Liu Min (895–954), originally named Liu Chong (劉崇), was the founder of the Northern Han

Northern Han

The Northern Han kingdom is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min , formerly known as Liu Chong , and lasted from 951 – 979.-Founding of the Northern Han:...

 kingdom of China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms was between 907–960/979 AD and an era of political upheaval in China, between the fall of the Tang Dynasty and the founding of the Song Dynasty. During this period, five dynasties quickly succeeded one another in the north, and more than 12 independent states were...

, traditionally dated from 907 to 960. Liu was a Shatuo Turk.

Formation of the Northern Han

Liu Min was the brother of Liu Zhiyuan, the founder of the Later Han Dynasty

Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)

The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...

, which was the last of three successive Shatuo Turk dynasty. The Later Han Dynasty

Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)

The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...

 fell in 950 with the rise of the Later Zhou Dynasty

Later Zhou Dynasty

The Later Zhou Dynasty was the last a succession of five dynasties that controlled most of northern China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, which lasted from 907 to 960 and bridged the gap between the Tang Dynasty and the Song Dynasty.-Founding of the Dynasty:Guo Wei, a Han...

. Liu Min declared himself the legitimate successor of the Later Han Dynasty

Later Han Dynasty (Five Dynasties)

The Later Han Dynasty was founded in 947. It was the fourth of the Five Dynasties and the third consecutive Shatuo Turk dynasty...

, and formed the Northern Han

Northern Han

The Northern Han kingdom is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min , formerly known as Liu Chong , and lasted from 951 – 979.-Founding of the Northern Han:...

 (sometimes called Eastern Han) kingdom in Shanxi

Shanxi

' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....

, the traditional power base of the Shatuo Turks.

Relations with neighbors

The kingdom was wedged between its two larger, more powerful neighbors, the 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...

 to the south, and the Khitan Liao Dynasty

Liao Dynasty

The Liao Dynasty , also known as the Khitan Empire was an empire in East Asia that ruled over the regions of Manchuria, Mongolia, and parts of northern China proper between 9071125...

 to the north. Liu Min restored traditional ties with the Khitans, who served as protectors to the Northern Han

Northern Han

The Northern Han kingdom is a state of the Ten Kingdoms in the Period of Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. It was founded by Liu Min , formerly known as Liu Chong , and lasted from 951 – 979.-Founding of the Northern Han:...

 Kingdom, allowing it to last later than any of the other kingdoms traditionally listed as one of the Ten Kingdoms