Zhu Hongzhao (朱宏昭)

Overview

Zhu Hongzhao was an official and Military Governor.

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Hongzhao	弘昭	Hongzhao

Life and dates

Death

Date Source Date: Text: 應順元年三月戊辰 · Regnal Year: 1 · Western Year: AD 934 · Threw himself into a well
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 133
AD 934 丁卯
suicide 自殺
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 17
AD 934 清泰元年四月
Suicide by well
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 101
Suicide by throwing himself into a well · At well 井
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 44

Attested activity

AD 934 應順元年三月庚申
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 113
AD 934 應順元年三月戊辰
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 133
AD 934 應順元年正月戊子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 31
AD 933 長興四年十二月庚戌
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 10
AD 934 丁卯
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 17
AD 934 乙未
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 6

Show 14 more source-backed claims

AD 933 大臣朱弘昭等方圖其事
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 103
AD 926 天成元年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 77
AD 933 己丑
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 153, 155
AD 926 to AD 933 明宗時
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 5, 10
AD 933 明宗病 / 殺秦王立湣帝
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 33-34
AD 933 明宗病時
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 120-121
AD 934 明年正月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 37, 44
AD 934 清泰元年四月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passages 101-102
AD 934 湣帝時鳳翔之變
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 129
AD 932 長興三年十二月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 88
AD 932 長興三年十二月戊午
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 200
AD 931 長興二年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 42, passage 48
AD 930 長興元年三月丙子
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 37
AD 930 長興元年正月辛卯
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 263

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Descendant of Zhu Min (朱玟)
grandfather 祖 · paternal line · 2 generations
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 75
Kin of Daughter of Mu Yanhui (穆延暉女)
daughter-in-law 兒婦 · Through Son of Zhu Hongzhao (朱弘昭子)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 41
Parent of Daughter of Zhu Hongzhao
daughter 女
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 98
Child of Zhu Shuzong (朱叔宗)
father 父
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 75
Parent of Son of Zhu Hongzhao (朱弘昭子)
father 父
son 子
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 41
Spouse of Wife of Zhu Hongzhao (朱弘昭妻)
wife 妻
wife 妻子
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 13; Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 41

Kinship Role children · presented with wife before Chonghui · Count 2
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passages 41, 81
concubines 妾
Kinship Role concubines · Quantity plural-unspecified
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 13

Key source chapters

Career and standing

concurrent Director of the Secretariat 兼中書令
AD 934 應順元年正月戊子 · Advanced
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 31
Southern Xuanhui commissioner 宣徽南院使
AD 928 天成三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 78
Literary Thought commissioner 文思使
AD 926 天成元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 77
Fengxiang military commissioner 鳳翔節度使
AD 926 to AD 933 明宗朝 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 80
Senior General of the Left Martial Guard 左武衛上將軍
AD 933 罷為 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 18
Xiangzhou military commissioner 襄州節度使
AD 932 長興三年十二月 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 88

Show 21 more source-backed claims

Left Martial Guard senior general; Southern Palace Bureau commissioner 左武衛上將軍、宣徽南院使
AD 931 長興二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 42, passage 48
Fengxiang military commissioner 鳳翔節度使
AD 930 長興元年三月丙子 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 37
Grand Inner Custodian 大內留守
AD 930 長興元年正月辛卯 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 263
Privy Council commissioner 樞密使
AD 933 長興四年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 92
chief councillor (replacing Zhao Yanshou) 樞密使（代延壽）
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 23
commissioner of the Bureau of Literary Thought 文思使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 5
commissioner of the Inner Service Bureau 內客省使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 10
commissioner of the Southern Palace Secretariat 宣徽南院使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 10
deputy military commissioner of Dongchuan 東川節度副使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 7
Grand General of the Left Guard 左衛大將軍
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 10
military governor of Fengxiang 鳳翔節度使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 10
military governor of Shannan East Circuit 山南東道節度使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 19
Xiangzhou military commissioner 襄州節度使
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 200
former Palace Commissioner 前宣徽使
Formerly held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 200
Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs 樞密使
AD 933 己丑 · Held
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 153
Palace Intendant 宣徽使
AD 930 長興元年三月丙子 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 37
commissioner of the southern bureau of the Palace Secretariat 宣徽南院使
AD 930 長興元年正月辛卯 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 263
guest officer 客將
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 5
Military Affairs Commissioner, honorary Grand Commandant, and co-equal Grand Counsellor 樞密使、檢校太尉、同平章事
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 31
Minister of Works (posthumous) 尚書令
AD 947 漢高祖即位 · Posthumously granted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 103
Grand Secretary 尚書令
Posthumously granted
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 47

