Wei Quanfeng
Encyclopedia
Wei Quanfeng was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
who controlled Fu Prefecture (撫州, in modern Fuzhou
, Jiangxi
) for over two decades, from 882
to 909
, and who, at the prime of his power, also controlled three nearby prefectures. After the destruction of Tang, he held the territory for some time, but in 909 was defeated by armies of the new state of Hongnong
, and his territory was seized by Hongnong.
— the Book of Tang
and the New Book of Tang
— or the two official histories of the succeeding Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period
— the History of the Five Dynasties and the New History of the Five Dynasties
. It is known, however, that he was from Nancheng (南城, in modern Fuzhou
, Jiangxi
) and that he was leader of the local people. In 882
, when another local leader, Zhong Chuan
, who had been occupying Fu Prefecture, which Nancheng belonged to, captured Hong Prefecture (洪州, in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
) and was subsequently commissioned by Emperor Xizong of Tang
as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered at Hong Prefecture), Zhong left Fu Prefecture and Wei took the opportunity to take it over. Wei also sent his brother Wei Zaichang (危仔倡) to take over nearby Xin Prefecture (信州, in modern Shangrao
, Jiangxi
).
, Zhong Chuan, who by that point was military governor (Jiedushi
) of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, i.e., Jiangxi), attacked Wei Quanfeng at Fu Prefecture. During the siege, there was a sudden fire that occurred within the city. His officers suggested that he use this opportunity to attack. Zhong responded, "It is not gracious to attack while the enemy is in danger." He further prayed, "When Wei Quanfeng is being punished, may it be that the people are not." After the fire was put out, Wei heard of what Zhong did, and sent messengers to apologize to Zhong and offer to give a daughter in marriage to Zhong's son Zhong Kuangshi. He subsequently came under at least nominal allegiance to Zhong Chuan.
In 906
, Zhong Chuan died, and the Zhennan soldiers initially supported Zhong Kuangshi to succeed him. However, Zhong Chuan's adoptive son Zhong Yangui (鍾延規) resented the soldiers' failure to support him and instead submitted to Yang Wo, the military governor of the neighboring Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
). Subsequently, Yang's general Qin Pei (秦裴) defeated and captured Zhong Kuangshi, allowing Yang to take over the Zhongs' territory. Yang himself assumed the additional title of military governor of Zhennan, although it is not clear whether Wei initially agreed to submit to Yang or not.
, by which time Tang Dynasty had fallen and the Tang empire had broken up into a number of succeeding states, Huainan, which now was a new state of Hongnong
, was ruled by Yang Wo's brother and successor Yang Longyan. That year, Wei Quanfeng, who by that point controlled not only Fu and Xin but also Yuan (袁州, in modern Yichun
, Jiangxi
) and Ji (吉州, in modern Ji'an, Jiangxi
) Prefectures, mobilized the forces of the four prefectures (which he claimed to be 100,000 in number), claimed the title of military governor of Zhennan, and launched an attack on Hong Prefecture. The army of Hongnong military governor of Zhennan, Liu Wei
, was grossly outnumbered (as Liu had only 1,000 men). Liu submitted secret requests for emergency assistance to Yang Longyan, but meanwhile pretended to be not concerned and continued to feast daily. Wei, hearing what Liu was doing, hesitated and stopped his army at Xiangya Lake (象牙潭, in modern Nanchang). Wei sought assistance from Ma Yin
, the prince of the Chu
state to the west. Ma sent his officer Wan Mei (苑玫) to rendezvous with Wei's subordinate Peng Yanzhang (彭彥章) the prefect of Yuan Prefecture, and Wan and Peng put the Hongnong city of Gao'an (高安, in modern Yichun) under siege, to assist Wei.
In reaction to Wei's and Ma's attacks, the Hongnong regent Xu Wen
commissioned the general Zhou Ben to command the army against Wei. Zhou, opining that all Ma wanted to do was to assist Wei and not truly to capture Gao'an, decided to ignore the siege on Gao'an and head directly for Xiangya Lake to engage Wei. When he arrived, he camped across a river from Wei, and enticed Wei to attack by sending out his weaker soldiers first. Wei's army crossed the river to attack Zhou's soldiers; as it was doing so, Zhou attacked and defeated it, with many of Wei's soldiers trampling each other to death or drowning in the lake. Zhou captured Wei, and then attacked Yuan and captured Peng as well. Subsequently, Wei Zaichang fled to Wuyue
, and the remaining parts of Wei Quanfeng's domain into Hongnong control as well.
Wei Quanfeng was delivered to the Hongnong capital Guangling (廣陵). Because Wei had, decades ago, provided Yang Longyan's father Yang Xingmi
with food supplies when Yang Xingmi was taking over Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
, Anhui
), Yang Longyan released Wei and gave him much treasure. It is not known when Wei died.
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 controlled Fu Prefecture (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...
) for over two decades, from 882
882
Year 882 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Carloman, King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother....
to 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....
, and who, at the prime of his power, also controlled three nearby prefectures. After the destruction of Tang, he held the territory for some time, but in 909 was defeated by armies of the new state of Hongnong
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...
, and his territory was seized by Hongnong.
