Chu was peaceful and prosperous under Ma Yin's rule, exporting horses, silk and tea.

After Ma Yin died the leadership was subject to struggle and conflict which resulted in the fall of the kingdom.

However, the following year, Chu generals rose against Southern Tang and expelled the Southern Tang expeditionary force, leaving the former Chu territory to be ruled by several of those generals called Wuping Jiedushi (武平军节度使) in succession.

In 956, Zhou Xingfeng executed and beheaded Pan Shusi (潘叔嗣), a general of the Southern Chu.

[2][3] During these post-Chu years of de facto independence, the center of power was usually at Lang Prefecture (朗州, in modern Changde, Hunan).