Places and affiliations

Later Tang 後唐
Relation Served
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 5, 20
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 263; Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passages 10, 31, 113; Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 76
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 200
At Taiyuan 太原
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 74; New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 4
AD 930 長興元年三月丙子
At Fengxiang 鳳翔 · Relation Posted to
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 37

Works and attributed material

Addressee · Addressee · With Li Conghou (李從厚)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 129
Memorial · Author · With An Chonghui (安重誨)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 44
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Mu Yanhui (穆延暉)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 40-41
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 23, 43

Events and relationships

Appointed Grand Inner Custodian for the suburban sacrifice
AD 930 長興元年正月辛卯 · Political · Appointee
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passages 262-263
Attempted then completed suicide
Death · Subject
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 42, 44
Decided great matters with Yun Hanqiong Consort Wang
Political · Decision maker
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 33-34
Inquired after emperor with Congrong
AD 933 己丑 · Medical visit · Visitor · At Guangshou Hall 廣壽殿
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 153
Lifted cap before ministers
AD 933 長興四年十二月庚戌 · Ritual · Courtier
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 10
Made Fengxiang military commissioner
AD 930 長興元年三月丙子 · Political · Appointee
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 37

Show 9 more source-backed claims

Made no reply to emperor
Political · Minister
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 113
Memorialized disaffection
Political · Denouncer · With An Chonghui (安重誨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 15
Opposed palace entry
Political · Minister · With Li Congrong (李從榮)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 120
Plotted killing
AD 933 長興四年 · Political · Conspirator · With Li Congrong (李從榮)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 93
Refused entry at Fengxiang
Political · Actor · With An Chonghui (安重誨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 17
Reported rebellion
Political · Minister
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 121
Threw himself into a well
AD 934 應順元年三月戊辰 · Personal · Suicide
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 133
Relation Rival of · Person An Chonghui (安重誨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 6
Relation Colleague of · Person Feng Yun (馮贇)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 33; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 153

Assessments and attributes

Assessment detested by Fan Yanguang · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 18

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 153
Value historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 263

References in the histories

Search passages

History

60 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 41Volume 41 Book of Later Tang 17: Mingzong Annals 7 · 2 passages

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詔以宣徽南院使朱宏昭充。 Zhu Hongzhao, palace secretariat southern commissioner, was appointed to fill the post.

丙子，以宣徽使朱宏昭為鳳翔節度使； On bingzi Zhu Hongzhao became Fengxiang commissioner;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 42Volume 42 Book of Later Tang 18: Mingzong Annals 8 · 1 passage

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辛亥，以前鳳翔節度使朱宏昭為左武衛上將軍，充宣徽南院使。 On xinhai Zhu Hongzhao of Fengxiang became left martial guard senior general and southern palace bureau commissioner.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 43Volume 43 Book of Later Tang 19: Mingzong Annals 9 · 1 passage

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戊午，以前宣徽使朱宏昭為襄州節度使； On wuwu Zhu Hongzhao, former Palace Commissioner, became military governor of Xiang Prefecture;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 45Volume 45 Book of Later Tang 21: Emperor Min Annals 1 · 4 passages

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朱宏昭前舉帽，群臣再拜而退。 Zhu Hongzhao stepped forward and lifted his cap; the ministers bowed twice and withdrew.

戊子，樞密使、檢校太尉、同平章事朱宏昭，樞密使、檢校太尉、同中書門下二品馮贇並加兼中書令。 On wuzi Zhu Hongzhao, Military Affairs Commissioner, honorary Grand Commandant, and co-equal Grand Counsellor, and Feng Yun, Military Affairs Commissioner, honorary Grand Commandant, and Second Rank of the Secretariat and Chancellery, were both made concurrent Director of the Secretariat.

