Zhong Chuan
Encyclopedia
Zhong Chuan (d. 906), formally the Prince of Nanping (南平王), was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who controlled a large portion of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
, formerly known as Jiangxi (江西)) as its military governor (Jiedushi
) for over 20 years.
, Jiangxi
) and that he was a merchant when he was young and liked hunting. On one occasion, when he was drunk, he encountered a tiger. Instead of fleeing, he decided to fight the tiger even though he was unarmed. The tiger pawed his shoulder, but he was able to hold on to the tiger and make it impossible for the tiger to attack him further. Other people came to his aid and killed the tiger. (Zhong would eventually regret this incident deeply and use it to encourage his sons to use their intellects rather than brute force.)
In the 870s
, the major agrarian rebel Wang Xianzhi
roamed the Yangtze River
region, including Jiangxi Circuit, which Zhong's home territory belonged to. Zhong gathered a group of non-Han
residents of the region and went up into the mountains, using the mountains as their defense, eventually with the group increasing to 10,000 people. At one point, after Wang captured but abandoned Fu Prefecture (撫州, in modern Fuzhou
, Jianxi), Zhong took over the prefecture, and then-reigning Emperor Xizong
thereafter made Zhong the prefect of Fu. In 882
, after Wang's erstwhile ally Huang Chao
captured the imperial capital Chang'an
and forced Emperor Xizong to flee to Chengdu
, Zhong attacked Jiangxi's capital Hong Prefecture (洪州) and expelled the imperially-commissioned governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) Gao Maoqing (高茂卿). The imperial government, which was also dealing with Min Xu
's takeover of Hunan Circuit (湖南, headquartered in modern Changsha, Hunan
), decided to convert Jiangxi into a military circuit (Zhennan) and commission Min as the military governor of Zhennan, hoping that Min would attack Zhong, but Min, not wanting to do so, declined. Later that year, at the request of Gao Pian
the military governor of nearby Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), the imperial government capitulated and made Zhong the governor of Jiangxi. (Thereafter, the Fu Prefecture local militia leader Wei Quanfeng
seized Fu and had his brother Wei Zaichang (危仔倡) take over Xin Prefecture (信州, in modern Shangrao
, Jiangxi
).) Soon thereafter, Emperor Xizong made Zhong the military governor of Zhennan, bestowed the honorary titles of acting Taibao (太保) and Zhongshu Ling (中書令, an honorary chancellor designation) on him, and created him the Prince of Yingchuan; that latter title was later changed to Prince of Nanping.
to Chang'an for the imperial examinations, but Zhong did so — and he would hold solemn ceremonies to send the examinees off and reward them greatly; therefore, many people who wished to receive Zhong's largess came a long distance to see Zhong. It was also said that whenever Zhong was planning a campaign, he would first offer sacrifices at Buddhist temples, and stack the offered pastries into the forms of rhinoceroses and elephants. Late in his governance, he levied heavy taxes; in response, the merchants abandoned trade routes that went through Zhennan Circuit.
In 896
, Zhong, as well as Qian Liu
the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Hangzhou
, Zhejiang
) and Du Hong
the military governor of Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan
, Hubei
), in fear of expansions by Yang Xingmi
the military governor of Huainan, sought aid from the powerful warlord Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
) to the north, to stem Yang's expansion. Zhu sent his adoptive son Zhu Yougong (朱友恭) with an army to attack Huainan, but while Zhu Yougong later helped Du to defend against Yang's attacks, there was no record of any further interaction between Zhong and Zhu Quanzhong.
In 897
, Zhong planned to attack Zhou Bei (周琲) the prefect of Ji Prefecture (吉州, in modern Ji'an, Jiangxi
). In response, Zhou abandoned Ji Prefecture and fled to Huainan.
In 898
, Emperor Xizong's brother and successor Emperor Zhaozong
bestowed on Zhong the honorary chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中).
In 901
, Zhong 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.
, Jiangxi
). When Zhong Chuan died in 906
, the soldiers supported Zhong Kuangshi to take over the circuit as acting military governor. Zhong Yangui, resentful that he was unable to succeed Zhong Chuan, submitted to Yang Wo (Yang Xingmi's son and successor) the military governor of Huainan. Due to this internal division within Zhennan, Yang Wo was able to conquer Zhennan later in the year, ending the Zhong family's hold on the circuit.
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 a large portion of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered 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...
, formerly known as Jiangxi (江西)) as its military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) for over 20 years.
Background and seizure of Jiangxi
It is not known when Zhong Chuan was born, but it is known that he was from Gao'an (高安, in modern YichunYichun, 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 that he was a merchant when he was young and liked hunting. On one occasion, when he was drunk, he encountered a tiger. Instead of fleeing, he decided to fight the tiger even though he was unarmed. The tiger pawed his shoulder, but he was able to hold on to the tiger and make it impossible for the tiger to attack him further. Other people came to his aid and killed the tiger. (Zhong would eventually regret this incident deeply and use it to encourage his sons to use their intellects rather than brute force.)
In the 870s
870s
-Significant people:* Alfred the Great* Harald I of Norway* Rhodri Mawr * Charles the Bald* Rurik...
