Ge Congzhou
Encyclopedia
Ge Congzhou courtesy name Tongmei (通美), formally the Prince of Chenliu (陳留王), was a general serving under Emperor Taizu of Later Liang (Zhu Quanzhong) while Zhu Quanzhong was a warlord late in the Tang Dynasty
. Ge's health problems later forced him into retirement, but he remained in honored status after Emperor Taizu established Later Liang Dynasty
.
, Shandong
). All that are recorded in traditional histories about his great-grandfather Ge Ruan (葛阮), grandfather Ge Yuxian (葛遇賢), and father Ge Jian (葛簡) are their names. It is said that Ge Congzhou, in his youth, was decisive and intelligent. At one point, he became a follower of the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
and became a key officer in Huang's army during the time that Huang claimed the title of Emperor of Qi.
In 884
, by which time Huang was near total defeat under attack by Tang
forces, Huang was attacking a former subordinate who had turned Tang general — Zhu Quanzhong, then the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered, in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), but was crushed by the joint forces of Zhu and Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
). In the aftermaths of the defeat, Ge, along with other Qi officers Li Dang (李讜), Huo Cun (霍存), Zhang Guiba (張歸霸), and Zhang's brother Zhang Guihou (張歸厚), surrendered to Zhu and became officers in his army. (Allies this time, Zhu and Li Keyong would soon turn mortal enemies after a failed attempt by Zhu to assassinated Li Keyong after Li Keyong insulted him.)
Ge apparently did not initially achieve a high position in the Xuanwu army. However, later that year, when Zhu was engaging Qin Zongquan — a former Tang military governor of Fengguo Circuit (奉國, headquartered in modern Zhumadian
, Henan
) who had turned against Tang and was pillaging nearby circuits — Zhu became trapped after his horse fell with Qin's soldiers pursuing him. Ge helped Zhu back onto a horse, while he himself battled the soldiers chasing Zhu. He suffered wounds to his face, his hips were hit by arrows, and he was speared several times, but he fought Qin's soldiers off and saved Zhu's life. Subsequently, both he and Zhu were saved by the officer Zhang Yanshou (張延壽). As a result of the battle, Zhu demoted a number of officers but promoted both Ge and Zhang.
, when Zhu Quanzhong decided to turn against his former allies Zhu Xuan
the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an
, Shandong
) and Zhu Jin
the military governor of Taining Circuit (泰寧, headquartered in modern Jining
, Shandong
) (who were cousins to each other), he sent Zhu Zhen (朱珍) and Ge Congzhou to attack Tianping's Cao Prefecture (曹州, in modern Heze); they captured it and killed the prefect Qiu Hongli (丘弘禮). They then engaged Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin at Pu Prefecture, defeating Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin, who fled barely alive. This started a war between Zhu Quanzhong and the Zhu cousins.
In spring 888
, when Qin Zongquan sent his general Shi Fan (石璠) to pillage Chen (陳州, in modern Zhumadian) and Bo (亳州, in modern Bozhou
, Anhui
), Zhu Quanzhong sent Zhu Zhen and Ge to engage him; they defeated and captured him.
Later in spring 888, when Zhang Quanyi
, the mayor of Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the Luoyang
region), turned against Li Hanzhi
the military governor of Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang) and seized control of Heyang, Li Hanzhi sought aid from Li Keyong, who sent Kang Junli (康君立), commanding Li Cunxiao (李存孝), Xue Atan (薛阿檀), Shi Yan (史儼), An Quanjun (安全俊), and An Xiuxiu (安休休), to siege Heyang Circuit's capital Heyang. Zhang sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong, who sent Ding Hui
, Ge, and Niu Cunjie (牛存節) to aid Zhang. The Xuanwu forces defeated the Hedong forces, causing An Xiuxiu to fear punishment and desert the Hedong forces. With the Xuanwu forces posturing to cut off the Hedong forces' return path to Hedong, Kang abandoned the campaign and returned to Hedong, allowing Zhang to retain control of Heyang.
In 890
, when then-reigning Emperor Zhaozong
declared a general campaign against Li Keyong, under the command of the chancellor Zhang Jun
, Zhu was one of the warlords that the imperial government relied to fight Hedong forces from the east side. After the campaign was launched, Li Keyong's brother Li Kegong (李克恭) the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
) was assassinated in a mutiny, and his officer Feng Ba (馮霸) seized control of the circuit, claiming the title of acting military governor. Subsequently, the imperial government named Zhang's deputy, the imperial official Sun Kui (孫揆), military governor of Zhaoyi. Hedong forces subsequently put Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) under siege. Zhu, hearing the news, sent Ge to Lu Prefecture to help Feng defend against the Hedong forces' siege, while fellow Xuanwu officers Li Dang and Li Chongyin (李重胤) put Ze Prefecture (澤州, in modern Jincheng
, Shanxi
), where Li Hanzhi was, under siege. However, Li Keyong's adoptive son Li Cunxiao
then captured Sun in a surprise attack as Sun was heading to Lu, and then defeated Li Dang and Li Chongyin, forcing them to withdraw. Hearing of Li Dang and Li Chongyin's defeat, Ge also withdrew, allowing Hedong forces to retake Zhaoyi. Zhu executed Li Dang and Li Chongyin in light of the defeat, but there was no record of his punishing Ge. With the Xuanwu forces largely withdrawn from the campaign, Li Keyong subsequently defeated Zhang Jun, forcing the imperial government to end the campaign against him.
