Zhu Mei
Encyclopedia
Zhu Mei (died January 7, 887) was a warlord of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
. Disillusioned with Emperor Xizong
and the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
, he tried to support Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor, but was soon thereafter killed by his own officer Wang Xingyu
.
and the New Book of Tang
indicated that he was from Bin Prefecture (邠州, in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
), the capital of Binning Circuit (邠寧). The Book of Tang further indicated that when he was young, he served in the Tang Dynasty
border army and eventually became a prefectural prefect, while the New Book of Tang indicated that he served as an army officer at a prefecture (implying that it was Bin Prefecture). There were records of an officer named Zhu Mei who served at Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
), who, as of 879
, was serving under the military governor (Jiedushi
) Li Kan (李侃), who was ordered by Li Kan to arrest and kill soldiers who had previously been under the executed officer He Gongya (賀公雅) who, after He Gongya's death, were creating disturbances in the Hedong capital Taiyuan Municipality, claiming to be trying to allege He Gongya. That Zhu Mei was later, in late 880
, under the command of the military governor Zheng Congdang
, given the command of Hedong soldiers (along with Zhuge Shuang
) and ordered to aid the imperial capital Chang'an
, then under the impending attacks by the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
. It is not completely clear that this referred to the same Zhu Mei here.
In any case, as of summer 881
, Zhu Mei was serving as the defender of Tongsai (通塞, in modern Xianyang), when Huang, who had by that point captured Chang'an (forcing the Tang Emperor Xizong
to flee to Chengdu
) and declared himself emperor of a new state of Qi, sent his general Wang Mei (王玫) to Binning to serve as its military governor. Zhu attacked and killed Wang, and then, yielding the military governor position to another officer, Li Chonggu (李重古), took his forces toward Chang'an, ready to attack Huang in coordination with other Tang generals Tang Hongfu (唐弘夫), Wang Chongrong
, Wang Chucun
, Tuoba Sigong
, and Zheng Tian
. After joint Tang forces briefly recaptured Chang'an but then were forced to abandon it again in light of a major defeat at the hands of Qi forces, Zhu, who by that point carried the title of deputy military governor of Binning, stationed his own troops at Xingping (興平, in modern Xianyang). The Qi general Wang Bo (王播) put Xingping under siege, and Zhu retreated to Fengtian (奉天, in modern Xianyang) and Longwei Slope (龍尾陂, in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
).
. After joint Tang forces recaptured Chang'an in spring 883
, Emperor Xizong bestowed on him the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). In 884
, Emperor Xizong, apparently to commemorate the contributions of the Binning soldiers, renamed the circuit Jingnan (靜難, meaning "disaster-quieting").
In 885
, by which time Emperor Xizong had returned to Chang'an, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
became embroiled in a dispute with Wang Chongrong, then the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) over Tian's attempt to seize control of salt ponds at Hezhong from Wang. Tian tried to neutralize Wang by transferring him to Taining Circuit (泰寧, headquartered in modern Jining
, Shandong
), but Wang refused, and Wang and his ally Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong prepared to resist. Tian, in turn, allied himself with Zhu and Li Changfu
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji). Zhu, in order to further instigate Emperor Xizong into ordering a campaign against Li Keyong, several times sent covert operatives into Chang'an to set fire to imperial storages or to assassinate Emperor Xizong's attendants, to blame this on Li Keyong. Tian thereafter gathered his own forces (the imperial Shence Armies (神策軍)) and rendezvoused with Zhu and Li Changfu. They engaged those of Li Keyong and Wang, but around the new year 886
were crushed by Li Keyong and Wang. Li Keyong then approached Chang'an, causing Tian to take Emperor Xizong to first flee to Fengxiang, and then to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
).
summoned Zhu Mei and his troops to Fengxiang, but when Zhu arrived at Fengxiang with 5,000 soldiers, Emperor Xizong had already fled. Zhu and Li Changfu, turning against Tian, launched troops to try to chase down Emperor Xizong and Tian, but even though they initially had successes against Tian's troops, they were unable to catch up with Emperor Xizong and Tian. Zhu, however, captured Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
the Prince of Xiang; he took Li Yun and returned to Fengxiang.
