[ As Liao's Emperor Taizong had taken the Later Jin chancellors and Li Song north, Liu awarded Feng's mansion to Su Yugui and Li's mansion to Su Fengji.][''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 288.] It was said that Su Fengji and Su Yugui were deeply trusted by the emperor, such that no one could alienate him from them; he entrusted them with all governmental matters, while entrusting all military matters to Yang Bin
Yang Bin (楊邠) (died December 24, 950''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 289.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), formally the Prince of Hongnong (弘農王) (as posthumously honored during Later Zhou), was a chancellor of the Chinese ...
and Guo Wei
Guo Wei () (10 September 904 – 22 February 954According to Guo Wei's biography in "Old Histories of the Five Dynasties", he died between 9am and 11 am on the ''renchen'' day of the 1st month of the 1st year of the ''Xiande'' era of his reign ...
. At Su Fengji's recommendations, Liu made Li Tao, as well as Dou Zhengu Dou Zhengu () (892-969), courtesy name Tiren (), formally the Duke of Yi (), was an official of the History of China, Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Later Tang, Later Jin (Five Dynasties), Later Jin, Later Han (Five Dynasties), Later ...
, chancellors as well, joining the Sus, in fall 947, as he was set to join the generals Gao Xingzhou Gao Xingzhou () (885'' History of the Five Dynasties'', vol. 123. – September 10, 952''History of the Five Dynasties'', vol. 112.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Shangzhi (), formally Prince Wuyi of Qin (), wa ...
and Murong Yanchao Murong Yanchao () (died June 15, 952'' Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 290.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), known at one point as Yan Kunlun (), was a Chinese general of the Later Tang, Later Jin, and Later Han dynasties. As a half-br ...
(Liu's half-brother) against the rebellious general Du Chongwei Du Chongwei () (died March 13, 948''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 287. Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), known as Du Wei () during the reign of Shi Chonggui, was a Chinese military general and politician of the Five Dynasties and Ten ...
. At that time, Su Yugui received the title of ''You Pushe'' ().[''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 287.]
During Liu Chengyou's reign
Liu Zhiyuan died in spring 948, and was succeeded by his young son Liu Chengyou
Liu Chengyou () (28 March 931Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter – 2 January 951), also known by his posthumous name Emperor Yin (), was the second and last emperor of imperial China's short-lived Later Han dynasty, during t ...
, whom he entrusted to Su Fengji, Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao Shi Hongzhao () (died December 24, 950''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 289.Academia Sinicabr>Chinese-Western Calendar Converter), courtesy name Huayuan (), formally the Prince of Zheng () (as posthumously honored during Later Zhou), was a major general of ...
, and Guo Wei.[ Early in Liu Chengyou's reign, the high-level officials were in a collective leadership, with different responsibilities. However, Yang Bin, as chief of staff ('']Shumishi
Shumishi (), or shumi, was an official title in imperial China important in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Liao dynasty, the Song dynasty and the Jin dynasty (1115–1234). ''Shumishi'' managed the Bureau of Military Affairs ().
...
''), oversaw the government overall,[''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 289.] and when the chancellors, led by Su Fengji, wanted to promote officials and fill unfilled positions, Yang saw the requests as wasteful and often rejected them, causing the chancellors to be displeased In spring 948, Li Tao submitted a petition to Liu Chengyou suggesting that Yang and Guo Wei (who was then deputy chief of staff) be given military commands outside the capital and that key matters be decided by Su Fengji and Su Yugui. When Yang and Guo heard of this, they went to see Liu Chengyou's mother (Liu Zhiyuan's wife) Empress Dowager Li, stating to her, "Your subjects have followed the deceased emperor ever since difficult times. Now, the Son of Heaven is accepting other people's word and wants to send us out. Given that there are troubles west of the pass i.e.,_in_the_Guanzhong_region,_where_the_general_Wang_Jingchong_(Five_Dynasties).html" ;"title="Guanzhong.html" ;"title="i.e., in the i.e.,_in_the_Guanzhong_region,_where_the_general_Wang_Jingchong_(Five_Dynasties)">Wang_Jingchong_was_fostering_a_rebellion).html" ;"title="Guanzhong">i.e., in the Guanzhong region, where the general Wang Jingchong (Five Dynasties)">Wang Jingchong was fostering a rebellion)">Guanzhong">i.e., in the Guanzhong region, where the general Wang Jingchong (Five Dynasties)">Wang Jingchong was fostering a rebellion) how can we, your subjects and ignore the affairs of the state? If we are not to remain, we hope to at least remain until the deceased emperor's burial." Empress Dowager Li was angered, and she went to Liu Chengyou, stating to him, "These are the old and accomplished subjects of the state. Why are you listening to others and expelling them?" When Liu Chengyou blamed the matter on the chancellors in general, Li Tao took the blame by himself, and was relieved of his chancellor position. Subsequently, Yang was given an additional chancellor position, while Guo was made co-chief of staff, such that Yang became the main decision-maker, with the two Su chancellors (along with the other chancellor Dou Zhengu Dou Zhengu () (892-969), courtesy name Tiren (), formally the Duke of Yi (), was an official of the History of China, Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period Later Tang, Later Jin (Five Dynasties), Later Jin, Later Han (Five Dynasties), Later ...