In late 890, Zhu requested permission from Luo Hongxin
the military governor of Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
, Hebei
) to allow his forces through Weibo to attack Hedong and to contribute food and horses to the effort. Luo refused. Zhu thereafter sent Ding and Ge to attack Weibo. They took several Weibo cities quickly, and Zhu himself followed up with a larger force and defeated Luo in several battles. Luo, in fear, submitted a tribute and sought peace. Zhu agreed to peace, and thereafter Weibo became a vassal to Zhu.
In late 893
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Zhu Wei (朱威) the prefect of Qi Prefecture (齊州, in modern Jinan
, Shandong
), which belonged to Tianping. Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin arrived to try to save Zhu Wei. Zhu Quanzhong himself arrived thereafter and defeated Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin.
In late 895
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Zhu Jin's capital Yan Prefecture (兗州), and he himself followed and put Yan under siege. Zhu Quanzhong soon thereafter left Yan and left Ge in charge of the siege. Zhu Jin initially defended the city and refused to engage Ge, so Ge spread rumors that relief forces from Hedong and Tianping were arriving and that he was going to engage them. Hearing the news, Zhu Jin, believing that Ge's elite forces would have left to fight Hedong and Tianping forces, attacked Ge's siege camp at night. Ge surprised him and defeated him, capturing his officer Sun Hanyun (孫漢筠). Ge, however, subsequently ended the siege of Yan and returned to Xuanwu.
In summer 896
, Ge was apparently attacking Tianping's capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州) when Li Keyong, whose request to Luo to allow his forces through to relieve Tianping and Taining was rebuffed, attacked Weibo. Luo sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong, and Zhu recalled Ge from Yun to aid Weibo. Ge dug many pits on the battlefield and, as the armies engaged, Li Keyong's son Li Luoluo (李落落) fell into one of the pits along with his horse. When Li Keyong tried to personally save Li Luoluo, he also fell into a pit and was nearly captured by the Xuanwu/Weibo forces. Li Luoluo, however, was captured. Li Keyong offered to ransom Li Luoluo, but Zhu instead delivered Li Luoluo to Luo, who executed him. Li Keyong, after the defeat, was forced to withdraw, leaving Tianping and Taining without hope of aid from him. Ge thereafter returned to Yun and continued his siege against Yun.
In fall 896, Li Keyong again sent Li Cunxin to attack Weibo. After Li Cunxin initially defeated Ge, Li Keyong himself advanced to Weibo as well, but after Zhu Quanzhong himself mobilized his main forces and headed for Weibo as well, Li Keyong withdrew.
After Li Keyong's withdrawal, Zhu again sent Pang Shigu (龐師古) and Ge to attack Yun. In spring 897
, Yun's defenses failed, and Zhu Xuan fled, but were captured by the people in the countryside and offered to Ge. Ge delivered him to Zhu Quanzhong, who executed him. Meanwhile, Zhu Jin was running low on food supplies himself, so left his officer Kang Huaizhen (康懷貞) in defense of Yan and went to pillage Xu Prefecture (徐州, in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
) with the Hedong officers Shi Yan and Li Chengsi (李承嗣), whom Li Keyong had sent to aid him before the Weibo path was cut off. Hearing that Zhu Jin was not at Yan, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Yan, and Kang surrendered. Zhu Jin tried to counterattack but was repelled, and therefore fled to Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Yangzhou
) with Shi and Li Chengsi to submit to Huainan's military governor Yang Xingmi
. Zhu thereafter made Ge the acting military governor of Taining.
Having seized Tianping and Taining, Zhu Quanzhong turned his attention against Huainan in fall 897. He gathered his available forces and sent Pang with 70,000 soldiers from Xuanwu and Ganhua Circuits to Qingkou (清口, in modern Huai'an
, Jiangsu
), posturing to head toward Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州); Ge with the forces from Tianping and Taining Circuits to Anfeng (安豐, in modern Lu'an
, Anhui
), posturing to head to Shou Prefecture (壽州, in modern Lu'an); and Zhu Quanzhong himself with his main forces to Su Prefecture (宿州, in modern Suzhou
, Anhui
). The people of Huainan Circuit was greatly shocked and dismayed by Zhu's forces. However, Pang, because he had such an impressive force, underestimated Yang Xingmi's army. Yang Xingmi had Zhu Jin serve as his advance commander, and Zhu constructed a dam on the Huai River
. When Yang Xingmi attacked Pang, Zhu released the waters to flood Pang's army, and then attacked Pang with Yang. Pang's army was crushed by the waters and the Huainan forces, and Pang was killed. Yang's officer Zhu Yanshou
also defeated Ge's army. Hearing that both of his generals had been defeated, Zhu Quanzhong also retreated. This battle thus affirmed Yang's control of the territory between the Huai and the Yangtze River
s.
