Wang Jian (Former Shu)

Wang Jian was born in 847, during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong of Tang. He was from Wuyang (舞陽, in modern Luohe, Henan), and was said to be ambitious and alert in his youth. However, he was also described to be a hoodlum, abandoning his ancestral craft of baking to be involved in butchering cattle, stealing donkeys, and privateering in salt. His father died while he was still a commoner. At one point, for misdeeds, he was incarcerated at the jail at Xuchang (許昌, in modern Xuchang, Henan), the capital of Zhongwu Circuit (), which Wuyang sat in, but the jailers privately released him. He subsequently stayed with the monk Chuhong () in the Wudang Mountains, and Chuhong encouraged him to change his ways, predicting that there would be great accomplishments in his future. He thus joined the Zhongwu Circuit army and became an officer under then-military governor (Jiedushi) Du Shenquan. == Early career ==

Service under Yang Fuguang As of 881, the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao had captured the Tang capital Chang'an, forcing then-reigning Emperor Xizong to flee to Chengdu. Zhongwu's then-military governor Zhou Ji initially submitted to Huang, who established a new state of Qi as its emperor, but at the urging by the eunuch general Yang Fuguang redeclared allegiance to Tang in summer 881. Yang took 8,000 Zhongwu troops and organized them into eight corps, commanded by Lu Yanhong, Jin Hui (), Wang Jian, Han Jian, Zhang Zao (), Li Shitai (), and Pang Cong () respectively. He then took the troops northwest to join the other Tang troops in campaign against Huang. Service under Lu Yanhong Yang Fuguang died in 883 while stationed at Hezhong Circuit (河中, in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) and still fighting against Huang. Instead of continuing to fight against Huang, Lu Yanhong decided to take his troops and rove around the region, pillaging as he went. Wang Jian, Han Jian, Zhang Zao, Jin Hui, and Li Shitai followed him as well. Later in 883, Lu captured Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi) the capital of Shannan West Circuit (), expelling the military governor Niu Xu () and claiming the title of acting military governor. However, Wang's attacks were stifled by Chengdu's strong defenses, and his supplies soon ran low. By summer 888, he considered abandoning the campaign altogether, but after Zhou Xiang and Qiwu Jian convinced him otherwise, continued the campaign. He, believing that he needed imperial sanction in order to succeed in the campaign, had Zhou draft a petition for him to Emperor Zhaozong — Emperor Xizong's brother, who succeeded Emperor Xizong after Emperor Xizong died early in 888 — asking to be given the rich Qiong Prefecture while asking the emperor to send a new military governor of Xichuan, offering to assist the new military governor. Gu Yanlang also submitted a petition requesting that Chen be moved from his post. Emperor Zhaozong, who had previous grudges against Tian and Chen for Tian's ill treatment of him while he was an imperial prince, issued an edict summoning Chen back to Chang'an to serve as an imperial guard general, while making the chancellor Wei Zhaodu the new military governor of Xichuan. When Chen subsequently refused the summons, Emperor Zhaozong stripped him of all of his titles and put Wei in charge of the operations against him, with Yang Shouliang, Wang, and Gu assisting him. Emperor Zhaozong also carved out four prefectures from Xichuan and made it into a new Yongping Circuit, with its capital at Qiong, for Wang to serve as military governor. However, in spring 891, with imperial forces having recently conducted a failed campaign against Li Keyong and the imperial treasury drained, Emperor Zhaozong decided to abandon the campaign against Chen. He restored Chen's titles and ordered Gu and Wang to return to their posts at Dongchuan and Yongping. Wang, believing that Chengdu was on the verge of falling, decided to disobey the imperial orders and continue the campaign. He intimidated Wei by having Dongchuan soldiers arrest and execute Wei's associate Luo Bao () on charges of corruption, and Wei transferred the command of the army to him. Wang continued the siege against Chengdu, and a famine began in the city. In fall 891, after Wang made assurances that he would continue to respect Chen and honor Tian as a father, Chen and Tian surrendered Chengdu. Emperor Zhaozong soon made Wang the military governor of Xichuan, merging Yongping back into Xichuan. == As military governor of Xichuan ==

