Li Bian
Founder of Southern Tang dynasty
Li Bian(李昪) (January 7, 889 – March 30, 943), courtesy name Zhenglun(正伦), childhood name Pengnu(彭奴), was the founder of the Southern Tang during the Five Dynasties period. He was from Xuzhou (recorded as Haizhou in the Old History of the Five Dynasties). Li Bian was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by Yang Xingmi(杨行密) during the chaos of war. Later, he became the adopted son of Yang's general Xu Wen(徐温) and was given the surname Xu(徐), with the name Zhigao(知诰). Towards the end of the Tang Dynasty, Wu ruler Yang Xingmi controlled the southern part of the Huai region. Xu Zhigao followed Xu Wen in military campaigns and, due to his achievements, was appointed governor of Shengzhou (modern-day Nanjing, Jiangsu). Zhigao encouraged farming and silk production, repaired city walls, and built up the treasury. Later, Xu Wen appointed him as the governor of Runzhou, while his own son Xu Zhixun stayed in Yangzhou to handle state affairs. In the fourth year of Zhenming (918), Xu Zhixun was killed by Zhu Jin, who then committed suicide. Xu Zhigao received the news in advance and quickly took control of Yangzhou. Xu Wen then made Xu Zhigao deputy commander of Huainan, overseeing both military and administrative affairs, with the residence in Guangling (today's Yangzhou, Jiangsu). Zhigao built Yanbin Pavilion to attract talent, reformed some corrupt policies, and eased tax collection to win people's support. In the second year of Wuyi (920), Yang Pu ascended the throne. Xu Zhigao was progressively promoted to positions such as Shizhong, Zhongshu Ling, Taiwei, and commander of all military forces, and was given the title King of Qi. In the third year of Wu Tianzuo (937), Zhigao deposed Yang Pu, proclaimed himself emperor, established his capital in Jinling, and named his state Great Qi with the era name Shengyuan. In the third year of Shengyuan (939), he took back the surname Li, renamed himself Bian, changed the state name to Tang, and history refers to it as Southern Tang. Li Bian implemented beneficial policies and removed harmful ones, made peace with Wuyue, and allowed for a period of stability in which production developed rapidly. In the seventh year of Shengyuan (943), Li Bian died of illness and was succeeded by his son Li Jing. He was given the posthumous title Emperor Guangwen Suwu Xiaogao, temple name Liezu, and was buried in Yongling.