View source for Jiedushi

{{Short description|Imperial Chinese regional military governors}}
{{Italic title}}
{{missing information|Song, Liao, Jin dynasties. cf. [[s:zh:宋史/卷171]]|date=January 2021}}
{{infobox Chinese
|pic=File:Ten Jiedushi of Tang.png
|picsize=400px
|piccap=Map of the 10 major {{translit|zh|jiedushi}} of the Tang dynasty and their military strengths {{c.|745}}, during [[Emperor Xuanzong of Tang|Emperor Xuanzong]]'s reign
|t={{linktext|節度使}}
|s=节度使
|p=jiédùshǐ
|w=chieh<sup>2</sup>-tu<sup>4</sup>-shih<sup>3</sup>
|mi={{IPAc-cmn|j|ie|2|.|d|u|4|.|sh|^|3}}
|j=zit<sup>3</sup>-dou<sup>6</sup>-si<sup>2</sup>
|y=jit-douh-sí
|ci={{IPAc-yue|z|it|3|-|d|ou|6|-|s|i|2}}
|l="{{nowrap|section planning representative(s)}}"
|hangul=절도사
|rr=jeoldosa
|vie=tiết độ sứ
| lang1             = [[Old Turkic]]
| lang1_content     = tarduş
}}

The '''{{translit|zh|jiedushi}}'''<!--Chinese & other languages in infobox; cf [[WP:MOS-ZH]]--> or '''{{translit|zh|jiedu}}''' was a regional military governor in imperial China. The title was established in the [[Tang dynasty]] and abolished in the [[Yuan dynasty]]. The post of ''jiedushi'' has been translated as "'''military commissioner'''" or "'''governor'''", "'''[[Legatus|legate]]'''", and "'''regional commander'''".{{fact|date=September 2025}} Originally introduced in AD{{nbsp}}711 to counter external threats, the ''jiedushi'' were posts authorized with the supervision of a defense command often encompassing several prefectures, the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes and promote and appoint subordinates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hist.nthu.edu.tw/download.php?filename=12_6a802511.pdf&dir=users_sharing%2F26&title=mid-level.pdf|title=Middle Ranking Official of the Tang dynasty (唐代中層文官)|access-date=November 26, 2010|archive-date=March 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310204625/http://www.hist.nthu.edu.tw/download.php?filename=12_6a802511.pdf&dir=users_sharing%2F26&title=mid-level.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Powerful ''jiedushi'' warlords eventually became ''[[fanzhen]]'' rulers, able to override the power of the central government of Tang. An early example of this was [[An Lushan]], who was appointed ''jiedushi'' of three regions, which he used to start the [[An Lushan Rebellion]] that abruptly ended the golden age of the Tang dynasty. Even after the difficult suppression of that rebellion, some ''jiedushi'' such as the [[Three Fanzhen of Hebei]] were allowed to retain their powers due to the weakened state of the court. The ''jiedushi'' were one of the primary factors which contributed to the political division of the [[Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period]], a period marked by continuous infighting among rival kingdoms, dynasties, and regional regimes established by the ''jiedushi''.<ref>中国流人史 黑龙江人民出版社, 1996. Page 277 "这种分裂,实质就是唐朝后期藩镇割据的继续与进一步发展" "The division here is essentially the continuation and further development 
of the political division in the later periods of Tang Dynasty." </ref>

==History==

===710s===

Hexi Jiedushi was created in 711 and headquartered in [[Liangzhou District|Liang Prefecture]]. It was lost to the [[Tibetan Empire]] in 766. Wang Junchuo (王君㚟), [[Xiao Song]], [[Niu Xianke]], [[Geshu Han]], and Cui Xiyi (崔希逸) were ''jiedushi'' of Hexi.

Longyou Jiedushi was created in 713 and headquartered in Shan Prefecture ([[Ledu District|Ledu]], [[Qinghai]]). In 747, Geshu Han was appointed ''jiedushi'' of Longyou.

[[Shuofang]] Jiedushi was created in 713 and headquartered in Ling Prefecture (southwest of [[Lingwu]], [[Ningxia]]). It controlled [[Ordos Loop|Ordos]], [[Ningxia]], and north [[Shanxi]]. In 756 the jiedushi of Shuofang, [[Guo Ziyi]], defeated the rebel [[Shi Siming]] in [[Hebei]] and recovered [[Chang'an]] and [[Luoyang]] from the rebels in 757. He was made Commandery Prince of Fenyang in 762 and retook Chang'an from the Tibetan Empire in 763. Shuofang was taken over by the warlord Han Zun (韓遵) in 887.

[[Youzhou Jiedushi]], also known as [[Fanyang]] Jiedushi, was created in 713. It assumed control of [[Lulong]] in 762 and controlled You, Ji, Ping, Tan, Gui, and Yan prefectures. Its territory lay primarily in [[Tianjin]] north of the [[Hai River]] and parts of [[Beijing]]. It was headquartered in Ji county (southwest of [[Beijing]]). An Lushan was promoted to ''jiedushi'' of Pinglu, Fanyang (in north [[Hebei]]), and Hedong (central [[Shanxi]]) with an army of 150 000. He rebelled against the Tang dynasty in 755. [[Li Guangbi]] was promoted to ''jiedushi'' of Fanyang after recovering much territory from the rebels in Hebei, but he died soon after in 764. [[Li Huaixian]], former general of An Lushan, delivered [[Shi Chaoyi]]'s head to the Tang and surrendered in 763, becoming ''jiedushi'' of Youzhou and Lulong. Zhang Shougui (張守珪) was a ''jiedushi'' of Youzhou. [[Zhu Tao]] was a ''jiedushi'' of Lulong.

Jiannan Jiedushi was created in 719 and headquartered in Yi Prefecture (益州) ([[Chengdu]]). It was split into Jiannan Dongchuan Jiedushi and Jiannan Xichuan Jiedushi in 757 and then merged again from 763 to 764, and then split again from 766 to 779. It controlled 25 prefectures in Chengdu and areas to its north and south in [[Sichuan]]. East River controlled 12 prefectures from [[Jiange]] to [[Luzhou]]. It was headquartered in Zi Prefecture (梓州) ([[Santai]], [[Sichuan]]). West River controlled the Chengdu area and surrounding prefectures. [[Wei Gao]] and [[Xianyu Zhongtong]] were ''jiedushi'' of Jiannan.

Pinglu Jiedushi was created in 719 and headquartered in Ying Prefecture (營州) ([[Chaoyang, Liaoning|Chaoyang]], [[Liaoning]]). It controlled Pinglu, Lulong and other prefectures in [[Liaoyang]], [[Jinzhou]], [[Liaoning]], and northeast Hebei.

===730s===

Hedong Jiedushi was created in 730 and headquartered in [[Taiyuan]], controlling Shi, Lan, Fen, Xin, and Dai prefectures in central and north Shanxi. Liu Gongchuo (柳公綽) was a ''jiedushi'' of Hedong. In 883 [[Li Keyong]] was appointed ''jiedushi'' of Hedong after recovering Chang'an from [[Huang Chao]]. In 885 Li Keyong captured Chang'an and laid waste to it. He was defeated by [[Zhu Wen]] in 902 and died in 908. [[Liu Zhiyuan]] was a ''jiedushi'' of Hedong.

Lingwu Jiedushi was created in 733 and headquartered in Huile (回樂) (southwest of [[Lingwu]], [[Ningxia]]). It controlled Ling, Hui, and Yan prefectures.

===750s===

Huainan West Circuit Jiedushi, also known as Huaixi Jiedushi, was created in 756 and lasted until 818. It was headquartered in [[Yingchuan|Yingchuan Prefecture]] (潁川郡) ([[Xuchang]], [[Henan]]), [[Zhengzhou]] (in [[Henan]]), [[Shou Prefecture]] ([[Shou County]], [[Anhui]]), [[An Prefecture]] ([[Anlu]] northwest of [[Wuhan]], [[Hubei]]), [[Cai Prefecture]] ([[Runan County]], southeast [[Henan]]) from 773 to 776, and [[Bian Prefecture]] ([[Kaifeng]], [[Henan]]) from 776 to 779. In 757 [[Gao Shi]] was appointed jiedushi of Huainan. [[Li Zhongchen]] was ''jiedushi'' until he was expelled by his nephew [[Li Xilie]]. [[Wu Yuanji]] and [[Wang Bo (chancellor)|Wang Bo]] were ''jiedushi'' of Huainan.