Background and seizure of Fu Prefecture
Little is known about Wei Quanfeng's background, including when he was born, as he had no biography in the two official histories of the Tang DynastyTang 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...
— the Book of Tang
Book of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
and the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
— or the two official histories of the succeeding 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...
— the History of the Five Dynasties and the New History of the Five Dynasties
New History of the Five Dynasties
The New History of the Five Dynasties is a history of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was written by the Song Dynasty official Ouyang Xiu and completed in 1053...
. It is known, however, that he was from Nancheng (南城, 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...
) and that he was leader of the local people. In 882
882
Year 882 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Carloman, King of the West Franks, becomes sole king upon the death of his brother....
, when another local leader, Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan , formally the Prince of Nanping , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled a large portion of Zhennan Circuit as its military governor for over 20 years.- Background and seizure of Jiangxi :It is not known when Zhong Chuan was...
, who had been occupying Fu Prefecture, which Nancheng belonged to, captured Hong Prefecture (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...
) and was subsequently commissioned by Emperor Xizong of Tang
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...
as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered at Hong Prefecture), Zhong left Fu Prefecture and Wei took the opportunity to take it over. Wei also sent his brother Wei Zaichang (危仔倡) to take over nearby 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...
).
Submission to Zhong Chuan
In 901901
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 ....
, Zhong Chuan, who by that point was 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 Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, i.e., Jiangxi), attacked Wei Quanfeng at Fu Prefecture. During the siege, there was a sudden fire that occurred within the city. His officers suggested that he use this opportunity to attack. Zhong responded, "It is not gracious to attack while the enemy is in danger." He further prayed, "When Wei Quanfeng is being punished, may it be that the people are not." After the fire was put out, Wei heard of what Zhong did, and sent messengers to apologize to Zhong and offer to give a daughter in marriage to Zhong's son Zhong Kuangshi. He subsequently came under at least nominal allegiance to Zhong Chuan.
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...
, Zhong Chuan died, and the Zhennan soldiers initially supported Zhong Kuangshi to succeed him. However, Zhong Chuan's adoptive son Zhong Yangui (鍾延規) resented the soldiers' failure to support him and instead submitted to Yang Wo, the military governor of the neighboring 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...
). Subsequently, Yang's general Qin Pei (秦裴) defeated and captured Zhong Kuangshi, allowing Yang to take over the Zhongs' territory. Yang himself assumed the additional title of military governor of Zhennan, although it is not clear whether Wei initially agreed to submit to Yang or not.
After Zhong Kuangshi's destruction
As of 909909
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....
, by which time Tang Dynasty had fallen and the Tang empire had broken up into a number of succeeding states, Huainan, which now was a new state of Hongnong
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...
, was ruled by Yang Wo's brother and successor Yang Longyan. That year, Wei Quanfeng, who by that point controlled not only Fu and Xin but also 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, 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...
) Prefectures, mobilized the forces of the four prefectures (which he claimed to be 100,000 in number), claimed the title of military governor of Zhennan, and launched an attack on Hong Prefecture. The army of Hongnong military governor of Zhennan, Liu Wei
Liu Wei
Liu Wei is a Chinese professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association.-Basketball career:Liu Wei played with Yao Ming for five years on the Sharks before Yao went to the NBA....
, was grossly outnumbered (as Liu had only 1,000 men). Liu submitted secret requests for emergency assistance to Yang Longyan, but meanwhile pretended to be not concerned and continued to feast daily. Wei, hearing what Liu was doing, hesitated and stopped his army at Xiangya Lake (象牙潭, in modern Nanchang). Wei sought assistance from 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...
, the prince of the 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...
state to the west. Ma sent his officer Wan Mei (苑玫) to rendezvous with Wei's subordinate Peng Yanzhang (彭彥章) the prefect of Yuan Prefecture, and Wan and Peng put the Hongnong city of Gao'an (高安, in modern Yichun) under siege, to assist Wei.
In reaction to Wei's and Ma's attacks, the Hongnong regent 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:...
commissioned the general Zhou Ben to command the army against Wei. Zhou, opining that all Ma wanted to do was to assist Wei and not truly to capture Gao'an, decided to ignore the siege on Gao'an and head directly for Xiangya Lake to engage Wei. When he arrived, he camped across a river from Wei, and enticed Wei to attack by sending out his weaker soldiers first. Wei's army crossed the river to attack Zhou's soldiers; as it was doing so, Zhou attacked and defeated it, with many of Wei's soldiers trampling each other to death or drowning in the lake. Zhou captured Wei, and then attacked Yuan and captured Peng as well. Subsequently, Wei Zaichang fled to 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:...
, and the remaining parts of Wei Quanfeng's domain into Hongnong control as well.
Wei Quanfeng was delivered to the Hongnong capital Guangling (廣陵). Because Wei had, decades ago, provided Yang Longyan's father 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...
with food supplies when Yang Xingmi was taking over Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
Xuancheng
Xuancheng is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui province of Eastern China. It borders Wuhu to the northwest, Chizhou to the west, Huangshan to the southwest, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the southeast and northeast respectively....
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
), Yang Longyan released Wei and gave him much treasure. It is not known when Wei died.