Zhu, concluding that Emperor Xizong could never be pried away from Tian's influence, resolved to support a new emperor, with Li Changfu's concurrence. He tried to get Xiao to cooperate with him. However, he was able to force the other imperial officials into supporting Li Yun as regent
. Zhu had himself named the commander of the imperial guards, and subsequently accompanied Li Yun back to Chang'an. The chancellor Pei Che
remained chancellor, while Zheng Changtu
was also made chancellor to replace Xiao. Once Zhu and Li Yun arrived at Chang'an, Zhu had Li Yun bestow him the chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中, the head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng)), as well as making him the director of the salt and iron monopolies. It was said that some 60-70% of the regional governors agreed to support Li Yun as emperor. Li Changfu, however, angry that Zhu made himself chancellor and did not grant Li Changfu the same honors, refused to support Li Yun and instead resubmitted to Emperor Xizong. Wang Chongrong and Li Keyong also submitted petitions pledging allegiance to Emperor Xizong, despite Zhu's attempts to win them over. Li Yun nevertheless claimed the imperial title in winter 886, and honored Emperor Xizong as Taishang Huang
(retired emperor).
, with 50,000 soldiers, to try to attack Xingyuan to capture Emperor Xizong. However, although Wang was initially able to defeat Tian's subordinate Yang Sheng (楊晟), he was subsequently repelled by Man Cun (滿存), and was unable to advance. He thus became fearful that Zhu would punish him for his failures. Further, the eunuch Yang Fugong
, who had succeeded Tian by this point (as Tian had fled to Chengdu to be under the protection of his brother Chen Jingxuan
the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu)), issued a declaration that anyone who killed Zhu would be given Jingnan Circuit. Wang therefore decided to turn against Zhu. Around the new year 887
, he returned to Chang'an without first receiving permission from Zhu. Zhu, in anger, summoned him, stating, "You returned without permission. Are you planning to commit treason?" Wang responded, "I am not committing treason. I am trying to capture the treasonous Zhu Mei!" He seized Zhu and executed him. Pei Che and Zheng Changtu escorted Li Yun and fled to Hezhong, hoping that Wang Chongrong would protect them, but Wang Chongrong instead executed Li Yun and arrested Pei and Zheng. Both Zhu's and Li Yun's heads were delivered to Xingyuan and presented to Emperor Xizong.
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...
. Disillusioned with 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...
and the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi , courtesy name Zhongze , formally the Duke of Jin , was a powerful eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang...
, he tried to support Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor, but was soon thereafter killed by his own officer Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
.
Background
It is not known when Zhu Mei was born. Both his biography in the Book of TangBook of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
and the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
indicated that he was from Bin Prefecture (邠州, in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), the capital of Binning Circuit (邠寧). The Book of Tang further indicated that when he was young, he served in the 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...
border army and eventually became a prefectural prefect, while the New Book of Tang indicated that he served as an army officer at a prefecture (implying that it was Bin Prefecture). There were records of an officer named Zhu Mei who served at 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....
), who, as of 879
879
Year 879 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pope John VIII recognizes the Duchy of Croatia as an independent state....
, was serving under 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...
) Li Kan (李侃), who was ordered by Li Kan to arrest and kill soldiers who had previously been under the executed officer He Gongya (賀公雅) who, after He Gongya's death, were creating disturbances in the Hedong capital Taiyuan Municipality, claiming to be trying to allege He Gongya. That Zhu Mei was later, in late 880
880
Year 880 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* Pope John VIII issues the bull Industriae Tuae, creating an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Saint Methodius as its head...
, under the command of the military governor Zheng Congdang
Zheng Congdang
Zheng Congdang , courtesy name Zhengqiu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, twice serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.-Background and early career:...
