Overview
This lecture covers the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period following the Tang Dynasty’s fall, highlighting its political chaos and using the career of bureaucrat Fan Zhi as a case study.
Background and Structure of the Period
- After the Tang Dynasty, China entered the fragmented Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
- Many warlords rose to power following the failed Huang Chao rebellion.
- The Five Dynasties concept was formalized by Song historians, focusing on successive northern regimes.
- The term "Ten Kingdoms" refers to southern states, mostly seen as minor or supporting by historians.
- Naming conventions often reused names from past dynasties, leading to confusion.
Key Players and Dynastic Changes
- The Five Dynasties in the north were: Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou.
- The Ten Kingdoms were primarily in the south; only Southern Tang was notably powerful.
- The Khitan Liao Dynasty played a significant role in shaping the era's outcomes.
- Power shifts were frequent, often involving coups, betrayals, and military interventions.
Fan Zhi and Bureaucratic Survival
- Fan Zhi began his career during Later Tang and served through all five dynasties to become Song Dynasty prime minister.
- Survival often meant bureaucrats retained posts across regime changes if they were competent and non-partisan.
- Fan Zhi succeeded by focusing on his duties, being adaptable, and avoiding political entanglements.
Major Events and Developments
- The Later Liang was established in 907 after the Tang fell.
- Repeated coups, revolts, and shifting alliances characterized the era.
- The “Later” prefix was added by historians to distinguish similar dynasty names.
- The Khitan Liao Dynasty intervened in Chinese politics and established dominance over the north.
- The Song Dynasty reunified most of China by 979.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms — A period of division following the Tang Dynasty (907–960), marked by political fragmentation.
- Jiedushi — Military governors holding regional power during late Tang and following periods.
- Khitan Liao Dynasty — Nomadic regime in northern China influencing and controlling Chinese dynastic politics.
- Emperor — Supreme ruler of a dynasty, often a dangerous title to claim in this era.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the chronology and relationships among the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
- Note the key roles played by bureaucrats like Fan Zhi during regime changes.
- Prepare for the next lecture on the rise of the Song Dynasty.