272 Beijing Opera Performers, Li Keyong - Number 115

Li Keyong

Beijing Opera - "The State of Shatuo"

Li Keyong with a red broken-flower face is a leading character in the list-opera "The State of Shatuo." During the process of putting down the peasant uprising, Zhu Quanzhong (852-912), originally named Zhu Wen, contributed much. Zhu Wen had been a general serving under Huang Chao, but at a critical moment, he surrendered to the Tang army. As a reward for his actions, Emperor Xizong gave Zhu Wen an honorable name 'Quanzhong', which means 'absolute loyalty' and ordered him to quell the rebellion without delay.

Assisted by Li Keyong, Zhu Wen quickly suppressed the Huang Chao rebels. By his great contribution in defeating the rebels, Li Keyong also gained the favor of the emperor. This caused Zhu Wen to become envious of his former comrade and he decided to do away with him but failed. From then on, deep-seated rancor grew between the two men. They each contested land holdings and frequent conflict between Zhu and Li brought more disasters to people.

At this time, a disturbance caused by eunuchs occurred at court in which Emperor Zhaozong (888-904) was immured. Under the direction of Prime Minister Cui Yin, Zhu Wen killed the leading eunuchs. Other eunuchs who were unhappy with the prevailing situation then kidnapped Emperor Zhaozong, taking him to Fengxiang (present Fengxiang County in Sha'anxi Province) and threw in their lot with Li Maozhen.

Soon, Zhu Wen's army surrounded the city and defeated Li Maozhen. In 903, Fengxiang was short of food. Li was obliged to kill the eunuchs who had kidnapped Emperor Zhaozong and released him. When Emperor Zhaozong returned to Changan, Zhu Wen killed the remaining eunuchs and forced Emperor Zhaozong move the capital to Luoyang. Subsequently, Zhu Wen killed the emperor and put the son of Emperor Zhaozong on the throne, who later known as Emperor Aizong (reigned 904-907).

In 907, Zhu Wen deposed Emperor Aizong and established the Liang Dynasty. The once glorious Tang Dynasty finally collapsed. This resulted in great confusion and disorganization, which characterized the following period Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.