Zhao Chou
Encyclopedia
Zhao Chou (824-889) was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, whose power base was at Chen Prefecture (陳州, in modern Zhumadian
, Henan
). He was a reliable ally of Zhu Quanzhong the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), and his son Zhao Yan, who became a son-in-law of Zhu's and an official of Later Liang Dynasty
after Zhu established the new dynasty.
, during the reign of Emperor Jingzong
. His ancestors had originally been from Tianshui
, but by Zhao Chou's time had served for three generations as army officers at Chen Prefecture. His great-grandfather was named Zhao Bin (趙賓); his grandfather was named Zhao Yingqi (趙英奇); and his father was named Zhao Shuwen (趙叔文). It was said that Zhao Chou was strong in his youth. When Zhao Shuwen served on the campaign against the rebel warlord Liu Zhen
of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
) during the reign of Emperor Jingzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
, Zhao Chou served under him with distinction, and subsequently was given an officer position in the army of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, then headquartered in modern Xuchang
, Henan
), which Chen Prefecture belonged to.
During the subsequent reign of Emperor Xizong
, the Tang realm was thrown into chaos due to agrarian rebellions. Zhao Chou again served with distinction on a campaign against the agrarian rebel Wang Xianzhi
. However, the region was thrown into even more complete chaos after the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
captured the imperial capital Chang'an
around the new year 881
, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee to Chengdu
. It was said that the soldiers at Chen wanted Zhao to be their commander, and so they submitted a request to the military governor of Zhongwu; after the military governor relayed their request to Emperor Xizong, Emperor Xizong commissioned Zhao as the prefect of Chen.
(about 30 kilometers) to move into the city. He divided his soldiers and had his brothers Zhao Chang (趙昶) and Zhao Xu (趙珝), as well as his sons Zhao Lu (趙麓) and Zhao Lin command them.
In spring 883
, Huang, under the pressure of the Tang general Li Keyong
, abandoned Chang'an and fled east. He initially attacked Tang's Fengguo Circuit (奉國, headquartered at Cai Prefecture (蔡州), also in modern Zhumadian); the military governor of Fengguo Circuit, Qin Zongquan, submitted to Huang and joined his forces to Huang's. Huang then sent his general Meng Kai (孟楷) to attack Chen Prefecture. Zhao Chou initially feigned weakness to draw Meng in, and then ambushed Meng, killing him. Huang, angry over Meng's death, put Chen under siege for months, but could not capture it, and during the siege, Zhao made repeated surprise attacks against Huang's army. He also sought aid from the nearby military governors; among those, Zhou Ji
the military governor of Zhongwu, Shi Pu
the military goernor of Ganhua Circuit (感化, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
), and Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu all sent aid. However, they were all unable to lift the siege that Huang's army was putting on Chen. Fearing the strength of Huang's army, they sought aid from Li Keyong, who had by then been made the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
). Li Keyong crossed the Yellow River
south and engaged Huang's army. Fearing Li Keyong's strength, Huang lifted the siege on Chen after some 300 days, in summer 884
.
In 888
, after Zhu repeatedly defeated Qin, Qin's own subordinates overthrew him and delivered him to Zhu, who delivered him to Chang'an to be executed. After Qin's defeat, Emperor Xizong bestowed the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事) on Zhao and also made him the military governor of Zhongwu, moving the capital from Xu Prefecture to Chen.
By that time, however, Zhao was very ill. He entrusted the matters of the circuit to his brother Zhao Chang and submitted a petition, seeking retirement. As a result, Emperor Xizong issued an edict making Zhao Chang the military governor of Zhongwu. Zhao Chou died soon thereafter.
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...
, whose power base was at Chen Prefecture (陳州, in modern Zhumadian
Zhumadian
Zhumadian is a prefecture-level city in southern Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders Xinyang to the south, Nanyang to the west, Pingdingshan to the northwest, Luohe to the north, Zhoukou to the northeast, and the province of Anhui to the east.Its population is 7,230,744 at the...
, 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...
). He was a reliable ally of Zhu Quanzhong the military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
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 his son Zhao Yan, who became a son-in-law of Zhu's and an official of 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...
after Zhu established the new dynasty.
Background
Zhao Chou was born in 824824
Year 824 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Third Battle of Roncevaux Pass: The Basques and Banu Qasi defeat counts Eblo and Aznar, Frankish vassals....
, during the reign of Emperor Jingzong
Emperor Jingzong of Tang
Emperor Jingzong of Tang , personal name Li Zhan , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 824 to 827...
. His ancestors had originally been from Tianshui
Tianshui
Tianshui is the second largest city in Gansu province in northwest China. Its population is approximately 3,500,000.Tianshui lies along the route of the ancient Northern Silk Road at the Wei River, through which much of trade occurred between China and the west...
, but by Zhao Chou's time had served for three generations as army officers at Chen Prefecture. His great-grandfather was named Zhao Bin (趙賓); his grandfather was named Zhao Yingqi (趙英奇); and his father was named Zhao Shuwen (趙叔文). It was said that Zhao Chou was strong in his youth. When Zhao Shuwen served on the campaign against the rebel warlord Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen was the son of Liu Sheng, and the grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. According to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Zhen was granted the title of Ting Marquis of Lucheng by the Emperor Wu of Han...
of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, 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....