Jiangxi Jiedushi was created in 756 and headquartered in [[Hong Prefecture]] ([[Nanchang]], [[Jiangxi]]). It was renamed Zhennan Jiedushi in 865. It controlled Hong, Jiang, Xin, Yuan, Fu, Rao, Qian, and Ji prefectures, covering mostly [[Jiangxi]]. [[Li Gao]] was the ''jiedushi'' of Jiangxi during the Li Xilie rebellion.

[[Lingnan]] Jiedushi was created in 756 and headquartered in [[Guangzhou]]. It ended in 862 when its territory was split into West and East circuits. Lingnan West Circuit covered [[Guangxi]] and [[northern Vietnam]]. It was headquartered in Yong Prefecture (邕州) (south of [[Nanning]], [[Guangxi]]). Lingnan East Circuit covered [[Guangdong]] and was headquartered in Guangzhou.

Hezhong Jiedushi was created in 757 and headquartered in Hedong (southwest of [[Yongji, Shanxi]]). It controlled Jin, Jiang, Ci, and Xi prefectures.

Jingli Jiedushi was created in 757 and headquartered in [[Jingzhou (ancient China)|Jingzhou]] ([[Jingzhou District]], south central [[Hubei]]). It controlled 17 prefectures in [[Jingzhou]], [[Hubei]], [[Changde]], and [[Hunan]]. It was annexed by [[Zhu Wen]] in 905.

Shannan East Circuit Jiedushi was created in 757 and headquartered in [[Xiangzhou District, Xiangyang|Xiangzhou]]. Its territory encompassed areas of [[Suizhou]], [[Shiyan]], Hubei, [[Nanyang, Henan|Nanyang]], and Henan. In 763 [[Liang Chongyi]] was appointed ''jiedushi'' of Shannan East Circuit. He committed suicide in 781. [[Yu Di (Tang dynasty)|Yu Di]] was a jiedushi of Shannan East Circuit.

[[Zhenhai]] Army Jiedushi, also known as [[Zhejiang]] West Circuit Jiedushi (浙江西道) was created in 758 and lay in parts of [[Jiangsu]], Zhejiang, [[Anhui]], and Jiangxi. It was headquartered in Sheng Prefecture (昇州) ([[Nanjing]], [[Jiangsu]]) and [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]] ([[Jiangsu]]). In 761 it moved to [[Xuanzhou]] ([[Xuancheng]], southeast [[Anhui]]), 787 to [[Runzhou]] ([[Zhenjiang]], [[Jiangsu]]), and 808 to [[Hangzhou]] ([[Zhejiang]]). The ''jiedushi'' of Zhenhai Army, [[Du Shenquan]], played a pivotal role in defeating the rebel [[Pang Xun]]. [[Han Huang]], another ''jiedushi'' of Zhenhai Army, was chief minister in 785.

Zhenwu Jiedushi was created in 758 and headquartered in the Chanyu Protectorate (northwest of [[Horinger]]). It controlled the Chanyu Protectorate, Lin Prefecture (麟州), Sheng Prefecture (勝州), East Shouxiang city (東受降城), and held areas in [[Shenmu County|Shenmu]] ([[Shaanxi]]), and [[Baotou]] in [[Inner Mongolia]]. It was merged into Shuofang Jiedushi in 764. [[Zhuye Chixin]] was a ''jiedushi'' of Zhenwu.

Binning Jiedushi existed from 759 until 885, when it was renamed Jingnan Army. It was headquartered in [[Bin Prefecture (Shaanxi)]] and governed [[Changwu]] and parts of Gansu.

