Southern Tang campaign against Chu
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The Southern Tang campaign against Chu was a military conflict during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Infighting between several members of the royal Ma family weakened the kingdom of Chu after the death of Ma Xifan. In 950 Ma Xi'e defeated Ma Xiguang with assistance from the Southern Tang and pledged allegiance to Li Jing. In early 951, after becoming an unpopular ruler, Ma Xi'e was deposed and exiled to Hengshan, where locals rallied to his cause. Competing for control of Chu was Ma Xichong, installed at the Chu capital of Tanzhou after the deposition of Ma Xi'e. Ma Xichong feared the rebel armies coalescing in Langzhou led by Liu Yan, the forces of Ma Xi'e at Hengshan, and his own unrestive generals. He pleaded for assistance from Li Jing, who ordered for a Southern Tang army under Bian Hao to march onto Tanzhou. Arriving there in December 951, Bian Hao deposed Ma Xichong and deported him to the Southern Tang capital of Jinling. Similar orders were sent to Hengshan, which were agreed to by Ma Xi'e, who feared an attack by the Southern Tang.