) during the reign of Emperor Jingzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
, Zhao Chou served under him with distinction, and subsequently was given an officer position in the army of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, then headquartered in modern Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
, 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...
), which Chen Prefecture belonged to.
During the subsequent reign of Emperor Xizong
Emperor 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...
, the Tang realm was thrown into chaos due to agrarian rebellions. Zhao Chou again served with distinction on a campaign against the agrarian rebel Wang Xianzhi
Wang Xianzhi
Wang Xianzhi , courtesy name Zijing , was a famous Chinese calligrapher of the Eastern Jin.He was the seventh and youngest son of the famed Wang Xizhi. Wang inherited his father's talent for the art, although his siblings were all notable calligraphers. His style is more fluid than his father's,...
. However, the region was thrown into even more complete chaos after the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
captured 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...
around the new year 881
881
Year 881 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Charles the Fat is crowned Western Emperor.* Battle of Saucourt-en-Vimeu: Louis III of France routs Norman pirates....
, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
. It was said that the soldiers at Chen wanted Zhao to be their commander, and so they submitted a request to the military governor of Zhongwu; after the military governor relayed their request to Emperor Xizong, Emperor Xizong commissioned Zhao as the prefect of Chen.
Defense of Chen Prefecture against Huang Chao
Meanwhile, as the Tang generals began to gather their forces to force Huang Chao out of Chang'an, Zhao Chou began to anticipate the likelihood that Huang, who had by that point claimed the title of Emperor of Qi but who was suffering defeats at Tang generals' hands, would abandon Chang'an and head east, particularly since Huang bore particular resentment to Zhongwu Circuit due to the prior engagements that he had with the Zhongwu army. In preparation, he repaired the city walls and stored excess food supplies, and ordered the people living within 60 liLi (unit)
The li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, which has varied considerably over time but now has a standardized length of 500 meters or half a kilometer...
(about 30 kilometers) to move into the city. He divided his soldiers and had his brothers Zhao Chang (趙昶) and Zhao Xu (趙珝), as well as his sons Zhao Lu (趙麓) and Zhao Lin command them.
In spring 883
883
Year 883 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Oldest known mention of the city of Duisburg.* Monte Cassino is sacked and burned down by the Saracens....
, Huang, under the pressure of the Tang general Li Keyong
Li Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
, abandoned Chang'an and fled east. He initially attacked Tang's Fengguo Circuit (奉國, headquartered at Cai Prefecture (蔡州), also in modern Zhumadian); the military governor of Fengguo Circuit, Qin Zongquan, submitted to Huang and joined his forces to Huang's. Huang then sent his general Meng Kai (孟楷) to attack Chen Prefecture. Zhao Chou initially feigned weakness to draw Meng in, and then ambushed Meng, killing him. Huang, angry over Meng's death, put Chen under siege for months, but could not capture it, and during the siege, Zhao made repeated surprise attacks against Huang's army. He also sought aid from the nearby military governors; among those, Zhou Ji
Zhou Ji (Tang Dynasty)
Zhou Ji was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who seized control of Zhongwu Circuit in 880, briefly submitted to the agrarian rebel Huang Chao's new state of Qi, and later returned the Tang fold, controlling Zhongwu until he was forced to abandon it in 884 due to an attack by Lu...
the military governor of Zhongwu, Shi Pu
Shi Pu
Shi Pu , formally the Prince of Julu , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Ganhua Circuit as its military governor...
the military goernor of Ganhua Circuit (感化, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
, 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 Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu all sent aid. However, they were all unable to lift the siege that Huang's army was putting on Chen. Fearing the strength of Huang's army, they sought aid from Li Keyong, who had by then been made the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, 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....
). Li Keyong crossed the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
south and engaged Huang's army. Fearing Li Keyong's strength, Huang lifted the siege on Chen after some 300 days, in summer 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....
.
Defense of Chen Prefecture against Qin Zongquan
However, after Huang Chao's subsequent death, Qin Zongquan did not resubmit to Tang authority; rather, he began pillaging some 20 prefectures around his circuit, and would eventually declare himself emperor of a new state. Despite Chen's military weakness by that point, Zhao Chou held out against Qin, and Qin could not capture Chen. For Zhao's accomplishments, Emperor Xizong gave him the title of military governor of Fengguo. As Zhu Quanzhong repeatedly sent him aid, Zhao became a close ally of Zhu's, and did whatever Zhu asked of him; he also had his son Zhao Lin (whose name was changed to Zhao Yan by this point) marry one of Zhu's daughters (the future Princess Changle) to cement the alliance.In 888
888
Year 888 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 13 – With the death of Charles the Fat, the Frankish kingdom is split again, and this time permanently...
, after Zhu repeatedly defeated Qin, Qin's own subordinates overthrew him and delivered him to Zhu, who delivered him to Chang'an to be executed. After Qin's defeat, Emperor Xizong bestowed the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事) on Zhao and also made him the military governor of Zhongwu, moving the capital from Xu Prefecture to Chen.
By that time, however, Zhao was very ill. He entrusted the matters of the circuit to his brother Zhao Chang and submitted a petition, seeking retirement. As a result, Emperor Xizong issued an edict making Zhao Chang the military governor of Zhongwu. Zhao Chou died soon thereafter.