In 898
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Xingming Circuit (邢洺, headquartered in modern Xingtai
, Hebei
), then under Li Keyong's control. Ge quickly captured Ming Prefecture (洺州, in modern Handan) and killed its prefect Xing Shanyi (邢善益). He then attacked Xing Prefecture (邢州, in modern Xingtai), and its prefect Ma Shisu (馬師素) fled. The prefect of Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan), Yuan Fengtao (袁奉韜) then committed suicide, allowing Zhu to take over the circuit. Zhu gave Ge the title of acting military governor of Zhaoyi (as these three prefectures of Xingming were originally part of Zhaoyi) and left him in charge of the three prefectures. In winter 898, when Li Keyong sent his nephew Li Sizhao
and officer Zhou Dewei to try to recapture the three prefectures, Ge defeated them, although his attempt to cut off their escape path and annihilate them was thwarted by Li Keyong's adoptive son Li Siyuan, although his grasp on the three prefectures was affirmed.
In spring 899
, Liu Rengong
the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) launched a major attack on Weibo, and Luo Hongxin's son and successor Luo Shaowei sought aid from Xuanwu. Ge and He Delun (賀德倫), an officer from Xuanyi Circuit (宣義, headquartered in modern Anyang
, Henan
), which was also under Zhu's control, joined with Weibo forces to engage the Lulong forces, defeating them decisively — such that it was said that Liu no longer had the strength thereafter to reattempt the attack on Weibo, and Zhu's hegemony over the region was affirmed. Ge thereafter made an attempt to advance into Hedong, but soon thereafter, when Li Hanzhi seized Lu Prefecture and submitted to Zhu, and then suffered a major illness, Zhu sent Ge to take over Lu, while replacing him at Xing with Zhang Guiba. Zhu subsequently recalled Ge and replaced him with He Delun; after He Delun was soon thereafter defeated by Li Sizhao, however, he abandoned Lu, allowing Hedong forces to retain control of Lu.
In summer 900
, Zhu sent Ge, commanding forces from Xuanwu, Tianping, Xuanyi, and Weibo, to attack Liu Rengong's son Liu Shouwen the military governor of Yichang Circuit (義昌, headquartered in modern Cangzhou
, Hebei
). Ge quickly captured Yichang's De Prefecture (德州, in modern Dezhou
, Shandong
) and killed its prefect Fu Gonghe (傅公和). He then put LIu Shouwen under siege at Yichang's capital Cang Prefecture (滄州). When Liu Rengong himself tried to come to Liu Shouwen's aid, Ge left Zhang Cunjing (張存敬) and Shi Shucong (氏叔琮) in charge of the siege and engaged Liu Rengong himself, defeating Liu Rengong. Wang Rong
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
) then tried to mediate, and with Ge's army running into unfavorable weather, Zhu recalled Ge.
Meanwhile, Li Keyong tried to aid Liu Rengong and Liu Shouwen by having Li Sizhao attack Ming Prefecture to divert Zhu's forces. He was able to capture Ming, but Ge then engaged and defeated him, forcing him to withdraw. After this victory, Zhu made Ge the military governor of Taining.
In spring 901
, with Li Keyong's strength dwindling, Zhu launched a major six-pronged attack on Hedong's capital Taiyuan
— with Weibo officer Zhang Wengong (張文恭) attacking through Xinkou (新口, in modern Handan); Ge, commanding Taining and Tianping forces, along with supplements from Chengde (which had become a Zhu vassal by that point as well) attacking through Tumen (土門, in modern Shijiazhuang); Zhang Guihou (張歸厚) attacking through Maling (馬嶺, in modern Xingtai); Wang Chuzhi the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding
, Hebei
) through Feihu (飛狐, in modern Zhangjiakou
, Hebei
); Hou Yan (侯言) through Yindi (陰地, in modern Jinzhong
, Shanxi
); and Shi Shucong commanding the main forces through Tianjing Pass (天井關, in modern Jincheng). Hedong's border defenses largely failed, and the six commanders converged at Taiyuan and put it under siege. However, after the combined forces suffered some losses in skirmishes and suffered from the lack of food supplies and illnesses, Zhu ordered a withdrawal.
