Du Hong
Encyclopedia
Du Hong (d. 905) was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who controlled Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan
, Hubei
) from 886 to 905. In 905, he was defeated and captured by Yang Xingmi
, who executed him.
, when much of the realm was overrun by agrarian rebels, E's prefect Cui Shao (崔紹) organized the people into local militias to defend against attacks, so the prefectural militia became a strong fighting force. It was during this time that Du became an officer in the prefectural militia.
In 884
, Cui died. The imperial official Lu Shenzhong (路審中), whom the imperial government had commissioned the prefect of Hang Prefecture (杭州, in modern Hangzhou
, Zhejiang
), had been refused entry by the warlord Qian Liu
, who occupied the region; he therefore took up residence at Wuchang's Huang Prefecture (黃州, in modern Wuhan). Upon hearing news of Cui's death, he conscripted 3,000 soldiers and entered E Prefecture, taking it over. Thereafter, Du expelled the prefect of Yue Prefecture (岳州, in modern Yueyang
, Hunan
) and took it over himself, claiming the title of prefect.
In 886, the agrarian rebel Zhou Tong (周通) attacked E Prefecture. Lu abandoned E and fled. Du took the chance to enter E and claimed the title of acting military governor of Wuchang, a title that Emperor Xizong thereafter confirmed.
, Henan
) and cut off the tribute routes between the southeastern circuits not allied with Zhu and the imperial capital Chang'an
.
In 894, Wu Tao (吳討) the prefect of Huang Prefecture submitted to a chief rival of Zhu's, Yang Xingmi
the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
). In response, Du attacked Wu, and Wu, while Yang sent his brother-in-law Zhu Yanshou
to aid Wu, was still fearful of Du's attack, and therefore surrendered his post completely to Yang. Yang sent his officer Qu Zhang (瞿章) to take over Huang Prefecture and defend against Du.
Fearing Yang's expansion, in 896, Du, along with Qian Liu (then the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered at Hang Prefecture)) and Zhong Chuan
the military governor of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchong
, Jiangxi
), all sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu Quanzhong sent his adoptive son Zhu Yougong (朱友恭) south to try to determine what he could do, but Zhu Yougong appeared to not venture far.
In 897, under order by Emperor Xizong's brother and successor Emperor Zhaozong
, Yang attacked Du, and Du sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu Quanzhong sent Nie Jin (聶金) to raid Huainan's Si Prefecture (泗州, in modern Huai'an
, Jiangsu
) and sent Zhu Yougong to attack Huang Prefecture. Qu abandoned Huang and took his army and people south to Wuchang Base (武昌寨, in modern Ezhou
, Hubei
). Zhu Yougong subsequently captured Wuchang Base, took Qu captive, and captured Huang Prefecture. The Huainan forces that Yang sent to aid Qu were all repelled. A subsequent major attack by Zhu Quanzhong on Huainan was decisively repelled by Yang and his general Zhu Jin
, however, and it was said that thereafter Zhu no longer had the strength to consider a major attack on Huainan.
In 903, Yang sent his officer Li Shenfu (李神福), with Liu You (劉有) as Li's deputy, to again attack Du. Li first attack E Prefecture's Yongxing County (永興, in modern Huanggang
, Hubei
) and captured it. He then put E Prefecture under siege, and Du sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu sent his officer Han Qing (韓勍) with 10,000 men to Shekou (灄口, in modern Wuhan), and also sent messengers to Cheng Rui
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou
, Hubei
), Ma Yin
the military governor of Wu'an Circuit (武安, headquartered in modern Changsha, Hunan
), and Lei Yanwei the military governor of Wuzhen Circuit (武貞, headquartered in modern Changde
, Hunan
), trying to persuade them to save Du. Cheng, who feared Zhu's strength and also wanted to expand his own territory, launched a fleet to try to save Du, but after he left his capital Jing Prefecture (荊州), Ma and Lei jointly attacked Jing Prefecture, capturing it and pillaging its wealth and population. Hearing the news, the morale of Cheng's soldiers failed, and Li subsequently engaged him and decisively defeated him. Cheng committed suicide by drowning, and Han withdrew, leaving Du with no aid. Du was only subsequently saved when Li was also forced to withdraw when Yang's subordinates Tian Jun
the military governor of Ningguo Circuit (寧國, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
, Anhui
) and An Renyi (安仁義) the military prefect of Run Prefecture (潤州, in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
) rebelled against Yang, requiring Li to engage Tian instead.
