Circuit
(定難, headquartered in modern Yulin, Shaanxi
), Dingnan sought aid from Zhu. Zhu ordered Liu and Kang Huaizhen (康懷貞) to aid Dingnan. Liu first attacked Baoda, capturing Liu Yanhui (劉彥暉) the prefect of Baoda's Fang Prefecture (坊州, in modern Yan'an), and then defeated Li Jihui at Meiyuan (美原, in modern Weinan), forcing Li Jihui to withdraw back to Jingnan's capital Bin Prefecture (邠州). Liu Zhijun and Kang then attacked and captured Baoda's capital Fu Prefecture (鄜州) and Baosai's capital Yan Prefecture (延州), as well as three other prefectures. It was said that this was a huge blow to Li Maozhen's army. Liu was rewarded with the honorary chancellor designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), while Kang was made the military governor of Baoda.
, Zhu Quanzhong had Emperor Zhaozong's son and successor Emperor Ai
yield the throne to him, ending Tang Dynasty and starting a new Later Liang Dynasty
with him as its Emperor Taizu. A number of regional warlords refused to recognize him as their emperor and whose domains effectively became independent states — including Li Maozhen (whose state became known as Qi
as his title was Prince of Qi), Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
) (whose state became known as Jin as his title was Prince of Jin), Yang Wo the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
) (whose title was Prince of Hongnong but whose state was also known as Wu
as his father and predecessor Yang Xingmi
was the Prince of Wu) and Wang Jian (whose state became known as Former Shu
as his title was Prince of Shu and he soon thereafter claimed the title of emperor himself).
One of the campaigns the new Later Liang emperor launched thereafter was an attack against Jin's Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
), which was then governed by Li Keyong's adoptive nephew Li Sizhao
. Later Liang forces put Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) under siege, and Li Keyong, who was seriously ill, was initially unable to dispatch a relief force. (Li Keyong would die shortly after and be succeeded by his son Li Cunxu.) Still, in spring 908
, with the Liang commander Li Si'an (李思安) unable to capture Lu Prefecture, Emperor Taizu went to the frontline himself to oversee the siege, while also summoning Liu from Kuangguo (which, shortly after, Emperor Taizu renamed Zhongwu (忠武), swapping the name with the circuit headquartered in modern Xuchang
, Henan
) to command the forces involved in the Lu operation. Liu had initial successes against Jin forces and requested to stay to finish the siege, but Emperor Taizu was concerned that Qi forces might attack Zhongwu, so he had Liu head over to Jin Prefecture (晉州, in modern Linfen
, Shanxi
) to stay there and gradually return to Zhongwu. Soon thereafter, a surprise attack by Li Cunxu and his general Zhou Dewei defeated the Later Liang troops sieging Lu Prefecture, and, in the aftermaths of the victory, Zhou tried to take Ze Prefecture (澤州, in modern Jincheng
, Shanxi
) as well. The Later Liang general Niu Cunjie (牛存節) held out, and Liu dispatched his own forces from Jin Prefecture to aid Niu, causing Zhou to abandon the attack on Ze and withdraw.
In fall 908
, Former Shu and Qi forces attacked Chang'an, and Jin forces under Zhang Chengye
were also set to join the battle. Liu and Wang Chongshi (王重師) the military governor of Youguo Circuit (who had replaced Han Jian), however, defeated Qi forces at Mu Valley (幕谷, in modern Xianyang), and the Former Shu and Jin forces also thereafter withdrew. Shortly after, the Qi military governor of Baosai, Hu Jingzhang (胡敬璋), attacked Shangping Pass (上平關, in modern Lüliang
, Shanxi
), but was repelled by Liu. (This incident implied that Liu's and Kang Huaizhen's capture of Yan Prefecture in 904
did not permanently hold the prefecture for Later Liang at that point.)
Late in 908, Hu died and was succeeded by Liu Wanzi (劉萬子), who, however, was cruel and unpopular, and Li Jihui also thought that Liu Wanzi was in communications with Later Liang. He therefore had the officer Li Yanshi (李延實) assassinate Liu Wanzi and take over Baosai. In response, Liu Wanzi's officer Gao Wanxing (高萬興) and his brother Gao Wanjin (高萬金) surrendered to Liu Zhijun. Shortly after, Liu Zhijun put Yan Prefecture under siege himself and sent Liu Ru (劉儒) to siege Fang Prefecture. Li Yanshi then surrendered to Liu Zhijun, while Qi's military governor of Baoda, Li Yanbo (李彥博), and Li Yanyu (李彥昱) the prefect of Fang Prefecture abandoned their posts and fled back to Fengxiang. Emperor Taizu commissioned Gao Wanxing as the military governor of Baosai and Niu as the military governor of Baoda, while ordering Liu to try to further conquer Jingnan Circuit. Liu believed that it would be difficult to do so, so he declined by stating that his food supplies were not sufficient, so Emperor Taizu let him return to Zhongwu.