It was soon after this withdrew that Ge became chronically ill. In 903
, when Zhu Quanzhong was attacking Li Maozhen
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
) — under the declared rationale of rescuing Emperor Zhaozong, whom the eunuch Han Quanhui
had forcibly taken to Fengxiang — Han and the other eunuchs issued an edict in Emperor Zhaozong's name ordering the other circuits to rise against Zhu. When Wang Shifan
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, headquartered in modern Weifang
, Shandong
), a long-time Zhu vassal, received the edict, he decided to do so, and he sent many of his officers, disguised as merchants, to a number of circuits, hoping to surprise Zhu's garrisons at those circuits and take them over by surprise. However, most of these Pinglu officers were discovered, with the only successful one being Liu Xun, who was able to seize Yan, with Ge away at that time at Ming. Liu Xun decided to try not to alienate Ge, and he did so by treating Ge's mother and wife with respect, and allowing Ge's family members to remain in the posts that they were in at Yan. Subsequently, hearing what happened, Zhu's nephew Zhu Youning (朱友寧), whom he had left in charge at Xuanwu's capital Bian Prefecture, recalled Ge and jointly attacked Pinglu with Ge. Ge subsequently put Yan under siege, but with Liu treating his family well, Ge did not dare to attack with great fervor. After Wang suffered repeated defeats and decided to resubmit to Zhu, however, Liu surrendered to Ge. Ge treated him well and sent Liu to Bian to meet with Zhu; Zhu, impressed by how Liu had taken Yan, made Liu a major general.
Meanwhile, Ge continued to suffer from his illness, so Zhu decided to relieve him of his command at Taining; Zhu replaced him with Kang Huaizhen.
and established Later Liang Dynasty
as its Emperor Taizu, he gave Ge a major general title and had Ge retire to Yanshi (偃師, in modern Luoyang). After Emperor Taizu was assassinated in 912
and subsequently succeeded by his son Zhu Youzhen, Ge was given the title of military governor of Zhaoyi (an honorary title, as Zhaoyi was then under the control of Jin (which was then ruled by Li Keyong's son and successor Li Cunxu the Prince of Jin) and created the Prince of Chenliu, but he remained in retirement at home. Ge died early in Zhu Youzhen's Zhenming era (915
-921
) and was given posthumous honors.
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...
. Ge's health problems later forced him into retirement, but he remained in honored status after Emperor Taizu established 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...
.
Background
It is not known when Ge Congzhou was born, but it is known that he was from Pu Prefecture (濮州, in modern HezeHeze
Heze is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The westernmost prefecture-level city in Shandong, it borders Jining to the east and the provinces of Henan and Anhui to the west and south respectively. The old name of Heze was Caozhou and now a part...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
). All that are recorded in traditional histories about his great-grandfather Ge Ruan (葛阮), grandfather Ge Yuxian (葛遇賢), and father Ge Jian (葛簡) are their names. It is said that Ge Congzhou, in his youth, was decisive and intelligent. At one point, he became a follower of the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
and became a key officer in Huang's army during the time that Huang claimed the title of Emperor of Qi.
In 884
884
Year 884 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 1 – Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos....
, by which time Huang was near total defeat under attack by Tang
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...
forces, Huang was attacking a former subordinate who had turned Tang general — Zhu Quanzhong, then 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 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...
), but was crushed by the joint forces of Zhu and 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....
). In the aftermaths of the defeat, Ge, along with other Qi officers Li Dang (李讜), Huo Cun (霍存), Zhang Guiba (張歸霸), and Zhang's brother Zhang Guihou (張歸厚), surrendered to Zhu and became officers in his army. (Allies this time, Zhu and Li Keyong would soon turn mortal enemies after a failed attempt by Zhu to assassinated Li Keyong after Li Keyong insulted him.)
Ge apparently did not initially achieve a high position in the Xuanwu army. However, later that year, when Zhu was engaging Qin Zongquan — a former Tang military governor of Fengguo Circuit (奉國, headquartered in modern Zhumadian
Zhumadian
Zhumadian is a prefecture-level city in southern Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders Xinyang to the south, Nanyang to the west, Pingdingshan to the northwest, Luohe to the north, Zhoukou to the northeast, and the province of Anhui to the east.Its population is 7,230,744 at the...
, 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 had turned against Tang and was pillaging nearby circuits — Zhu became trapped after his horse fell with Qin's soldiers pursuing him. Ge helped Zhu back onto a horse, while he himself battled the soldiers chasing Zhu. He suffered wounds to his face, his hips were hit by arrows, and he was speared several times, but he fought Qin's soldiers off and saved Zhu's life. Subsequently, both he and Zhu were saved by the officer Zhang Yanshou (張延壽). As a result of the battle, Zhu demoted a number of officers but promoted both Ge and Zhang.
Campaigns under Zhu Quanzhong in late Tang times
In 887887
Year 887 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The city of Toledo rises against the Umayyad leader....
, when Zhu Quanzhong decided to turn against his former allies Zhu Xuan
Zhu Xuan
Zhu Xuan was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, from 882 to 897, controlled Tianping Circuit as its military governor...
the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an
Tai'an
Tai'an is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China.Centered around Mount Tai, the city borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Laiwu to the northeast, Zibo to the east, Linyi to the southeast, Liaocheng to the extreme west and Jining to the south...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) and Zhu Jin
Zhu Jin
Zhu Jin was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who would later be a major general of the Wu state during the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period...
the military governor of Taining Circuit (泰寧, headquartered in modern Jining
Jining
Jining is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Heze to the southwest, Zaozhuang to the southeast, Tai'an to the northeast, and the provinces of Henan and Jiangsu to the northwest and south respectively...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) (who were cousins to each other), he sent Zhu Zhen (朱珍) and Ge Congzhou to attack Tianping's Cao Prefecture (曹州, in modern Heze); they captured it and killed the prefect Qiu Hongli (丘弘禮). They then engaged Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin at Pu Prefecture, defeating Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin, who fled barely alive. This started a war between Zhu Quanzhong and the Zhu cousins.
