History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 912: Secession of Lingnan
[Separation of Lingnan]

The "Three Expeditions to Northern Han" was the third large-scale military attack launched by Zhao Kuangyin against the Northern Han regime after Liu Chengjun's death. It was also the last one, because what followed was the "candle shadow and axe sound", Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly, and his younger brother Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne. We need to temporarily adjust the timeline forward a few years and review the great achievement that Zhao Kuangyin accomplished in his spare time during the attack on Northern Han - unifying the southern vassal states.

Among the many separatist forces, the Southern Han entrenched in the Lingnan region has always been taciturn. Of course, this is just an illusion. Due to its unique geographical factors, it has little intersection with the popular forces such as the Central Plains, so it was almost invisible in the previous article. It was not until the demise of Southern Chu that it became the strongest picker and made a strong presence.

The Southern Han Dynasty was definitely a unique existence in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. If it dared to claim to be second, no one dared to claim to be first. Not to mention the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, even if we look at the entire history of human civilization, its actions can only be described as incredible, refreshing people's cognition over and over again, such as its nickname - the country of eunuchs, and its crazy operation of killing even its own people - destroying the entire family.

Although it has always been out of the mainstream sight, the Southern Han Dynasty can be said to have a long history, which can be traced back to the Huang Chao Rebellion. It was officially founded in 917 AD (during the reign of Zhu Youzhen of the Later Liang Dynasty) and perished in 971 AD (during the reign of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin), lasting for 55 years. If counted from its separatist rule over Lingnan (when Liu Yin was appointed as the governor of Guangzhou), it can be traced back to the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty (904), so the lifespan of the Southern Han separatist regime was 67 years.

Let us now take a look at this unknown yet earth-shaking peculiar little country - Southern Han.

The establishment of Southern Han was also due to the Huang Chao Rebellion. Huang Chao was forced into Lingnan by Gao Pian, Wang Duo and others, and conquered Guangzhou. He then abandoned Guangdong and Guangxi, concentrated all his forces to the north, and finally entered Chang'an. After Huang Chao left, a power vacuum appeared in the ravaged Lingnan region, and heroes from all walks of life appeared on the scene, conquered cities and completed separatism. A man named Liu Qian said, "Now is the moment to witness a miracle," and then he stepped onto the stage of history.

There is a little controversy about Liu Qian's life experience. Some scholars say that he was a Persian, some say that he was a barbarian from Lingnan, and another believes that according to official historical records, he was a merchant who migrated from the Central Plains to the southern Fujian region, first living in Fujian and later in Guangzhou.

Liu Qian distinguished himself in the fight against the remnants of Huang Chao and the restoration of social order. He was promoted to the governor of Fengzhou for his meritorious service and was highly appreciated by the former prime minister Wei Xiu. Liu Qian was delighted to receive Wei Xiu's daughter. Liu Qian had three sons: Liu Yin, Liu Tai, and Liu Yan.

After Liu Qian's death, his eldest son Liu Yin performed outstandingly and was noticed by Liu Chonggui, the then governor of the Qing naval forces in Guangzhou. Liu Chonggui recommended Liu Yin to succeed his father's position (Governor of Fengzhou).

In the third year of Emperor Zhaozong's reign (896), Liu Chonggui died. At that time, Emperor Zhaozong was trying to have the princes command the army. One was to let the princes' clans take charge of the imperial army, and the other was to let the princes serve as local governors to strengthen the central power. So after Liu Chonggui's death, Emperor Zhaozong appointed Prince Xue Li Zhirou to command Guangzhou.

As soon as Li Zhirou arrived in Hunan, the guards and generals in Guangzhou City conspired to mutiny. Liu Yin captured them all and then sent troops to welcome Li Zhirou to take office. The real power in Guangzhou was of course controlled by Liu Yin. In fact, Li Zhirou had become Liu Yin's political vest.