) no longer having real chancellor authority.[
In 949, after Guo suppressed the rebellion of the general Li Shouzhen, Guo declined to be honored alone for his achievements, and therefore all of the high-level officials were honored. In Su Yugui's case, he was given the title ''Zuo Pushe'' ().][
By winter 950, Liu Chengyou had tired of the control the senior officials had on his government, even though, under Yang's leadership, the imperial government was considered well-run, and Shi's overseeing of the capital made it safe for the public. Part of the friction came from how his close associates and relatives of the empress dowager were trying to gain power, but were being thwarted by Yang and Shi. At that time, Empress Dowager Li's younger brother Li Ye () was serving as the director of miscellaneous affairs (武德使, ''Wudeshi'') inside the palace, but wanted to be promoted to the higher position of director of palace affairs, a desire that Liu Chengyou and Empress Dowager Li were both in concurrence with, but Yang and Shi considered inappropriate as he lacked the seniority, so they stopped his commission. Further, Hou Kuangzan () the director of imperial stables, Guo Yunming () the director of tea and wine, and Nie Wenjin () the liaison officer at the office of the chiefs of staff, were all favored by Liu Chengyou, but had long not been promoted, causing them to be resentful. When Liu Chengyou wanted to make his favorite concubine Consort Geng empress, Yang considered it too quick after the expiration of his morning period for Liu Zhiyuan, and so opposed it. When Consort Geng died, Yang opposed Liu Chengyou's wishes to have her buried with the ceremonies due an empress. Further, there was an occasion when Yang and Shi were discussing state matters with Liu Chengyou, Liu Chengyou made the comment, "Be careful! Do not let others get a chance to criticize you!" Yang responded, "Your Imperial Majesty should just be quiet. Your subjects are still here." This led to Liu Chengyou's resentment toward them, and his close associates thereafter falsely accused Yang and the others of plotting against him. As Su resented Shi, he also incited Li Ye and the others.][
Liu Chengyou, thereafter, plotted with Li Ye, Nie, Hou, and Guo Yunming to kill Yang and the others. Liu Chengyou reported his plans to Empress Dowager Li, who responded, "How can such things be easily considered! You should discuss with the chancellors further." However, Li Ye then stated, "The deceased Emperor had said before that the matters of the state should not be discussed with scholars. Their timidity will ruin you." When Empress Dowager Li tried to speak again, Liu Chengyou responded angrily, "The matters of state cannot be decided in the halls of a woman!"][
On December 24, 950,][ as the officials were arriving at the palace for the imperial gathering, a number of soldiers appeared and killed Yang, Shi, and Wang Zhang. Subsequently, Liu Chengyou declared that they had committed treason, and stated to the chancellors and the other officials, "Yang Bin and the others viewed us as a young child. We finally now get to be your true lord. You should not worry!" He sent soldiers to arrest and kill the relatives and close associates of Yang, Shi, and Wang.][
As part of the post-slaughter moves, Liu Chengyou also had the families of Guo Wei and Guo's assistant Wang Jun slaughtered, and he also sent emissaries to order the executions of Guo and Wang Jun. The emissaries were arrested and turned over to Guo, however, by Empress Dowager Li's brother Li Hongyi (). Guo thereafter rebelled and marched on Daliang. Li Ye wanted to empty out of the imperial treasury to award the imperial army with money (to try to ensure their faithfulness), and when Su Yugui initially opposed, Li Ye bowed down to him, stating, "Lord Chancellor, for the sake of the Son of Heaven, please do not be concerned about the treasury!" The soldiers were rewarded thereafter. Meanwhile, Liu Chengyou, against Empress Dowager Li's advice, went out of the capital to try to encourage the imperial troops (which he put Murong Yanchao in charge of) in opposition to Guo, with the three chancellors (Su Fengji, Su Yugui, and Dou) accompanying him. After Guo's troops defeated the imperial troops, Murong fled, and the imperial troops collapsed. Liu Chengyou was killed in the confusion, and Su Fengji, Yan, and Guo Yunming committed suicide.][ Su Yugui and Dou fled back to Daliang, and Su Yugui initially hid but was arrested by Guo's soldiers.][ Guo personally met Su Yugui and Dou and comforted them, returning them to their chancellor positions.][
Guo, in the aftermaths, initially consulted with Empress Dowager Li and postured to make Liu Chengyou's adoptive brother (biological cousin) Liu Yun, then the military governor of Wuning Circuit (武寧, headquartered in modern ]Xuzhou
Xuzhou (徐州), also known as Pengcheng (彭城) in ancient times, is a major city in northwestern Jiangsu province, China. The city, with a recorded population of 9,083,790 at the 2020 census (3,135,660 of which lived in the built-up area ma ...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu (; ; pinyin: Jiāngsū, Postal romanization, alternatively romanized as Kiangsu or Chiangsu) is an Eastern China, eastern coastal Provinces of the People's Republic of China, province of the China, People's Republic of China. It is o ...