, given the command of Hedong soldiers (along with Zhuge Shuang
Zhuge Shuang
Zhuge Shuang was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Heyang Circuit for some time and who vacillated between allegiance to Tang and to the Qi state of the agrarian rebel Huang Chao.- Background and early career :It is not known when Zhuge Shuang was born, but it is...
) and ordered to aid 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...
, then under the impending attacks by the major 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...
. It is not completely clear that this referred to the same Zhu Mei here.
In any case, as of summer 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....
, Zhu Mei was serving as the defender of Tongsai (通塞, in modern Xianyang), when Huang, who had by that point captured Chang'an (forcing the Tang 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...
to flee to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
) and declared himself emperor of a new state of Qi, sent his general Wang Mei (王玫) to Binning to serve as its military governor. Zhu attacked and killed Wang, and then, yielding the military governor position to another officer, Li Chonggu (李重古), took his forces toward Chang'an, ready to attack Huang in coordination with other Tang generals Tang Hongfu (唐弘夫), Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong , formally the Prince of Langye , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Hezhong Circuit...
, Wang Chucun
Wang Chucun
Wang Chucun was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Yiwu Circuit in late Tang. He was one of the main contributors in Tang's eventual defeat of the agrarian rebel Huang Chao....
, Tuoba Sigong
Li Sigong
Li Sigong , né Tuoba Sigong , formally the Duke of Xia , was an ethnically-Dangxiang warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, for his contributions against the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao, was allowed to retain Dingnan Circuit as its military governor...
, and Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian , courtesy name Taiwen , formally Duke Wenzhao of Xingyang , was a chancellor of late Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong...
. After joint Tang forces briefly recaptured Chang'an but then were forced to abandon it again in light of a major defeat at the hands of Qi forces, Zhu, who by that point carried the title of deputy military governor of Binning, stationed his own troops at Xingping (興平, in modern Xianyang). The Qi general Wang Bo (王播) put Xingping under siege, and Zhu retreated to Fengtian (奉天, in modern Xianyang) and Longwei Slope (龍尾陂, in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
).
As military governor of Binning/Jingnan
In fall 881, Zhu Mei was made Binning's military governor, and, yet later in the year, was made the commander of the Tang forces south of the Wei RiverWei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
. After joint Tang forces recaptured Chang'an 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....
, Emperor Xizong bestowed on him the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). 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....
, Emperor Xizong, apparently to commemorate the contributions of the Binning soldiers, renamed the circuit Jingnan (靜難, meaning "disaster-quieting").
In 885
885
Year 885 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings besiege Paris.* Godfrith, the Sea King is killed in Lobith...
, by which time Emperor Xizong had returned to Chang'an, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi , courtesy name Zhongze , formally the Duke of Jin , was a powerful eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang...
became embroiled in a dispute with Wang Chongrong, then the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) over Tian's attempt to seize control of salt ponds at Hezhong from Wang. Tian tried to neutralize Wang by transferring him to Taining Circuit (泰寧, headquartered in modern Jining
Jining, Shandong
Jining is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Heze to the southwest, Zaozhuang to the southeast, Tai'an to the northeast, and the provinces of Henan and Jiangsu to the northwest and south respectively...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), but Wang refused, and Wang and his ally 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...
the military governor of Hedong prepared to resist. Tian, in turn, allied himself with Zhu and Li Changfu
Li Changfu
Li Changfu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Fengxiang Circuit from 884 to 887...
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji). Zhu, in order to further instigate Emperor Xizong into ordering a campaign against Li Keyong, several times sent covert operatives into Chang'an to set fire to imperial storages or to assassinate Emperor Xizong's attendants, to blame this on Li Keyong. Tian thereafter gathered his own forces (the imperial Shence Armies (神策軍)) and rendezvoused with Zhu and Li Changfu. They engaged those of Li Keyong and Wang, but around the new year 886
886
Year 886 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :...
were crushed by Li Keyong and Wang. Li Keyong then approached Chang'an, causing Tian to take Emperor Xizong to first flee to Fengxiang, and then to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
).
