Qian Yuanguan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids King Shizong of Wuyue 吳越世宗
King of Wuyue
Reign	May 15, 932 or May 26, 937 – September 17, 941
Predecessor	Qian Liu
Successor	Qian Hongzuo
Jiedushi of Zhendong Circuit (鎮東軍節度使)
Tenure	927 – 941 (Acting: 923–927)
Predecessor	Qian Liu
Successor	Qian Hongzuo
Deputy	Pi Guangye
Jiedushi of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海軍節度使)
Tenure	927 – 941 (Acting: 923–927)
Predecessor	Qian Liu
Successor	Qian Hongzuo
Born	November 30, 887 Hang Prefecture, Tang dynasty
Died	September 17, 941(941-09-17) (aged 53) Hangzhou, Wuyue
Burial	Tomb of Qian Yuanguan (in modern Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou)
Spouse	See § Family
Issue	See § Family
Full name Family name: Qián (錢) Given name: Initially Chuánguàn (傳瓘), later Yuánguàn (元瓘) (changed 932) Era dates Adopted the era names of Later Tang: Changxing (長興): 932–933 Yingshun (應順): 934 Qingtai (清泰): 934–936 Adopted the era name of Later Jin: Tianfu (天福): 936–941 Posthumous name King Wénmù (文穆王, "civil and solemn") Temple name Shìzōng (世宗)
House	Qian
Dynasty	Wuyue
Father	Qian Liu
Mother	Lady Chen

Qian Yuanguan (錢元瓘), born Qian Chuanguan (錢傳瓘), was an important leader in ancient China. He lived from 887 to 941. He is also known by his royal title, King Shizong of Wuyue. He was the second king of the Wuyue kingdom during a time in China called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Qian Yuanguan became king in 932 after his father, Qian Liu (who was the first King Taizu), passed on the leadership to him. He ruled until 941. He was also the father of the next three kings of Wuyue.

Early Life and Challenges

Qian Chuanguan was born in 887. At that time, his father, Qian Liu, was a local leader in Hang Prefecture (modern Hangzhou, Zhejiang). His mother was Lady Chen. He was the seventh son of Qian Liu.

A Hostage for Peace

In 902, Qian Liu faced a big problem. Two officers, Xu Wan and Xu Zaisi, started a rebellion. They got help from Tian Jun, another powerful military leader. To make Tian Jun stop, Qian Liu sent his older son, Qian Chuanliao, as a hostage.

Tian Jun still wanted more. He demanded money and another son as a hostage. Qian Liu asked his sons who would go. No one volunteered at first. Qian Chuanguan's younger brother refused, making their father very angry. That's when Qian Chuanguan bravely stepped forward.

He told his family, "To save our state from disaster, I must do this." He went with Tian Jun's army and even married Tian Jun's daughter.

Escaping Danger

In 904, Tian Jun rebelled against his own leader, Yang Xingmi. Tian Jun started losing battles. Each time he lost, he thought about harming Qian Chuanguan. But Tian Jun's mother and brother-in-law protected Qian Chuanguan.

Eventually, Tian Jun was defeated and killed. Qian Chuanguan was then able to return home safely to Hang Prefecture.

Leading During His Father's Reign

Under the Later Liang Dynasty

In 907, a new dynasty called Later Liang began in China. Qian Liu recognized the new emperor and was given the title of Prince of Wuyue. His state became known as Wuyue.

Qian Chuanguan and his brother Qian Chuanliao were sent to attack Lu Ji, who controlled Wen Prefecture (modern Wenzhou, Zhejiang). Qian Chuanguan suggested a smart plan: bypass Lu Ji's ships and attack the city directly. They quickly captured Wen Prefecture. Later, they also took Chu Prefecture (modern Lishui, Zhejiang).

In 913, an army from Wuyue's neighbor, Wu, attacked. Qian Chuanguan was in charge of defending against them. He cut down trees to block their path and then attacked, capturing their general and many soldiers. He also captured two other Wu officers later that year.

