The Relationship between Li Yu and Zhao Kuangyin

The relationship between the two is as follows:

1. Political status: Li Yu was the last monarch of the Southern Tang Dynasty, while Zhao Kuangyin was the founding emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty. After the establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty in Zhao Kuangyin, the Southern Tang Dynasty became one of the separatist regimes around it. As far as political affiliation is concerned, Li Yu is nominally a vassal of Zhao Kuangyin.

2. Tribute and submission: With the expansion of the Northern Song Dynasty, after Zhao Kuangyin destroyed the Southern Han Dynasty, Li Yu once bowed to the king in order to save the Southern Tang Dynasty and paid tribute to the Northern Song Dynasty to show his submission.

3. Conflict and conquest: Although Li Yu tried to maintain the independent status of Nantang through humble courtesy, Zhao Kuangyin finally decided to unify the South. In 974, Cao Bin was sent to attack Nantang and Jinling (now Nanjing) the following year. Li Yu surrendered and the Southern Tang Dynasty perished.