Meanwhile, although Emperor Taizu favored Liu greatly, Liu was becoming fearful of Emperor Taizu's increasingly erratic and cruel acts against other generals. He became particularly alarmed in summer 909
, when Emperor Taizu, on false reports by the officer Liu Han (劉捍) that Wang Chongshi was in secret communications with Qi, forced Wang to commit suicide and slaughtered his family, replacing him with Liu Han. Later in summer 909, when Emperor Taizu was considering putting Liu Zhijun in command of another campaign against Jin, he summoned Liu to him. This alarmed Liu, and his brother Liu Zhiwan (劉知浣), who was one of Emperor Taizu's guard commanders at Luoyang, also sent a secret letter to Liu Zhijun, opining that Emperor Taizu intended to kill him. Shortly after, Liu Zhiwan requested to take his brothers and nephews to welcome Liu Zhijun, and Emperor Taizu agreed. Shortly after, Liu Zhijun submitted to Qi and launched a surprise attack on Chang'an, capturing Liu Han and delivering him to Qi to be executed. He then put a defense in at Tong Pass while requesting aid from both Qi and Jin. Despite Liu Zhijun's rebelling against him, Emperor Taizu initially tried to maintain communications with Liu Zhijun, and his emissary to Liu Zhijun pointed out the great favors he had shown to Liu. Liu responded that while he was appreciative, he was fearful of the same fate as Wang. Even though Emperor Taizu then sent another communique stating that Liu was correct to have had Liu Han killed and that he regretted the death of Wang, Liu Zhijun did not respond again, so Emperor Taizu sent Yang Shihou and Liu Xun to attack Liu Zhijun. Liu Xun quickly captured Tong Pass and took Liu Zhiwan and the other family members, who were on the way to Liu Zhijun's territory, captive. Still, Emperor Taizu made another attempt to persuade Liu Zhijun to resubmit, by sending his nephew Liu Siye (劉嗣業) to Zhongwu's capital Tong Prefecture (同州) with Emperor Taizu's edict. Liu Zhijun considered going to meet Emperor Taizu alone to apologize, but his brother Liu Zhiyan (劉知偃) opposed. Shortly after, after Liu Zhijun's officer Nie Shang (聶賞) surrendered Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan) to Yang, Liu Zhijun abandoned Tong Prefecture and fled to Fengxiang. Li Maozhen greatly honored Liu Zhijun, bestowing him the high chancellor title of Zhongshu Ling (中書令), but initially did not make him a military governor, believing that he could not carve territory out for Liu, but granting him a large stipend.
) to accommodate Liu Zhijun. He arranged with Jin forces to attack Jin Prefecture to distract Later Liang, and then sent Liu to attack Shuofang. (The Jin attack on Jin Prefecture, commanded by Zhou Dewei, however, was repelled by the defenders of Jin Prefecture, and when Yang Shihou arrived at Jin Prefecture to aid the defenders, Zhou withdrew.) When Shoufang's military governor Han Xun (韓遜) sought aid from Later Liang, Emperor Taizu sent Kang Huaizhen and Kou Yanqing (寇彥卿) to attack Jingnan Circuit to force Liu to withdraw. Kang and Kou quickly captured Nin (寧州), Yan (衍州), and Qing (慶州, all in modern Qingyang
, Gansu
) Prefectures. Upon hearing the news, Liu quickly withdrew from Shuofang to engage them. In response, Emperor Taizu also ordered Kang and Kou to withdraw, and, anticipating an attack by Liu against them, sent aid forces to Qing Valley (青谷, in modern Xianyang). When Kang and Kou reached Sanshui (三水, in modern Xianyang), Liu had already laid a trap for them, which they fought through only because of the efforts of Kang's subordinate Wang Yanzhang. Kang subsequently divided his troops into several groups, but each of the groups missed the rendezvous with the aid troops. When they reached Shengping (昇平, in modern Yan'an), they fell into another trap set by Liu. Kang barely escaped with his life but suffered massive casualties. In light of the victory, Li Maozehn commissioned Liu as military governor of Zhangyi Circuit.
