Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou

Chai Rong (27 October 921 – 27 July 959), later known as Guo Rong, also known by his temple name as the Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, was the second emperor of the Later Zhou dynasty of China, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He reigned from 954 until his death in 959. He succeeded his uncle-in-law Guo Wei (Emperor Taizu), whose surname he had adopted. Emperor Shizong is considered a highly successful emperor of the Five Dynasties period. He centralized military power by his reforms, and proved his military prowess by a series of victories against Northern Han, Later Shu, Southern Tang, and the Liao dynasty. Although his accomplishments were limited due to his premature death, they paved the way for the eventual unification of large parts of China proper by the Northern Song, founded by his trusted generals Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi. Early life Chai Rong was born in Xingzhou (邢州; modern Xingtai, Hebei). As a child he came to live with his aunt — a younger sister of his father Chai Shouli — and her husband Guo Wei, an official in the Later Tang military. The Guos had no sons, so they adopted the quiet nephew as their own. The youngster grew up into a muscular young man skilled at mounted archery, while also possessing a basic understanding of Chinese classics, history, and the Huang-Lao philosophy. When he was an adult, he handled household affairs for Guo Wei, and often went out to do business, traveling back and forth between the Central China and the Jiangnan area. Career under Later Han After the establishment of the Later Han in 947, the Guo family's condition improved dramatically. Guo Wei became the Commissioner of Military Affairs in 948, and his adopted son became the Left Commandant for Palace-gate Security. On 4 May 950, Guo was promoted to military governor of Tianxiong Command and delegated to garrison at Weizhou (魏州; modern Linzhang County, Hebei) at the Later Han-Liao dynasty border to prevent a possible Liao incursion. Ten days later, his adopted son was appointed Tianxiong Command's Chief Director of Military Headquarters to follow him in Weizhou. Chai Rong — by now known as Guo Rong — was also given a nominal post of prefect of Guizhou.