Shi Pu facts for kids

Shi Pu (時溥) was an important military leader, also known as a warlord, during the end of the Tang dynasty in China. He was in charge of a region called Ganhua Circuit, which is now part of Xuzhou, Jiangsu. He held the title of military governor, or Jiedushi, which meant he had a lot of power over his area. Shi Pu was eventually defeated by a general named Pang Shigu, who worked for another powerful leader, Zhu Quanzhong. Shi Pu died with his family in 893.

Early Life and Taking Control

We don't know exactly when Shi Pu was born, but we know he came from a place called Pengcheng. He started his career as an officer there. He and another officer, Chen Fan, were well-liked by Zhi Xiang, who was the military governor of Ganhua Circuit at the time.

In 881, a big rebellion led by Huang Chao captured the capital city, Chang'an. The emperor, Emperor Xizong, had to run away. Zhi Xiang sent Shi Pu and Chen Fan with an army to help the emperor. However, when Shi Pu reached Luoyang, he claimed to have received an order to turn back.

After meeting up with Chen Fan, they caused trouble in Heyin and Zheng Prefecture before returning to Xu Prefecture. Zhi Xiang tried to calm them down, but Shi Pu used his trusted soldiers to force Zhi Xiang to give up his command. Shi Pu then took over as the acting military governor. Chen Fan wanted Shi Pu to kill Zhi Xiang, but Shi Pu refused. Instead, he sent Zhi Xiang to the emperor. Sadly, Chen Fan ambushed Zhi Xiang on the way and killed his family. Later, the emperor officially made Shi Pu the military governor.

Fighting Against Huang Chao

In 882, the emperor appointed a high-ranking official named Wang Duo to lead the fight against Huang Chao. Shi Pu was given the important job of managing army supplies under Wang's command.

In 883, Huang Chao left the capital and moved east. Shi Pu gathered his troops to try and stop him. The emperor gave Shi Pu the title of commander for the eastern front.

Huang Chao's army then surrounded Chen Prefecture. Shi Pu, along with two other military governors, Zhu Quanzhong and Zhou Ji, sent their armies to help. Shi Pu won many battles against Huang Chao and his ally, Qin Zongquan. However, these three leaders felt they needed more help.

They asked Li Keyong, a powerful military governor from Hedong, for assistance. Li Keyong had been very important in helping the Tang dynasty take back Chang'an. After Li Keyong arrived and defeated Huang's army, Huang's main general, Shang Rang, surrendered to Shi Pu.

Li Keyong later left the front lines after a disagreement with Zhu Quanzhong. But Shi Pu kept chasing Huang Chao. Shi Pu sent his officer Li Shiyue and Shang to follow Huang. Huang Chao eventually fled into a valley where his nephew, Lin Yan, killed him. For his big help in defeating Huang Chao, Shi Pu was given high honors, including the title of Prince of Julu.

Battles with Qin Zongquan

Even after Huang Chao was defeated, Qin Zongquan continued to cause trouble and attack nearby areas. In 885, Qin Zongquan even declared himself emperor. Emperor Xizong chose Shi Pu to lead the overall fight against Qin. However, historical records mostly talk about Zhu Quanzhong's battles with Qin.

In 887, a region called Huainan Circuit was in chaos with many groups fighting for control. The government tried to calm things down by making Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Huainan. Zhu asked Shi Pu for permission for his officer, Li Fan, to pass through Shi Pu's territory.

However, Shi Pu was upset that Zhu got the Huainan position instead of him, especially since Shi Pu was more senior. When Li Fan reached Si Prefecture, which was part of Shi Pu's area, Shi Pu set up an ambush. Li Fan barely escaped. From this point on, Shi Pu and Zhu Quanzhong became open enemies.

In 888, the government replaced Shi Pu with Zhu Quanzhong as the main commander against Qin Zongquan. After many defeats, Qin Zongquan was arrested by his own general and surrendered to Zhu. This led to a big argument between Zhu and Shi Pu about who deserved credit for defeating Qin. Their relationship got even worse.

Conflict with Zhu Quanzhong

With Qin Zongquan out of the way, Zhu Quanzhong could focus on Shi Pu. In 889, Zhu's officer, Pang Shigu, captured Suqian and moved towards Lüliang. Shi Pu tried to fight him but was defeated and had to retreat to Xu Prefecture. Another of Zhu's officers captured Xiao. Zhu Quanzhong himself arrived later. Shi Pu asked Li Keyong for help, and Li Keyong sent an officer named Shi Junhe to assist Shi Pu.

In 890, an officer named Zhang Yun in Su Prefecture, which had fallen to Zhu Quanzhong, rebelled and rejoined Shi Pu. Zhu Quanzhong attacked Su Prefecture himself. When Shi Pu tried to help Zhang Yun, Zhu Quanzhong sent his son, Zhu Youyu, to fight Shi Pu. Zhu Youyu defeated Shi Pu and captured Shi Junhe.

In 891, Zhu Quanzhong's officer Ding Hui surrounded Su Prefecture. Zhang Yun surrendered to Ding in late 891. Another of Shi Pu's officers, Liu Zhijun, also surrendered to Zhu Quanzhong. This was a big blow to Shi Pu's army, and it struggled to recover.

The long war between Shi Pu and Zhu Quanzhong ruined the three areas Shi Pu still controlled: Xu, Si, and Hao. Farmers couldn't grow food, and supplies ran low, especially after a big flood in 892. Other leaders who tried to help Shi Pu couldn't stop Zhu's attacks.

In 892, Shi Pu tried to make peace, and Zhu agreed. But Zhu demanded that Shi Pu be called back to the capital and replaced. The emperor agreed and offered Shi Pu an honorary position as an advisor. However, Shi Pu was afraid Zhu was tricking him and refused to leave his post.

Meanwhile, Shi Pu had sent an army south to capture Chu Prefecture, which Zhu had taken over. But in 892, another leader, Yang Xingmi, sent his officers to fight for Chu. They defeated Shi Pu's army and captured Chu Prefecture. By late 892, two more of Shi Pu's prefects surrendered to Zhu, leaving Shi Pu in control of only Xu Prefecture. Zhu Quanzhong then sent his son, Zhu Youyu, to besiege Xu Prefecture.

In 893, Shi Pu counterattacked and killed Guo Yan. With help from Zhu Jin, Zhu Youyu and another officer, Huo Cun, fought Shi Pu and Zhu Jin, defeating them. Zhu Jin fled, but Shi Pu later killed Huo in battle. Zhu Youyu continued to besiege Xu Prefecture. Eventually, Zhu Quanzhong replaced Zhu Youyu with Pang Shigu. Pang continued the siege for months and finally captured Xu Prefecture. Shi Pu took his family to Swallow Tower, set it on fire, and died. Zhu Quanzhong then took control of Ganhua.