), emperor. While Liu Yun was on the way from Wuning's capital Xu Prefecture () to Daliang, however, there were reports of a major Liao incursion. Empress Dowager Li sent Guo to resist it, leaving affairs of the government to Dou, Su, and Wang Jun, and military matters to Wang Yin (), although Su was subsequently sent to Song Prefecture (宋州, in modern Shangqiu
Shangqiu (), alternately romanized as Shangkiu, is a city in eastern Henan province, Central China. It borders Kaifeng to the northwest, Zhoukou to the southwest, and the provinces of Shandong and Anhui to the northeast and southeast respectively ...
, Henan
Henan (; or ; ; alternatively Honan) is a landlocked province of China, in the central part of the country. Henan is often referred to as Zhongyuan or Zhongzhou (), which literally means "central plain" or "midland", although the name is al ...
) to welcome Liu Yun. Soon, while Guo was away from Daliang, his soldiers rose to support him as the new emperor, and he returned to Daliang to seize the throne,[ establishing the new state of ]Later Zhou
Zhou, known as the Later Zhou (; ) in historiography, was a short-lived Chinese imperial dynasty and the last of the Five Dynasties that controlled most of northern China during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Founded by Guo Wei (E ...
.[''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 290.]
During Later Zhou
As emperor, Guo Wei retained Dou Zhengu and Su Yugui as chancellors, and gave Su the additional honorific title of ''Sikong'' (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers (), also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in Ancient China and Imperial China. These posts were abolished by Cao Cao in 208 AD a ...
), but added Wang Jun as a chancellor. Not long after, though, he relieved Dou and Su of their chancellor positions, with Su remaining only as ''Sikong'' (with Fan Zhi
Fàn Zhi () ( 911 – 5 November 964), formally the Duke of Lu (), was a civil official who served under 12 emperor of China, emperors of 6 dynasties during history of China, imperial China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and the subseq ...
and Li Gu made chancellors in their stead).[ After Guo's death and succession by his adoptive son ]Guo Rong
Chai Rong () (27 October 921 – 27 July 959), later known as Guo Rong (), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, was the second emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty of China, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms ...
, Guo Rong created Su the Duke of Ju. Not long after, Su retired from governmental service. On Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the festival that celebrates the beginning of a New Year, new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar, lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar. In Sinophone, Chinese and other East Asian cultures, the festival is commonly r ...
of 956, when Su was eating with a guest, he suddenly died.[
]
Notes and references
* ''Old History of the Five Dynasties
The ''Old History of the Five Dynasties'' (''Jiù Wǔdài Shǐ'') was an official history mainly focus on Five Dynasties era (907–960), which controlled much of northern China. And it also includes some history of other south states during the ...
'', vol. 127.
* ''Zizhi Tongjian
''Zizhi Tongjian'' () is a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084 AD during the Northern Song dynasty in the form of a chronicle recording Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynast ...
'', vols. 286, 287
Year 287 (Roman numerals, CCLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. In the Roman Empire, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Diocletian and Maximian (or, less frequ ...
, 288
Year 288 ( CCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. In the Roman Empire, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Maximian and Ianuarianus (or, less frequently, year 1041 ...
, 289, 290.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Su, Yugui
895 births
956 deaths
Politicians from Weifang
Later Liang (Five Dynasties) people born during Tang
Later Tang people
Later Jin (Five Dynasties) politicians
Later Han (Five Dynasties) chancellors
Later Zhou chancellors