朱宏昭、馮贇不對，義誠曰：「西師驚潰，蓋由主將失策。 Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun made no reply. Kang Yicheng said, "The western army's panic and collapse were surely the fault of the commanding general's bad strategy.

召朱宏昭，宏昭懼，投於井。 Zhu Hongzhao was summoned; in fear he threw himself into a well.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 66Volume 66 Book of Later Tang 42: Biographies 8: an Zhonghui, Zhu Hongzhao, Zhu Hongshi, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou, Song Lingxun · 21 passages

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重誨至鳳翔，節度使朱弘昭延於寢室，令妻子奉食器，敬事尤謹。 At Fengxiang, commissioner Zhu Hongzhao welcomed him to his private quarters; wife and children served food with deepest respect.

重誨既辭，弘昭遣人具奏：「重誨怨望出惡言，不可令至行營，恐奪石敬瑭兵柄。」 After he left, Hongzhao reported, "Chonghui spoke bitterly in resentment; keep him from the front lest he steal Shi's command."

再過鳳翔，朱弘昭拒而不納，重誨懼，急騎奔程，未至京師，製授河中帥。 Passing Fengxiang again, Hongzhao shut him out; in fear he raced on, and before the capital an edict made him Hedong commander.

朱弘昭，太原人也。 Zhu Hongzhao was from Taiyuan.

弘昭事明宗，在藩方為典客。 He served Mingzong as guest-reception officer in the prince's domain.

明宗親祀南郊，弘昭為大內留守，加檢校太傅。 At Mingzong's southern suburban sacrifice Hongzhao was grand inner custodian and made acting Grand Mentor.

至鳳翔，弘昭迎謁馬首，請館於府署，妻子羅拜，捧卮為壽。 At Fengxiang Hongzhao met him on the road, lodged him at his mansion, and had wife and children bow and toast his health.

弘昭密遣人謂敬瑭曰：「安公親來勞軍，觀其舉措孟浪，儻令得至，恐士心迎合，則不戰而自潰也。 He secretly told Jingtang, "Lord An comes to oversee the army; he acts rashly—if he reaches camp the men may rally to him and you will collapse without fighting.

復過鳳翔，弘昭拒而不納。 Passing Fengxiang again, Hongzhao shut him out.

及重誨得罪，其年弘昭入朝，授左武衛上將軍，充宣徽南院使。 When Chonghui fell, Hongzhao came to court as Left Martial Guard senior general and Southern Xuanhui commissioner.

未幾，趙延壽出鎮汴州，召弘昭於襄陽，代為樞密使，加同平章事。 Soon Zhao Yanshou went to Bian; Hongzhao was recalled from Xiangyang as Privy Council commissioner with co-chief councilor rank.

十月，范延光出鎮常山，以三司使馮贇與弘昭對掌樞務，與康義誠、孟漢瓊同謀以殺秦王。 Month 10 Fan Yanguang went to Changshan; Feng Yun shared the Privy Council with Hongzhao; they joined Kang Yicheng and Meng Hanqiong to plot the Prince of Qin's death.

閔帝即位，弘昭以為由己得立，故於庶事高下在心，及赦後覃恩，弘昭首自平章事超加中書令。 Emperor Min's accession Hongzhao credited to himself; he dictated policy; after the general amnesty he jumped from co-chief councilor to chief councilor.

潞王至陝，閔帝懼，欲奔，馳手詔弘昭圖之。 At the Prince of Lu's arrival in Shan, Emperor Min panicked and meant to flee; he sent an urgent hand edict to Hongzhao to act.

中使繼至，弘昭援劍大哭，至後庭欲自裁，家人力止之。 Messengers followed; Hongzhao drew his sword, wept, and went to the rear court to die; his family restrained him.

使促之急，弘昭曰：「窮至此耶！」 Pressed hard, Hongzhao cried, "Brought to this pass!"

安從進既殺馮贇，斷弘昭首，俱傳於陝州。 An Congjin killed Feng Yun, took Hongzhao's head, and both were rushed to Shan.

及朱弘昭為樞密使，勢焰尤甚，洪實以宗兄事之，意頗相協。 Under Privy Council commissioner Hongzhao's peak power, Hongshi treated him as kin and they largely agreed.

