Zhao Feng was probably born during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang in the late 870s or early 880s, as he would describe himself as either 49 or in his 50s in 934 shortly before his death,[1][2][3] but the exact year is not known.
Soon thereafter, in a surprise attack across the Yellow River commanded by Emperor Zhuangzong's adoptive brother Li Siyuan, Later Tang forces captured Tianping's capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州).
Li Siyuan took Zhao Feng and the deputy military commander Cui Dang (崔簹) captive and delivered them to Emperor Zhuangzong's then-location, Xingtang (興唐, in modern Handan, Hebei).
[5] Emperor Zhuangzong, who had been impressed with Zhao's reputation previously, made him an imperial scholar with the title of Huluan Xueshi (扈鑾學士).
Zhao, instead, submitted a secret petition to Emperor Zhuangzong, stating, "Ever since ancient times, there was no occasion when the mother of the territory under the heavens called a subject her father."
Emperor Zhuangzong praised Zhao for his frankness, but still allowed Empress Liu and Zhang to enter into this relationship.
[7][8] Li Siyuan, who had led one of the mutinies, then arrived at Luoyang and, after initially claiming the title of regent, later took the throne (as Emperor Mingzong).
This is not the way to protect the state.After Zhao's advice, Emperor Mingzong only gave Zhou an honorary commission and awards in gold and silk, and did not summon him.
[9] Further, the warlord Wang Du the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding) also believed that the move was targeting him, and therefore prepared to resist.
Yu and another official, Xiao Xifu (蕭希甫), thereafter submitted a number of petitions that attacked the governance at the time but particularly targeting Zhao.
Subsequently, the officers Li Xingde (李行德) and Zhang Jian (張儉) encouraged one Bian Yanwen (邊彥溫) into falsely accusing An of plotting a rebellion.
[10] In 931, with the Later Tang forces commanded by Emperor Mingzong's son-in-law Shi Jingtang having no success against two rebel generals, Meng Zhixiang the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan) and Dong Zhang the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang, Sichuan) — whose rebellions were considered to be caused by An's suspicions against them — An offered to head to the front to oversee the campaign himself.
However, as soon as he left the capital, the general Zhu Hongzhao the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi) accused An of plotting to take over Shi's army.
Emperor Mingzong thereafter summoned An back to Luoyang, but even before An could reach there, instead commissioned him to be the military governor of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), a fairly surprising demotion for someone of such high power.
With An's safety considered precarious at that point, Zhao wanted to try to save An and so stated to Emperor Mingzong:[10] An Chonghui is Your Imperial Majesty's house servant.
After An was subsequently ordered to retire, and then killed,[10] Emperor Mingzong also sent Zhao out of the capital, to serve as the military governor of Anguo Circuit (安國, headquartered in modern Xingtai, Hebei), still carrying the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary chancellor title.
[11] In 934, Emperor Min's leading advisors Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun, not wanting Shi Jingtang (who was then the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi)) and Li Congke (who was then the military governor of Fengxiang) to be entrenched, tried to move them both.
Li Congke, believing that they had unfriendly intentions toward him, rebelled, and quickly advanced on Luoyang, forcing Emperor Min to flee to Wei Prefecture (衛州, in modern Xinxiang, Henan).