Wang Jian 王建 (posthumous Qianshu Gaozu 前蜀高祖 - see titles of emperors) was regional inspector (cishi 刺史) in the area of modern Sichuan. He occupied the city of Chengdu and conquered a large territory before he was officially enfeoffed as king of Shu 蜀 by the Tang 唐 emperor in 903. Four years later he proclaimed himself emperor of Shu (Former Shu, Qianshu 前蜀; in 917 his empire was called Han 漢 for one year). Because of the political disturbances at the end of Tang, many scholarly officials escaped to the realm of Shu, were employed by Wang Jian and thereby contributed to the political and economical development of this remote empire. Wang Jian’s son Wang Yan 王衍 did not consequently pursuit this peaceful political course. Corruption and extravagancies resulted in a weak government. Wang Yan was captured by the armies of the Later Tang (Houtang 後唐) empire and died during his transport to Luoyang 洛陽 in 925. Instead of occupying the territory of Shu, it was left to military commisisoners (jiedushi 節度使). Already in the next year, commissioner Meng Zhixiang 孟知祥 founded a new dynasty, called Later Shu (Houshu 後蜀). See also titles of rulers (dynastic titles are not listed here). Rulers of Former Shu (Qianshu) 前蜀 (907-925) Capital: Chengdu 成都/modern Sichuan temple name -----reign periods personal name Qianshu Gaozu 前蜀高祖 907-918 -----Wucheng 武成 908-910 -----Yongping 永平 911-915 -----Tongzheng 通正 916 -----Tianhan 天漢 917 -----Guangtian 光天 918 Wang Jian 王建 The Last Ruler (Houzhu) of Former Shu 前蜀後主 918-925 -----Qiande 乾德 919-924 -----Xiankang咸康 925 Wang Yan 王衍 925 Former Shu conquered by Later Tang 後唐.

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