Map Introduction

Historical Evolution of Southern Han (917–971 AD)

I. Foundation of the Regime and the Liu Family's Rise (907–942 AD)

Southern Han was a regime that controlled the Lingnan region during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Its territory covered present-day Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, and northern Vietnam, with its capital established at Guangzhou (Panyu). Its formation distinctly reflected the pattern of late-Tang separatist warlordism:

• Liu Yin's Foundation: Liu Yin, originally the Tang-appointed Prefect of Fengzhou, seized control of Guangzhou in 905 AD by expelling Liu Chonggui, the Military Governor of the Qinghai Army. During the Later Liang, he was formally appointed Military Governor of the Qinghai Army (907 AD) and later Prince of Nanhai (909 AD). He recruited scholars from the Central Plains (such as Zhao Guangyi), developed maritime trade (leveraging Guangzhou's status as a major Eastern port), and pacified the indigenous tribes in the Lingnan river valleys, laying the groundwork for the founding of the state.
• Liu Yan's Ascension as Emperor: Liu Yan (originally named Liu Yan), younger brother of Liu Yin, declared himself Emperor in 917 AD, initially naming the state "Great Yue" (changing it to "Han" the following year). He brutally suppressed opposition, infamously devising cruel punishments such as forced nose-feeding, tongue-cutting, and boiling/steaming. Paranoia towards the scholar-official class led him to implement a policy of "governance by eunuchs," decreeing that officials must undergo self-castration to hold office.

II. Tyranny and Eunuch Dominance (942–958 AD)

The middle to late period of Southern Han was marked by accelerated decline due to the rulers' depravity and cruelty:

• Liu Bin's Debauchery: Upon succession, Liu Bin, the eldest son of Liu Yan, immersed himself in hedonistic pleasures. He frequently roamed incognito frequenting brothels and even commanded men and women to appear naked for his entertainment. His reign lasted merely a year before he was assassinated by his younger brother, Liu Sheng.
• Liu Sheng's Massacres: To consolidate power, Liu Sheng massacred over ten of his brothers and nephews (e.g., luring Liu Hong'ao to his death and having him hacked to pieces). He continued the reliance on eunuchs, increasing their numbers to over a thousand. Notably, he appointed female officials Lu Qiongxian and Huang Qiongzhi to the high post of Shizhong (Palace Attendant), a rare occurrence in history.

III. Collapse and Historical Assessment (958–971 AD)

• Liu Chang's Downfall: During the reign of the last emperor, Liu Chang, the number of eunuchs swelled to more than 20,000. State finances teetered on collapse due to extreme extravagance (e.g., adorning palaces with pearls and crystal). When Song forces advanced south in 971 AD, Liu Chang set his treasure stores ablaze and surrendered, leading to the fall of Southern Han.

• Characteristics of the Regime:

  • Economy: Reliant on maritime trade and heavy exactions. In its later years, widespread peasant revolts erupted due to harsh punishments and oppressive taxes.
  • Politics: Centered around a eunuch ruling elite, operating under the distorted logic that "officials without descendants are more loyal." This made Southern Han one of the most peculiar regimes of the Five Dynasties period.

The rise and fall of Southern Han illustrates the trajectory of decay possible in a separatist regime lacking checks and balances. Its tyranny and eunuch hegemony serve as a profound warning for later generations.