Empress Li (Liu Shouguang's wife) facts for kids
Empress Li was a powerful woman who lived during a time of big changes in Chinese history. She was one of the two wives of Liu Shouguang, who was the only emperor of a kingdom called Yan. This kingdom was part of a period known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
Empress Li's personal name is not known today. We also don't know much about her life or if she had any children with Liu Shouguang. Some historians believe she became an empress when Liu Shouguang declared himself emperor in 911. His other wife, Empress Zhu, was also an empress.
The Fall of Yan Kingdom
The Yan kingdom's capital city was called You Prefecture. Today, this city is known as Beijing. In late 913, You Prefecture was attacked by an army led by Li Cunxu. He was the Prince of Jin.
Escape and Capture
When the city fell, Empress Li, Liu Shouguang, Empress Zhu, and Liu Shouguang's three sons tried to escape. Their sons were named Liu Jixun, Liu Jifang, and Liu Jizuo. They fled from You Prefecture but were later caught at a place called Yanle, which is also near modern Beijing.
Journey to Execution
After their capture, Li Cunxu took them on a tour. This tour showed off his victory to his allies. These allies included Wang Chuzhi, a military leader from Yiwu Circuit, and Wang Rong, the Prince of Zhao. Eventually, Li Cunxu took them back to his own capital city, Taiyuan.
When it was time for them to be executed, Liu Shouguang begged for his life. However, both Empress Li and Empress Zhu told him off. They said he should act bravely, like an emperor should. They themselves accepted their fate with courage.
