A Kingdom Built on Brutality

The Later Han dynasty (947-950) emerged from the ashes of the Khitan-led Liao dynasty’s brief occupation of northern China. Its founder Liu Zhiyuan, a Shatuo Turk military governor, established his rule through sheer military force. However, the regime he created would become infamous for its extraordinary cruelty – a characteristic that would ultimately lead to its dramatic downfall.

Liu Zhiyuan’s death in 948 left the throne to his teenage son Liu Chengyou, with power effectively held by a regency council of five ruthless military commanders. This group included Yang Bin as Chief Councilor, Guo Wei as Military Commissioner, Shi Hongzhao as Capital Garrison Commander, Su Fengji as Chancellor, and Wang Zhang as Finance Commissioner. Together, they ruled through terror, establishing what might be considered one of the most brutal regimes in Chinese history.

The Reign of Terror

The regents governed through systematic violence that shocked even by the standards of the warlord-dominated Five Dynasties period. Shi Hongzhao, responsible for capital security, implemented draconian measures where even minor infractions brought immediate execution. Historical records describe how:

– Merchants could be executed and their property confiscated based on unverified accusations
– Civilians looking at astronomical phenomena were killed for “illegally observing celestial signs”
– Soldiers could execute any civilian accused of insulting them without trial
– The finance minister Wang Zhang imposed crushing taxes, including a 20% surcharge on grain taxes called “bird and rodent wastage”

This climate of fear extended to the imperial family itself. When the young emperor sought to promote relatives or favorites, the regents repeatedly blocked him. The breaking point came when the emperor tried to reward musicians, only to have Shi Hongzhao publicly humiliate him, declaring: “Your Majesty should remain silent! Leave governance to us!”

The Emperor’s Fatal Gamble

In November 950, after nearly three years of humiliation, 20-year-old Liu Chengyou struck back. In a carefully planned coup:

1. He had Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao and Wang Zhang assassinated during morning court
2. Ordered the extermination of their families and associates
3. Personally reassured military officers that he would now protect them from the regents’ tyranny

The purge missed one critical figure – Guo Wei, who was away commanding the powerful Tianxiong Army at Yedu. This oversight would prove fatal. When the emperor sent secret orders to have Guo Wei killed, the messengers betrayed him, warning Guo instead.

Guo Wei’s Revolt and the Fall of Later Han

Guo Wei’s response followed a now-familiar pattern of mutiny in the Five Dynasties:

1. He feigned reluctance while allowing troops to “force” him into rebellion
2. His army marched south toward the capital Kaifeng
3. Imperial forces defected or were defeated at the Battle of Liuzipo
4. The emperor fled but was killed by his own guards on November 22, 950

In the aftermath, Kaifeng endured days of looting before Guo Wei restored order. Showing remarkable restraint for the era, he:

– Arranged proper burial for the slain emperor
– Spared the families of those who massacred his own family
– Initially supported installing Liu Yun (son of Liu Chong) as emperor to maintain legitimacy

The Yellow Robe Revolution

While maintaining the pretense of serving the Han dynasty, Guo Wei consolidated power:

1. He had himself appointed Regent in December 950
2. When northern border threats emerged, he led troops north – but marched slowly
3. At Chanzhou on January 1, 951, soldiers “spontaneously” proclaimed him emperor, draping a yellow banner over him as imperial robe
4. Officials quickly ratified the coup, and on February 13, 951, Guo Wei formally ascended the throne, establishing the Later Zhou dynasty

Reforming a Brutal Age

Guo Wei’s reign (951-954) marked a dramatic departure from his predecessors:

1. Economic Reforms:
– Abolished excessive taxes like the “hanging耗” surcharge
– Ended the oppressive state monopoly on ox hides
– Distributed state-owned farmland to peasants as permanent holdings

2. Administrative Changes:
– Banned lavish tributes from regional governors
– Smashed extravagant palace treasures to demonstrate frugality
– Reformed harsh penal codes that had mandated execution for minor crimes

3. Military Consolidation:
– Neutralized potential rivals like Wang Jun and Wang Yin
– Established Kaifeng as the permanent capital
– Prepared for reunification by easing trade restrictions with southern states

Legacy of a Transitional Emperor

Guo Wei’s death in 954 marked the end of a remarkable three-year reign that:

1. Broke the cycle of extreme violence that had characterized the Five Dynasties
2. Established governance patterns that would define the Song dynasty
3. Positioned his adopted son Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong) to continue reunification
4. Modeled imperial restraint through his famous deathbed instructions for a simple burial

The Later Zhou, though short-lived, provided the institutional foundation for Song Taizu’s more enduring reunification. Guo Wei’s ability to temper the warlord politics of his age while maintaining military authority made him one of the most effective transitional rulers in Chinese history – the man who finally began steering China out of its century of fragmentation.