Xu Wen, courtesy name Dunmei, formally Prince Zhongwu of Qi, later further posthumously honored Emperor Wu with the temple name Yizu by his adoptive son Xu Zhigao after Xu Zhigao founded the state of Southern Tang, was a major general and regent of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Wu.
20 Facts About Xu Wen
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Xu Wen took over the reins of the Wu state after assassinating, with his colleague Zhang Hao, Yang Wo, the first Prince of Hongnong, and then killing Zhang.
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Xu Wen was born in 862, during the reign of Emperor Yizong of Tang.
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Xu Wen's first known act while serving under Yang was in 889, during Yang's lengthy struggle against Sun Ru for the control of Huainan Circuit, when Yang captured Xuan Prefecture after a lengthy siege.
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Xu Wen was not listened to, but when subsequently, Yang's army was hampered by the failure for large ships to arrive with food supplies and forced to withdraw, Yang became impressed with Xu and decided to give him greater responsibilities.
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Xu Wen sent Xu to reinforce Wang's army, and Xu had his soldiers change into identical uniforms as Wang's.
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Xu Wen executed Zhou Yin, which caused fear to permeate among his staff members.
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Xu Wen entrusted the military matters to Yan and the financial matters to Luo Zhixiang, and it was said that both Yan and Luo were capable at their jobs, allowing Hongnong to be governed well.
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Xu Wen arrested Li Yu's youngest son, who was serving as a Huainan officer, and sent Li Yu's son to the front to show to Li Yu.
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Xu Wen then sent the official Xu Wen Rao to persuade Li Yu to surrender.
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Xu Wen then returned Liu and Tao to their posts, to show that he did not suspect them.
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Xu Wen was given the titles of prime minister, overseer of all military matters, supreme commander of the circuits, military governor of Zhenhai and Ningguo, acting Taiwei, Zhongshu Ling, and Prince of Donghai.
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However, Xu Wen, stating that he wanted the people to rest, decided to release the Wuyue soldiers and get Qian Liu to commit to a long-term peace.
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In 920, with Yang Longyan becoming seriously ill, Xu Wen returned to Yang Prefecture.
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In 921, at Xu Wen's urging, Yang Pu offered sacrifices to Heaven to further show his status as an independent ruler.
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Xu Wen himself had Zhong interrogated at Jinling, but when Zhong refused to defend himself, released him.
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Xu Zhigao wanted to further punish Zhong, but Xu Wen, pointing out that without Zhong, he would have died at Zhang Hao's hands, refused.
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Xu Wen sent an emissary to wish him well, and initially, Qian Liu's attendants advised him not to meet with the Wu emissary.
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Xu Wen did not have the heart to do so due to Xu Zhigao's diligence and filial piety.
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However, before the younger Xu Zhixun could arrive at Jiangdu, Xu Wen died, forcing the younger Xu Zhixun to immediately return to Jinling, and Xu Zhigao remained as regent.