, the major agrarian rebel Wang Xianzhi
Wang Xianzhi
Wang Xianzhi , courtesy name Zijing , was a famous Chinese calligrapher of the Eastern Jin.He was the seventh and youngest son of the famed Wang Xizhi. Wang inherited his father's talent for the art, although his siblings were all notable calligraphers. His style is more fluid than his father's,...
roamed 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...
region, including Jiangxi Circuit, which Zhong's home territory belonged to. Zhong gathered a group of non-Han
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
residents of the region and went up into the mountains, using the mountains as their defense, eventually with the group increasing to 10,000 people. At one point, after Wang captured but abandoned 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...
, Jianxi), Zhong took over the prefecture, and then-reigning Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
thereafter made Zhong the prefect of Fu. 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....
, after Wang's erstwhile ally 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...
captured the imperial capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
and forced Emperor Xizong to flee to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, Zhong attacked Jiangxi's capital Hong Prefecture (洪州) and expelled the imperially-commissioned governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) Gao Maoqing (高茂卿). The imperial government, which was also dealing with Min Xu
Min Xu
Min Xu , courtesy name Gongjin , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled a substantial part, as well as Tan Prefecture , the capital of Hunan Circuit , first as its governor and then as the military governor , from 882 to 886...
's takeover of Hunan Circuit (湖南, headquartered in modern Changsha, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
), decided to convert Jiangxi into a military circuit (Zhennan) and commission Min as the military governor of Zhennan, hoping that Min would attack Zhong, but Min, not wanting to do so, declined. Later that year, at the request of Gao Pian
Gao Pian
Gao Pian , courtesy name Qianli , formally the Prince of Bohai , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
the military governor of nearby 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...
), the imperial government capitulated and made Zhong the governor of Jiangxi. (Thereafter, the Fu Prefecture local militia leader Wei Quanfeng
Wei Quanfeng
Wei Quanfeng was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Fu Prefecture for over two decades, from 882 to 909, and who, at the prime of his power, also controlled three nearby prefectures...
seized Fu and had his brother Wei Zaichang (危仔倡) take over 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...
).) Soon thereafter, Emperor Xizong made Zhong the military governor of Zhennan, bestowed the honorary titles of acting Taibao (太保) and Zhongshu Ling (中書令, an honorary chancellor designation) on him, and created him the Prince of Yingchuan; that latter title was later changed to Prince of Nanping.
Governance of Zhennan Circuit
Only sporadic records of Zhong Chuan's acts as military governor were recorded in traditional historical sources. It was said that, as Tang imperial authority fell apart after Huang Chao's rebellion, few regional governors sent imperial examineesImperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
to Chang'an for the imperial examinations, but Zhong did so — and he would hold solemn ceremonies to send the examinees off and reward them greatly; therefore, many people who wished to receive Zhong's largess came a long distance to see Zhong. It was also said that whenever Zhong was planning a campaign, he would first offer sacrifices at Buddhist temples, and stack the offered pastries into the forms of rhinoceroses and elephants. Late in his governance, he levied heavy taxes; in response, the merchants abandoned trade routes that went through Zhennan Circuit.
In 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....
, Zhong, as well as 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...
the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Hangzhou
Hangzhou
Hangzhou , formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Governed as a sub-provincial city, and as of 2010, its entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
) and Du Hong
Du Hong
Du Hong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Wuchang Circuit from 886 to 905...
the military governor of Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan
Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
), in fear of expansions by 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...
the military governor of Huainan, sought aid from the powerful warlord Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
) to the north, to stem Yang's expansion. Zhu sent his adoptive son Zhu Yougong (朱友恭) with an army to attack Huainan, but while Zhu Yougong later helped Du to defend against Yang's attacks, there was no record of any further interaction between Zhong and Zhu Quanzhong.
In 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....
, Zhong planned to attack Zhou Bei (周琲) the prefect of Ji Prefecture (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...
). In response, Zhou abandoned Ji Prefecture and fled to Huainan.
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....
, Emperor Xizong's brother and successor 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...
bestowed on Zhong the honorary chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中).
In 901
901
Year 901 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* Abu 'Abdullah al-Shi'i leads the rebellion of the Kutama Berbers against the Aghlabid emirate in Ifriqiya ....
, Zhong 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.
Death and succession
Meanwhile, Zhong Chuan had made both Zhong Kuangshi and an adoptive son, Zhong Yangui (鍾延規), prefects (Zhong Kuangshi was made the prefect of Yuan Prefecture (袁州, in modern Yichun) and Zhong Yangui the prefect of Jiang Prefecture (江州, in modern JiujiangJiujiang
Jiujiang , formerly transliterated Kiukiang, is a prefecture-level city located on the southern shores of the Yangtze River in northwest Jiangxi Province, China. It is the second-largest prefecture-level city in Jiangxi province, the largest one being Nanchang...
, 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...
). When Zhong Chuan died 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...
, the soldiers supported Zhong Kuangshi to take over the circuit as acting military governor. Zhong Yangui, resentful that he was unable to succeed Zhong Chuan, submitted to Yang Wo (Yang Xingmi's son and successor) the military governor of Huainan. Due to this internal division within Zhennan, Yang Wo was able to conquer Zhennan later in the year, ending the Zhong family's hold on the circuit.