In spring 888
888
Year 888 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 13 – With the death of Charles the Fat, the Frankish kingdom is split again, and this time permanently...
, when Qin Zongquan sent his general Shi Fan (石璠) to pillage Chen (陳州, in modern Zhumadian) and Bo (亳州, in modern Bozhou
Bozhou
Bozhou is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Anhui province, People's Republic of China. It borders Huaibei to the northeast, Bengbu to the southeast, Huainan to the south, Fuyang to the southwest, and the province of Henan to the north.-Administration:...
, 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...
), Zhu Quanzhong sent Zhu Zhen and Ge to engage him; they defeated and captured him.
Later in spring 888, when Zhang Quanyi
Zhang Quanyi
Zhang Quanyi , né Zhang Juyan or Zhang Yan , known as Zhang Zongshi during Later Liang Dynasty, courtesy name Guowei , formally Prince Zhongsu of Qi , was a late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty warlord who later was a senior official during the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty and Later Tang Dynasty...
, the mayor of Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the 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...
region), turned against Li Hanzhi
Li Hanzhi
Li Hanzhi , formally the Prince of Longxi , nickname Li Moyun , was a late-Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty warlord. He was initially a follower of the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao, and later became a Tang general, mostly known for his service under Li Keyong...
the military governor of Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang) and seized control of Heyang, Li Hanzhi sought aid from Li Keyong, who sent Kang Junli (康君立), commanding Li Cunxiao (李存孝), Xue Atan (薛阿檀), Shi Yan (史儼), An Quanjun (安全俊), and An Xiuxiu (安休休), to siege Heyang Circuit's capital Heyang. Zhang sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong, who sent Ding Hui
Ding Hui
Ding Hui , courtesy name Daoyin , was a general who, for most of his career, served under Zhu Quanzhong while Zhu was a major warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
, Ge, and Niu Cunjie (牛存節) to aid Zhang. The Xuanwu forces defeated the Hedong forces, causing An Xiuxiu to fear punishment and desert the Hedong forces. With the Xuanwu forces posturing to cut off the Hedong forces' return path to Hedong, Kang abandoned the campaign and returned to Hedong, allowing Zhang to retain control of Heyang.
In 890
890
Year 890 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The sovereignty of Great Moravian king Svatopluk I in Bohemia is confirmed.* Lusatia becomes a part of Great Moravia....
, when 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...
declared a general campaign against Li Keyong, under the command of the chancellor Zhang Jun
Zhang Jun (Tang Dynasty)
Zhang Jun , courtesy name Yuchuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
, Zhu was one of the warlords that the imperial government relied to fight Hedong forces from the east side. After the campaign was launched, Li Keyong's brother Li Kegong (李克恭) the military governor of 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....
) was assassinated in a mutiny, and his officer Feng Ba (馮霸) seized control of the circuit, claiming the title of acting military governor. Subsequently, the imperial government named Zhang's deputy, the imperial official Sun Kui (孫揆), military governor of Zhaoyi. Hedong forces subsequently put Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) under siege. Zhu, hearing the news, sent Ge to Lu Prefecture to help Feng defend against the Hedong forces' siege, while fellow Xuanwu officers Li Dang and Li Chongyin (李重胤) put 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....
), where Li Hanzhi was, under siege. However, Li Keyong's adoptive son Li Cunxiao
Li Cunxiao
Li Cunxiao , né An Jingsi , was an adoptive son of the late-Tang Dynasty warlord Li Keyong who contributed much to Li Keyong's campaigns, but who later rebelled against his adoptive father...
then captured Sun in a surprise attack as Sun was heading to Lu, and then defeated Li Dang and Li Chongyin, forcing them to withdraw. Hearing of Li Dang and Li Chongyin's defeat, Ge also withdrew, allowing Hedong forces to retake Zhaoyi. Zhu executed Li Dang and Li Chongyin in light of the defeat, but there was no record of his punishing Ge. With the Xuanwu forces largely withdrawn from the campaign, Li Keyong subsequently defeated Zhang Jun, forcing the imperial government to end the campaign against him.
In late 890, Zhu requested permission from Luo Hongxin
Luo Hongxin
Luo Hongxin , courtesy name Defu , formally Prince Zhuangsu of Beiping , was a warlord in the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Weibo Circuit as its military governor after seizing control in 888 after taking advantage of the soldiers' discontent with the prior military governor...
the military governor of Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
Handan
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China.- History :Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period , after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
) to allow his forces through Weibo to attack Hedong and to contribute food and horses to the effort. Luo refused. Zhu thereafter sent Ding and Ge to attack Weibo. They took several Weibo cities quickly, and Zhu himself followed up with a larger force and defeated Luo in several battles. Luo, in fear, submitted a tribute and sought peace. Zhu agreed to peace, and thereafter Weibo became a vassal to Zhu.
