Map Introduction

Historical Evolution of Nanping (Jingnan) (907–963 AD)

I. Foundation of the Regime and Gao Jixing's Separatist Rule (907–928 AD)

Nanping, also known as Jingnan or Northern Chu, was a separatist regime founded by Gao Jixing during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. With its capital at Jiangling (present-day Jingzhou, Hubei), it controlled just three prefectures—Jing, Gui, and Xia—making it the smallest state among the Ten Kingdoms. Its establishment was markedly opportunistic:

• Origins and Rise: Gao Jixing was originally a household slave of Li Qilang, a merchant from Bianzhou. After being adopted by Zhu Wen (and taking the Zhu surname), he entered the power structure of the Later Liang, eventually rising to the position of Military Governor of Jingnan through military achievements.
• Foundation for Separatism: When formally appointed in 907, Jingnan consisted only of Jing Prefecture. Gao Jixing gradually consolidated his rule by resettling refugees, repairing city defenses, and developing re-export trade (leveraging its position as a hub on the Yangtze River and north-south land routes).
• Diplomatic Strategy: He adopted a duplicitous "riding the fence" policy, paying nominal allegiance to the Later Liang and Later Tang courts while actually plundering tribute goods passing through his territory (e.g., those sent by Wuyue and Min to the Central Plains). This earned him the nickname "Gao the Rascal."

II. Pragmatic Rule under Gao Conghao (928–948 AD)

Gao Conghao, son of Gao Jixing, inherited his father's domain and refined flexible diplomacy into a "wait-and-see" principle:

• Submission and Tribute: He declared allegiance and offered tribute to the successive Central Plains dynasties (Later Tang, Later Jin) as well as neighboring powers like Southern Tang, Later Shu, and Chu, thereby securing titles and political space for survival.
• Economy as Foundation: He strengthened Jiangling's role as a commercial hub, imposed merchant taxes, and cast lead and iron coins (valued at ten to one copper coin), creating an economic model of a "small state with vast trade."
• Cultural Integration: He absorbed literati fleeing the Central Plains, promoted the development of Buddhism and Daoism, and maintained relative stability within his borders.

III. Later Decline and the End of the Regime (948–963 AD)

The third generation of Gao rulers faced the unifying trend of the late Five Dynasties period:

• Internal Decline: During the reigns of Gao Baorong and Gao Jichong, long-term reliance on powerful neighbors led to military neglect, and state finances became overly dependent on commercial taxes.
• Submission to the Early Song: In 963 AD, Emperor Taizu of Song, using the pretext of passage to attack Hunan, compelled the last ruler, Gao Jichong, to surrender his territory. Nanping thus became the first among the Ten Kingdoms to be conquered.

IV. Characteristics of the Regime and Historical Assessment

• Geography and Military: Situated in a contested region devoid of natural defensive barriers, it relied on diplomatic maneuvering and city fortifications (e.g., the walls of Jiangling) for survival.
• Economic Model: It was a state built on commerce, sustaining its finances through the plunder of tribute and re-export trade, forming a unique path of "rogue-state survival."
• Historical Position: As the smallest separatist regime among the Ten Kingdoms, its rise and fall exemplifies the survival strategies and inherent limitations of minor powers navigating between stronger rivals during the Five Dynasties period.