Shanguo Jiedushi was created in 759 and headquartered in [[Shanzhou]]. It controlled Shan, Guo, and Hua prefectures. It was renamed Baoyi Army in 889.{{sfn|Xiong|2008|p=439}}

===760s===

Fengxiang Jiedushi was created in 760 and included [[Fengxiang]] and Long Prefecture (隴州) ([[Long County, Shaanxi]] and [[Huating County, Gansu]]). It was headquartered in Fengxiang. [[Li Maozhen]] and [[Zheng Zhu]] were ''jiedushi'' of Fengxiang.

Chengde Army Jiedushi was one of the [[Three Fanzhen of Hebei]] after the An Lushan Rebellion. From 762 it was headquartered in Heng Prefecture (恆州)/Zhen Prefecture (鎮州) ([[Zhengding]], [[Hebei]]), and controlled Heng, Ji, Shen, Zhao, De, and Di prefectures. Its territory were primarily located in [[Shijiazhuang]], [[Zanhuang]], and Hebei. [[Li Baochen]], adopted son of An Lushan, was in charge of Heng Prefecture under [[An Qingxu]]. He surrendered to Tang and retained control over central Hebei east of the [[Taihang Mountains]]. [[Li Weiyue]] requested succession of Chengde Army in 781 and was denied, so he rebelled, and was killed a year later by his subordinate general [[Wang Wujun]]. [[Han Lingkun]], [[Wang Chengzong]], [[Wang Tingcou]] were ''jiedushi'' of the Chengde Army.

[[Henan]] Jiedushi was revived in 762 and was sometimes known as the Biansong Jiedushi from then onward. It officially became the Biansong Jiedushi in 776 until 781 when it was renamed Xuanwu Army. The Biansong Jiedushi was headquartered in Bian Prefecture ([[Kaifeng]]), and governed [[Shangqiu]] as well as east Henan. In 781 its seat was moved to Song Prefecture (宋州) (south of [[Shangqiu]], east central [[Henan]]). Biansong Jiedushi was the home territory of [[Zhu Wen]].

Ziqing-Pinglu Jiedushi was created in 762 and headquartered in [[Qingzhou]], [[Shandong]]. It controlled 15 prefectures encompassing most of Shandong and parts of Henan, Anhui, and Jiangsu. [[Li Zhengji]] became the ''jiedushi'' of Ziqing-Pinglu after the An Lushan Rebellion and worked together with [[Tian Yue]] to curtail the imperial court's attempt to weaken local powers.

[[Weibo (Tang dynasty)|Weibo]] Jiedushi was created in 763 and headquartered in Wei Prefecture (northeast of [[Daming County]] and southeast of [[Handan]], south [[Hebei]]). It controlled Wei, Bo, Bei, Wei, Chan, and Xiang prefectures in Shandong, north Henan, and south Hebei. It was renamed Tianxiong Army in 904. [[Tian Chengsi]], [[Tian Hongzheng]], [[Tian Xu]] were ''jiedushi'' of Weibo.

Zhaoyi Army Jiedushi was created in 766 and headquartered in Xiang Prefecture ([[Anyang]], [[Henan]]).

Jingyuan Jiedushi was created in 768 and lasted until 894 when it was renamed Zhangyi Army. Jingyuan's territory was located in [[Jingchuan]], [[Zhenyuan County, Gansu|Zhenyuan]], Gansu, and [[Ningxia]]. Its headquarter was in [[Jing Prefecture (Gansu)|Jing Prefecture]] (north of [[Jingchuan]], northeast [[Gansu]]. Surviving the [[Battle of Talas]] in 751, [[Duan Xiushi]] went on to become the ''jiedushi'' of Jingyuan until he was dismissed in 780 by [[Yang Yan (Tang dynasty)|Yang Yan]]. He was killed during the [[Jingyuan mutiny]] in 783 for denouncing the usurper [[Zhu Ci]]. Jingyuan was annexed by [[Li Maozhen]] in 899.

===780s===
Shannan West Circuit Jiedushi was created in 780 and headquartered in Liang Prefecture (梁州) (east of [[Hanzhong]], [[Shaanxi]]). It was annexed by [[Wang Jian (Former Shu)|Wang Jian]] in 902.

