The young general Li Xiong captures Chengdu, the capital of Yi Province, in early 304, forcing Luo Shang to flee.
He then offers the throne to the hermit Fan Changsheng, who is respected by the refugees as a godlike figure and who had supplied his army with food.
Fan refuses, and the generals then request that Li declare himself emperor.
In winter 304, Li declares himself the Prince of Chengdu, effectively declaring independence from Jin.
He makes Fan and elders of the Li clan his senior advisors.
Historians will come to regard Li’s declaration as the start of the Sixteen Kingdoms era.