Campaign against Dongchuan It was said that Wang Jian, after he took over Xichuan, ruled it diligently, listened to good advice, promoted capable people, put people in rightful positions, and was humble and frugal. However, he was also said to be suspicious, and that many subordinates with accomplishments suffered deaths due to his suspicions of them. Meanwhile, in 893, Gu entered into an alliance with Li Maozhen the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit, and Li Maozhen sent troops to aid Gu. However, after Wang then defeated Fengxiang and Dongchuan troops at Li Prefecture, Gu sought peace against with Wang, claiming to be willing to break relations with Li Maozhen, and Wang agreed. Around the same time, Emperor Zhaozong bestowed on Wang the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangzhi (). Meanwhile, Wang had repeatedly sought permission to execute Chen and Tian, and when imperial permission never came, Wang executed them anyway. In 897, Wang again launched a major attack on Dongchuan, commanded by Hua and another adoptive son, Wang Zongyou (), while sending Wang Zongjin () to attack Fengxiang to cut off any relief forces that might come from Fengxiang, and Wang Zongjin defeated Li Maozhen's adoptive son Li Jihui. When Li Maozhen subsequently sent Li Jizhao () to try to relieve Dongchuan, Wang Jian's adoptive son Wang Zongbo () defeated and captured him. Around the same time, Wang Zongkan and Wang Zongruan () captured the Three Gorges region, opening a trade path to the east down the Yangtze River. In summer 897, Wang Jian took 50,000 men and joined the attack against Dongchuan himself. Li Maozhen reacted by submitting a petition against Wang Jian for failing to follow imperial orders to stop his attacks against Gu. Emperor Zhaozong, wanting to exploit the situation himself, issued an edict demoting Wang to be the prefect of Nan Prefecture (南州, in modern Chongqing), while naming Li Maozhen the new military governor of Xichuan and Li Sizhou () the Prince of Qin as the new military governor of Fengxiang — hoping to take control of Fengxiang back into imperial hands. Both Wang and Li Maozhen refused the orders, and Li Maozhen reacted by blocking Li Sizhou's advance, forcing Li Sizhou to return to Zhenguo. Emperor Zhaozong soon thereafter restored Wang Jian's titles. He also created Wang the Prince of Langye. After Emperor Zhaozong returned to Chang'an, Cui and Zhu ordered that all eunuchs be massacred. However, Wang protected Yu Quanyan () the eunuch monitor for Xichuan and the prominent retired eunuch Yan Zunmei () from execution, instead executing two inmates that he claimed to be Yu and Yan. Later in 903, Wang Jian entered into a peace agreement with Zhu. Subsequently, Emperor Zhaozong created Wang the greater title of Prince of Shu. Soon thereafter, at the suggestion of his adoptive son Wang Zongben (), Wang Jian had Wang Zongben lead an army east on the Yangtze River, intending to capture Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou, Hubei). At that time, the military governor of Jingnan, Cheng Rui, had just been killed in battle against Yang Xingmi's forces, and so Cheng's subordinate, Hou Ju (), surrendered Kui Prefecture (夔州, in modern Chongqing) to Wang Zongben, allowing Wang Jian to take over Kui, Zhong (忠州, in modern Chongqing), Wan (萬州, in modern Chongqing), and En (恩州, in modern Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei) as well. However, believing that the Qutang Gorge would serve as a good natural defense, Wang Jian decided to make no further attempt to capture Gui () and Xia () (both in modern Yichang, Hubei) as well. He made Wang Zongben the acting military governor of Wutai Circuit (武泰, headquartered in modern Chongqing) to govern over the region. Soon thereafter, a marriage alliance was also concluded between Wang Jian and Zhao. Alarmed by the situation, Zhu Quanzhong attacked Zhao, defeating him and annexing his territory, forcing Zhao to flee to Huainan, while Zhao's brother Zhao Kuangming fled to Wang Jian. Around the same time, Wang sent another adoptive son, Wang Zonghe (), to attack Feng Xingxi the military governor of Zhaoxin Circuit (昭信, headquartered in modern Ankang, Shaanxi). Feng fled, and his subordinate Quan Shilang () surrendered Zhaoxin's capital Jin Prefecture (). Wang adopted Quan as a son (renaming him Wang Zonglang () and made him the governor of Jin Prefecture and three other surrounding prefectures. Meanwhile, Emperor Zhaozong had been assassinated by Zhu's soldiers and replaced by his son Emperor Ai. Zhu disavowed involvement, and subsequently sent messengers in Emperor Ai's name to various circuits to announce Emperor Zhaozong's death. When the messenger to Xichuan, Sima Qing (), arrived at