Heyang Sancheng Jiedushi was created in 781 and headquartered in Heyang (河陽) (south of [[Mengzhou]]). It controlled [[Mengzhou]] and [[Mengjin County|Mengjin]].

[[Yiwu Military Province]] was created in 782, headquartered at [[Dingzhou]] in modern [[Baoding]], [[Hebei]].

Henghai Army Jiedushi was created in 785 and lasted until 829. It was headquartered in [[Cangzhou]] (southeast [[Hebei]]) and controlled Cang, Jing, De, and Di prefectures.

Xiasui Jiedushi was created in 787 and controlled Xia, Sui, Yin, and You prefectures in [[Shenmu County|Shenmu]] and south Ih Ju League, [[Inner Mongolia]].

===790s===

Wuning Jiedushi was created in 795 and headquartered in [[Xuzhou]]. [[Shi Pu]] was a ''jiedushi'' of Wuning. [[Wang Shi (Tang dynasty)|Wang Shi]] was appointed ''jiedushi'' of Wuning in 862.

===813===

[[Caizhou]] Jiedushi controlled Cai, Shen, and Guang prefectures around 813. It was headquartered in [[Runan County|Runan]], southeast Henan.

Chenxu Jiedushi was in charge of Chen and Xu prefectures around 813. It was headquartered in [[Xuchang]].

Eyue Jiedushi was in charge of E, Mian, An, Huang, Qi, and Yue prefectures around 813. It was headquartered in [[Jiangxia District|Jiangxia]] ([[Wuchang]], [[Hubei]]).

[[Xiangyang]] Jiedushi controlled Xiang, Deng, Fu, Ying, Tang, Sui, Jun, and Fang prefectures in north Hubei and southwest Henan around 813. It was headquartered in Xiangyang.

Xusi Jiedushi controlled Xu, Su, and Hao prefectures around 813. It was headquartered in [[Xuzhou]].

Zhenghua Jiedushi controlled Zheng and Hua prefectures around 813. It was headquartered in [[White Horse Temple|Baima]].

===850s===

In 851 the [[Guiyi Circuit|Guiyi]] Army Jiedushi was created from territories reclaimed by [[Zhang Yichao]] from the Tibetan Empire. It was situated east [[Xinjiang]] and Gansu, and was headquartered in Sha Prefecture (west of [[Dunhuang]], [[Gansu]]).

===940s===

Qingyuan Army Jiedushi was created in 949 and headquartered in [[Quanzhou]]. It controlled [[Zhangzhou]], [[Xiamen]], and other areas in [[Fujian]]. [[Liu Congxiao]] was made ''jiedushi'' of Qingyuan Army in 949 after [[Wang Yanzheng]]'s fall.

===950s===

In 951 [[Bian Hao]] crushed [[Chu (Ten Kingdoms)|Chu]] and was promoted to ''jiedushi'' of Wu'an Army (in [[Hunan]]).

