History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 879 Zhang Wenbiao Rebellion

【Zhang Wenbiao Rebellion】

In the third year of Jianlong in the Song Dynasty (962), only Zhou Xingfeng and Zhang Wenbiao were left of the "Ten Brothers". In September of that year, Zhou Xingfeng suddenly became seriously ill and felt that he might have to report to his eldest brother Wang Kui and that he might "never come back". On September 9, Zhou Xingfeng summoned his staff and generals to entrust his son to him, and asked his son Zhou Baoquan to worship his chief staff Li Guanxiang as his teacher on the spot, and asked his staff and generals to assist him wholeheartedly.

When Zhou Xingfeng entrusted his son to his care, he gave two important instructions:

1. Zhang Wenbiao will definitely rebel. Then we should send Yang Shifan to attack him.

2. If you cannot defeat Zhang Wenbiao, then your entire clan must submit to the Song Dynasty.

Why was Zhou Xingfeng so sure that Zhang Wenbiao would rebel? Please read Zhou Xingfeng's original words in the historical records:

"Zizhi Tongjian" records: "Zhang Wenbiao, the governor of Hengzhou, started his career in Longmu with me. He was unhappy because he was not appointed as the military commander. If I die, there will be chaos."

"Ten Kingdoms Spring and Autumn Annals": "I started a regiment in Longmu. Ten of us were killed at the same time. Only Zhang Wenbiao of Hengzhou survived. However, he was always unhappy and could not be the military commander. If I die, Wenbiao will surely cause chaos."

"New Records of the Three Chus": "There were some fierce and difficult-to-control officers under my command, but I have eliminated them all, except Zhang Wenbiao of Hengzhou. After my death, this man will definitely rebel..."

At first glance, they seem similar, but the meaning gradually progresses and becomes increasingly unfavorable to Zhou Xingfeng's character.

The most conservative version of the Zizhi Tongjian is that Zhou Xingfeng said Zhang Wenbiao was his business partner, and he was resentful because he was not satisfied, so he would definitely rebel after my death.

The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms omits the most important subject, namely, the subject of "all were executed". Who executed the "Ten Brothers"? Was it Wang Kui or Zhou Xingfeng? The ambiguity leaves the reader to imagine.
"New Records of the Three Chus" imagined this scene, saying that Zhou Xingfeng announced that he was responsible for the incident and also stated his motive for the crime, which was to bring eternal peace to his descendants and to ensure that their foundation would be forever solid. He planned to eliminate these arrogant and difficult-to-control veterans one by one, but he did not have time to take action against Zhang Wenbiao.

"New Records of the Three Chus" also specifically emphasized that these words were said by Zhou Xingfeng to his son, "and he said to Baoquan."

Zhou Xingfeng was a successful prophet, and both of his predictions came true: Zhang Wenbiao rebelled and his entire family returned to Song.

Why did Zhang Wenbiao rebel? In addition to his seniority and great contributions, there is another important reason, which Zhao Kuangyin always answered: the ruler is young and the country is in doubt. His son Zhou Baoquan was only 11 years old, at the level of fourth or fifth grade in elementary school.

When the news of Zhou Xingfeng's death reached Hengzhou, Zhang Wenbiao pointed his spear at Langzhou and angrily shouted, "Xingfeng and I both rose from humble beginnings and achieved great success. How can we sit facing the north and serve a child?" This was basically an official declaration of treason.

It happened that Zhou Baoquan replaced the garrison in Yongzhou, and the replacement troops had to pass through Hengzhou. Zhang Wenbiao annexed this troop, put on mourning clothes, and claimed to go to Langzhou to mourn for the general Zhou Xingfeng. In fact, he was rushing to Tanzhou, which opened his way to seize power. Liao Jian, the garrison commander of Tanzhou and the marching Sima, had always looked down on Zhang Wenbiao, thinking that he was just a rough man with strong limbs and a simple mind. At that time, he was feasting with the generals. After receiving the military intelligence report, he did not make any preparations, and vowed to his subordinates that Zhang Wenbiao was just a child, and he would be killed if he came, so why panic? "Drinking and laughing as usual", the staff and generals praised his heroic spirit of not changing his face even when facing a collapse of Mount Tai and his mysterious self-confidence, and gradually began to think that Liao Jian could destroy the masts and oars with a smile.