Xichuan, Wang, under the suggestion of Wei Zhuang, refused to meet with Sima; rather, he had his adoptive son Wang Zongwan (), then the military governor of Wuding, meet with Sima, and Wang Zongwan publicly stated, on Wang Jian's behalf, openly breaking with Zhu: In late 906, Wang also officially established a mobile imperial government, with himself as its head. He ceremonially danced toward the east (in a sign of respect to the emperor) and stated that he was exercising authority on the emperor's behalf, under the precedents of Li Sheng and Zheng Tian. In 907, Zhu Quanzhong (who had changed his name to Zhu Huang by that point) forced Emperor Ai to yield the throne to him, ending Tang and establishing a new Later Liang. Most of the circuit governors in the former Tang emperor, whether actually under Zhu's authority or not, recognized Zhu as the new emperor, with the exceptions of Wang, Li Keyong (the Prince of Jin), Li Maozhen (the Prince of Qi), and Yang Xingmi's son and successor Yang Wo (the Prince of Hongnong). Wang and Yang initially issued declarations claiming that they would rendezvous with Li Keyong and Li Maozhen to reestablish Tang, but the other circuits who recognized Zhu did not respond. Wang thereafter decided that he should claim imperial title as well and tried to encourage Li Keyong to do so as well; Li Keyong refused, but that did not sway Wang, and neither did contrary advice from Feng Juan. Wang thereafter declared himself emperor of a new state of Shu (known to historians as Former Shu to distinguish it from the later Later Shu). == As Emperor of Shu ==

Early reign It was said that while Wang Jian was illiterate, he favored talking with the intelligentsia, and was often retaining members of Tang aristocratic families so that they could pass on their knowledge. However, as his oldest son Wang Zongren () was disabled from his childhood, he created his second son Wang Zongyi initially the Prince of Sui while creating no other son imperial princes, hinting that Wang Zongyi was to be his heir. Wang Jian made Wang Zongji and Wei Zhuang his chancellors. However, Wang Zongji viewed himself as the oldest among the adoptive sons and a potential heir, and he was arrogant toward all other officials, including Wang Jian's close associate Tang Daoxi the director of palace communications. In 908, unhappy about this situation, Wang Jian gave Wang Zongji the honorific title of Taishi () but stripped him of his chancellor status, replacing him with Zhang Ge. When Wang Zongji submitted a petition in which he challenged Wang Jian to name either him or Wang Zongyi crown prince, Wang Jian was offended; when Wang Zongji further offended him at a face-to-face meeting, Wang Jian had Wang Zongji put to death and then created Wang Zongyi crown prince. Late reign In 913, Tang Daoxi returned from Shannan West and again served as director of palace communications. His old rivalry with Wang Zongyi (whose name had been changed to Wang Yuanying by this point) soon flared up, as Wang Yuanying accused him of crimes that made it inappropriate to again serve that point. Wang Jian, while displeased, gave Tang the honorary post of advisor to Wang Yuanying instead. In fall 915, Wang Jian launched a major attack against Qi, sending Wang Zongwan, assisted by Wang Zongbo, to attack Qin Prefecture (秦州, the capital of Tianxiong), and Wang Zongyao, assisted by Wang Zonghan, to attack Feng Prefecture (鳳州, in modern Baoji). Both attacks were successful, as Feng Prefecture fell, and Li Jichong surrendered Qin. With his wife and children among the captives at Qin, Liu Zhijun, who was commanding Qi forces in resisting the Shu attack, also surrendered, leaving Qi with little more territory than its capital Fengxiang. In fall 916, Wang Jian prepared another major attack against Qi, sending Wang Zongwan, assisted by Wang Zonghan and Wang Zongshou to launch their attack from Feng, while sending Wang Zongbo, assisted by Liu, Wang Zongchou (), and Tang Wenyi's brother Tang Wenyi (唐文裔, note different character), to launch their attack from Qin. They captured Baoji (寶雞, in modern Baoji) and put Fengxiang under siege. The siege, however, was hampered by snowstorms, and Wang Jian decided to lift the siege and recall the forces. He then declared a change of the state's name from Shu to Han. In 917, a power struggle developed between Tang Wenyi, who was aligned with Zhang, and Mao. Based on Tang's accusations, Wang Jian exiled Mao and confiscated his assets, and also demoted the chancellor Yu Chuansu. Also, fearing Liu's abilities, he falsely accused Liu of treason and executed Liu. In early spring 918, Wang Jian changed the name of the state from