==Jiedushi titles==

*Anhua Jiedushi (安化)
*Biansong Jiedushi (汴宋)
*Binning Jiedushi (邠寧)
*[[Cai Prefecture|Caizhou]] Jiedushi (蔡州)
*[[Chengde Military Province]] Jiedushi ({{lang|zh|成德軍}})
*Chengxu Jiedushi (陳許)
*Eyue Jiedushi (鄂岳)
*Fanyang Jiedushi (范陽)
*Fenghua Jiedushi (奉化)
*Fengxiang Jiedushi (鳳翔)
*Fufang Jiedushi (鄜坊)
*[[Guiyi Circuit|Guiyi]] Army Jiedushi (歸義軍)
*Hedong Jiedushi (河東)
*[[Henan]] Jiedushi (河南)
*Henghai Army Jiedushi (橫海軍)
*Hexi Jiedushi (河西)
*Heyangsancheng Jiedushi (河陽三城)
*Hezhong Jiedushi (河中)
*Huainan Jiedushi (淮南)
*Huaixi Jiedushi (淮西)
*Jiangxi Jiedushi (江西)
*Jiannan Jiedushi (劍南)
*Jiannan East River Jiedushi (劍南東川)
*Jiannan West River Jiedushi (劍南西川)
*Jianxiong Army Jiedushi (建雄軍)
*[[Jinghai Jiedushi]] (靜海)
*Jingjiang Army Jiedushi (靜江軍)
*Jingli Jiedushi (荊澧)
*Jingyuan Jiedushi (涇原)
*[[Lingnan]] Jiedushi (嶺南)
*Lingwu Jiedushi (靈武)
*Lulong Jiedushi (盧龍)
*Ningyuan Army Jiedushi (寧遠軍)
*Pinglu Jiedushi (平盧)
*Qingyuan Army Jiedushi (清源軍)
*Qinlong Jiedushi (秦隴)
*Shanguo Jiedushi (陜虢)
*Shannan Jiedushi (山南)
*Shannan East Circuit Jiedushi (山南東道)
*Shannan West Circuit Jiedushi (山南西道)
*[[Shuofang]] Jiedushi (朔方)
*Tianxiong Army Jiedushi (天雄軍)
*Weibo Jiedushi (魏博)
*Weiwu Army Jiedushi (威武軍)
*Wu'an Army Jiedushi (武安軍)
*Wuchang Jiedushi (武昌)
*Wuning Jiedushi (武寧)
*[[Xiangyang]] Jiedushi (襄陽)
*Xiasui Jiedushi (夏绥)
*Xuanwu Army Jiedushi (宣武軍)
*Xusi Jiedushi (徐泗)
*[[Yanmen Jiedushi]] (<small>[[traditional characters|t]]</small>{{nbsp}}{{nowrap|{{lang|zh|{{linktext|雁門}}}}}} or {{nowrap|{{lang|zh|{{linktext|鴈門}}}},}} <small>[[simplified characters|s]]</small>{{nbsp}}{{nowrap|{{lang|zh|{{linktext|雁门}}}})}}
*Yiding Jiedushi (易定)
*[[Yiwu Military Province]] Jiedushi ({{lang|zh|義武軍}})
*[[Youzhou Jiedushi]] (幽州)
*Zhaoyi Army Jiedushi (昭義軍)
*Zhendong Jiedushi (鎮東)
*Zhenghua Jiedushi (鄭滑)
*[[Zhenhai]] Army Jiedushi (鎮海軍)
*Zhennan Jiedushi (鎮南)
*Zhenwu Jiedushi (振武)
*Zhongwu Jiedushi (中吳)
*Ziqing-Pinglu Jiedushi (淄青平盧)

== Notable ''jiedushi'' ==
Notable ''jiedushi'':
* [[An Lushan]]
* [[Abe no Nakamaro]]
* [[Gao Xianzhi]]
* [[Geshu Han]]
* [[Guo Ziyi]]
* [[Khúc Thừa Dụ|Qu Chengyu]]
* [[Li Keyong]]
* [[Li Cunxu]]
* [[Li Maozhen]]
* [[Liu Congjian]]
* [[Liu Rengong]]
* [[Liu Shouguang]]
* [[Li Jiqian]]
* [[Li Guangbi]]
* [[Gaozu of Later Jin|Shi Jingtang]]
* [[Shi Siming]]
* [[Tian Chengsi]]
* [[Wang Zhongsi]]
* [[Zhu Wen]]

==See also==
*[[Administrative divisions of the Tang Empire]]
*[[Li Shidao]]
*[[Wu Yuanheng]]
*[[Mufu]]
*[[Three Fanzhen of Hebei|Three ''Fanzhen'' of Hebei]]
*[[Roman governor#Imperial provinces|Roman Imperial Provincial Governor]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===

*{{citation|last = Xiong |first= Victor |year = 2008 |title = Historical Dictionary of Medieval China |publisher = Scarecrow Press, Inc. |location = United States of America |isbn = 978-0810860537}}
{{Chinese Imperial Government}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Jiedushi| ]]
[[Category:Government of the Tang dynasty]]
[[Category:Government of Imperial China]]