Liu Zong - As Military Governor

As Military Governor

In 816, as Emperor Xianzong waged another campaign against Wang Chengzong, Liu Zong mobilized his troops and captured Chengde's town Wuqiang (武強, in modern Hengshui). He also put Leshou (樂壽, in modern Cangzhou) under siege. In response, Emperor Xianzong gave him the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). However, it was said that Liu then effective sat on the fence and did not advance further, and as the regulations at the time were that once a circuit's army advanced out of its borders on an imperially-sanctioned campaign, the imperial treasury would be responsible for its expenses, the Lulong army's supplies were costly to the imperial treasury. With the other armies against Chengde also not making much advances, in 817, Emperor Xianzong abandoned the campaign against Chengde and ordered the circuits' armies to return to their own circuits.

In 817, Wang's ally Wu Yuanji, who ruled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in modern Zhumadian, Henan), was defeated and captured by the imperial general Li Su. In fear, Wang submitted to imperial authority and surrendered two of his six prefectures to imperial control. In the aftermaths of Wang's actions, Liu's officer Tan Zhong (譚忠) persuaded him to also submit to imperial authority.