Xu Wen

After the death of the Wu kingdom's founder Yang Xingmi, Xu Wen emerged as the dominant figure in the court. He controlled the succession of Yang Wo and later Yang Longyan, effectively ruling the Wu state as regent while keeping the Yang family as figureheads.

Xu Wen secured the position of his adoptive son Xu Zhigao (later Li Bian) as his successor. By controlling the Wu court and military, the Xu family laid the groundwork for the eventual founding of the Southern Tang dynasty by Li Bian.