11 Facts About Qian Chu

Qian Chu reigned from 947 until 978, when he surrendered his kingdom to the Northern Song dynasty.

Qian Chu came to power after his brother, Qian Zong, was deposed in a coup d'etat.

Indeed, Qian Chu changed his name from the original Qian Hongchu, because the character hong was barred by taboo.

In 960, Qian Chu submitted to Song, and changed his name in the same year.

Subsequently, Qian Chu obeyed orders from the Song court to participate in the annexation of the other small southern kingdoms on behalf of the Song emperor.

However, in 978, Qian Chu surrendered his territories to the Song regime, possibly under veiled threat from the Song court.

In 984, Qian Chu was made King of Hannan instead, and in 987, was reduced again to King of Nanyang, with the right to take up residence in Nanyang, but then immediately, was additionally made Prince of Xu, with an enlarged feoff.

In 988, Qian Chu lost his title as king and was made Prince of Deng instead, with a larger nominal feoff and actual income.

Qian Chu reportedly enjoyed a good personal relationship with the emperor, being regularly summoned to the palace for banquets and ball games.

Qian Chu was given a state funeral, was posthumously raised to King of Qin, and was buried near Luoyang.

Qian Chu had seven sons, one of whom went on to become a Chancellor in the Song court.