However, when Qian Chuanguan and his brothers attacked Chang Prefecture (modern Changzhou, Jiangsu), they were defeated. Many Wuyue soldiers were lost.

The Battle of Langshan Jiang

In 919, Qian Chuanguan led 500 ships to attack Wu's Dongzhou. He used clever tactics. He loaded his ships with ashes, sand, and beans. He also had a special weapon on his ship: an early form of a flamethrower that used gunpowder. This was one of the world's first proper flamethrowers!

When the fleets met at the Battle of Langshan Jiang, Qian Chuanguan moved his ships so the wind was behind them. He then threw ashes at the Wu fleet, making it hard for them to see. He spread sand and beans on his own ships' decks to make them less slippery. Then, he threw beans onto the Wu ships, making their decks slippery and their soldiers unable to move quickly.

Finally, he threw torches at the Wu ships, setting them on fire. His flamethrower also caused great damage. The Wu forces were completely defeated. However, when he tried to attack Chang Prefecture again, he was forced to retreat. After this, the two states made peace for about 20 years.

Preparing for Leadership

By the time Qian Chuanguan was in his 30s, he didn't have a son with his wife, Lady Ma. At that time, officials were not allowed to have multiple wives. But Lady Ma went to Qian Liu and asked for an exception for Qian Chuanguan. Qian Liu happily agreed, saying, "My family's future is in your hands." This allowed Qian Chuanguan to have many sons, and Lady Ma treated them all as her own.

In 923, Qian Liu became the King of Wuyue. He made Qian Chuanguan his acting military leader, putting him in charge of military affairs.

In 928, Qian Liu wanted to choose his official heir. He asked his sons to share their achievements. Qian Chuanguan's older and younger brothers all praised Qian Chuanguan. So, Qian Liu asked the emperor to make Qian Chuanguan the military leader of the main regions. The emperor agreed.

In 932, Qian Liu became very ill. He asked his officials who they would support as the next leader. Everyone chose Qian Chuanguan. Qian Liu then gave him the royal seals and treasury keys. He told Qian Chuanguan to always serve the main Chinese dynasty, even if it changed. Soon after, Qian Liu died.

His Time as King

Leading Wuyue

After his father's death, Qian Chuanguan changed his name to Qian Yuanguan. He also changed his brothers' names to match. He didn't immediately use the title of king, instead acting as a military leader when dealing with the imperial court. He let his trusted officials, Cao Zhongda and Shen Song, handle the government.

Some officers were unhappy with two royal guard commanders, Lu Renzhang and Liu Renqi. They demanded that these commanders be punished. Qian Yuanguan bravely faced them, saying, "These generals served the late King well. I was going to reward them. You want to punish them for your own reasons? If you don't follow my orders, I will leave and let someone else lead." The officers were scared and left. Qian Yuanguan then sent Lu and Liu to be local governors instead. He also encouraged peace among his officials by not listening to complaints they had about each other. This helped keep the kingdom calm.

In 933, the emperor gave him the title of Prince of Wu.

Family Matters

Qian Yuanguan treated his brothers well. When his older brother, Qian Yuanliao, visited, Qian Yuanguan bowed to him and said, "This position should have been yours, older brother. I am only here because of your support." Qian Yuanliao replied, "The late King chose the wisest. Now, I am your subject, and I will be loyal." Both brothers were moved to tears.

However, Qian Yuanguan was also firm when needed. His younger brother, Qian Yuanxiang, became arrogant. When his requests were denied, he would send angry letters. Qian Yuanguan sent an officer to bring him back and put him under house arrest.

Later, Qian Yuanguan became suspicious of another younger brother, Qian Yuanxu, who was gathering weapons. Qian Yuanguan took action and removed both Qian Yuanxu and Qian Yuanxiang from power. He was advised to be kind to their close friends, and he agreed.

