Not the Qin Dynasty! China's Shortest-Lived Dynasty Lasted Less Than 4 Years — A Horseman's Rise to Emperor Ends in Tragedy

When thinking of the shortest-lived dynasties in Chinese history, many people immediately recall the Qin Dynasty, which lasted only 15 years and fell after two generations, or the Sui Dynasty, which lasted 37 years. However, if we consider only orthodox dynasties, the true record holder is the Later Han of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. The actual shortest-lived orthodox dynasty in Chinese history was the 'Later Han,' established by Liu Zhiyuan during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era. Founded in 947 AD, it was replaced by the Later Zhou in 951, lasting only two emperors and less than four years—approximately 3 years and 11 months—making it even shorter than the Qin Dynasty.

Shorter Than Qin! The Real 'Shortest-Lived Orthodox Dynasty' in History: A Stablehand's Rise to Emperor, Overthrown in Under 4 Years

According to a historical column on Sohu.com, the founding emperor of the Later Han, Liu Zhiyuan, was born into a poor Shatuo family and began his life as a humble stablehand under the Hedong military governor Li Siyuan. He lived in extreme hardship until marrying in his thirties.

From Humble Stablehand to Emperor: Liu Zhiyuan Seizes Power Amid Chaos—Twice Saves His Lord, Becomes the Legendary King of Northern Ping

His fate changed when he met Shi Jingtang, the founding emperor of the Later Jin. Liu Zhiyuan earned Shi Jingtang’s deep trust by saving his life twice in critical battles, rising rapidly through the ranks to command the imperial guards and eventually becoming the military governor of Hedong.

Turning Point in Fate:

In two life-or-death battles, Liu Zhiyuan risked his life to save Shi Jingtang, becoming his most trusted confidant and ascending swiftly in power.

Control of Core Military Power:

In 936 AD, Shi Jingtang used Khitan forces to destroy the Later Tang and establish the Later Jin. Liu Zhiyuan, credited with a major role in the founding, took command of the imperial guards and later became the Hedong military governor, wielding the most elite military force in the land.

Emperor Dies Suddenly After Six Months—Child Emperor’s Succession Plants Seeds of Internal Conflict

After ascending the throne, Liu Zhiyuan became suspicious and cruel. He ordered the massacre of surrendered Khitan soldiers and betrayed and executed the surrendering general Zhang Lian, casting a dark shadow over the new regime. Even more critically, just six months after founding the dynasty, Liu Zhiyuan died of illness, succeeded by his young son Liu Chengyou (the Hidden Emperor of Later Han).

On his deathbed, Liu Zhiyuan appointed ministers Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, Wang Zhang, and Su Fengji to assist in governance, while entrusting military power to the renowned general Guo Wei. However, the regent ministers became arrogant and domineering. Yang Bin once shouted at Liu Chengyou in court, “Shut up!”, fueling deep resentment in the young emperor.

The Young Emperor’s Secret Plot to Eliminate Powerful Ministers Triggers Rebellion—Guo Wei Establishes the Later Zhou, Ending the Later Han

In 950 AD, Liu Chengyou decided to strike first, executing Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and Wang Zhang in court and sending an envoy with a secret edict to assassinate Guo Wei in Ye. However, the envoy handed the edict directly to Guo Wei, forcing him into open rebellion.

Guo Wei, highly respected among the troops, marched his army toward Kaifeng. Liu Chengyou was defeated at the Battle of Qilipo, fled, and was eventually killed by his own retainer Guo Yunming at age 21.

Guo Wei’s Military Coup and the Yellow Robe Bestowed—The Later Han Ends in Under 4 Years

After entering Kaifeng, Guo Wei initially appeared to support Liu Zhiyuan’s relative Liu Yun as emperor while secretly consolidating power. Just over a month later, he forced the empress dowager to depose and then poisoned Liu Yun, declaring himself emperor in 951 and founding the 'Later Zhou'.

From Liu Zhiyuan’s ascension in 947 to Guo Wei’s founding of the Later Zhou in 951, the Later Han lasted only two emperors and less than four years, setting a new record for the shortest reign in orthodox Chinese history. Although Liu Zhiyuan’s brother Liu Chong later established the 'Northern Han' in Taiyuan, it was merely a regional separatist regime.

Source: Sohu.com