Soon, the powerful official Cui Yin forced the prime minister Xu Yanruo out of the court and came to Guangzhou. The demoted Xu Yanruo had no way of checking the local tyrant Liu Yin, so he simply recommended Liu Yin as the deputy envoy of Guangzhou Jiedushi and handed over all military and political power to Liu Yin. From then on, Liu Yin became the actual controller of the Qing navy in Guangzhou.

In 901, Xu Yanruo died of illness. Before his death, he submitted a memorial to the court, recommending Liu Yin as the governor of the Qing navy in Guangzhou. However, Zhaozong appointed Cui Yuan, the Minister of War, as the governor of Guangzhou, which was still a step in Zhaozong's "civilian route".

Old script, when Cui Yuan came to Hunan from afar, he heard that the public security in Lingnan was chaotic and bandits were rampant... In a word, welcome the leader to come and inspect and die in the line of duty. Cui Yuan wanted to continue to serve the people and did not want to leave us too early, so he was too scared to move forward and sent a letter to the court, asking for a transfer or resignation. The court had no choice but to recall him. At the same time, Liu Yin bribed Zhu Wen, who was in the limelight in the court, with a large sum of money, so Zhu Wen came forward and recommended Liu Yin as the governor of Guangzhou.

Liu Yin had a very high political awareness. Although he had nothing to do with Zhu Wen before, from that moment on, he clung to Zhu Wen's thigh and became Zhu Wen's loyal supporter. He continued to bribe him with large sums of money. After obtaining the title of Jiedushi of Guangzhou, he also got the honorary title of "Tongpingzhangshi". The considerate Liu Yin kept submitting memorials to persuade Zhu Wen to take the throne, which made Zhu Wen very happy.

A few years later, Zhu Wen really proclaimed himself emperor and abolished the Tang Dynasty to establish the Liang Dynasty. Because Liu Yin had made great contributions in persuading and supporting him, Zhu Wen appointed him as the acting Taiwei, concurrently the Shizhong, and conferred him the title of Prince of Dapeng County. The following year, he appointed Liu Yin as the Jiedushi of Jinghai Army in Jiaozhou and the Protector-General of Annan, which is today's northern Vietnam, once again emphasizing that this place has been Chinese territory since ancient times.

Later, Zhu Wen promoted Liu Yin to the position of Acting Grand Tutor, concurrently Minister of the Central Secretariat, and conferred him the title of Prince of Nanping.

In 911, Liu Yin was granted the title of Prince of Nanhai and the title of Minister of the Central Secretariat. In the same year, Liu Yin suddenly fell seriously ill and left a letter to the court, asking his third brother Liu Yan to succeed him. He then passed away at the age of 38, leaving us too early.

Liu Yan was Liu Qian's illegitimate son, and his biological mother was Duan.

It is said that Liu Qian's wife, Wei, was jealous of Duan's favor. When she heard that Duan had given birth to a boy, she took a knife to kill the baby boy under the pretext of visiting him. When Wei saw the baby boy, she was so scared that she dropped the weapon and exclaimed that the child had amazing bones and was not an ordinary person. So she used plan B, killed Duan, and took the child for herself. This child was Liu Yan.

Of course, this is another episode of "Science Approaches".

When Liu Yan grew up, he was indeed different from ordinary people. It was said that his hands were longer than his knees, and he was definitely the reincarnation of Liu Bei. He was seven feet tall, good at riding and shooting, and smart.

When Liu Yin was concurrently serving as the Jiedushi of Qinghai and Jinghai, he recommended Liu Yan as his deputy.

At that time, many heroes were standing in Lingnan. When Liu Yin led his troops to attack Shaozhou, Liu Yan analyzed the pros and cons for him and thought that he should not send troops. However, Liu Yin did not listen and ended up losing the battle. Since then, Liu Yan's status in the army has gradually improved. Liu Yin let him take charge of military affairs. Liu Yan lived up to expectations, won battle after battle, and expanded his territory. Therefore, Liu Yan could inherit the throne from his elder brother.

Starting from Liu Yan, the development of the main plot of Lingnan gradually deviated from the right track, laying the foundation for the subsequent absurdity.

(End of this chapter)