Han back to Shu. That year, Wang Jian, who began to see that Wang Zongyan (whose name was changed to just Wang Yan by that point so that his brothers and adoptive brothers would not have a problem observing naming taboo) was not an appropriate crown prince due to Wang Yan's obsession with gaming and feasting, and thus became resentful of Zhang — but with Consort Xu supporting Zhang, he did not remove Zhang from his chancellor post. He did, however, consider replacing Wang Yan with Wang Zongjie. When Wang Zongjie died suddenly, he became very suspicious that the death was the result of foul play, but thereafter took no further action to replace Wang Yan. Wang Jian became very ill in summer 918, and he summoned a group of high-level officials to entrust Wang Yan to them. Tang, however, wanted to eliminate the high-level officials so that he could take power by himself. The high-level officials realized this, and they forced their way into the palace to inform Wang Jian. Wang Jian thus exiled Tang, while issuing a final edict in which he put the eunuch Song Guangsi (), as well as Wang Zongbi, Wang Zongyao, Wang Zongwan, and Wang Zongkui () in charge of assisting Wang Yan in his reign. He also left instructions that the family of Consort Xu's family was not to be given military commands. He soon died, and Wang Yan took the throne as emperor. == Personal information ==

Consort and issue(s): • Empress Shunde, of the Zhou clan (順德皇后 周氏, 1 October 918) • Able Consort, of the Xu clan (賢妃 徐氏, d. 926) • Wang Yan, Emperor (皇帝 王衍, 31 August 801 – 18 May 926), né Wang Zongyan (王宗衍), eleventh son • Noble Consort, of the Zhang Clan (貴妃 張氏) • Wang Yuanying, Crown Prince (皇太子王元膺, 892 – 13 August 913), second son • Pure Consort, of the Xu clan (淑妃 徐氏) • Wang Zongding, Prince of Lu (魯王 王宗鼎, d. 2 May 926), seventh son • Furen, of the Xiao clan (夫人 蕭氏) • Lady, of the Ma clan (馬氏) • Wang Zongren, Prince of Wei (衛王 王宗仁), first son • Lady, of the Song clan (宋氏) • Wang Zonglu, Prince of Bin (邠王 王宗輅, d. 2 May 926), third son • Lady, of the Chen clan (陳氏) • Wang Zongzhi, Prince of Han (韓王 王宗智, d. 2 May 926), fifth son • Wang Zongte, Prince of Ju (莒王 王宗特, d. 2 May 926), tenth son • Lady, of the Qiao clan (喬氏) • Wang Zongjie, Prince of Xin (信王 王宗傑, d. 918), eight son • Lady, of the Chu clan (褚氏) • Wang Zongze, Prince of Song (宋王 王宗澤, d. 2 May 926), sixth son • Wang Zongping, Prince of Xue (薛王 王宗平, d. 2 May 926), ninth son • Unknown • Wang Zongji, Prince of Zhao (趙王 王宗紀, d. 2 May 926), fourth son • Princess Puci (普慈公主), first daughter • married Li Jichong (李繼崇), nephew of Li Maozhen (李茂貞), and had issue ( a daughter) • Princess Ankang (安康公主), second son • Princess Emei (峨眉公主), third daughter • Married Liu Siyan (劉嗣湮), a son of Li Zhijun (劉知俊) • Adoptive Children • Wang Zongji (), né Gan (), the Duke of Jin (executed 908) • Wang Zongkan (), né Tian Shikan (), initially the Prince of Le'an, later the Prince of Wei • Wang Zongdi (), né Hua Hong () (executed 902) • Wang Zonghan (), né Meng (), the Prince of Ji (created 910) • Wang Zongbi (), né Wei Hongfu (), initially the Prince of Julu, later the Prince of Qi (executed by Guo Chongtao 925) • Wang Zong'an (), né Ji Jian (), the Prince of Langye • Wang Zongbian (), né Lu Bian () • Wang Zongben (), né Xie Congben () • Wang Zongruan (), né Wen Wujian () • Wang Zongbo (), né Xu Cun () • Wang Zongchou () (died 924) • Wang Zongjin (), né Wang Zhao () • Wang Zongwan (), né Li Wan (), the Prince of Lintao • Wang Zongru (), né Yang Ru () • Wang Zonghao () (drowned 911) • Wang Zonglang (), né Quan Shilang () • Wang Zongwo (), né Zheng Wo () (executed by Li Jiji 925) • Wang Zongfan (), né Zhang (), the Prince of Kui, son of Consort Zhang by a prior husband • Wang Zongyao (), né Jiang Zhi (), the Prince of Linzi • Wang Zongxun (), né Wang Maoquan () (executed 914) • Wang Zongmian (), né Zhao Zhang () • Wang Zongkui (), the Prince of Langye • Wang Zongyi (王宗裔. note different character than his adoptive brother), the Prince of Langye • Wang Zongju (), né Hou Ju () • Wang Zongyou () • Wang Zongfen () • Wang Zongxin () • Wang Zonghe () • Wang Zongshao () • Wang Zonghong () • Wang Zongduo () • Wang Zonglu () • Wang Zongyu () • Wang Zongxun () (executed by Li Jiji 925) • Wang Zongyàn (王宗晏, note different tone than his adoptive brothers) • Wang Zongrui () (executed by Li Jiji 925) • Wang Zongwěi (王宗偉, note different tone than his adoptive brother) • Wang Zongxian (), né Xu () • Wang Zongyǎn (王宗儼, note different tone than one adoptive brother and different character than another) (executed by Li Jiji 925) • Wang Zongwēi (王宗威, note different tone than his adoptive brother) • Wang Chengjian () ==References==