弘昭將殺秦王，以謀告之，洪實不以為辭。 Hongzhao told him of the plot to kill the Prince of Qin; Hongshi raised no objection.

及朱弘昭、馮贇等懼禍，謀於義誠，但云：「仆為將校，不敢預議，但相公所使耳。」 When Zhu Hongzhao, Feng Yun, and the rest feared disaster and plotted with Yicheng, he only said, "I am a military officer; I dare not take part in counsel—I do only as the chief councilor orders."

自弘昭而下，力不能衛社稷，謀不能安國家，相踵而亡，又誰咎也。 From Hongzhao on, none could guard the realm or steady the state—they fell one after another; who else was to blame?

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 7Volume 7 Later Tang Annals 4: Deposed Emperors · 3 passages

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乙未，朱弘昭、馮赟獻錢助作山陵。 On yiwei Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun offered funds toward Mingzong’s mausoleum.

丁卯，京城巡檢使安從進叛，殺馮赟，朱弘昭自殺，從進傳其二首於從珂。 On dingmao the capital inspector An Congjin mutinied, slew Feng Yun, and Zhu Hongzhao took his own life. Congjin forwarded both heads to Congke.

王子重吉自明宗時典禁兵，為控鶴指揮使，湣帝即位，朱弘昭、馮赟用事，乃罷重吉兵職，出為亳州團練使。 Congke’s son Chongji had held the inner army since Mingzong’s reign as Crane Control commander. Once Conghou took the throne, Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun stripped him of command and posted him to Bozhou as training commissioner.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 15Volume 15: Mingzong of Later Tang's Family · 2 passages

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己丑，從榮與樞密使朱弘昭、馮赟入問起居於廣壽殿，帝不能知人。 On jichou Congrong came with Bureau commissioners Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun to ask after Mingzong in Guangshou Hall; the Emperor knew no one.

又曰：「弘昭等在此。」 She added: “Hongzhao and the others are here.”

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 25 passages

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朱弘昭 Zhu Hongzhao

朱弘昭，太原人也。 Zhu Hongzhao came from Taiyuan.

董璋為東川節度使，乃以弘昭為副使。 Dong Zhang held Dongchuan as military governor; Hongzhao was appointed his deputy.

西川孟知祥殺其監軍李嚴，弘昭大懼，求還京師，璋不許，遂相猜忌，弘昭益開懷待之不疑，璋頗重其為人。 Meng Zhixiang of Xichuan killed the army supervisor Li Yan. Hongzhao was terrified and begged to return to court, but Dong Zhang refused. Suspicion grew between them—yet Hongzhao treated him openly and without mistrust, and Zhang came to respect him.

後璋有軍事，遣弘昭入朝，弘昭乃免。 Later Dong Zhang sent him to court on official business, and Hongzhao was able to leave.

重誨至鳳翔，弘昭迎謁，禮甚恭，延重誨於家，使其妻妾侍飲食。 Chonghui reached Fengxiang. Hongzhao received him with elaborate courtesy, entertained him at home, and had his wife and concubines serve food and drink.

重誨以弘昭厚己，酒酣，具言蒙天子厚恩，而所以讒間之端，因泣下。 Hongzhao had been lavish toward him. Deep in wine, Chonghui spoke of the emperor’s kindness and of how slander had come between them—and wept.

弘昭即奏言重誨怨望，又陰遣人馳告敬瑭，使拒重誨。 Hongzhao at once reported that Chonghui was disaffected, and secretly sent riders to urge Jingtang to defy him.

重誨亦以被讒召還，過鳳翔，弘昭閉門不納，重誨由此得罪死。 Chonghui was recalled on charges of disloyalty. At Fengxiang, Hongzhao shut him out. That was how Chonghui fell and died.

樞密使範延光尤惡弘昭為人，罷為左武衛上將軍、宣徽南院使。 Fan Yanguang, chief councillor, detested Hongzhao and had him reduced to Senior General of the Left Martial Guard and commissioner of the Southern Palace Secretariat.

以弘昭及馮赟代延壽、延光，弘昭入見，辭曰：「臣廝養之才，不足當大任。」 Hongzhao and Feng Yun took their places. Hongzhao appeared and declined: “I am only menial stock—unfit for such a post.”