Support of Li Yun as emperor
Most imperial officials accompanied Emperor Xizong to Fengxiang, but did not follow him to Xingyuan when Tian Lingzi took him there. While Emperor Xizong was still at Fengxiang, apparently to try to pry him from Tian's influence, the chancellor Xiao GouXiao Gou
Xiao Gou , courtesy name Desheng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong. He was later forced to accept a commission from the pretender Li Yun and, after Li Yun's defeat and death, was forced to commit suicide.- Background...
summoned Zhu Mei and his troops to Fengxiang, but when Zhu arrived at Fengxiang with 5,000 soldiers, Emperor Xizong had already fled. Zhu and Li Changfu, turning against Tian, launched troops to try to chase down Emperor Xizong and Tian, but even though they initially had successes against Tian's troops, they were unable to catch up with Emperor Xizong and Tian. Zhu, however, captured Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
the Prince of Xiang; he took Li Yun and returned to Fengxiang.
Zhu, concluding that Emperor Xizong could never be pried away from Tian's influence, resolved to support a new emperor, with Li Changfu's concurrence. He tried to get Xiao to cooperate with him. However, he was able to force the other imperial officials into supporting Li Yun as regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
. Zhu had himself named the commander of the imperial guards, and subsequently accompanied Li Yun back to Chang'an. The chancellor Pei Che
Pei Che
Pei Che , courtesy name Shenyuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and the pretender to the throne Li Yun. After Li Yun was defeated and executed, Pei was also executed for his service under Li Yun.- Background :It...
remained chancellor, while Zheng Changtu
Zheng Changtu
Zheng Changtu , courtesy name Guangye , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He served as a chancellor in the administration of the pretender Li Yun, who claimed the throne in competition with Emperor Xizong...
was also made chancellor to replace Xiao. Once Zhu and Li Yun arrived at Chang'an, Zhu had Li Yun bestow him the chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中, the head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng)), as well as making him the director of the salt and iron monopolies. It was said that some 60-70% of the regional governors agreed to support Li Yun as emperor. Li Changfu, however, angry that Zhu made himself chancellor and did not grant Li Changfu the same honors, refused to support Li Yun and instead resubmitted to Emperor Xizong. Wang Chongrong and Li Keyong also submitted petitions pledging allegiance to Emperor Xizong, despite Zhu's attempts to win them over. Li Yun nevertheless claimed the imperial title in winter 886, and honored Emperor Xizong as Taishang Huang
Taishang Huang
Retired Emperor, Grand Emperor, or Emperor Emeritus is a title occasionally used throughout East Asian feudal regimes for former emperors who had abdicated voluntarily to their sons. This title appeared in the history of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam...
(retired emperor).
Death
Zhu Mei subsequently sent his officer Wang XingyuWang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
, with 50,000 soldiers, to try to attack Xingyuan to capture Emperor Xizong. However, although Wang was initially able to defeat Tian's subordinate Yang Sheng (楊晟), he was subsequently repelled by Man Cun (滿存), and was unable to advance. He thus became fearful that Zhu would punish him for his failures. Further, the eunuch Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong , courtesy name Zike , formally the Duke of Wei , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, playing key roles in the imperial administrations of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
, who had succeeded Tian by this point (as Tian had fled to Chengdu to be under the protection of his brother Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese...
the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu)), issued a declaration that anyone who killed Zhu would be given Jingnan Circuit. Wang therefore decided to turn against Zhu. Around the new year 887
887
Year 887 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The city of Toledo rises against the Umayyad leader....
, he returned to Chang'an without first receiving permission from Zhu. Zhu, in anger, summoned him, stating, "You returned without permission. Are you planning to commit treason?" Wang responded, "I am not committing treason. I am trying to capture the treasonous Zhu Mei!" He seized Zhu and executed him. Pei Che and Zheng Changtu escorted Li Yun and fled to Hezhong, hoping that Wang Chongrong would protect them, but Wang Chongrong instead executed Li Yun and arrested Pei and Zheng. Both Zhu's and Li Yun's heads were delivered to Xingyuan and presented to Emperor Xizong.