Mingzong(r.926–33)wasthemostillustriousemperoroftheFiveDynasties,andoneofthemostadmiredofChina’smiddleperiod,theTangtoSong.AwarriorofShatuo-Turkancestry,heascendedthethroneoftheLaterTangontheheelsofamutinyagainsthisadoptedbrother,thussparinghisdynastyanearlydeath.Mingzong’sbriefreigncametobeheraldedbyhistoriansasthe“SmallRepose”—ahappyconvergenceofpeaceandprosperity.Hemarshaledaclusterofeminentlyablecourtiers,menwhobalancedConfuciancharityagainstthemilitarydisciplinedemandedinatimeoftransition.Theseyearsweremarkedbytradewithborderingstates,frenzieddiplomaticactivity,andasuccessionofdefectionsfromstatestothenorth.Mingzongwiselyeschewedmilitaryconflict,exceptasalastresort.Conservativeinmoralandlegalmatters,heintroducedradicaleconomicreformsthatincludedderegulationoftraditionalmonopoliesandtimelychangestothetributarysystem.
Drawingextensivelyonprimarysources,includingMingzong’sspiritedcorrespondencewithhisofficials,thispoliticalandculturalbiographybringstolifeacharismaticemperorwhowasheldupasamodelrulerbysucceedinggenerations.
