Meng Hanqiong facts for kids

Meng Hanqiong (Chinese: 孟漢瓊) was an important eunuch in ancient China during a time called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. He became very powerful when Li Siyuan was emperor, working closely with the emperor's favorite, Consort Wang. Meng Hanqiong kept his power even when Li Siyuan's son, Li Conghou, became the next emperor. However, he was later killed by Li Congke, who was Li Conghou's adoptive brother and took over the throne.

Early Life and Beginnings

We don't know exactly when or where Meng Hanqiong was born. When he was young, he worked as a eunuch for a leader named Wang Rong, who was the Prince of Zhao.

After Wang Rong died in 921, his territory was taken over by Jin. Later, the Jin leader, Li Cunxu, became the first emperor of a new empire called Later Tang. In 925, Li Cunxu sent his adoptive brother, Li Siyuan, to govern a region called Chengde. Meng Hanqiong then started working for Li Siyuan.

Working for Emperor Li Siyuan

In 926, Emperor Li Cunxu was killed, and Li Siyuan became the new emperor. Meng Hanqiong then worked in Li Siyuan's palace, taking on different roles.

Helping Li Congke

In 930, a powerful official named An Chonghui wanted to remove Li Siyuan's adoptive son, Li Congke, from his important job. An Chonghui even tried to accuse Li Congke of crimes. But Li Congke was saved because Consort Wang, the emperor's favorite, spoke up for him. Consort Wang often sent Meng Hanqiong to talk to Li Congke. Because of this, Meng Hanqiong felt like he had helped Li Congke a lot.

Gaining Power in the Palace

By late 930, Meng Hanqiong was in charge of many things inside the palace. Both he and Consort Wang often told Emperor Li Siyuan about An Chonghui's mistakes. An Chonghui felt his position was in danger and offered to quit.

Later in 930, the emperor's army was struggling in a war that An Chonghui had suggested. While An Chonghui was traveling to oversee the war, several important people, including Meng Hanqiong, sent messages to the emperor. They suggested that An Chonghui might be trying to take control of the army. Because of these messages, Emperor Li Siyuan called An Chonghui back, gave him a different job, then made him retire, and finally had him killed. After An Chonghui was gone, the rules against Li Congke were lifted.

Meng Hanqiong's Influence

In 931, Meng Hanqiong was also put in charge of the eunuch office. It was said that other top officials were afraid of being accused of taking too much power, just like An Chonghui had been. So, they often let Consort Wang and Meng Hanqiong make important decisions.

Before, An Chonghui had kept a close eye on how much money the palace spent. But now, with Meng Hanqiong being powerful, he would often just take things from the government's money storage. He would say it was on behalf of the emperor's wife, Empress Cao, without telling the financial offices or keeping records.

Changes at Court

Emperor Li Siyuan's oldest son, Li Congrong, was expected to be the next emperor. However, he didn't respect other officials. Two top officials, Fan Yanguang and Zhao Yanshou, were worried about their bad relationship with Li Congrong. They wanted to leave their jobs and become military governors in other regions. The emperor didn't want them to leave, feeling they were abandoning him.

In late 932, after Zhao Yanshou was allowed to leave, Fan Yanguang asked Consort Wang and Meng Hanqiong to speak for him. Finally, Fan was allowed to leave the capital. Even though Meng helped him, Fan still warned the emperor about Meng's growing influence, though he spoke in a way that was not too direct.

The Emperor's Illness and Succession

Soon after, Emperor Li Siyuan became very sick. Li Congrong worried that other officials might try to stop him from becoming emperor. He planned to force his way into the palace. When his plan was resisted, Li Congrong launched his guards and moved towards the palace.

Meng Hanqiong quickly joined other officials to decide what to do. Meng declared he was going to the palace to protect the emperor. He then personally called an imperial guard general, Zhu Hongshi, to lead the defense. The imperial guards fought and defeated Li Congrong's guards. Li Congrong was killed.

Emperor Li Siyuan, who had gotten a little better, then decided to call another son, Li Conghou, to be his successor. Li Conghou was serving as a military governor far away. Meng Hanqiong was sent to deliver the message and to temporarily oversee things there. Meng did this, but Emperor Li Siyuan died before Li Conghou could arrive at the capital. Li Conghou then arrived and became the new emperor.

During Emperor Li Conghou's Reign

The new emperor's top officials, Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun, became very powerful. They did not trust Li Congke or Shi Jingtang, who were both powerful military leaders and respected by the army.

The Rebellion of Li Congke

In early 934, the officials wanted to move these powerful leaders around. They ordered Li Congke to move from his region to another, and Shi Jingtang to move as well. They also wanted to call Meng Hanqiong back from his post.

Li Congke believed these orders were meant to weaken him, so he rebelled. At first, the emperor's army was winning and surrounded Li Congke's base. However, one of the emperor's officers switched sides to Li Congke. This made the emperor's army lose courage, and many soldiers surrendered to Li Congke. Li Congke then marched his army towards the capital.

Meng Hanqiong's End

Emperor Li Conghou wanted to escape and ordered Meng Hanqiong to go ahead to prepare for his arrival. However, Meng Hanqiong had already decided not to stay loyal to Li Conghou. Instead of going to prepare for the emperor, he went to Li Congke's army. He thought his old friendship with Li Congke would save him.

When Meng Hanqiong met Li Congke, he cried and tried to explain himself. Li Congke simply said, "You don't need to speak. I already know." Meng Hanqiong thought Li Congke had forgiven him and joined the group of officials following Li Congke. But Li Congke then ordered that Meng Hanqiong be executed right there by the side of the road.