Wang Shenzhi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Taizu of Min 閩太祖
Prince of Min
Prince of Min (閩王)
Reign	April 27, 909 – December 30, 925
Successor	Wang Yanhan
Commandery Prince of Langya (琅琊郡王)
Reign	904–909
Jiedushi of Weiwu Circuit (威武軍節度使)
Tenure	898 – 925
Predecessor	Wang Chao
Successor	Wang Yanhan
Born	862 Gushi County, Guāngzhōu Prefecture, Huainan Circuit, Tang
Died	December 30, 925 Fuzhou, Min
Burial	Xuanling Mausoleum (宣陵, in modern Jin'an District, Fuzhou)
Full name Family name: Wáng (王) Given name: Shěnzhī (審知) Posthumous name Prince Zhōngyì (忠懿王, "faithful and benevolent"), later Emperor Zhāowǔxiào (昭武孝皇帝, "accomplished, martial, and filial") Temple name Tàizǔ (太祖)
House	Wang
Dynasty	Min

Wang Shenzhi (Chinese: 王審知; 862 – December 30, 925) was a very important leader in ancient China. He founded the Min Kingdom during a time called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He ruled as a prince but was later honored as an emperor after his death. He came from a place called Gushi in what is now Henan province.

Early Life and Family Background

Wang Shenzhi was born in 862. His family had a long history of serving the government. His ancestor, Wang Ye, was a popular official in Gushi County. Because people liked him so much, his family settled there.

Wang Shenzhi's father was Wang Nin, and his mother was Lady Dong. He had two older brothers, Wang Chao and Wang Shengui. The family was known for their business skills.

Joining the Army and New Leadership

Wang Shenzhi as shown in a 1900 album called Portraits of Famous Men.

In 881, a bandit leader named Wang Xu took control of Guang Prefecture. He made Wang Chao, Wang Shenzhi's older brother, an officer in his army. Wang Xu was a harsh leader. He forced people to join his army and abandon the old and weak.

Wang Chao and his brothers secretly kept their mother with them, even though Wang Xu had forbidden it. Other officers also spoke up for them. Wang Xu became very suspicious of his own officers. He even harmed people close to him.

Because of Wang Xu's cruel actions, Wang Chao and other officers decided to act. They ambushed Wang Xu and arrested him. The army then chose Wang Chao to be their new leader. Wang Chao took over Quan Prefecture and became its governor.

Serving Under His Brother Wang Chao

In 891, Wang Chao's boss, Chen Yan, became very sick. Chen wanted Wang Chao to take over. But Chen's brother-in-law, Fan Hui, took control of the capital city, Fu Prefecture. Fan Hui wanted to stop Wang Chao.

Wang Chao sent his cousin and Wang Shenzhi to attack Fu Prefecture. The fight was tough. Wang Shenzhi and his cousin wanted to give up, but Wang Chao refused. He told them he would keep sending new soldiers and generals until they won.

Wang Shenzhi and his cousin fought harder. By 893, Fu Prefecture ran out of food. Fan Hui fled and was killed. Wang Chao took over the city. He became the governor of the region, which was renamed Weiwu. Wang Shenzhi served as his deputy.

Wang Shenzhi was very loyal to his brother. Even when Wang Chao punished him, he never complained. In 897, when Wang Chao became ill, he chose Wang Shenzhi to lead the region. Wang Chao did not pick any of his own sons.

After Wang Chao died in 898, Wang Shenzhi offered the leadership to his other brother, Wang Shengui. But Wang Shengui said Wang Shenzhi was more capable. So, Wang Shenzhi became the acting governor. The emperor later made him the full governor.

Leading the Weiwu Region

In 900, the emperor gave Wang Shenzhi an important title, like a top government official. He received more honorary titles in the following years. In 902, Wang Shenzhi built a new outer wall for Fu Prefecture to protect it better. In 904, the emperor made him the Prince of Langya.

In 907, a powerful warlord named Zhu Quanzhong forced the Tang emperor to give up his throne. This ended the Tang Dynasty and started the Later Liang Dynasty. Wang Shenzhi accepted the new emperor. In 909, the new emperor made Wang Shenzhi the Prince of Min. He also gave him another high government title.

Ruling as the Prince of Min

A map showing the different warlords at the end of the Tang Dynasty. Wang Shenzhi's territory is highlighted.

Early Years as Prince

As prince, Wang Shenzhi was known for being careful with money. He often wore simple hemp shoes. His home was not grand or expanded. He kept criminal punishments light and taxes low. These policies made the government and the people rich. His kingdom was peaceful.

He sent gifts to the Later Liang emperor every year by sea. This sea journey was dangerous, and many ships were lost.

In 916, Wang Shenzhi arranged a marriage between his daughter and the son of Qian Liu, the ruler of a neighboring kingdom called Wuyue. This marriage helped Min and Wuyue become good friends. Also in 916, Wang Shenzhi started making lead coins. These lead coins were used alongside the traditional copper coins.

Later Years as Prince

The tomb of Wang Shenzhi.

In 917, Wang Shenzhi arranged another important marriage. His second son, Wang Yanjun, married Liu Hua. She was a niece of Liu Yan, the emperor of a kingdom to the southwest called Yue (later known as Southern Han). This marriage also helped keep peace between the kingdoms.

In 918, another kingdom called Wu attacked a nearby region. The ruler of that region asked Min, Wuyue, and Chu for help. Min forces went to help, but after Wu defeated Chu troops, Min and Wuyue also pulled back. Wu then took over the region.

Wang Shenzhi's nephew, Wang Yanbin, was in charge of Quan Prefecture. He started to become too proud. He believed a Buddhist monk who told him he would become a prince. He also secretly tried to become a vassal of the Later Liang emperor, separate from Wang Shenzhi. When Wang Shenzhi found out in 920, he had the monk punished and removed Wang Yanbin from his position.

In 922, the Southern Han emperor, Liu Yan, believed a sorcerer who told him to go to a certain place to avoid disaster. This place was near the border with Min. A Min general, Wang Yanmei, tried to ambush Liu Yan. But Liu Yan found out and left before the attack.

In 923, a new dynasty called Later Tang began. Its emperor defeated the Later Liang emperor. Wang Shenzhi then recognized the new Later Tang emperor as his ruler.

In 924, Southern Han attacked Min again. But Min forces fought back and defeated them, forcing Liu Yan to retreat.

In 925, Wang Shenzhi became very ill. He put his oldest son, Wang Yanhan, in charge of the kingdom. There was a rumor that Wang Shenzhi's illness was caused by Wang Yanhan's wife. Later that year, Wang Shenzhi died. Wang Yanhan then took over the state.

Family and Descendants

Wang Shenzhi had a large family. His father was Wang Nin and his mother was Lady Dong. His main wife was Lady Ren Neiming. He also had other important wives, including Lady Huang and Lady Chen Jinfeng.

He had many children:

• Wang Yanhan (who became king after him)
• Wang Yanjun (who later became Emperor Huizong)
• Wang Yanxi (who later became Emperor Jingzong)
• Wang Yanzheng (who later became emperor)
• Several other sons and daughters. Some of his daughters married into other important families, helping to build alliances.

He also had two adopted children, including Wang Yanfeng, who was actually his brother Wang Chao's biological son.