Liu Jianfeng (Tang dynasty) facts for kids
Liu Jianfeng (died May 17, 896) was an important Chinese military leader and politician. He lived during the Tang dynasty, a powerful time in Chinese history. Liu Jianfeng was known for controlling the Wu'an area, which is now part of Changsha, Hunan. He led this region from 894 until he died in 896.
Who Was Liu Jianfeng?
We don't know exactly when Liu Jianfeng was born. We do know he came from a place called Langshan, in what is now Zhumadian, Henan. He became an officer in the Zhongwu army. This army was based near Xuchang, Henan.
Liu Jianfeng was stationed in Cai Prefecture. His job was to help fight against a big rebel leader named Huang Chao. He worked with another officer named Sun Ru. Both of them served under Qin Zongquan. Qin Zongquan was a military governor. Later, Qin Zongquan rebelled against the Tang emperor. Liu Jianfeng and Sun Ru continued to serve under Qin Zongquan.
Working with Sun Ru
In 886, Qin Zongquan sent Sun Ru to attack Heyang Circuit. Sun Ru won this battle. Another officer, Zhang Ji, secretly told Liu Jianfeng that Qin Zongquan was too harsh. Zhang Ji believed Qin Zongquan would soon be defeated. He suggested they find a way to protect themselves. Liu Jianfeng thought this was wise and became friends with Zhang Ji.
Sun Ru later left Heyang. This happened after Qin Zongquan lost a big battle to Zhu Wen. Zhu Wen was another Tang military leader. Later that year, Qin Zongquan sent his brother, Qin Zongheng, to Huainan Circuit. Sun Ru was Qin Zongheng's second-in-command. Liu Jianfeng, Zhang Ji, and Ma Yin were all part of this army.
When they reached Yang Prefecture, Yang Xingmi had already taken control. Sun Ru then took over the army. Sun Ru soon defeated Yang Xingmi and took control of Yang Prefecture. He became the military governor of Huainan.
In 889, Sun Ru sent Liu Jianfeng to attack other areas. Liu Jianfeng captured Chang Prefecture and Run Prefecture. These areas were controlled by Yang Xingmi's allies. In 890, Liu Jianfeng captured Chang Prefecture again. He then attacked Su Prefecture. Sun Ru later captured Su Prefecture himself.
In 891, Sun Ru planned to defeat Yang Xingmi. Liu Jianfeng was part of Sun Ru's army. Sun's army won some early battles. But they got stuck trying to capture Xuan Prefecture. Yang Xingmi's forces cut off their food supplies. Sun's army also faced floods and illnesses. Sun Ru himself became sick. He had to send Liu Jianfeng and Ma Yin to find food.
Yang Xingmi heard that Sun Ru was sick. He attacked Sun Ru's army. Sun Ru's army was defeated, and Sun Ru died. Most of Sun's soldiers joined Yang Xingmi. But Liu Jianfeng and Ma Yin took about 7,000 soldiers. They headed south. The soldiers chose Liu Jianfeng as their new leader. Ma Yin became his forward commander, and Zhang Ji was his planner. Their army grew to over 100,000 soldiers.
Taking Control of Wu'an
Liu Jianfeng's army continued to move southwest. They were heading towards Wu'an Circuit. This area was controlled by Deng Chuna. When Liu Jianfeng reached Liling in 894, Deng Chuna sent his officers, Jiang Xun and Deng Jichong, to stop him.
Ma Yin went to the pass where Jiang and Deng Jichong were. He sent a message to them. The message convinced Jiang and Deng Jichong that Liu Jianfeng's arrival was meant to be. They believed they could not stop him. So, Jiang and Deng Jichong sent their soldiers home.
Liu Jianfeng then had his soldiers wear the uniforms of Jiang and Deng Jichong's army. They quickly marched to Tan Prefecture, the capital of Wu'an. The defenders of Tan Prefecture thought they were Jiang's and Deng Jichong's returning army. So, they were not ready for an attack. Liu Jianfeng's army went straight to the main building. Deng Chuna was having a party there. They captured Deng Chuna. Liu Jianfeng then took control of Wu'an. In 895, the emperor officially made Liu Jianfeng the military governor of Wu'an.
Liu Jianfeng's Death
In late 895, Jiang Xun asked Liu Jianfeng to be the prefect of Shao Prefecture. Liu Jianfeng said no. Because of this, Jiang Xun and Deng Jichong started a rebellion against Liu Jianfeng. They quickly captured Shao Prefecture. They then tried to attack Tan Prefecture. In early 896, Liu Jianfeng sent Ma Yin to fight Jiang and Deng. Ma Yin had some early victories.
However, while this fight was still happening, Liu Jianfeng had become very proud. He also had a conflict with one of his officers, Chen Shan. Because of this conflict, Liu Jianfeng died. The soldiers first wanted Zhang Ji to become the new leader. But Zhang Ji refused. In the end, they chose Ma Yin to lead them.