, sent messengers to Yang, seeking to intercede on Du Hong's behalf, and Yang responded, "I will do so and rebuild my relationship with you if the Son of Heaven were restored to Chang'an." Later in 904, when Li fell ill (and later died), Yang sent Liu Cun (劉存) to replace Li and continued the siege. In spring 905, Zhu sent Cao Yanzuo (曹延祚) to help Du defend the city, but Liu soon captured the city and took Du and Cao captive, delivering them to Yang Xingmi at Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州). When Yang questioned Du why he did not surrender, Du responded, "I could not betray Lord Zhu." Yang then executed him and Cao. After Zhu usurped the Tang throne and established Later Liang Dynasty
as its emperor, he posthumously honored Du.
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 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...
) from 886 to 905. In 905, he was defeated and captured 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...
, who executed him.
Background and seizure of Wuchang Circuit
It is not known when Du Hong was born, but it is known that he was from Wuchang's capital E Prefecture (鄂州) and that, in his youth, he was an actor. Late in the Qianfu era (874-879) of Emperor XizongEmperor 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...
, when much of the realm was overrun by agrarian rebels, E's prefect Cui Shao (崔紹) organized the people into local militias to defend against attacks, so the prefectural militia became a strong fighting force. It was during this time that Du became an officer in the prefectural militia.
In 884
884
Year 884 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 1 – Diego Rodríguez Porcelos founds and repopulates Burgos....
, Cui died. The imperial official Lu Shenzhong (路審中), whom the imperial government had commissioned the prefect of Hang Prefecture (杭州, 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...
), had been refused entry by the warlord 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...
, who occupied the region; he therefore took up residence at Wuchang's Huang Prefecture (黃州, in modern Wuhan). Upon hearing news of Cui's death, he conscripted 3,000 soldiers and entered E Prefecture, taking it over. Thereafter, Du expelled the prefect of Yue Prefecture (岳州, in modern Yueyang
Yueyang
Yueyang is a prefecture-level city at the northeastern corner of Hunan province, South Central China, on the southern shores of Dongting Lake.The Yueyang metropolitan area occupies 14,896 km². and the city proper occupies 304 km²...
, 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...
) and took it over himself, claiming the title of prefect.
In 886, the agrarian rebel Zhou Tong (周通) attacked E Prefecture. Lu abandoned E and fled. Du took the chance to enter E and claimed the title of acting military governor of Wuchang, a title that Emperor Xizong thereafter confirmed.
Rule of Wuchang Circuit
It was said that while Du Hong received the commission from the imperial government, he became an ally of the warlord Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern KaifengKaifeng
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...
) and cut off the tribute routes between the southeastern circuits not allied with Zhu and 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...
.
In 894, Wu Tao (吳討) the prefect of Huang Prefecture submitted to a chief rival of Zhu's, 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 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...
). In response, Du attacked Wu, and Wu, while Yang sent his brother-in-law Zhu Yanshou
Zhu Yanshou
Zhu Yanshou was an officer under, and the brother-in-law of, the major warlord Yang Xingmi the military governor of Huainan Circuit late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
to aid Wu, was still fearful of Du's attack, and therefore surrendered his post completely to Yang. Yang sent his officer Qu Zhang (瞿章) to take over Huang Prefecture and defend against Du.
Fearing Yang's expansion, in 896, Du, along with Qian Liu (then the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered at Hang Prefecture)) and Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan
Zhong Chuan , formally the Prince of Nanping , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled a large portion of Zhennan Circuit as its military governor for over 20 years.- Background and seizure of Jiangxi :It is not known when Zhong Chuan was...
the military governor of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchong
Nanchong
Nanchong is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of Sichuan Province of the People's Republic of China, with an area of 12,479 kilometers. and the home to 7,300,000 people. It has the second most populated area and suggested to be one of the eight largest cities of Sichuan Province...
, 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...
), all sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu Quanzhong sent his adoptive son Zhu Yougong (朱友恭) south to try to determine what he could do, but Zhu Yougong appeared to not venture far.
In 897, under order by 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...
, Yang attacked Du, and Du sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu Quanzhong sent Nie Jin (聶金) to raid Huainan's Si Prefecture (泗州, in modern Huai'an
Huai'an
Huai'an , known as Huaiyin before 2001, is a prefecture-level city in northern Jiangsu province of Eastern China. It borders Suqian to the northwest, Lianyungang to the north, Yancheng to the east, Yangzhou to the southeast, and the province of Anhui to the southwest.The municipality has 4,799,889...
, 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...
) and sent Zhu Yougong to attack Huang Prefecture. Qu abandoned Huang and took his army and people south to Wuchang Base (武昌寨, in modern Ezhou
Ezhou
-Geography and climate:Ezhou is located in southeastern Hubei province, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River east of Wuchang , and across the river from the city of Huanggang, to which it is connected by the Ehuang Bridge...
