Guo Wei (Chinese: 郭威) (10 September 9041 – 22 February 9542), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou (後周太祖), was the founding emperor of the Chinese Later Zhou dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, reigning from 951 until his death in 954.
Nicknamed "Sparrow Guo" (郭雀兒) after a sparrow-shaped tattoo on his neck,3 he rose to a high position in the Later Han as an assistant military commissioner. He founded the Later Zhou in 951.
Early life
When Guo Wei was born in 904 in Yaoshan (堯山; in modern Longyao County, Hebei), the Tang dynasty had disintegrated into regions controlled by warlords fighting amongst one another. Guo was just a toddler when his family moved to Taiyuan (in modern Shanxi), as his father Guo Jian (郭簡)4 became the prefect (刺史) of Shunzhou (順州, modern Shunyi District, Beijing), serving the Taiyuan-based warlord Li Keyong. Shortly afterwards, Guo Jian was killed by warlord Liu Rengong's forces which conquered Shunzhou, and before Guo Wei's deciduous teeth fell out, his mother Lady Wang (王氏) also died. Orphaned, the young boy was raised by a distant relative, Lady Han (韓氏).56
Guo Wei grew up into a muscular young man interested more in warfare than agriculture.7 He was also fond of drinking and gambling, and frequently participated in brawls; his wife Lady Chai often advised him not to indulge in these activities.8 When he was around 17, to escape arrest, he went to live with an acquaintance Gentleman Chang (常氏) in Huguan close to Luzhou (潞州, modern Changzhi, Shanxi), shortly before joining the army of Luzhou's interim regent (留後) Li Jitao. Li Jitao was serving Jin, ruled by Li Keyong's son Li Cunxu, but actually plotting to defect to the Later Liang, Jin's archenemy. He was therefore more interested in recruiting brave and talented soldiers than enforcing the law, so when an inebriated Guo stabbed a menacing marketplace butcher to death following an argument, he let Guo walk free, eventually summoning Guo back to serve him.9
Career under Later Tang
In 923, Li Cunxu established the Later Tang and overthrew Later Liang. Li Jitao was killed a few months later and all of his former soldiers, including 19-year-old Guo Wei, were assigned to the cavalry rotations. As Guo was literate and good at mathematics, he soon became an officer. He delved into the available literature on military strategy as much as he could, particularly enjoying Spring and Autumn Annals for a Wider World (閫外春秋), recommended by a blood brother Li Qiong (李瓊); Guo Wei also regarded Li Qiong as a teacher as he asked Li to explain to him parts of the Annals which he could not understand.1011
In 927, the Later Tang emperor Li Siyuan personally led an army to suppress Zhu Shouyin's rebellion. Guo Wei, then under the leadership of general Shi Jingtang, was among the first soldiers scaling the defensive wall of Xun (in modern Henan). Shi saw Guo's literary talents and tasked him to manage military records. Guo proved very popular among generals and ministers.12
Career under Later Jin
Later Tang was replaced by the Later Jin in 936.
Career under Later Han
The Later Han was a Shatuo-led Chinese dynasty founded by Liu Zhiyuan, posthumously known as Emperor Gaozu of Later Han. Guo Wei was already familiar with life under the Shatuo people as he had lived under their rule since he was nineteen years old. He served as the Assistant Military Commissioner to Liu Zhiyuan. However, when the teenage Liu Chengyou assumed the Later Han throne in 948, court intrigue enabled Guo to usurp the throne in a coup and declare the establishment of the Later Zhou dynasty on New Year's Day in 951 (11 February in the modern calendar).13
Reign
He was the first Han Chinese Emperor in northern China since 923. His rule was stable, and he passed reforms that attempted to relieve pressures on China’s massive peasantry. His rule was vigorous and well-organized. However, he died from an illness three years into his reign in 954.
Family
Consorts and issue
- Empress Shengmu, of the Chai clan (聖穆皇后 柴氏)
- Pure Consort, of the Yang clan (楊淑妃 楊氏; 911 – 947)
- Noble Consort, of the Zhang clan (張貴妃 張氏; 915 – 950)
- Virtuous Consort, of the Dong clan (董德妃 董氏; 915－953)
- Unknown
- Unnamed Prince,14 1st son
- Guo Qingge, Prince of Shan (剡王 郭青哥, d. 24 December 950), 2nd son
- Guo Yige (郭意哥, d. 24 December 950), 3rd son
- Unnamed Princess, 1st daughter14
- Unnamed Princess, 2nd daughter14
- Princess Chang of Ju State (莒國長公主, d. 950), 3rd daughter
- Princess Shou'an (壽安公主), 4rd daughter
- Married Zhang Yongde (張永德)
- Princess Yongning (梁國長公主), 5th daughter
References
Sources
- (in Chinese) Toqto'a; et al., eds. (1345). Song Shi (宋史) [History of Song].
- (in Chinese) Xue Juzheng; et al., eds. (974). Wudai Shi (五代史) [History of the Five Dynasties].
- (in Chinese) Ouyang Xiu (1073). Wudai Shiji (五代史記) [Historical Records of the Five Dynasties].
- (in Chinese) Sima Guang (1086). Zizhi Tongjian (資治通鑑) [Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government].
- Mote, F.W. (1999). Imperial China (900–1800). Harvard University Press. pp. 13–14.
Notes