In late 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....
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Zhu Wei (朱威) the prefect of Qi Prefecture (齊州, in modern Jinan
Jinan
Jinan is the capital of Shandong province in Eastern China. The area of present-day Jinan has played an important role in the history of the region from the earliest beginnings of civilisation and has evolved into a major national administrative, economic, and transportation hub...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), which belonged to Tianping. Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin arrived to try to save Zhu Wei. Zhu Quanzhong himself arrived thereafter and defeated Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin.
In late 895
895
Year 895 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The seven tribes of the Magyars settle in the Carpathian Basin under the leadership of Árpád...
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Zhu Jin's capital Yan Prefecture (兗州), and he himself followed and put Yan under siege. Zhu Quanzhong soon thereafter left Yan and left Ge in charge of the siege. Zhu Jin initially defended the city and refused to engage Ge, so Ge spread rumors that relief forces from Hedong and Tianping were arriving and that he was going to engage them. Hearing the news, Zhu Jin, believing that Ge's elite forces would have left to fight Hedong and Tianping forces, attacked Ge's siege camp at night. Ge surprised him and defeated him, capturing his officer Sun Hanyun (孫漢筠). Ge, however, subsequently ended the siege of Yan and returned to Xuanwu.
In summer 896
896
Year 896 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Decisive Bulgarian victory over Magyars in the Battle of Southern Buh....
, Ge was apparently attacking Tianping's capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州) when Li Keyong, whose request to Luo to allow his forces through to relieve Tianping and Taining was rebuffed, attacked Weibo. Luo sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong, and Zhu recalled Ge from Yun to aid Weibo. Ge dug many pits on the battlefield and, as the armies engaged, Li Keyong's son Li Luoluo (李落落) fell into one of the pits along with his horse. When Li Keyong tried to personally save Li Luoluo, he also fell into a pit and was nearly captured by the Xuanwu/Weibo forces. Li Luoluo, however, was captured. Li Keyong offered to ransom Li Luoluo, but Zhu instead delivered Li Luoluo to Luo, who executed him. Li Keyong, after the defeat, was forced to withdraw, leaving Tianping and Taining without hope of aid from him. Ge thereafter returned to Yun and continued his siege against Yun.
In fall 896, Li Keyong again sent Li Cunxin to attack Weibo. After Li Cunxin initially defeated Ge, Li Keyong himself advanced to Weibo as well, but after Zhu Quanzhong himself mobilized his main forces and headed for Weibo as well, Li Keyong withdrew.
After Li Keyong's withdrawal, Zhu again sent Pang Shigu (龐師古) and Ge to attack Yun. In spring 897
897
Year 897 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Uda of Japan is succeeded by Emperor Daigo....
, Yun's defenses failed, and Zhu Xuan fled, but were captured by the people in the countryside and offered to Ge. Ge delivered him to Zhu Quanzhong, who executed him. Meanwhile, Zhu Jin was running low on food supplies himself, so left his officer Kang Huaizhen (康懷貞) in defense of Yan and went to pillage Xu Prefecture (徐州, 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...
) with the Hedong officers Shi Yan and Li Chengsi (李承嗣), whom Li Keyong had sent to aid him before the Weibo path was cut off. Hearing that Zhu Jin was not at Yan, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Yan, and Kang surrendered. Zhu Jin tried to counterattack but was repelled, and therefore fled to 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...
, 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...
) with Shi and Li Chengsi to submit to Huainan's military governor 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...
. Zhu thereafter made Ge the acting military governor of Taining.
Having seized Tianping and Taining, Zhu Quanzhong turned his attention against Huainan in fall 897. He gathered his available forces and sent Pang with 70,000 soldiers from Xuanwu and Ganhua Circuits to Qingkou (清口, in modern Huai'an
Huai'an
Huai'an , known as Huaiyin before 2001, is a prefecture-level city in northern Jiangsu province of Eastern China. It borders Suqian to the northwest, Lianyungang to the north, Yancheng to the east, Yangzhou to the southeast, and the province of Anhui to the southwest.The municipality has 4,799,889...
, 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...
), posturing to head toward Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州); Ge with the forces from Tianping and Taining Circuits to Anfeng (安豐, in modern Lu'an
Lu'an
Lu'an , is a prefecture-level city in western Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, with a population of 5,612,590 inhabitants at 2010 census. Its built up area is home to 1,482,729 inhabitants spread out on 2 urban districts...
, 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...
), posturing to head to Shou Prefecture (壽州, in modern Lu'an); and Zhu Quanzhong himself with his main forces to Su Prefecture (宿州, in modern Suzhou
Suzhou, Anhui
-Administration:Suzhou administers five county-level divisions, including one district and four counties.*Yongqiao District *Dangshan County *Xiao County *Lingbi County *Si County...
, 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...