In fall 911
, the Qi-Former Shu alliance ended over Wang Jian's summoning his daughter Princess Puci, who had married Li Maozhen's nephew Li Jichong (李繼崇) the military governor of Tianxiong Circuit (天雄, headquartered in modern Tianshui
, Gansu
), back to Former Shu and refusing to return her to Li Jichong. The Former Shu forces were successful in the initial battles. However, Liu and Li Jichong then engaged and defeated the Former Shu generals Tang Daoxi (唐道襲) and his adoptive sons Wang Zongkan (王宗侃), Wang Zonghe (王宗賀), and Wang Zongshao (王宗紹) at Qingni Heights (青泥嶺, in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
), forcing Tang to withdraw to Xingyuan Municipality (興元, in modern Hanzhong) and Wang Zongkan and Wang Zonghe to Anyuan Base (安遠軍, in modern Hanzhong). Liu and Li Jichong put Xingyuan under siege, and the Former Shu forces came close to abandoning Xingyuan and would have but for Tang's fervent opposition. Meanwhile, Wang Jian sent his nephew Wang Zonghui (王宗鐬) and adoptive son Wang Zongbo (王宗播) to aid Xingyuan and Anyuan, and he himself shortly after departed his capital Chengdu
to aid them as well. The Former Shu forces' morale were greatly enhanced after Wang Jian's arrival, and Qi forces, after suffering defeats, were forced to withdraw. Thereafter, due to false accusations by Li Maozhen's attendant Shi Jianyong (石簡顒), Li Maozhen stripped Liu of his command, but after Li Jichong pointed out that Liu was an excellent general and should not be suspected, Li Maozhen executed Shi to comfort Liu. Subsequently, at Li Jichong's invitation, Liu relocated his family to Tianxiong's capital Qin Prefecture (秦州).
In 914
, Li Jihui was poisoned to death by his son Li Yanlu (李彥魯), who claimed the title of acting military governor of Jingnan and took over the circuit. In 915
, Li Jihui's adoptive son Li Baoheng (李保衡) further killed Li Yanlu and surrendered the circuit to Later Liang. Later Liang's Emperor Taizu commissioned the general Huo Yanwei to be the military governor of Jingnan. Li Maozhen, hearing of what happened, sent Liu to put Bin Prefecture under siege, but with Huo defending the city, Liu could not capture it quickly. Meanwhile, in winter 915, Former Shu forces attacked Tianxiong Circuit and forced Li Jichong to surrender to them. The Former Shu forces took over Tianxiong and took Liu's family back to Chengdu. Liu, hearing the news, ended the siege of Bin Prefecture and returned to Fengxiang, but grew increasingly fearful, so he took 70 soldiers close to him and fled to Former Shu.
, Sichuan
). In 916
, Liu served under Wang Zongbo, who was commanding one of the two prongs of the Former Shu attack against Qi and subsequently participated in a siege of Fengxiang Municipality. However, the siege was hampered by a snowstorm, and Wang Jian subsequently ordered the Former Shu army to withdraw.
In 917
, apparently preparation for another attack on Qi, Wang Jian commissioned Liu as the overall commander of the northwest prong of the attack (with Wang Zongkan commanding the northeast prong). However, his subordinates were all Wang Jian's old officers who did not respect him, and it was said that because of this, nothing was being achieved. Wang Jian's close associate Tang Wenyi (唐文扆) was also making accusations against Liu. Further, it was said that those jealous of Liu were spreading a false prophesy stating, "Once the black bull gets out of its encirclement, the brown rope will be broken." (That false prophesy was written in that way because Liu had dark skin color and was born in a Chou (丑) year (i.e., year of the ox
); and Wang's sons/adoptive sons used the generational character Zong (宗), which was a homophone of "brown" (棕), while his grandsons used the generational character Cheng (承), which rhymed with (or perhaps was a homophone of, at that time in history) "rope" (繩, sheng).) Wang Jian himself was also apprehensive of Liu because of his talent, secretly stating to his attendants, "I am getting old. Liu Zhijun is not someone who will follow your orders." Around the new year 918
, Wang Jian had Liu arrested and accused him of treason; Liu was subsequently executed by decapitation. However, it appeared that his family was spared, for, later, during the reign of Wang Jian's son and successor Wang Yan, Wang Jian's daughter Princess Emei married Liu's son Liu Siyan (劉嗣湮).
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...
and then during Emperor Taizu's reign in his new Later Liang Dynasty
Later Liang Dynasty
The Later Liang was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Zhu Wen, posthumously known as Taizu of Later Liang, after he forced the last emperor of the Tang dynasty to abdicate in his favour...
. Later, fearing that Emperor Taizu was going to act against him, he defected, first to Qi
Qi (Five Dynasties)
Qi was a Chinese kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. The kingdom, at its prime, covered parts of modern-day Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan provinces, but eventually shrank to only the immediate area around its capital Fengxiang in Shaanxi. Its only ruler was Li...
, then to Former Shu
Former Shu
Great Shu called in retrospect Former Shu was one of the Ten Kingdoms formed during the chaotic period between the rules of the Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty...
. Former Shu's emperor Wang Jian (Emperor Gaozu), however, also was apprehensive of his talent and later had him executed.
During Tang Dynasty
It is not known when Liu Zhijun was born, but it is known that he was from Pei CountyPei County
Pei County is a county of Jiangsu, China. It is under the administration of Xuzhou city. It has an area of 1,576 square kilometers and a population of 1,217,400.-External links:**...
. It was said that he had a handsome appearance and had great ambitions. He initially served under Shi Pu
Shi Pu
Shi Pu , formally the Prince of Julu , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Ganhua Circuit as its military governor...
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 Ganhua Circuit (感化, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
, 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...
), and was highly-regarded by Shi. However, his bravery and good use of tactics eventually caused Shi to be apprehensive of him. Around the new year 892
892
Year 892 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Poppo of Thuringia, count of the march in Thuringia, is deposed by the German Carolingian king Arnulf of Carinthia....
, he submitted to Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
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...
), who was then engaged in a lengthy campaign against Shi. It was said that Liu's surrender to Zhu was a big blow to the Ganhua army, which from that point on was no longer able to stand up against Xuanwu. (Ganhua's capital Xu Prefecture (徐州) would eventually fall to Zhu's army in 893
893
Year 893 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Council of Preslav: Simeon I succeeds Vladimir as prince of Bulgaria; the capital is moved from Pliska to Preslav....
, and Shi committed suicide.) Zhu put the two Yisheng armies (義勝軍) under Liu's command, and made him "Kaidao Commander" (開道指揮使, "the commander who opens the way"), thus leading to Liu's receiving the nickname of "Liu Kaidao." He later successively served as the prefect of Hai Prefecture (海州, in modern Lianyungang
Lianyungang
Lianyungang is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China. It borders Yancheng to its southeast, Huai'an and Suqian to its south, Xuzhou to its southwest, and the province of Shandong to its north...
, 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...
), Huai Prefecture (懷州, in modern Jiaozuo
Jiaozuo
Jiaozuo is a prefecture-level city in northern Henan province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yellow River, it borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the south, Xinxiang to the east, Jiyuan to the west, Luoyang to the southwest, and the province of Shanxi...
, 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 Zheng Prefecture (鄭州, in modern Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou , is the capital and largest city of Henan province in north-central China. A prefecture-level city, it also serves as the political, economic, technological, and educational centre of the province, as well as a major transportation hub for Central China...
, 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...
).
In 901
901
Year 901 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* Abu 'Abdullah al-Shi'i leads the rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Aghlabid emirate in Ifriqiya ....
, the powerful eunuchs, led by Han Quanhui
Han Quanhui
Han Quanhui was an eunuch late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. The struggles by the eunuchs, led by him, against the chancellor Cui Yin, who wanted to eliminate the powerful eunuchs, led to the eunuchs' kidnapping of Emperor Zhaozong and then a major military confrontation between two...
, feared that then-reigning Emperor Zhaozong
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang , né Li Jie , name later changed to Li Min , yet later name changed to Li Ye , was the penultimate emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 888 to 904...
and the chancellor Cui Yin
Cui Yin
Cui Yin , courtesy name Chuixiu , nickname Zilang , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
were about to slaughter them. They therefore seized Emperor Zhaozong and took him from the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), then ruled by the eunuchs' ally Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen , né Song Wentong , courtesy name Zhengchen , formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin , was the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi...
. Cui summoned Zhu, who subsequently put Fengxiang's capital Fengxiang Municipality under siege. However, the siege stalled, and Zhu was unable to capture Fengxiang for a long duration. As of fall 902
902
Year 902 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* August 1 – Taormina, the last Byzantine stronghold in Sicily, is captured by the Aghlabid army....
, with his army facing rains and the accompanying illnesses, Zhu was considering lifting the siege and withdrawing to Hezhong (河中, in modern Yuncheng
Yuncheng
Yuncheng is the southernmost municipality in Shanxi province, China. It borders Linfen and Jincheng municipalities to the north and east, and Henan and Shaanxi provinces to the south and west....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
). Only at the urging by Liu and Gao Jichang
Gao Jixing
Gao Jixing Gao Jichang, also known as Gao Jixing, was the founder of Jingnan, also known as Nanping, one of the kingdoms making up the Ten Kingdoms of China’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, traditionally dated as lasting from 907 to 960....
did Zhu maintain the siege. (Subsequently, at Gao's suggestion, Zhu had a soldier surrender to Li and falsely claim that the Xuanwu forces were withdrawing. Li came out of Fengxiang and tried to attack Zhu's "withdrawing" army, and was trapped; he was only able to get back into Fengxiang with heavy losses. Li eventually slaughtered the eunuchs and surrendered the emperor to Zhu in spring 903
903
Year 903 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Abaoji is named commander of all Khitan military forces.- Religion :...
to sue for peace.)
In spring 904
904
Year 904 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Byzantines under Andronikos Doukas defeat the Arabs near Germanikeia...
, after Zhu had Cui killed (after suspecting Cui of turning against him), he further forced Emperor Zhaozong to move the capital from Chang'an to 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...
. In the aftermaths, Zhu made Han Jian
Han Jian (Tang Dynasty)
Han Jian , courtesy name Zuoshi , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who eventually became a subject of the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty...
the military governor of Youguo Circuit (佑國, headquartered at Chang'an) and Liu the military governor of Kuangguo Circuit (匡國, headquartered in modern Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), to defend against potential attacks from Li Maozhen and Li Maozhen's adoptive son Li Jihui
Li Jihui
Li Jihui , né Yang Chongben , was a warlord in the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and early Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi, who ruled Jingnan Circuit as its military governor .- Background :It is not known when Yang...
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
). In 906
906
Year 906 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Fritzlar: The Conradines defeat the Babenberg counts to establish themselves as dukes of Franconia. Conrad the Elder is killed in the battle...
, when Li Jihui, along with the forces of Fengxiang and three other circuits then under Li Maozhen's control — Baosai (保塞, headquartered in modern Yan'an
Yan'an
Yan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), Zhangyi (彰義, headquartered in modern Pingliang
Pingliang
Pingliang is a prefecture-level city in eastern Gansu Province in China. Pingliang is famous for a local mountain range that includes Kongtong Mountain, a site sacred to Taoism and mythical meeting place of the Yellow Emperor and Guangchengzi, an immortal....
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
), and Baoda (保大, headquartered in modern Yan'an as well) — attacked Dingnan Circuit
Dingnan Jiedushi
The "Jiedushi of Dingnan" was Li Jiqian of 10th and 11th century China. He was awarded the position of military governor of Dingnan, and King of Xiping by Emperor Zhenzong of Song China...
(定難, headquartered in modern Yulin, Shaanxi
Yulin, Shaanxi
Yulin is a prefecture-level city in the Shaanxi province of the People's Republic of China. It has an area of 43,578 km² and a population of 3,380,000.-Geography and climate:...
), Dingnan sought aid from Zhu. Zhu ordered Liu and Kang Huaizhen (康懷貞) to aid Dingnan. Liu first attacked Baoda, capturing Liu Yanhui (劉彥暉) the prefect of Baoda's Fang Prefecture (坊州, in modern Yan'an), and then defeated Li Jihui at Meiyuan (美原, in modern Weinan), forcing Li Jihui to withdraw back to Jingnan's capital Bin Prefecture (邠州). Liu Zhijun and Kang then attacked and captured Baoda's capital Fu Prefecture (鄜州) and Baosai's capital Yan Prefecture (延州), as well as three other prefectures. It was said that this was a huge blow to Li Maozhen's army. Liu was rewarded with the honorary chancellor designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), while Kang was made the military governor of Baoda.
As Later Liang general
In 907907
Year 907 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Oleg leads the Kievan Rus' in a campaign against Constantinople ....
, Zhu Quanzhong had Emperor Zhaozong's son and successor Emperor Ai
Emperor Ai of Tang
Emperor Ai of Tang , also known as Emperor Zhaoxuan , born Li Zuo, later Li Zhu , was the last emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 904 to 907. The Ai Emperor was the son of Emperor Zhaozong....
yield the throne to him, ending Tang Dynasty and starting a new Later Liang Dynasty
Later Liang Dynasty
The Later Liang was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Zhu Wen, posthumously known as Taizu of Later Liang, after he forced the last emperor of the Tang dynasty to abdicate in his favour...
with him as its Emperor Taizu. A number of regional warlords refused to recognize him as their emperor and whose domains effectively became independent states — including Li Maozhen (whose state became known as Qi
Qi (Five Dynasties)
Qi was a Chinese kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. The kingdom, at its prime, covered parts of modern-day Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan provinces, but eventually shrank to only the immediate area around its capital Fengxiang in Shaanxi. Its only ruler was Li...
as his title was Prince of Qi), Li Keyong
Li 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...
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern 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...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) (whose state became known as Jin as his title was Prince of Jin), Yang Wo the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, 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...
) (whose title was Prince of Hongnong but whose state was also known as Wu
Wu (Ten Kingdoms)
Wu , also referred to as Huainan , Hongnong , Southern Wu , or Yang Wu , was one of the Ten Kingdoms in south-central China which was in existence between the years of 907 and 937. Its capital was Jiangdu Municipality...
as his father and predecessor Yang Xingmi
Yang Xingmi
Yang Xingmi , né Yang Xingmin , courtesy name Huayuan , formally Prince Wuzhong of Wu , later posthumously honored King Xiaowu of Wu then Emperor Wu of Wu with the temple name of Taizu , was a military governor of...
was the Prince of Wu) and Wang Jian (whose state became known as Former Shu
Former Shu
Great Shu called in retrospect Former Shu was one of the Ten Kingdoms formed during the chaotic period between the rules of the Tang dynasty and the Song dynasty...
as his title was Prince of Shu and he soon thereafter claimed the title of emperor himself).
One of the campaigns the new Later Liang emperor launched thereafter was an attack against Jin's Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), which was then governed by Li Keyong's adoptive nephew Li Sizhao
Li Sizhao
Li Sizhao , né Han , known at one point as Li Jintong , courtesy name Yiguang , formally the Prince of Longxi , was a major general under Li Keyong and Li Keyong's son and successor Li Cunxu, the princes of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Jin...
. Later Liang forces put Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) under siege, and Li Keyong, who was seriously ill, was initially unable to dispatch a relief force. (Li Keyong would die shortly after and be succeeded by his son Li Cunxu.) Still, in spring 908
908
Year 908 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought.* Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor.- Deaths :* Al-Muktafi, Abbasid caliph...
, with the Liang commander Li Si'an (李思安) unable to capture Lu Prefecture, Emperor Taizu went to the frontline himself to oversee the siege, while also summoning Liu from Kuangguo (which, shortly after, Emperor Taizu renamed Zhongwu (忠武), swapping the name with the circuit headquartered in modern Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
, 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...
) to command the forces involved in the Lu operation. Liu had initial successes against Jin forces and requested to stay to finish the siege, but Emperor Taizu was concerned that Qi forces might attack Zhongwu, so he had Liu head over to Jin Prefecture (晉州, in modern Linfen
Linfen
-Administrative divisions:The prefecture-level city of Linfen is divided in one district, two cities and fourteen counties. The information here presented uses the metric system and data from 2010 Census.-Pollution:...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) to stay there and gradually return to Zhongwu. Soon thereafter, a surprise attack by Li Cunxu and his general Zhou Dewei defeated the Later Liang troops sieging Lu Prefecture, and, in the aftermaths of the victory, Zhou tried to take Ze Prefecture (澤州, in modern Jincheng
Jincheng
Jincheng is a prefecture-level city in the southeast of Shanxi province of north China. It is an industrial city in an area where coal mining is an important industry. It has a population of 2.2 million....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) as well. The Later Liang general Niu Cunjie (牛存節) held out, and Liu dispatched his own forces from Jin Prefecture to aid Niu, causing Zhou to abandon the attack on Ze and withdraw.
In fall 908
908
Year 908 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Battle of Belach Mugna is fought.* Zhu Wen kills the last Tang Dynasty emperor.- Deaths :* Al-Muktafi, Abbasid caliph...
, Former Shu and Qi forces attacked Chang'an, and Jin forces under Zhang Chengye
Zhang Chengye
Zhang Chengye is a Chinese biathlete who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in both biathlon and cross-country skiing. He is set to compete for China at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Men's biathlon.-References:...
were also set to join the battle. Liu and Wang Chongshi (王重師) the military governor of Youguo Circuit (who had replaced Han Jian), however, defeated Qi forces at Mu Valley (幕谷, in modern Xianyang), and the Former Shu and Jin forces also thereafter withdrew. Shortly after, the Qi military governor of Baosai, Hu Jingzhang (胡敬璋), attacked Shangping Pass (上平關, in modern Lüliang
Lüliang
Lüliang is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi province in China. It has an area of 21,000 square kilometers and a population of 3,600,000.-Administration:Lüliang has direct jurisdiction over:-External links:*...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), but was repelled by Liu. (This incident implied that Liu's and Kang Huaizhen's capture of Yan Prefecture in 904
904
Year 904 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Byzantines under Andronikos Doukas defeat the Arabs near Germanikeia...
did not permanently hold the prefecture for Later Liang at that point.)
Late in 908, Hu died and was succeeded by Liu Wanzi (劉萬子), who, however, was cruel and unpopular, and Li Jihui also thought that Liu Wanzi was in communications with Later Liang. He therefore had the officer Li Yanshi (李延實) assassinate Liu Wanzi and take over Baosai. In response, Liu Wanzi's officer Gao Wanxing (高萬興) and his brother Gao Wanjin (高萬金) surrendered to Liu Zhijun. Shortly after, Liu Zhijun put Yan Prefecture under siege himself and sent Liu Ru (劉儒) to siege Fang Prefecture. Li Yanshi then surrendered to Liu Zhijun, while Qi's military governor of Baoda, Li Yanbo (李彥博), and Li Yanyu (李彥昱) the prefect of Fang Prefecture abandoned their posts and fled back to Fengxiang. Emperor Taizu commissioned Gao Wanxing as the military governor of Baosai and Niu as the military governor of Baoda, while ordering Liu to try to further conquer Jingnan Circuit. Liu believed that it would be difficult to do so, so he declined by stating that his food supplies were not sufficient, so Emperor Taizu let him return to Zhongwu.
Meanwhile, although Emperor Taizu favored Liu greatly, Liu was becoming fearful of Emperor Taizu's increasingly erratic and cruel acts against other generals. He became particularly alarmed in summer 909
909
Year 909 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Aghlabid dynasty in North Africa is overthrown by the Fatimids....
, when Emperor Taizu, on false reports by the officer Liu Han (劉捍) that Wang Chongshi was in secret communications with Qi, forced Wang to commit suicide and slaughtered his family, replacing him with Liu Han. Later in summer 909, when Emperor Taizu was considering putting Liu Zhijun in command of another campaign against Jin, he summoned Liu to him. This alarmed Liu, and his brother Liu Zhiwan (劉知浣), who was one of Emperor Taizu's guard commanders at Luoyang, also sent a secret letter to Liu Zhijun, opining that Emperor Taizu intended to kill him. Shortly after, Liu Zhiwan requested to take his brothers and nephews to welcome Liu Zhijun, and Emperor Taizu agreed. Shortly after, Liu Zhijun submitted to Qi and launched a surprise attack on Chang'an, capturing Liu Han and delivering him to Qi to be executed. He then put a defense in at Tong Pass while requesting aid from both Qi and Jin. Despite Liu Zhijun's rebelling against him, Emperor Taizu initially tried to maintain communications with Liu Zhijun, and his emissary to Liu Zhijun pointed out the great favors he had shown to Liu. Liu responded that while he was appreciative, he was fearful of the same fate as Wang. Even though Emperor Taizu then sent another communique stating that Liu was correct to have had Liu Han killed and that he regretted the death of Wang, Liu Zhijun did not respond again, so Emperor Taizu sent Yang Shihou and Liu Xun to attack Liu Zhijun. Liu Xun quickly captured Tong Pass and took Liu Zhiwan and the other family members, who were on the way to Liu Zhijun's territory, captive. Still, Emperor Taizu made another attempt to persuade Liu Zhijun to resubmit, by sending his nephew Liu Siye (劉嗣業) to Zhongwu's capital Tong Prefecture (同州) with Emperor Taizu's edict. Liu Zhijun considered going to meet Emperor Taizu alone to apologize, but his brother Liu Zhiyan (劉知偃) opposed. Shortly after, after Liu Zhijun's officer Nie Shang (聶賞) surrendered Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan) to Yang, Liu Zhijun abandoned Tong Prefecture and fled to Fengxiang. Li Maozhen greatly honored Liu Zhijun, bestowing him the high chancellor title of Zhongshu Ling (中書令), but initially did not make him a military governor, believing that he could not carve territory out for Liu, but granting him a large stipend.
As Qi general
In late 909, Li Maozhen wanted to capture Shuofang Circuit (朔方, headquartered in modern Yinchuan, NingxiaNingxia
Ningxia, formerly transliterated as Ningsia, is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. Located in Northwest China, on the Loess Plateau, the Yellow River flows through this vast area of land. The Great Wall of China runs along its northeastern boundary...
) to accommodate Liu Zhijun. He arranged with Jin forces to attack Jin Prefecture to distract Later Liang, and then sent Liu to attack Shuofang. (The Jin attack on Jin Prefecture, commanded by Zhou Dewei, however, was repelled by the defenders of Jin Prefecture, and when Yang Shihou arrived at Jin Prefecture to aid the defenders, Zhou withdrew.) When Shoufang's military governor Han Xun (韓遜) sought aid from Later Liang, Emperor Taizu sent Kang Huaizhen and Kou Yanqing (寇彥卿) to attack Jingnan Circuit to force Liu to withdraw. Kang and Kou quickly captured Nin (寧州), Yan (衍州), and Qing (慶州, all in modern Qingyang
Qingyang
Qingyang is a prefecture-level city in China's Gansu province.-Geography and climate:Qingyang is in eastern Gansu province and is sometimes referred to in Chinese as "Longdong" . Ningxia province is to the north west and Shaanxi is to the east. It is in the lower middle part of the Yellow River on...
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
) Prefectures. Upon hearing the news, Liu quickly withdrew from Shuofang to engage them. In response, Emperor Taizu also ordered Kang and Kou to withdraw, and, anticipating an attack by Liu against them, sent aid forces to Qing Valley (青谷, in modern Xianyang). When Kang and Kou reached Sanshui (三水, in modern Xianyang), Liu had already laid a trap for them, which they fought through only because of the efforts of Kang's subordinate Wang Yanzhang. Kang subsequently divided his troops into several groups, but each of the groups missed the rendezvous with the aid troops. When they reached Shengping (昇平, in modern Yan'an), they fell into another trap set by Liu. Kang barely escaped with his life but suffered massive casualties. In light of the victory, Li Maozehn commissioned Liu as military governor of Zhangyi Circuit.
In fall 911
911
Year 911 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Fatimid Caliphate...
, the Qi-Former Shu alliance ended over Wang Jian's summoning his daughter Princess Puci, who had married Li Maozhen's nephew Li Jichong (李繼崇) the military governor of Tianxiong Circuit (天雄, headquartered in modern Tianshui
Tianshui
Tianshui is the second largest city in Gansu province in northwest China. Its population is approximately 3,500,000.Tianshui lies along the route of the ancient Northern Silk Road at the Wei River, through which much of trade occurred between China and the west...
