Jing Yanguang facts for kids

Jing Yanguang (born in 892, died January 28, 947) was an important general and official during a time in Chinese history called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He served the Later Jin state. He played a big part in helping the second Later Jin emperor, Shi Chonggui, take the throne. Because of this, Jing Yanguang became a very powerful advisor, known as a chancellor, early in Shi Chonggui's rule.

Jing Yanguang pushed for a tough approach against the Liao empire, which was a powerful neighbor to the north. This was a big change from the peaceful relationship the previous emperor, Shi Jingtang, had with Liao. The unfriendly relationship continued even after Jing Yanguang was no longer chancellor. Eventually, the Liao empire invaded and destroyed the Later Jin state. The Liao emperor captured Jing Yanguang, but Jing Yanguang chose to end his own life rather than be taken away.

Early Life and Beginnings

Jing Yanguang was born in 892. His family came from a place called Shan Prefecture (which is in modern Sanmenxia, Henan province). His father, Jing Jian, was a skilled archer and taught Jing Yanguang to be one too.

Serving Different Rulers

During the time of the Later Liang state, which came after the Tang Dynasty, Jing Yanguang started his career as an officer. He served under a prince named Zhu Youhui. Later, after Zhu Youhui got into trouble, Jing Yanguang had to flee.

He then joined the army under a commander named Yin Hao. Yin Hao was impressed with Jing Yanguang and recommended him for the imperial guard, which was a special army unit protecting the emperor. Jing Yanguang also fought under a famous general, Wang Yanzhang, against the army of Li Cunxu. Li Cunxu was the prince of Later Liang's main rival, Jin.

In a big battle, Wang Yanzhang's army was defeated, and Wang was captured. Jing Yanguang was badly hurt and also captured by Li Cunxu's army. Li Cunxu eventually took over the capital city, ending the Later Liang state.

Life During Later Tang

After the Later Liang state fell, Jing Yanguang continued to serve in the army. In 927, the emperor at the time was Li Siyuan. The local military governor in Jing Yanguang's area rebelled, but he was quickly defeated. Many officers, including Jing Yanguang, were going to be executed.

However, Shi Jingtang, who was the emperor's son-in-law, felt sorry for Jing Yanguang. He secretly let Jing Yanguang go and told him to escape. Later, Jing Yanguang came to serve Shi Jingtang as a "guest general."

Helping Shi Jingtang Become Emperor

In 936, Shi Jingtang rebelled against the emperor, Li Congke. The emperor sent an army to surround Shi Jingtang's capital city, Taiyuan. Jing Yanguang helped defend the city and did very well during the siege. The enemy army almost captured the city, but they never could.

Soon after, the Emperor Taizong of the Khitan Empire (Later Tang's rival) came to help Shi Jingtang. The Khitan forces defeated the emperor's army. Emperor Taizong then declared Shi Jingtang the new emperor of China, starting a new state called Later Jin.

During the Later Jin State

Serving Emperor Shi Jingtang

When Shi Jingtang became emperor, he made Jing Yanguang the commander of his foot soldiers. Jing Yanguang also received important honorary titles. He was sent to govern different regions as a military governor.

In 942, Emperor Shi Jingtang became very ill. He wanted his young son, Shi Chongrui, to become the next emperor. He asked his senior advisor, Feng Dao, to support his son. However, after Shi Jingtang died, Feng Dao talked with Jing Yanguang. They decided that the country needed an older, stronger leader because times were difficult. So, they supported Shi Jingtang's nephew and adopted son, Shi Chonggui, to become the new emperor instead.

Serving Emperor Shi Chonggui

Becoming a Powerful Advisor

Jing Yanguang felt that he was responsible for Shi Chonggui becoming emperor. He used this influence to get involved in many important decisions. Soon after Shi Chonggui took the throne, Jing Yanguang was made commander of the imperial guards and also a chancellor. This meant he was one of the emperor's top advisors.

One of the first big decisions was how to tell the Liao empire about Shi Jingtang's death and Shi Chonggui's new rule. Most officials wanted to send a "report" and have Shi Chonggui call himself "your subject." This would show that Later Jin was still submissive to Liao.

However, Jing Yanguang strongly suggested sending a "letter" instead. This would show that the two states were equal. He also wanted Shi Chonggui to call himself "your grandson" instead of "subject." This was because Shi Jingtang had called himself "your son" to the Liao emperor. Another chancellor, Li Song, warned that Jing Yanguang's idea would lead to war. But Jing Yanguang insisted, and Emperor Shi Chonggui agreed to his plan.

This made the Liao Emperor Taizong very angry. He sent a message scolding Shi Chonggui for becoming emperor without his permission. Jing Yanguang wrote a rude reply, which made the Liao emperor even angrier.

