Emperor Xizong of Tang
In 887, then-reigning Emperor Xizong of Tang commissioned a new military governor ("Jiedushi") of Shannan West Circuit (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi), which Li Prefecture belonged to — Yang Shouliang, the adoptive nephew of the powerful eunuch Yang Fugong. Yang Shouliang was apprehensive about Wang's military abilities, and made several attempts to summon him to Shannan West's capital Xingyuan Municipality (). Wang, in fear of what Yang might do to him, refused to go, and asked Zhou for advice. Zhou stated to him: