Tan Quanbo
Encyclopedia
Tan Quanbo (834?-918?) was a ruler of Qian Prefecture (虔州, in modern Ganzhou
, Jiangxi
) from 913
to 918
, early in the Chinese
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
. He was a long-time strategist of Lu Guangchou
, who ruled Qian Prefecture for 25 years, and after several transitional rulers after Lu's death was supported by the people to govern the prefecture. In 918, he was defeated by Wu
forces, which took over Qian. He died shortly after.
, Jiangxi
). It was said that Tan was brave and intelligent in his youth, but he was more impressed with Lu Guangchou
, who was also from Nankang. In the late Tang Dynasty
, when the southern parts of the Tang realm was overrun by agrarian rebels, Tan encouraged Lu to start a rebellion as well, and Lu did so. When the group of rebels that they gathered wanted to support Tan as their leader instead, Tan yielded the leadership position to Lu, and further threatened to execute those who would not follow Lu's orders, bringing the rebels in line.
In 885
, Lu captured Qian Prefecture. He took the title of prefect, and made Tan his chief strategist.
, Lu Guangchou made an attack south to enlarge his territory. He first captured Shao Prefecture (韶州, in modern Shaoguan
, Guangdong
), and he had his son Lu Yanchang
take control of it. He then put Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern Chaozhou
, Guangdong) under siege, but was then repelled by Liu Yin
the acting military governor of Qinghai Circuit (清海, headquartered in modern Guangzhou
, Guangdong). Liu Yin then, despite his brother Liu Yan's opposition, attacked Shao Prefecture. Tan Quanbo laid an ambush for the Qinghai troops and defeated them, allowing Lu Guangchou to retain Shao. Despite the victory, Tan did not take credit and instead praised the other officers involved, causing Lu to trust him further.
In 910
(by which time Tang had fallen and the realm had been divided into a number of rival states, including Later Liang Dynasty
and Wu
, both of which Lu nominally submitted to), Lu fell ill, and he wanted to yield his position to Tan. Tan declined. When Lu subsequently died, and Lu Yanchang arrived from Shao to mourn his father, Tan supported Lu Yanchang to succeed Lu Guangchou. Subsequently, both Wu's prince Yang Longyan and Later Liang's Emperor Taizu confirmed the succession. Tan continued to serve under Lu Yanchang.
, Lu Yanchang had alienated his army by spending his time on hunts and games. He was assassinated by his officer Li Qiu
, who took over Qian Prefecture and who also considered killing Tan Quanbo. Tan avoided being killed by claiming that he was old and ill and requesting retirement. Soon thereafter, Li Qiu died, and was succeeded by his officer Li Yantu
. Also fearful of Li Yantu, Tan claimed that his sickness had gotten worse. Meanwhile, hearing that Tan was ill, Liu Yin's brother and successor Liu Yan, also nominally a Later Liang vassal, attacked Shao Prefecture. Shao's prefect Liao Shuang (廖爽) fled to Chu
, ending the Qian rulers' hold on Shao.
. The people of Qian supported Tan to succeed him. Tan thereafter submitted to Later Liang, and Later Liang's Emperor Taizu made him the defender of Baisheng Circuit (a title that Lu Guangchou also carried) and the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Qian and Shao (even though the control of Shao had been lost by that point). It was said that over the next few years, Tan governed with benevolence.
In 918
, Wu launched a major attack on Qian Prefecture, commanded by the officer Wang Qi (王祺), with troops from four prefectures — Hong (洪州, in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
), Fu (撫州, in modern Fuzhou
, Jiangxi
), Yuan (袁州, in modern Yichun
, Jiangxi
), and Ji (吉州, in modern Ji'an
, Jiangxi
). This attack came as a surprise to the people of Qian, as Wu's strategist Yan Keqiu had spent large amount of funds to employ engineers to open up the waterway through Ganshi (贛石, in modern Ji'an), which was difficult to navigate, to allow the Wu ships through. However, Qian had good natural defenses, and the Wu forces were not able to capture it quickly. The Wu forces then suffered through plagues, which killed many soldiers, including Wang, who was then replaced by Liu Xin (劉信).
Meanwhile, Tan sought aid from three states which were Later Liang vassals — Wuyue
, Min
, and Chu. In response, Wuyue's prince Qian Liu
sent his son Qian Chuanqiu (錢傳球) to attack Wu's Xin Prefecture (信州, in modern Shangrao
, Jiangxi
); Chu's prince Ma Yin
sent his officer Zhang Keqiu (張可求) to advance to Guting (古亭, in modern Ganzhou); and Min's prince Wang Shenzhi
sent an army to advance to Yudu (雩都, in modern Ganzhou), all seeking to aid Tan. The Wuyue forces, however, were repelled by Xin's prefect Zhou Ben. Subsequently, Liu sent part of his army to repel the Chu army. When the Wuyue and Min forces heard that the Chu army had been repelled, they withdrew, leaving Tan without external aid.
Still, Liu could not capture Qian Prefecture, and in fall 918, he withdrew after extracting a tribute from Tan. When he sent a messenger to report this to the Wu regent
Xu Wen
, Xu was incensed and whipped Liu's messenger. He then gave Liu's son Liu Yingyan (劉英彥) 3,000 men and stated to Liu Yingyan:
When Liu Yingyan arrived at Liu Xin's army and relayed what Xu stated, Liu Xin, in fear, returned to Qian and attacked it again. The city fell. Tan fled to Yudu, but was captured there by Wu forces. They took Tan back to the Wu capital Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
). Yang Longyan thereafter bestowed the title of military governor of Baisheng on Tan. He died shortly after at Jiangdu, at the age of 84.
Ganzhou
Ganzhou is a prefecture-level city in southern Jiangxi province, People's Republic of China. Its administrative seat is at Zhanggong .-History:...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
) from 913
913
Year 913 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* The Shiite Fatimid state in modern day Tunisia launches a failed military campaign against Egypt.- Religion :...
to 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,...
, early in 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...
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
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...
. He was a long-time strategist of Lu Guangchou
Lu Guangchou
Lu Guangchou was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and who nominally submitted to both the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty and Later Liang's rival Wu after the end of Tang, who controlled the Qian Prefecture region from 885 to his death in 910.- Background and seizure of Qian...
, who ruled Qian Prefecture for 25 years, and after several transitional rulers after Lu's death was supported by the people to govern the prefecture. In 918, he was defeated by 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...
forces, which took over Qian. He died shortly after.
Background
It is not known when Tan Quanbo was born, but it is known that he was from Nankang (南康, in modern GanzhouGanzhou
Ganzhou is a prefecture-level city in southern Jiangxi province, People's Republic of China. Its administrative seat is at Zhanggong .-History:...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
). It was said that Tan was brave and intelligent in his youth, but he was more impressed with Lu Guangchou
Lu Guangchou
Lu Guangchou was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and who nominally submitted to both the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty and Later Liang's rival Wu after the end of Tang, who controlled the Qian Prefecture region from 885 to his death in 910.- Background and seizure of Qian...
, who was also from Nankang. In the late 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...
, when the southern parts of the Tang realm was overrun by agrarian rebels, Tan encouraged Lu to start a rebellion as well, and Lu did so. When the group of rebels that they gathered wanted to support Tan as their leader instead, Tan yielded the leadership position to Lu, and further threatened to execute those who would not follow Lu's orders, bringing the rebels in line.
In 885
885
Year 885 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings besiege Paris.* Godfrith, the Sea King is killed in Lobith...
, Lu captured Qian Prefecture. He took the title of prefect, and made Tan his chief strategist.
Under governance of Lu Guangchou
In 902902
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....
, Lu Guangchou made an attack south to enlarge his territory. He first captured Shao Prefecture (韶州, in modern Shaoguan
Shaoguan
Shaoguan , historically known as Shaokwan and Shao-chow, is a prefecture-level city in the north of Southern China's Guangdong province...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
), and he had his son Lu Yanchang
Lu Yanchang
Lu Yanchang was a ruler of the Qian Prefecture region early in the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period...
take control of it. He then put Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern Chaozhou
Chaozhou
Chaozhou is a city in eastern Guangdong province of the People's Republic of China. It borders Shantou to the south, Jieyang to the southwest, Meizhou to the northwest, the province of Fujian to the east, and the South China Sea to the southeast...
, Guangdong) under siege, but was then repelled by Liu Yin
Liu Yin (Southern Han)
Liu Yin , formally Prince Xiang of Nanhai , later further posthumously honored Emperor Xiang with the temple name of Liezong by his younger brother Liu Yan, was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and Tang's succeeding dynasty Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties and Ten...
the acting military governor of Qinghai Circuit (清海, headquartered in modern Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, Guangdong). Liu Yin then, despite his brother Liu Yan's opposition, attacked Shao Prefecture. Tan Quanbo laid an ambush for the Qinghai troops and defeated them, allowing Lu Guangchou to retain Shao. Despite the victory, Tan did not take credit and instead praised the other officers involved, causing Lu to trust him further.
In 910
910
Year 910 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* August 5 – The allied forces of Mercia and Wessex defeat an army of Northumbrian Vikings in the Battle of Tettenhall...
(by which time Tang had fallen and the realm had been divided into a number of rival states, including 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...
and 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...
, both of which Lu nominally submitted to), Lu fell ill, and he wanted to yield his position to Tan. Tan declined. When Lu subsequently died, and Lu Yanchang arrived from Shao to mourn his father, Tan supported Lu Yanchang to succeed Lu Guangchou. Subsequently, both Wu's prince Yang Longyan and Later Liang's Emperor Taizu confirmed the succession. Tan continued to serve under Lu Yanchang.
Under governance of Lu Yanchang, Li Qiu, and Li Yantu
By 911911
Year 911 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Fatimid Caliphate...
, Lu Yanchang had alienated his army by spending his time on hunts and games. He was assassinated by his officer Li Qiu
Li Qiu
Li Qiu was an army officer who ruled Qian Prefecture briefly after assassinating the previously ruler Lu Yanchang in 911, early in the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. He died shortly after taking over Lu's position.-Brief rule of Qian Prefecture:Little is known about Li Qiu's...
, who took over Qian Prefecture and who also considered killing Tan Quanbo. Tan avoided being killed by claiming that he was old and ill and requesting retirement. Soon thereafter, Li Qiu died, and was succeeded by his officer Li Yantu
Li Yantu
Li Yantu was a ruler of Qian Prefecture from 912 to 913, early in the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period....
. Also fearful of Li Yantu, Tan claimed that his sickness had gotten worse. Meanwhile, hearing that Tan was ill, Liu Yin's brother and successor Liu Yan, also nominally a Later Liang vassal, attacked Shao Prefecture. Shao's prefect Liao Shuang (廖爽) fled to Chu
Chu (Ten Kingdoms)
Chǔ was a kingdom in southern China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period . It existed from 907 to 951.-Founding:Ma Yin was named regional governor by the Tang court in 896 after fighting against a rebel named Yang Xingmi. He declared himself as the Prince of Chu with the fall of the...
, ending the Qian rulers' hold on Shao.
As ruler of Qian
Li Yantu died in 912912
Year 912 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Second rebellion of the Kutama tribesmen against the Fatimid Caliphate in two years.- Europe :...
. The people of Qian supported Tan to succeed him. Tan thereafter submitted to Later Liang, and Later Liang's Emperor Taizu made him the defender of Baisheng Circuit (a title that Lu Guangchou also carried) and 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 Qian and Shao (even though the control of Shao had been lost by that point). It was said that over the next few years, Tan governed with benevolence.
In 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,...
, Wu launched a major attack on Qian Prefecture, commanded by the officer Wang Qi (王祺), with troops from four prefectures — Hong (洪州, in modern Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
), Fu (撫州, in modern Fuzhou
Fuzhou, Jiangxi
Fuzhou is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Jiangxi province, People's Republic of China.It is located to the south of the provincial capital Nanchang. Its total area is 18,800 km². Its population is 3,700,000 people...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
), Yuan (袁州, in modern Yichun
Yichun, Jiangxi
Yichun is a mountainous prefecture-level city in the Chinese province of Jiangxi. Yichun literally means "pleasant spring". It is located in the northwest of the province along a river surrouneded by mountains. Its area is 18,669 km²; 50% forested, 35% mountainous. It has a total population...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
), and Ji (吉州, in modern Ji'an
Ji'an
- External links :* *...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
). This attack came as a surprise to the people of Qian, as Wu's strategist Yan Keqiu had spent large amount of funds to employ engineers to open up the waterway through Ganshi (贛石, in modern Ji'an), which was difficult to navigate, to allow the Wu ships through. However, Qian had good natural defenses, and the Wu forces were not able to capture it quickly. The Wu forces then suffered through plagues, which killed many soldiers, including Wang, who was then replaced by Liu Xin (劉信).
Meanwhile, Tan sought aid from three states which were Later Liang vassals — Wuyue
Wuyue
Kingdom of Wuyue , 907-978, was a small independent coastal kingdom founded during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms of Chinese history. It was ruled by the Qian family, which remains widespread in the kingdom's former territory.-Founding:...
, Min
Min (Ten Kingdoms)
Min was one of the Ten Kingdoms which was in existence between the years of 909 and 945. It existed in a mountainous region of modern day Fujian province of China and had a history of quasi-independent rule. Its capital was Fuzhou 福州. It was founded by Wang Shenzhi .-Founding:Wang Shenzhi’s older...
, and Chu. In response, Wuyue's prince 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...
sent his son Qian Chuanqiu (錢傳球) to attack Wu's Xin Prefecture (信州, in modern Shangrao
Shangrao
Shangrao is a medium-sized prefecture-level city located in the northeast of China's Jiangxi province. According to the 2010 Census, Shangrao has a population of 6,579,714 inhabitants....
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
); Chu's prince Ma Yin
Ma Yin
Ma Yin , courtesy name Batu , formally King Wumu of Chu , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who became the first ruler of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Chu and the only one who carried the title of "king." He initially took control of the Changsha region in...
sent his officer Zhang Keqiu (張可求) to advance to Guting (古亭, in modern Ganzhou); and Min's prince Wang Shenzhi
Wang Shenzhi
Wang Shenzhi , courtesy name Xintong or Xiangqing , formally Prince Zhongyi of Min and later further posthumously honored as Emperor Taizu of Min , was the founder of Min on the southeast coast of China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period of Chinese history...
sent an army to advance to Yudu (雩都, in modern Ganzhou), all seeking to aid Tan. The Wuyue forces, however, were repelled by Xin's prefect Zhou Ben. Subsequently, Liu sent part of his army to repel the Chu army. When the Wuyue and Min forces heard that the Chu army had been repelled, they withdrew, leaving Tan without external aid.
Still, Liu could not capture Qian Prefecture, and in fall 918, he withdrew after extracting a tribute from Tan. When he sent a messenger to report this to the Wu regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
Xu Wen
Xu Wen
Xu Wen , born April 13, 1986 in Shanghai), is a versatile Chinese footballer, who plays as either a defensive midfielder or defender for Nanchang Bayi.-Club career:...
, Xu was incensed and whipped Liu's messenger. He then gave Liu's son Liu Yingyan (劉英彥) 3,000 men and stated to Liu Yingyan:
When Liu Yingyan arrived at Liu Xin's army and relayed what Xu stated, Liu Xin, in fear, returned to Qian and attacked it again. The city fell. Tan fled to Yudu, but was captured there by Wu forces. They took Tan back to the Wu capital Jiangdu (江都, 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...
). Yang Longyan thereafter bestowed the title of military governor of Baisheng on Tan. He died shortly after at Jiangdu, at the age of 84.