Tang’s last emperor, Emperor Ai, was forced to abdicate, and the warlord Zhu Quanzhong (Zhu Wen) declared a new dynasty, Later Liang, marking the conventional start of the Five Dynasties era in North China.
Later Liang founder Zhu Wen was killed in a coup inside the imperial court, underscoring the extreme instability of early Five Dynasties politics.
The Shatuo Turk leader Li Cunxu (Prince of Jin) declared himself emperor, founding the Later Tang and claiming succession from the fallen Tang dynasty.
Later Tang armies defeated Later Liang and forced the surrender of Kaifeng, ending Later Liang (907–923) and briefly reunifying much of northern and central China under Later Tang.
A major southern regime, Former Shu, fell to a Later Tang invasion; the surrender at Chengdu ended Former Shu and expanded Later Tang influence into Sichuan.
General Shi Jingtang rebelled against Later Tang and, backed by the Khitan Liao, established the Later Jin—a pivotal shift that increased Liao leverage in North China.
To secure Liao support, Later Jin transferred the strategically crucial Sixteen Prefectures to the Khitan, weakening North China’s defensive frontier for generations.
After Later Jin attempted to resist Liao demands, the Khitan invaded and dismantled the dynasty, creating a power vacuum in the north.
Amid the post-invasion vacuum, Liu Zhiyuan founded the Shatuo-led Later Han, pushing Khitan forces back and restoring a short-lived northern regime.
General Guo Wei overthrew Later Han leadership and founded the Later Zhou, initiating reforms and renewed reunification campaigns in the north.
Woodblock printing matured under state sponsorship; the first complete printing of the Confucian Classics (often described as the Nine Classics project) was completed in 953, reflecting cultural continuity amid political fragmentation.
Later Zhou forces under Chai Rong defeated Northern Han and its Liao-backed coalition at Gaoping, consolidating Chai’s authority and enabling further campaigns.
Guo Wei’s adopted son Chai Rong (Emperor Shizong) succeeded him and intensified efforts to strengthen the state and expand its control.
In a sequence of campaigns, Later Zhou forced Southern Tang to cede extensive territory north of the Yangtze, shifting the balance among the Ten Kingdoms and advancing northern reunification.
At Chenqiao, troops proclaimed General Zhao Kuangyin emperor; the coup replaced Later Zhou rule and launched the Song dynasty, conventionally ending the Five Dynasties period.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960 CE)
