A New Dynasty Every 10 Years#
After the Tang Dynasty fell, the country was in chaos again.
From 907 to 960, in just 53 years, there were five dynasties: Later Liang, Later Tang, Later Jin, Later Han, and Later Zhou.
Each dynasty lasted an average of just over 10 years.
Your six years of elementary school? That’s longer than most of these dynasties!
In the south, ten smaller kingdoms existed at the same time. Together, they’re called the “Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.”
Whoever Has the Most Soldiers Rules#
The rule of this era was simple: whoever has the biggest fist is the boss.
Generals with armies dared to rebel. Today you overthrow me, tomorrow he overthrows you, the day after someone overthrows him.
Emperors changed like a revolving door, and the people suffered terribly.
Shi Jingtang: The Most Shameful “Son-Emperor”#
The most despicable figure of this era was Shi Jingtang of the Later Jin.
To become emperor, he borrowed troops from the northern Khitan (Liao) empire. In exchange, he did two shameful things:
First, he ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. This land included today’s Beijing and was the中原’s northern shield. Once ceded, the中原’s大门 was wide open for nomadic peoples to march right in.
Second, he called the Khitan emperor “father.” Shi Jingtang was over ten years older than the Khitan emperor, yet he自称 “Son-Emperor” — calling the other man his dad.
In Chinese history, this was an utter humiliation.
Chai Rong: The可惜 Wise Emperor#
Later Zhou’s Chai Rong was a rare good emperor. He reformed politics, developed the economy, trained the army, and planned to unify the country.
He only ruled for 5 years before dying of illness at age 39.
On his deathbed, Chai Rong entrusted his 7-year-old son to General Zhao Kuangyin. He believed Zhao Kuangyin would faithfully serve the young emperor.
He was wrong.
Zhao Kuangyin: The Yellow Robe#
The year after Chai Rong’s death, news came that敌人 were invading. Zhao Kuangyin led his troops out.
At a place called Chenqiao, his men suddenly pulled out a yellow dragon robe, draped it over him, and shouted in unison: “General, be our emperor!”
Zhao Kuangyin “reluctantly” agreed. He turned his army around, marched back to the capital, forced the young emperor to abdicate, and founded the Song Dynasty.
This is the story of “the yellow robe bestowed upon him.” As for whether that “invasion” was real… who knows?
History Wisdom#
The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms teaches us two lessons:
First, without rules, there’s no order. The era was chaotic because there were no stable systems. Whoever had soldiers could become emperor — the country could never be at peace.
Second, loyalty is a rare quality. In an era when everyone betrayed everyone, loyalty was格外 precious. Zhao Kuangyin was entrusted with an orphan but seized the throne from the widow and child — though he ended the chaos, it remained morally controversial.
Knowledge Card#
- Key Figure: Shi Jingtang, 892 – 942, founder of Later Jin, the “Son-Emperor”
- Key Figure: Chai Rong, 921 – 959, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, a wise but短命 emperor
- Key Figure: Zhao Kuangyin, 927 – 976, founder of the Song Dynasty
- Major Event: Five Dynasties succession (907 – 960) — five dynasties in 53 years
- Major Event: Ceding the Sixteen Prefectures — the中原 lost its northern shield
- Major Event: Chenqiao Mutiny (960) — Zhao Kuangyin bestowed the yellow robe
- Related Idiom: Yellow Robe Bestowed — being made emperor by one’s troops; means being forced into high office
- Sources: Old History of the Five Dynasties, New History of the Five Dynasties, Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance