Liu Zhijun
Through these years, Later Liang's Emperor Taizu had been reliant on Liu Zhijun, who was then the military governor of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, i.e., formerly Kuangguo), to defend against these Qi and Jin incursions; he had thus bestowed many honors on Liu. Nevertheless, Liu had become apprehensive of the increasing volatility in Emperor Taizu's temper, particularly after, in summer 909, after the false report by Liu Han () the military governor of Youguo Circuit (佑國, headquartered at Chang'an) that the former military governor of Youguo, Wang Chongshi (), was in secret communications with Qi, Emperor Taizu ordered Wang to commit suicide and slaughtered Wang's family. When Emperor Taizu subsequently summoned Liu Zhijun so that he could discuss a campaign against Jin with Liu Zhijun, Liu Zhijun became convinced that he would be executed. He therefore surrendered to Qi and made a surprise attack on Chang'an, capturing it and delivering Liu Han to Fengxiang to be executed. Liu Zhijun's subsequent optimistic goal of joining Qi and Jin forces to attack Luoyang, however, was dashed when the Later Liang general Liu Xun quickly arrived at Chang'an and recaptured it from the Qi forces that had taken up defensive positions there. Liu Zhijun was forced to flee to Fengxiang, with his own territory falling back into Later Liang control. Li Maozhen honored Liu Zhijun greatly, but as Qi territories were greatly reduced already, he felt he had no territory to allow Liu Zhijun to govern, and therefore only gave Liu Zhijun the title of "Zhongshu Ling" and awarded him money.