Wu Prefecture

Biodata

Geography

• Wunan: The southern part of Wuzhou comprises five prefectures. Linjiang, Wenchang, and Xin’an form its prosperous strategic core; Wuyi and Changle are more remote and mountainous 54 138.
• Qingshan Mountain: Its range spans almost half of Wuzhou. Qinglong Pass controls a key route between Wunan and the rest of the province 57.
• Waterways: The Yangtze River’s natural defenses make a navy important to Wuzhou’s defense and to campaigns toward Jingzhou 165.
• Jianye: Wuzhou’s provincial seat became Song Yu’s northern objective after he secured prefectures farther south 212.

History

Fragmentation under Great Gan

Wu Qi was sent to suppress a ghost threat in Linjiang, but later built an independent power base. He refused a provincial appointment, recruited soldiers and collected taxes on his own authority, then took the title of General Fubo. His capture of Qinglong Pass sharply reduced the court’s ability to intervene in Wunan by land 8 54 57.

Great Gan’s control continued to weaken as local military leaders and Great Clans expanded their forces. Governor Zhao Pan retained Jianye, but lacked broad support among Wuzhou’s Great Clans 113 182 199.

Song Yu’s conquest

Song Yu first unified Wunan’s five prefectures, then declared himself Marquis of Wu and advanced through Qinglong Pass. His forces secured Yuzhang and Hongze; Dingshan and Songfeng subsequently surrendered without a fight 176 184 209 211.

After conquering Wuzhou, Song Yu became Duke of Wu. His government faced damaged northern counties, refugees, shortages of officials, and uncertain population records. He introduced examinations to recruit officials and later moved to change the civil-service system in order to curb the Great Clans’ influence 229 238 269.

Song Yu subsequently took the title King of Wu. Wuzhou became part of his southern kingdom, which stood opposite Meng Xian’s Supreme Dao Kingdom in the north 310 320.

Population and Resources