In 934, Qian Yuanguan was given the title of Prince of Wuyue. His mother, Lady Chen, passed away around this time. Qian Yuanguan loved his mother very much and treated her family well, but he didn't give them political jobs.

Challenges and Succession

In 936, a new dynasty, Later Jin, took over from Later Tang. Qian Yuanguan quickly became a loyal supporter of the new emperor.

In 937, Qian Yuanguan officially became the King of Wuyue. He used the same royal customs as his father. He named his son Qian Hongzun as his heir.

In 939, Qian Yuanguan's wife, Lady Ma, died.

In 940, there was a conflict in the neighboring Min kingdom. One brother, Wang Yanzheng, asked Wuyue for help against his brother, Wang Xi. Qian Yuanguan sent a large army to help. However, by the time they arrived, Wang Yanzheng had already pushed back Wang Xi's attack. Wang Yanzheng asked the Wuyue army to leave, but they refused. Wang Yanzheng then teamed up with Wang Xi, and they defeated the Wuyue army.

In 941, a huge fire destroyed much of the Wuyue palace and treasury. This event deeply affected Qian Yuanguan, and it's said he became mentally unwell. The leaders of the neighboring Southern Tang kingdom thought about attacking Wuyue. But the Southern Tang emperor chose not to take advantage of Wuyue's weakness. Instead, he sent gifts and wishes for Qian Yuanguan's recovery.

Qian Yuanguan's health quickly worsened. He passed on the leadership to his son, Qian Hongzuo (as Qian Hongzun had died in 940). Qian Hongzuo then became the next King of Wuyue.

Family

Consort and their respective issue(s):

• Queen Gongmu, of the Ma clan (恭穆王后 馬氏, 890 – 939)
• Queen Dowager Shunde, of the Wu clan (順德王太后 吳氏, 913 – 952), personal name Hanyue (漢月)
  • Qian Hongchu (錢弘俶, 29 September 929 – 7 October 988, ), later Qian Chu (錢俶), King Zhongyi of Wuyue (秦國忠懿王), fifth son
• Lady Renhui of Wuyue, of the Xu clan (吳越國仁惠夫人 許氏, 903 – 1 August 946), personal name Xinyue (新月)
  • Qian Hongzuo (錢弘佐), King Zhongxian of Wuyue (吳越忠獻王), second son
• Lady of Lu, of the Fu clan (魯國夫人鄜氏)
  • Qian Hongzun (錢弘僔) (925–940), Heir Apparent Xiaoxian (孝獻世子), first son
  • Qian Hongzong (錢弘倧), King Zhongxun of Wuyue (吳越忠遜王), third son
• Lady Chen, of the Chen clan (陳氏)
  • Qian Hongzhan (錢弘偡), Prince Gongyi of Wuxing (吳興恭義王), fourth son
  • Qian Hongwo (錢弘偓, 934–958), eight son
• Lady Cui, of the Cui clan (崔氏)
  • Qian Hongxin (錢弘信, 937–1003), ninth son
• Lady Shen, of the Shen clan (沈氏)
  • Qian Hongyì (錢弘億, 929 – 967), later name changed to Qian Yì (錢億), sixth son
• Lady Zhou, of the Zhou clan (周氏)
  • Qian Hongyang (錢弘仰), 935 – 958), fifth son
• Lady Tian, of the Tian clan (田氏), daughter of Tian Jun
• Unknown
  • Qian Hongyí (錢弘儀, note different tone than his brother) (932-979), later name changed to Qian Yí (錢儀), Marquess of Pengcheng, seventh son
• Adopted sons
  • Qian Hongzhuan (錢弘僎), Marquess of Qiongshan
  • Qian Hongxuan (錢弘儇) (913–966), né Qian Hongcheng (錢弘偁)
  • Qian Hongyou (錢弘侑), Marquess of Xi'an, né Sun (孫), later reduced to commoner rank and forced to take back the birth name of Sun
  • Qian Hong'an (錢弘侒)