The banquet lasted until the evening. Liao Jian ordered the lights to be lit, and then music and dancing began.

While everyone was singing and laughing, Zhang Wenbiao suddenly rushed into the government office with his men and appeared in front of everyone.

Although Liao Jian is a bastard, he is definitely a tough guy. When he saw Zhang Wenbiao in his drunken eyes, he immediately took off the precious carved bow behind him. However, "Jian was already drunk and could not shoot the bow and arrow." He wanted to kill the thief but was powerless to do so.

Although he was too drunk to draw his bow, Liao Jian still "sat cross-legged and cursed loudly". "Sat cross-legged" means sitting on the ground with legs spread out, like a winnowing basket. Because ancient trousers were similar to today's skirts, or open-crotch trousers, this sitting posture was very indecent and the greatest insult to people. For example, when Jing Ke was stabbing the King of Qin, he "sat cross-legged and cursed" the King of Qin after he fell to the ground with the wound.

Zhang Wenbiao killed Liao Jian with a large spear himself (Wenbiao personally killed him with the spear). Dozens of staff and generals who were sitting at the table waiting to witness the miracle were all killed.

Zhang Wenbiao easily captured Tanzhou, proclaimed himself the governor of Tanzhou, and then reported to the Song Dynasty and requested the Song Dynasty to confer him a title. Afterwards, he began to prepare for the northern expedition to Langzhou.

When the news reached Langzhou, Zhou Baoquan sighed, "My father is so amazing! Although I am not as wise as him, I cannot sit idly by and watch my foundation fall into the hands of others."

According to records, the 11-year-old Zhou Baoquan was "brave and courageous", calm, mature and sophisticated. He followed his father's will and led the expedition under the command of General Yang Shifan. On the day of the army's departure, Zhou Baoquan gave Yang Shifan and others a farewell party.

Zhou Baoquan burst into tears and made an impassioned speech to the soldiers of the three armies: "After the death of our late master, the soil on his grave has not yet dried, and there are traitors plotting rebellion. This is all due to my unfilial behavior! I have to trouble you all to go to the battle. Please, for the sake of our late master, work together. If we can wipe out the rebels, it will comfort our late master's spirit in heaven. I thank you on behalf of our late master!"

Zhou Baoquan cried and explained the righteousness, benevolence and emotion to the soldiers. Even Yang Shifan was moved to tears and said to his soldiers, "Have you seen this young man? He is not yet a man, but he is so virtuous!" All the soldiers of the three armies were moved. The soldiers were all excited, their morale was high and their fighting spirit was high.

In fact, Yang Shifan was capable of conquering Zhang Wenbiao, which is why Zhou Xingfeng repeatedly urged Yang Shifan to lead the expedition. However, Zhou Baoquan was only an 11-year-old boy, and he was not very thoughtful, but he thought he was thoughtful. After Yang Shifan left, Zhou Baoquan sent envoys to Bianzhou to request the Celestial Empire to send troops to help.

This is the important node in the previous article. Zhao Kuangyin suppressed the "merger of Lu and Yang", calmed the civil strife, and consolidated the imperial power by "releasing military power with a cup of wine". When he was looking for an opportunity to go south to recover the southern vassal states, he received a letter from Zhou Baoquan asking for help. Zhao Kuangyin was immediately delighted and immediately brewed the plan of "using the pass of Guo as a pretext to attack Guo".

To understand why Zhao Kuangyin was so happy, we have to put this point aside and recount the rise and fall of the "Gao Laizi" family in Jingnan.

(End of this chapter)