Confronting the Liao Empire

Jing Yanguang then convinced Shi Chonggui to arrest Liao's trade officer in the capital and take all of Liao's property. Other Liao merchants in Later Jin were also arrested and executed, and their goods were seized. Other officials pointed out that Liao had helped establish Later Jin. So, in 943, Shi Chonggui released the Liao officer and sent him back.

But before the officer left, he went to say goodbye to Jing Yanguang. Jing Yanguang, acting very proud, told him:

Tell your master: the previous emperor was put in his position by the northern dynasty (Liao), which is why he called himself a subject. The current emperor was put in his position by China itself. The only reason he still respects the northern dynasty is because he remembers the alliance. It's enough for him to call himself a grandson; there's no reason for him to call himself a subject. The Liao emperor should not be tricked by his general Zhao Yanshou into insulting China. You have seen China's soldiers and horses. If the grandfather is angry, he can come and fight us. The grandson has 100,000 sharp swords waiting for him. If he is defeated by his grandson, he will be laughed at by the whole world. Do not forget this!

The Liao officer, fearing he would be blamed for the lost wealth, asked Jing Yanguang to write down his words. Jing Yanguang did, and the officer showed them to Emperor Taizong. This made the Liao emperor determined to attack Later Jin. He held Later Jin's messengers and refused to see them. Even though another official, Sang Weihan, suggested that Shi Chonggui return to being submissive to Liao to avoid war, Jing Yanguang always stopped the emperor from doing so.

War and Downfall

In 944, a Later Jin general named Yang Guangyuan rebelled. Emperor Taizong led a Liao army south to support him. Shi Chonggui sent his troops to fight both the Liao and rebel forces, with Jing Yanguang in charge. Jing Yanguang was very proud of his power and was rude to other generals, even the emperor couldn't control him.

The Later Jin forces managed to push back the Liao army. Yang Guangyuan's rebellion was eventually defeated by the Later Jin general Li Shouzhen. However, this campaign also led to Jing Yanguang's downfall. During the fighting, Jing Yanguang had ordered generals not to help each other. As a result, Liao forces surrounded three important Later Jin generals, Gao Xingzhou, Fu Yanqing, and Shi Gongba, in a city. The city almost fell.

Jing Yanguang did not report how serious the situation was to the emperor quickly enough. When Shi Chonggui found out, he led an army himself to help the surrounded generals. The three generals accused Jing Yanguang of not taking the situation seriously. Many other generals also disliked Jing Yanguang's power. Shi Chonggui himself was worried about Jing Yanguang. So, in the summer of 944, Shi Chonggui removed Jing Yanguang from his position as chancellor and sent him to Luoyang. He was replaced by Gao Xingzhou.

After Being a Chancellor

Jing Yanguang was sad about losing his powerful position. He also started to realize that the Liao empire's strength would eventually threaten both him and the Later Jin state.

In 945, Emperor Taizong of Liao invaded Later Jin territory again. Jing Yanguang was stationed at Huliang Ford to help with the defense. After some fighting, the main Later Jin army defeated the Liao army. Shi Chonggui tried to make peace with Liao, but Emperor Taizong demanded that Later Jin give up two important regions and that he see Sang Weihan and Jing Yanguang. Shi Chonggui found these demands insulting and stopped the talks.

In 946, Emperor Taizong set a trap. He made it seem like a Liao general wanted to surrender a region to Later Jin. Shi Chonggui's advisors believed the letter and told the emperor to accept. Shi Chonggui sent a large army north. But once they entered Liao territory, Emperor Taizong's army was waiting. The Later Jin army was surrounded. During this crisis, Jing Yanguang was stationed at Heyang, ready for emergency operations. However, Emperor Taizong convinced the Later Jin generals to surrender their army. He then quickly moved towards the Later Jin capital. Seeing no hope, Shi Chonggui surrendered, and the Later Jin state ended.

After Later Jin's Fall

Even before Emperor Taizong arrived at the capital, he told Shi Chonggui that he wanted to see Sang Weihan and Jing Yanguang. When he reached Xiang Prefecture, he sent soldiers to arrest Jing Yanguang. Jing Yanguang was surprised but knew he couldn't escape. He went to meet Emperor Taizong.

Emperor Taizong scolded him, saying, "Your actions caused the trouble between the two emperors. Where are your 100,000 sharp swords now?" Emperor Taizong also called the Liao officer, Qiao Rong, to list ten things Jing Yanguang had done that led to the conflict. Jing Yanguang first denied them, but when Qiao Rong showed the papers Jing Yanguang's secretary had written, he admitted to them. As Emperor Taizong read each accusation, he gave Jing Yanguang an ivory chip. When the eighth chip was given, Jing Yanguang fell to his knees and begged for death. Emperor Taizong then had him chained up.

Emperor Taizong planned to send Jing Yanguang back to the Liao homeland. One night, while his jailers were not watching him, Jing Yanguang took his own life. Later, after the Liao forces left the former Later Jin territory, a new state called Later Han was founded. Jing Yanguang was given honors after his death.