Zhou Lin (Tang Dynasty)
Encyclopedia
Zhou Lin (died 850
) was a general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who briefly ruled the de facto independent Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
).
Little is known about Zhou's life — as while the official histories of Tang, the Book of Tang
and the New Book of Tang
, had biographies for most of the Lulong military governors, both lacked one for Zhou. What is known is that in 849
, with the soldiers discontented with and plotting a mutiny against the military governor Zhang Zhifang
, who had succeeded Zhang's father Zhang Zhongwu
earlier in the year after Zhang Zhongwu's death, Zhang Zhifang took his family and fled to the imperial capital Chang'an
. The soldiers supported Zhou to acting military governor, succeeding Zhang Zhifang. Apparently, Zhou was subsequently commissioned military governor by then-reigning Emperor Xuānzong
, as, when Zhou died in 850, he was referred to as military governor. The soldiers supported Zhang Yunshen
to be his successor, and Emperor Xuānzong subsequently made Zhang Yunshen military governor.
850
Year 850 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan.- Europe :...
) was a general of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
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 briefly ruled the de facto independent 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...
) 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...
).
Little is known about Zhou's life — as while the official histories of Tang, 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...
, had biographies for most of the Lulong military governors, both lacked one for Zhou. What is known is that in 849
849
Year 849 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital city of Chang'an, an imperial prince was impeached from his position by officials at court for erecting a building that obstructed a street in the northwesternmost ward in South...
, with the soldiers discontented with and plotting a mutiny against the military governor Zhang Zhifang
Zhang Zhifang
Zhang Zhifang was a general of the Chinese dynasty. Succeeding his father Zhang Zhongwu, he briefly ruled Lulong Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government, but fearing a mutiny, he fled to the imperial capital Chang'an and thereafter served as an...
, who had succeeded Zhang's father Zhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu , formally Prince Zhuang of Lanling or Duke Zhuang of Lanling , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who governed Lulong Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government,...
earlier in the year after Zhang Zhongwu's death, Zhang Zhifang took his family and fled to 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...
. The soldiers supported Zhou to acting military governor, succeeding Zhang Zhifang. Apparently, Zhou was subsequently commissioned military governor by then-reigning Emperor Xuānzong
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
, as, when Zhou died in 850, he was referred to as military governor. The soldiers supported Zhang Yunshen
Zhang Yunshen
Zhang Yunshen , courtesy name Fengchang , formally Duke Zhonglie of Yan , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who ruled Lulong Circuit , headquartered in modern Beijing in de facto independence from the imperial government.- Background :Zhang Yunshen was born in 785, during the reign...
to be his successor, and Emperor Xuānzong subsequently made Zhang Yunshen military governor.