Liu Zhijun
Meanwhile, although Emperor Taizu favored Liu greatly, Liu was becoming fearful of Emperor Taizu's increasingly erratic and cruel acts against other generals. He became particularly alarmed in summer 909, when Emperor Taizu, on false reports by the officer Liu Han () that Wang Chongshi was in secret communications with Qi, forced Wang to commit suicide and slaughtered his family, replacing him with Liu Han. Later in summer 909, when Emperor Taizu was considering putting Liu Zhijun in command of another campaign against Jin, he summoned Liu to him. This alarmed Liu, and his brother Liu Zhiwan (), who was one of Emperor Taizu's guard commanders at Luoyang, also sent a secret letter to Liu Zhijun, opining that Emperor Taizu intended to kill him. Shortly after, Liu Zhiwan requested to take his brothers and nephews to welcome Liu Zhijun, and Emperor Taizu agreed. Shortly after, Liu Zhijun submitted to Qi and launched a surprise attack on Chang'an, capturing Liu Han and delivering him to Qi to be executed. He then put a defense in at Tong Pass while requesting aid from both Qi and Jin. Despite Liu Zhijun's rebelling against him, Emperor Taizu initially tried to maintain communications with Liu Zhijun, and his emissary to Liu Zhijun pointed out the great favors he had shown to Liu. Liu responded that while he was appreciative, he was fearful of the same fate as Wang. Even though Emperor Taizu then sent another communique stating that Liu was correct to have had Liu Han killed and that he regretted the death of Wang, Liu Zhijun did not respond again, so Emperor Taizu sent Yang Shihou and Liu Xun to attack Liu Zhijun. Liu Xun quickly captured Tong Pass and took Liu Zhiwan and the other family members, who were on the way to Liu Zhijun's territory, captive. Still, Emperor Taizu made another attempt to persuade Liu Zhijun to resubmit, by sending his nephew Liu Siye () to Zhongwu's capital Tong Prefecture () with Emperor Taizu's edict. Liu Zhijun considered going to meet Emperor Taizu alone to apologize, but his brother Liu Zhiyan () opposed. Shortly after, when Liu Zhijun's officer Nie Shang () surrendered Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan) to Yang, Liu Zhijun abandoned Tong Prefecture and fled to Fengxiang. Li Maozhen greatly honored Liu Zhijun, bestowing him the high chancellor title of "Zhongshu Ling" (), but initially did not make him a military governor, believing that he could not carve territory out for Liu, but granting him a large stipend.