The Secret Life of Guo Wei, Taizu of Later Zhou

Guo Wei, founder of the Later Zhou dynasty during the Five Dynasties period, was born into a poor family. He received some schooling and understood the hardships of ordinary people. After ascending the throne, he reduced taxes and curtailed harsh punishments and laws. Frugal by nature and open to advice, he also made a point of recruiting capable people. Those he appointed, including Wei Renpu, Li Gu, Wang Pu, and Fan Zhi, all served faithfully and upheld the law. With ruler and ministers working together, they gradually reformed a number of harmful policies, and the economic and political situation in the north began to improve. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Guo Wei was an honest and diligent emperor. After his death, as all his biological sons had been killed by Liu Chengyou, his wife's nephew Chai Rong succeeded him.