Lu Guangchou (盧光稠) (died 910) was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and who nominally submitted to both the succeeding

Later Liang Later Liang may refer to the following states in Chinese history: * Later Liang (Sixteen Kingdoms) (後涼; 386–403), one of the Sixteen Kingdoms * Western Liang (555–587), also known as Later Liang (後梁), a state during the Southern and Nor ...

and Later Liang's rival Wu after the end of Tang, who controlled the Qian Prefecture (虔州, in modern Ganzhou, Jiangxi) region from 885 to his death in 910.

Background and seizure of Qian Prefecture

It is not known when Lu Guangchou was born, but it is known that he was from Nankang (南康, in modern Ganzhou, Jiangxi). It was said that Lu had an impressive physique, but was not particularly talented; nevertheless, he impressed fellow Nankang native Tan Quanbo. In the late Tang Dynasty, when the southern parts of the Tang realm was overrun by agrarian rebels, Tan encouraged Lu to start a rebellion as well, and Lu did so. When the group of rebels that they gathered wanted to support Tan as their leader instead, Tan yielded the leadership position to Lu, and further threatened to execute those who would not follow Lu's orders, bringing the rebels in line.'' New History of the Five Dynasties'', vol. 41. In 885, Lu captured Qian Prefecture. He took the title of prefect, and made Tan his chief strategist.'' Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 256.

Governance of Qian Prefecture

In 902, Lu Guangchou made an attack south to enlarge his territory. He first captured Shao Prefecture (韶州, in modern Shaoguan, Guangdong), and he had his son Lu Yanchang take control of it. He then put Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern

Chaozhou Chaozhou (), alternatively Chiuchow, Chaochow or Teochew, is a city in the eastern Guangdong province of China. It borders Shantou to the south, Jieyang to the southwest, Meizhou to the northwest, the province of Fujian to the east, and the Sou ...

, Guangdong) under siege, but was then repelled by Liu Yin the acting military governor of Qinghai Circuit (清海, headquartered in modern Guangzhou, Guangdong). Liu Yin then, despite his brother Liu Yan's opposition, attacked Shao Prefecture. Tan Quanbo laid an ambush for the Qinghai troops and defeated them, allowing Lu Guangchou to retain Shao. Despite the victory, Tan did not take credit and instead praised the other officers involved, causing Lu to trust him further.''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 263. After the Tang throne was seized by the major warlord Zhu Quanzhong the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng, Henan) in 907, ending Tang and starting a new

with Zhu as its Emperor Taizu, the territory north of Lu's was controlled by the state of Hongnong (later also known as Wu), which did not submit to Later Liang and instead continued to maintain Tang era name, while the territory to the south was controlled by Liu Yin, then still a Later Liang vassal.''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 266. Lu submitted tributes to the Later Liang emperor. In response, Emperor Taizu made Qian and Shao into a Baisheng Circuit () and made Lu its defender (防禦使, ''Fangyushi''). In 909, after Hongnong defeated and captured the independent warlord

Wei Quanfeng Wei Quanfeng (危全諷) was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Fu Prefecture (撫州, in modern Fuzhou, Jiangxi) for over two decades, from 882 to 909, and who, at the prime of his power, also controlled three nearby ...

, who had controlled four prefectures centered around Fu Prefecture (撫州, in modern

Fuzhou Fuzhou (; , Fuzhounese: Hokchew, ''Hók-ciŭ''), alternately romanized as Foochow, is the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian province, China. Along with the many counties of Ningde, those of Fuzhou are considered to constitute t ...

, Jiangxi), Hongnong took control of Wei's territory. In response, Lu sent a petition submitting to Hongnong's prince Yang Longyan, although he also continued to submit to Later Liang. In 910, Emperor Taizu gave him the title of acting military governor of Zhennan Circuit (鎮南, headquartered in modern Nanchang, Jiangxi), which was then Hongnong territory.''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 267. Later that year, Lu fell ill, and he wanted to yield his position to Tan. Tan declined. When Lu subsequently died, and Lu Yanchang arrived from Shao to mourn his father, Tan supported Lu Yanchang to succeed Lu Guangchou. Subsequently, both Yang Longyan and Later Liang's Emperor Taizu confirmed the succession.

Notes and references

* ''

New Book of Tang The ''New Book of Tang'', generally translated as the "New History of the Tang" or "New Tang History", is a work of official history covering the Tang dynasty in ten volumes and 225 chapters. The work was compiled by a team of scholars of the So ...

'', vol. 190. * '' New History of the Five Dynasties'', vol. 41. * '' Zizhi Tongjian'', vols.

256 Year 256 ( CCLVI) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Claudius and Glabrio (or, less frequently, year 1009 ''Ab urbe condi ...

, 263,

267 __NOTOC__ Year 267 ( CCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Paternus and Arcesilaus (or, less frequently, year 10 ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Lu, Guangchou 9th-century births 910 deaths Year of birth unknown Tang dynasty generals from Jiangxi Yang Wu generals Later Liang (Five Dynasties) generals Political office-holders in Jiangxi Politicians from Ganzhou Later Liang (Five Dynasties) people born during Tang Yang Wu people born during Tang