Guo Chongtao

Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜) (d. February 20, 926), courtesy name Anshi (安時), formally the Duke of Zhao Commandery (趙郡公), was a major general of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period state Later Tang (and Later Tang's predecessor state Jin). He served as the chief of staff for Later Tang's founding emperor Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (Li Cunxu) from before the time of Later Tang's establishment and was instrumental in Later Tang's destruction of its rivals Later Liang and Former Shu, but came under suspicion after Former Shu's destruction. Despite that suspicion, Emperor Zhuangzong did not initially intend to kill him, but Emperor Zhuangzong's wife Empress Liu issued an order herself and had him executed.

It is not known when Guo Chongtao was born, but it is known that he was from Yanmen (雁門, in modern Xinzhou, Shanxi). All that is known about his family origins is that his father was named Guo Hongzheng (郭宏正). Guo Chongtao started his military career serving as a follower of Li Kexiu (李克脩), a cousin of the major late-Tang Dynasty warlord Li Keyong the military governor (Jiedushi) of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi). While Li Kexiu served as the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi), Guo was in charge of much of the affairs of his headquarters and became known for capability and honesty.

After Li Kexiu's death, Li Keyong took Guo onto his own staff to serve as an attendant. After a successful diplomatic mission to Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi), then ruled by the warlord Li Maozhen), Li Keyong made him the discipline officer. It was said that Guo became known for being dextrous and capable in reacting to the situation.

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