Ngô Xương Văn

Ngô Xương Văn (吳昌文, ?–965) was a ruler of Ngô dynasty, Vietnam. He was the second son of Ngô Quyền, the founder of Ngô dynasty.

Ngô Quyền died in 944, and appointed Văn's elder brother Ngô Xương Ngập as successor. But Ngập was banished and usurped by the regent Dương Tam Kha. In order to deceive the public, Văn was adopted by Dương Tam Kha.

In 905, Văn was sent to put down the rebellion of Đường, Nguyễn together with Dương Cát Lợi and Đỗ Cảnh Thạc. When their troops reached Từ Liêm, Văn turned his army back, and dethroned Dương Tam Kha. Văn did not kill Dương Tam Kha and granted him the title Trương Dương Công (張楊公).

Văn crowned himself "Nam Tấn Vương" ("King of Nam Tấn"), and summoned Ngập to the capital. Ngập was appointed the co-ruler, and crowned "Thiên Sách Vương" ("King of Thiên Sách"). It was called một nước hai vua ("one country, two kings") in Vietnamese history. Both of them used the title "Hậu Ngô Vương" (後吳王). Ngập held the real power and Văn didn't take part in any political affair util Ngập's death.

Đinh Bộ Lĩnh occupied Hoa Lư and did not pay tribute to them. Văn and Ngập decided to attack him. They arrested Đinh Bộ Lĩnh's eldest son, Đinh Liễn, and command Bộ Lĩnh to surrender. Bộ Lĩnh rejected, and they had to retreat.

After Ngập's death, Văn was granted the title Jiedushi of Tĩnh Hải quân (靜海軍節度使 Tĩnh Hải quân tiết độ sứ) and Governor of the Protectorate General to Pacify the South (安南都護 An Nam đô hộ) by Southern Han. In 965, Văn led troops to put down the rebellion of Đường, Nguyễn, and was killed by an arrow in the midst of battle.

After his death, the country fell into civil war: it was called Anarchy of the 12 Warlords in the history of Vietnam.