, 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...
). Zhu Yougong subsequently captured Wuchang Base, took Qu captive, and captured Huang Prefecture. The Huainan forces that Yang sent to aid Qu were all repelled. A subsequent major attack by Zhu Quanzhong on Huainan was decisively repelled by Yang and his general Zhu Jin
Zhu Jin
Zhu Jin was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who would later be a major general of the Wu state during the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period...
, however, and it was said that thereafter Zhu no longer had the strength to consider a major attack on Huainan.
In 903, Yang sent his officer Li Shenfu (李神福), with Liu You (劉有) as Li's deputy, to again attack Du. Li first attack E Prefecture's Yongxing County (永興, in modern Huanggang
Huanggang
Huanggang is a city in Hubei, China.Huanggang may also refer to:* Huanggang, Shenzhen, area in Shenzhen, China* Huanggang, Funan County, town in Anhui, China...
, 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...
) and captured it. He then put E Prefecture under siege, and Du sought aid from Zhu Quanzhong. Zhu sent his officer Han Qing (韓勍) with 10,000 men to Shekou (灄口, in modern Wuhan), and also sent messengers to Cheng Rui
Cheng Rui
Cheng Rui , adoptive name Guo Yu , formally the Prince of Shanggu , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who ruled Jingnan Circuit from 888 to 903, when he was defeated in battle and committed suicide...
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
, 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...
), Ma Yin
Ma Yin
Ma Yin , courtesy name Batu , formally King Wumu of Chu , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who became the first ruler of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Chu and the only one who carried the title of "king." He initially took control of the Changsha region in...
the military governor of Wu'an Circuit (武安, 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...
), and Lei Yanwei the military governor of Wuzhen Circuit (武貞, headquartered in modern Changde
Changde
Changde is a city in the north of Hunan Province, China, with a population of 5,717,218 inhabitants at the 2010 census whom 1,232,182 in the built up area made of 2 urban districts .-History:...
, 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...
), trying to persuade them to save Du. Cheng, who feared Zhu's strength and also wanted to expand his own territory, launched a fleet to try to save Du, but after he left his capital Jing Prefecture (荊州), Ma and Lei jointly attacked Jing Prefecture, capturing it and pillaging its wealth and population. Hearing the news, the morale of Cheng's soldiers failed, and Li subsequently engaged him and decisively defeated him. Cheng committed suicide by drowning, and Han withdrew, leaving Du with no aid. Du was only subsequently saved when Li was also forced to withdraw when Yang's subordinates Tian Jun
Tian Jun
Tian Jun is a male Chinese rower, who competed for Team China at the 2008 Summer Olympics.-Major performances:*2006 World Championships - 1st lightweight fours;*2007 World Cup Leg 1/2 - 1st lightweight fours;...
the military governor of Ningguo Circuit (寧國, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
Xuancheng
Xuancheng is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui province of Eastern China. It borders Wuhu to the northwest, Chizhou to the west, Huangshan to the southwest, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the southeast and northeast respectively....
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
) and An Renyi (安仁義) the military prefect of Run Prefecture (潤州, in modern Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Jiangsu province in the eastern People's Republic of China . Sitting on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north.Once...
, 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...
) rebelled against Yang, requiring Li to engage Tian instead.
Defeat and death
In 904, with Yang Xingmi's having crushed Tian Jun's rebellion, he again sent Li Shenfu to attack Wuchang. Zhu Quanzhong, who had then seized control of Emperor Zhaozong and forcibly moved the capital and the emperor from Chang'an to LuoyangLuoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, sent messengers to Yang, seeking to intercede on Du Hong's behalf, and Yang responded, "I will do so and rebuild my relationship with you if the Son of Heaven were restored to Chang'an." Later in 904, when Li fell ill (and later died), Yang sent Liu Cun (劉存) to replace Li and continued the siege. In spring 905, Zhu sent Cao Yanzuo (曹延祚) to help Du defend the city, but Liu soon captured the city and took Du and Cao captive, delivering them to Yang Xingmi at Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture (揚州). When Yang questioned Du why he did not surrender, Du responded, "I could not betray Lord Zhu." Yang then executed him and Cao. After Zhu usurped the Tang throne and established Later Liang Dynasty
Later Liang Dynasty
The Later Liang was one of the Five Dynasties during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. It was founded by Zhu Wen, posthumously known as Taizu of Later Liang, after he forced the last emperor of the Tang dynasty to abdicate in his favour...
as its emperor, he posthumously honored Du.