Zhou Ben facts for kids

Zhou Ben (周本; 862 – February 3, 938) was a brave general in ancient China. He lived during a time called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He served a state called Wu (also known as Hongnong). Later, he briefly served Wu's successor state, Southern Tang. He was formally known as Prince Gonglie of Xiping.

Early Life and Joining the Army

Zhou Ben was born in 862. He grew up in a place called Susong. Sadly, he became an orphan when he was young. He was also very poor. But Zhou Ben was incredibly strong. People said he could fight and kill tigers with his bare hands!

He became an officer under a leader named Zhao Huang. In 889, another powerful leader, Yang Xingmi, attacked Zhao Huang. Yang Xingmi captured Zhou Ben. But instead of punishing him, Yang Xingmi immediately released Zhou Ben. He even made Zhou Ben an officer in his own army.

Serving Under Yang Xingmi

Zhou Ben was known for his incredible bravery in battles. He would always fight on the front lines. He was never afraid, even when he got hurt. After battles, he would treat his own wounds. He would use hot irons to seal them. Even while doing this, he would drink and talk as if nothing was happening.

Around 897, Yang Xingmi was a powerful military leader. His city, Su Prefecture, was attacked. The attacker was Gu Quanwu, a general for Yang Xingmi's rival, Qian Liu. Yang Xingmi sent Zhou Ben to help Su Prefecture. But Zhou Ben was defeated by Gu. Su Prefecture was lost to Qian Liu.

Serving Under Yang Wo

In 904, a leader named Chen Zhang joined Yang Xingmi's side. Chen Zhang was being attacked by Qian Liu's forces. In 906, Yang Xingmi's son, Yang Wo, became the new leader. He ordered Zhou Ben to save Chen Zhang.

Zhou Ben quickly went to Qu Prefecture. When he arrived, Qian Liu's forces stopped their attack. This allowed Chen Zhang to leave the city safely with Zhou Ben. Zhou Ben's deputy wanted to fight Qian Liu's army. But Zhou Ben said his orders were only to save Chen. He carefully led his troops away. Zhou Ben acted as the rear guard. When Qian Liu's forces tried to follow, Zhou Ben set a trap. He defeated them and continued his withdrawal.

Serving Under Yang Longyan

By 908, Yang Wo's state was called Hongnong. Yang Wo's brother, Yang Longyan, was the new prince. A powerful regent named Xu Wen was in charge. Zhou Ben was asked to attack Qian Liu again. Qian Liu's state was now called Wuyue.

Zhou Ben attacked Su Prefecture. But he couldn't capture it quickly. Wuyue's relief forces arrived. Zhou Ben's army was caught between the new forces and the city's defenders. They were defeated. Zhou Ben had to retreat. After this, Zhou Ben said he was sick. He stayed home and refused new missions for a while.

The Battle of Xiangya Lake

In 909, a warlord named Wei Quanfeng rebelled against Hongnong. He had a huge army of about 100,000 soldiers. He planned to attack Hong Prefecture. Hongnong's leaders needed a strong general. Xu Wen's strategist, Yan Keqiu, suggested Zhou Ben.

Zhou Ben was still saying he was sick. So Yan Keqiu went to his house. He even went into Zhou Ben's bedroom to talk to him. Zhou Ben explained why he had failed at Su Prefecture. He said he needed full command. Yan Keqiu agreed. Zhou Ben then accepted the mission.

Zhou Ben was first ordered to help another city. But he realized Wei Quanfeng was the main threat. He rushed his smaller army to Hong Prefecture. The local leader wanted to hold a feast. But Zhou Ben refused. He said they needed to move fast. He didn't want his soldiers to hear about Wei's huge army and get scared.

Zhou Ben found Wei's army across a river at Xiangya Lake. He sent a small group to attack across the river. Then he pulled them back. This tricked Wei's army into crossing the river. While Wei's soldiers were crossing, Zhou Ben attacked! He caught them by surprise and crushed their army. He captured Wei Quanfeng. Hongnong forces then took over Wei's territory. Zhou Ben was made the prefect of Xin Prefecture.

The Trick at Xin Prefecture

In 918, Wu (the new name for Hongnong) was attacking another region. Qian Liu, the Wuyue leader, sent 20,000 soldiers to attack Xin Prefecture. This was to relieve pressure on his ally. Zhou Ben was defending Xin Prefecture. His garrison only had a few hundred soldiers.

The Wuyue forces surrounded Xin Prefecture. Zhou Ben had an idea. He set up empty tents inside the city. He also held feasts with his officers on the city walls. He didn't move, even when arrows flew at the walls. The Wuyue forces thought there must be a huge hidden army inside. They got scared and left in the middle of the night! Later that year, Wu captured the region they were fighting for.

Serving Under Yang Pu

In 923, Yang Pu became the King of Wu. He sent an official to visit the new emperor of Later Tang. The Later Tang emperor asked about famous Wu generals. Zhou Ben was one of them.

Zhou Ben was called back to the capital. He became a general of the palace guards. Then he became the defender of Shou Prefecture. Later, he was made the military governor of Desheng Circuit. He also received many important titles. He was even made the Prince of Xiping.

Zhou Ben couldn't read or write. But he respected educated people. He treated his staff with respect. He also cared for the people he governed. He wasn't good with money matters. But everyone agreed he was a brilliant military leader.

A Difficult Choice

By 936, Xu Wen had died. His adopted son, Xu Zhigao, was now the regent. Xu Zhigao planned to take over the Wu throne. His supporters wanted Zhou Ben and another senior general to ask Yang Pu to give up the throne.

Zhou Ben didn't want to do this. He said, "I received great kindness from the late King. I always regretted not being able to save the Yang family. How can you ask me to do this?"

However, Zhou Ben's son, Zhou Hongzuo, pressured him. Eventually, Zhou Ben and the other general went to the capital. They praised Xu Zhigao and asked for the change of power.

In 937, Yang Pu's older brother, Yang Meng, tried to start a rebellion. He escaped his house arrest. He hoped to meet Zhou Ben and convince him to fight Xu Zhigao. Zhou Ben was ready to meet Yang Meng. But his son, Zhou Hongzuo, stopped him. Zhou Hongzuo closed the mansion doors. He wouldn't let Zhou Ben out. Instead, he sent soldiers to capture Yang Meng. Yang Meng was killed on the way. Later that year, Xu Zhigao took the throne from Yang Pu. This ended the Wu state and started the new Southern Tang state.

Death

Zhou Ben kept all his titles after the change to Southern Tang. But in the spring of 938, he died. People said he died with sadness and anger. He regretted not being able to save the Wu state. He was buried with great honors. He was given the special name Gonglie, meaning "respectful and responsible."