). The people of Huainan Circuit was greatly shocked and dismayed by Zhu's forces. However, Pang, because he had such an impressive force, underestimated Yang Xingmi's army. Yang Xingmi had Zhu Jin serve as his advance commander, and Zhu constructed a dam on the Huai River
Huai River
The Huai River is a major river in China. The Huai River is located about mid-way between the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the two largest rivers in China, and like them runs from west to east...
. When Yang Xingmi attacked Pang, Zhu released the waters to flood Pang's army, and then attacked Pang with Yang. Pang's army was crushed by the waters and the Huainan forces, and Pang was killed. Yang's officer Zhu Yanshou
Zhu Yanshou
Zhu Yanshou was an officer under, and the brother-in-law of, the major warlord Yang Xingmi the military governor of Huainan Circuit late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
also defeated Ge's army. Hearing that both of his generals had been defeated, Zhu Quanzhong also retreated. This battle thus affirmed Yang's control of the territory between the Huai and the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
s.
In 898
898
Year 898 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* A Magyar army headed by Álmos besieges Kiev.* Magyar tribes found the state of Szekesfehervar in Hungary....
, Zhu Quanzhong sent Ge to attack Xingming Circuit (邢洺, headquartered in modern Xingtai
Xingtai
Xingtai is a city in southern Hebei province, North China. The prefecture-level city of Xingtai, with a total area of , administers 2 districts, 2 county-level cities and 15 counties. In 2004 it had an urban population of 561,400 and a total population of 6.73 million...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
), then under Li Keyong's control. Ge quickly captured Ming Prefecture (洺州, in modern Handan) and killed its prefect Xing Shanyi (邢善益). He then attacked Xing Prefecture (邢州, in modern Xingtai), and its prefect Ma Shisu (馬師素) fled. The prefect of Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan), Yuan Fengtao (袁奉韜) then committed suicide, allowing Zhu to take over the circuit. Zhu gave Ge the title of acting military governor of Zhaoyi (as these three prefectures of Xingming were originally part of Zhaoyi) and left him in charge of the three prefectures. In winter 898, when Li Keyong sent his 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...
and officer Zhou Dewei to try to recapture the three prefectures, Ge defeated them, although his attempt to cut off their escape path and annihilate them was thwarted by Li Keyong's adoptive son Li Siyuan, although his grasp on the three prefectures was affirmed.
In spring 899
899
Year 899 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Edward the Elder becomes King of Wessex.* Regino of Prüm is expelled from Prüm and becomes abbot of St...
, Liu Rengong
Liu Rengong
Liu Rengong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Lulong Circuit from 895 to 907...
the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) launched a major attack on Weibo, and Luo Hongxin's son and successor Luo Shaowei sought aid from Xuanwu. Ge and He Delun (賀德倫), an officer from Xuanyi Circuit (宣義, headquartered in modern Anyang
Anyang
Anyang is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The northernmost city in Henan, Anyang borders Puyang to the east, Hebi and Xinxiang to the south, and the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei to its west and north respectively....
, 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...
), which was also under Zhu's control, joined with Weibo forces to engage the Lulong forces, defeating them decisively — such that it was said that Liu no longer had the strength thereafter to reattempt the attack on Weibo, and Zhu's hegemony over the region was affirmed. Ge thereafter made an attempt to advance into Hedong, but soon thereafter, when Li Hanzhi seized Lu Prefecture and submitted to Zhu, and then suffered a major illness, Zhu sent Ge to take over Lu, while replacing him at Xing with Zhang Guiba. Zhu subsequently recalled Ge and replaced him with He Delun; after He Delun was soon thereafter defeated by Li Sizhao, however, he abandoned Lu, allowing Hedong forces to retain control of Lu.
In summer 900
900
Year 900 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* April 21 – Namwaran and his children, Lady Angkatan and Bukah, are granted pardon by the Datu of Tondo, as represented Jayadewa, Lord Minister of Pila, which released them of all their debts as inscribed in the...
, Zhu sent Ge, commanding forces from Xuanwu, Tianping, Xuanyi, and Weibo, to attack Liu Rengong's son Liu Shouwen the military governor of Yichang Circuit (義昌, headquartered in modern Cangzhou
Cangzhou
Cangzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hebei province, People's Republic of China. Cangzhou's urban center has a population of approximately 514,074 at the 2010 census which correspond to the built up area), while the prefecture-level administrative region in total has a population of 7,134,053...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
). Ge quickly captured Yichang's De Prefecture (德州, in modern Dezhou
Dezhou
Dezhou is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the southeast, Liaocheng to the southwest, Binzhou to the northeast, and the province of Hebei to the north....
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) and killed its prefect Fu Gonghe (傅公和). He then put LIu Shouwen under siege at Yichang's capital Cang Prefecture (滄州). When Liu Rengong himself tried to come to Liu Shouwen's aid, Ge left Zhang Cunjing (張存敬) and Shi Shucong (氏叔琮) in charge of the siege and engaged Liu Rengong himself, defeating Liu Rengong. Wang Rong
Wang Rong
Wang Rong , style name Junchong , was a politician of the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history.Wang Rong served under Jin as the 3rd East General. Wang Rong participated during the final conquest of Eastern Wu, where he led his army as far as to that of Wuchang...