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
), back to Former Shu and refusing to return her to Li Jichong. The Former Shu forces were successful in the initial battles. However, Liu and Li Jichong then engaged and defeated the Former Shu generals Tang Daoxi (唐道襲) and his adoptive sons Wang Zongkan (王宗侃), Wang Zonghe (王宗賀), and Wang Zongshao (王宗紹) at Qingni Heights (青泥嶺, in modern Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), forcing Tang to withdraw to Xingyuan Municipality (興元, in modern Hanzhong) and Wang Zongkan and Wang Zonghe to Anyuan Base (安遠軍, in modern Hanzhong). Liu and Li Jichong put Xingyuan under siege, and the Former Shu forces came close to abandoning Xingyuan and would have but for Tang's fervent opposition. Meanwhile, Wang Jian sent his nephew Wang Zonghui (王宗鐬) and adoptive son Wang Zongbo (王宗播) to aid Xingyuan and Anyuan, and he himself shortly after departed his capital Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
to aid them as well. The Former Shu forces' morale were greatly enhanced after Wang Jian's arrival, and Qi forces, after suffering defeats, were forced to withdraw. Thereafter, due to false accusations by Li Maozhen's attendant Shi Jianyong (石簡顒), Li Maozhen stripped Liu of his command, but after Li Jichong pointed out that Liu was an excellent general and should not be suspected, Li Maozhen executed Shi to comfort Liu. Subsequently, at Li Jichong's invitation, Liu relocated his family to Tianxiong's capital Qin Prefecture (秦州).
In 914
914
Year 914 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* February 6 – the Fatimid general, Husaba of the Kutama Berber tribe, takes Barqah ....
, Li Jihui was poisoned to death by his son Li Yanlu (李彥魯), who claimed the title of acting military governor of Jingnan and took over the circuit. In 915
915
Year 915 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Battle of Garigliano: The Christian League defeats the Saracens.* Berengar I of Italy is crowned Holy Roman Emperor....
, Li Jihui's adoptive son Li Baoheng (李保衡) further killed Li Yanlu and surrendered the circuit to Later Liang. Later Liang's Emperor Taizu commissioned the general Huo Yanwei to be the military governor of Jingnan. Li Maozhen, hearing of what happened, sent Liu to put Bin Prefecture under siege, but with Huo defending the city, Liu could not capture it quickly. Meanwhile, in winter 915, Former Shu forces attacked Tianxiong Circuit and forced Li Jichong to surrender to them. The Former Shu forces took over Tianxiong and took Liu's family back to Chengdu. Liu, hearing the news, ended the siege of Bin Prefecture and returned to Fengxiang, but grew increasingly fearful, so he took 70 soldiers close to him and fled to Former Shu.
As Former Shu general
Wang Jian initially welcomed Liu Zhijun warmly and made him the military governor of Wuxin Circuit (武信, headquartered in modern SuiningSuining
-Places of Interest:Suining is a booming city with a wide range of roles, not just limit to the Excellent Tourism City of China, but also include the Finance and Ecological City of China,the National Landscape City,and the National Hygiene City,etc.According to the local legend, Suining is the...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
). In 916
916
Year 916 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Abaoji of the Khitan empire adopts Chinese court rituals....
, Liu served under Wang Zongbo, who was commanding one of the two prongs of the Former Shu attack against Qi and subsequently participated in a siege of Fengxiang Municipality. However, the siege was hampered by a snowstorm, and Wang Jian subsequently ordered the Former Shu army to withdraw.
In 917
917
Year 917 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* The Great Yue Kingdom, later renamed Southern Han, is founded by Liu Yan in Guangdong and Guangxi.- Europe :...
, apparently preparation for another attack on Qi, Wang Jian commissioned Liu as the overall commander of the northwest prong of the attack (with Wang Zongkan commanding the northeast prong). However, his subordinates were all Wang Jian's old officers who did not respect him, and it was said that because of this, nothing was being achieved. Wang Jian's close associate Tang Wenyi (唐文扆) was also making accusations against Liu. Further, it was said that those jealous of Liu were spreading a false prophesy stating, "Once the black bull gets out of its encirclement, the brown rope will be broken." (That false prophesy was written in that way because Liu had dark skin color and was born in a Chou (丑) year (i.e., year of the ox
Ox (zodiac)
The Ox is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Ox is denoted by the earthly branch character 丑...
); and Wang's sons/adoptive sons used the generational character Zong (宗), which was a homophone of "brown" (棕), while his grandsons used the generational character Cheng (承), which rhymed with (or perhaps was a homophone of, at that time in history) "rope" (繩, sheng).) Wang Jian himself was also apprehensive of Liu because of his talent, secretly stating to his attendants, "I am getting old. Liu Zhijun is not someone who will follow your orders." Around the new year 918
918
Year 918 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Taebong has been overthrown, and Goryeo established in the Korean peninsula, when Wang Kon ascends the throne at Cheorwon.* The Khitan empire's government occupies a newly walled capital city called Shangjing,...
, Wang Jian had Liu arrested and accused him of treason; Liu was subsequently executed by decapitation. However, it appeared that his family was spared, for, later, during the reign of Wang Jian's son and successor Wang Yan, Wang Jian's daughter Princess Emei married Liu's son Liu Siyan (劉嗣湮).