Meng Zhixiang

Type Figure Region China Time 874–934 Also known as Meng Baoyuan、Gaozu of Later Shu

Meng Zhixiang (874–934), style name Baoyuan, from Xingzhou, was the founding ruler of the Later Shu in the Five Dynasties period;…

Timeline

874–925Xingzhou · HebeiMeng Zhixiang was born in Xingzhou; under the Later Tang he rose through marrying a niece of Li Cunxu, serving successively as inspector of Binning, Taiyuan and other circuits, known for competence and deeply trusted by the Later Tang court.
925–933Chengdu · ChengduIn 925 the Later Tang destroyed the Former Shu; Meng Zhixiang entered Sichuan as military commissioner of Western Sichuan, sharing the two circuits with Dong Zhang of Eastern Sichuan. He gradually drifted from the court, and in 933 defeated and killed Dong Zhang, holding both circuits alone.
934Chengdu · ChengduIn 934 Meng Zhixiang declared himself emperor in Chengdu, taking the state name Shu, known to history as Later Shu. He died of illness only months later; his son Meng Chang succeeded, and Later Shu endured until its conquest by Song in 965.