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
) then tried to mediate, and with Ge's army running into unfavorable weather, Zhu recalled Ge.
Meanwhile, Li Keyong tried to aid Liu Rengong and Liu Shouwen by having Li Sizhao attack Ming Prefecture to divert Zhu's forces. He was able to capture Ming, but Ge then engaged and defeated him, forcing him to withdraw. After this victory, Zhu made Ge the military governor of Taining.
In spring 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 ....
, with Li Keyong's strength dwindling, Zhu launched a major six-pronged attack on Hedong's capital 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...
— with Weibo officer Zhang Wengong (張文恭) attacking through Xinkou (新口, in modern Handan); Ge, commanding Taining and Tianping forces, along with supplements from Chengde (which had become a Zhu vassal by that point as well) attacking through Tumen (土門, in modern Shijiazhuang); Zhang Guihou (張歸厚) attacking through Maling (馬嶺, in modern Xingtai); Wang Chuzhi the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding
Baoding
-Administrative divisions:Baoding prefecture-level city consists of 3 municipal districts, 4 county-level cities, 18 counties:-Demographics:The Baoding urban area has a population of around 1,006,000 . The population of the Baoding administrative area is 10,890,000. The considerable majority are...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
) through Feihu (飛狐, in modern Zhangjiakou
Zhangjiakou
Zhangjiakou, also known also by several other names, is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hebei province of North China, adjacent to Beijing to the southeast. Its administrative area has a population of 4.35 million, and covers...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
); Hou Yan (侯言) through Yindi (陰地, in modern Jinzhong
Jinzhong
Jinzhong is a prefecture-level city with 3,249,425 inhabitants at the 2010 census in east central Shanxi province of the People's Republic of China.-Administrative divisions:...
, 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....
); and Shi Shucong commanding the main forces through Tianjing Pass (天井關, in modern Jincheng). Hedong's border defenses largely failed, and the six commanders converged at Taiyuan and put it under siege. However, after the combined forces suffered some losses in skirmishes and suffered from the lack of food supplies and illnesses, Zhu ordered a withdrawal.
It was soon after this withdrew that Ge became chronically ill. In 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 :...
, when Zhu Quanzhong was attacking 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...
the military governor of 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...
) — under the declared rationale of rescuing Emperor Zhaozong, whom the eunuch 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...
had forcibly taken to Fengxiang — Han and the other eunuchs issued an edict in Emperor Zhaozong's name ordering the other circuits to rise against Zhu. When Wang Shifan
Wang Shifan
Wang Shifan was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Pinglu Circuit from 889 to 905...
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, headquartered in modern Weifang
Weifang
Weifang is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Dongying to the northwest, Zibo to the west, Linyi to the southwest, Rizhao to the south, Qingdao to the east, and looks out to the Laizhou Bay to the north.-History:Weifang is a historical city...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), a long-time Zhu vassal, received the edict, he decided to do so, and he sent many of his officers, disguised as merchants, to a number of circuits, hoping to surprise Zhu's garrisons at those circuits and take them over by surprise. However, most of these Pinglu officers were discovered, with the only successful one being Liu Xun, who was able to seize Yan, with Ge away at that time at Ming. Liu Xun decided to try not to alienate Ge, and he did so by treating Ge's mother and wife with respect, and allowing Ge's family members to remain in the posts that they were in at Yan. Subsequently, hearing what happened, Zhu's nephew Zhu Youning (朱友寧), whom he had left in charge at Xuanwu's capital Bian Prefecture, recalled Ge and jointly attacked Pinglu with Ge. Ge subsequently put Yan under siege, but with Liu treating his family well, Ge did not dare to attack with great fervor. After Wang suffered repeated defeats and decided to resubmit to Zhu, however, Liu surrendered to Ge. Ge treated him well and sent Liu to Bian to meet with Zhu; Zhu, impressed by how Liu had taken Yan, made Liu a major general.
Meanwhile, Ge continued to suffer from his illness, so Zhu decided to relieve him of his command at Taining; Zhu replaced him with Kang Huaizhen.
Retirement
After Ge Congzhou was relieved of his command at Taining, there was no further record of his being involved in a campaign. After Zhu Quanzhong seized the throne 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 ....
and established 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...
as its Emperor Taizu, he gave Ge a major general title and had Ge retire to Yanshi (偃師, in modern Luoyang). After Emperor Taizu was assassinated in 912
912
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 :...
and subsequently succeeded by his son Zhu Youzhen, Ge was given the title of military governor of Zhaoyi (an honorary title, as Zhaoyi was then under the control of Jin (which was then ruled by Li Keyong's son and successor Li Cunxu the Prince of Jin) and created the Prince of Chenliu, but he remained in retirement at home. Ge died early in Zhu Youzhen's Zhenming era (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....
-921
921
Year 921 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Crushing defeat of the Idrisid dynasty against their Fatimid rivals...
) and was given posthumous honors.