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People: Li Maozhen
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Li Maozhen

Chinese Emperor of Qi
Years: 856 - 924

Li Maozhen (856–May 17, 924), né Song Wentong, courtesy name Zhengchen, formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin, is the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Qi (901–924).

He had become a powerful warlord during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, the penultimate emperor of the preceding Tang Dynasty, with his power centered on his capital Fengxiang (in modern Baoji, Shaanxi), and at times had effective control of Emperor Zhaozong.

However, his power had gradually waned due to defeats at the hands of fellow warlords Wang Jian (who will later found Former Shu) and Zhu Quanzhong (who will later found Later Liang Dynasty).

After Zhu usurps the Tang throne and establishes Later Liang, Li Maozhen refuses to submit and continues to use the Tang-bestowed title of Prince of Qi as well as maintain the Tang era name, but his territory becomes even more reduced due to wars with Former Shu and Later Liang.

After Later Liang is conquered by Later Tang Dynasty, whose Emperor Zhuangzong claims to be a legitimate successor of Tang, Li Maozhen submits as a subject and is created the Prince of Qin in 924.

He dies soon thereafter, and is succeeded as by his son Li Jiyan as the military governor (Jiedushi) of Fengxiang, but as Li Jiyan is not made the Prince of Qi or Qin at that point (although he will receive both of those titles later in his life), this is typically viewed as the end of Qi as an independent state.