Li Congyan facts for kids
Li Congyan (born Li Jiyan in 898) was an important figure in ancient China. He was the son and chosen heir of Li Maozhen, who ruled a state called Qi during a time known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
After his father joined the Later Tang dynasty and passed away, Li Congyan continued to govern the Qi lands. He served as a general for both the Later Tang and the Later Jin dynasties that followed.
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Early Life and Family
Li Jiyan was born in 898. He was the oldest son of Li Maozhen and his wife, Lady Liu. Even when he was young, he received important titles. These included deputy commander of the army in Peng Prefecture and commander of the guard corps in Fengxiang. Later, he became the acting military governor of Zhangyi.
Serving His Father's Kingdom
Around 906, his father, Li Maozhen, became the Prince of Qi. He gave Li Jiyan many honorary titles. These included acting Taiwei and military governor of Zhangyi. He also received the title Shizhong.
People said that Li Jiyan was smart and good at writing when he was young. He was also described as gentle.
Life Under the Later Tang Dynasty
Joining Emperor Li Cunxu
In 923, the Later Tang dynasty, led by Li Cunxu, defeated the Later Liang dynasty. Li Maozhen, Li Jiyan's father, was at first hesitant to fully join the new empire. He sent a message to Li Cunxu that sounded like he was an equal, not a subject.
However, when Li Cunxu moved his capital closer to Qi territory, Li Maozhen became worried. In 924, he sent Li Jiyan to meet Li Cunxu. This time, Li Maozhen formally agreed to be a subject of the Later Tang. Li Cunxu welcomed Li Jiyan and treated him well. He still showed great respect to Li Maozhen.
While in the capital, Li Jiyan gave many gifts to Li Cunxu's favorite wife, Lady Liu. Some people at the time thought this was wrong. Li Cunxu gave Li Jiyan a higher honorary title, Zhongshu Ling, and sent him back home.
After returning, Li Jiyan told his father how strong the Later Tang army was. This made Li Maozhen even more cautious. He asked Li Cunxu to treat him as an ordinary subject. Li Cunxu continued to be respectful. Later that year, Li Maozhen was given the title Prince of Qin.
Li Maozhen passed away soon after. He asked Li Cunxu to let Li Jiyan take charge of Fengxiang. Li Cunxu agreed and made Li Jiyan the military governor of Fengxiang.
In 925, Li Cunxu launched a big attack on a nearby state called Former Shu. Li Jiyan was put in charge of supplying the army. It is said he used up all the supplies in Fengxiang to help. He then joined the Later Tang army in defeating Former Shu.
In 926, Li Jiyan was sent to escort the Former Shu emperor, Wang Zongyan, back to the capital. But when they reached Fengxiang, an official named Chai Chonghou stopped him. Chai told Li Jiyan to go to the capital instead. This meant Li Jiyan's family lost control of Fengxiang for a short time.
Serving Emperor Li Siyuan
Around this time, many problems began in the Later Tang dynasty. The emperor, Li Cunxu, was killed in a rebellion in 926. His adopted brother, Li Siyuan, then became the new emperor.
When Li Jiyan heard this, he went back to Fengxiang. He was able to take control of the area again without any trouble. Emperor Li Siyuan believed Chai Chonghou had treated Li Jiyan unfairly. He ordered Chai to be punished. However, Li Jiyan asked for Chai's life to be spared. Even though his request was not granted, people admired him for trying.
Later in 926, Emperor Li Siyuan praised Li Jiyan and his family. He gave Li Jiyan a new name, Congyan. This was to match the names of his own sons. Li Congyan's younger brothers also received new names.
In 927, there was a problem with Meng Zhixiang, a military governor in Xichuan. He had killed an official. When Li Congyan heard this, he held Meng Zhixiang's wife and son in Fengxiang. He asked Emperor Li Siyuan what to do with them. Li Siyuan ordered him to release them so they could go to Xichuan.
In 930, Li Congyan went to the capital to attend a special ceremony with Emperor Li Siyuan. After the ceremony, he was moved to Xuanwu Circuit. In 933, he visited the emperor again. He was then made the military governor of Tianping Circuit.
Under Emperors Li Conghou and Li Congke
Emperor Li Siyuan passed away in 933. His son, Li Conghou, became the next emperor. However, powerful officials were suspicious of Li Conghou's adopted older brother, Li Congke, and his brother-in-law, Shi Jingtang.
In 934, these officials tried to move Li Congke to a new area. Li Congke saw this as a threat and started a rebellion. To pay for his army, he took money and goods that Li Congyan still had in Fengxiang.
Li Congke soon defeated the imperial army. As he left Fengxiang, the people there asked him to return Li Congyan to their region. He promised he would. When Li Congke entered the capital and became emperor, he kept his promise. He moved Li Congyan back to Fengxiang. He also gave Li Congyan the title Duke of Qin.
Serving the Later Jin Dynasty
In 936, Shi Jingtang rebelled against Li Congke. With help from the Khitan Empire, Shi Jingtang overthrew the Later Tang dynasty. He then started a new dynasty called Later Jin.
Li Congyan continued to serve as the military governor of Fengxiang under Emperor Shi Jingtang. Shi Jingtang gave him the titles Prince of Qin and then Prince of Qi.
During his time as governor, Li Congyan preferred civilian officials over military officers. He was kind to farmers but strict with soldiers. This made many soldiers unhappy. In 938, some soldiers he sent to patrol the border rebelled. They returned to Fengxiang city to steal things. Li Congyan used his own guards to fight them. He defeated the rebellious soldiers.
The mutineers fled east, planning to complain about Li Congyan to Emperor Shi Jingtang. However, when they reached Zhenguo, the military governor there, Zhang Yanze, attacked and killed them.
After Emperor Shi Jingtang died, his nephew, Shi Chonggui, became the new emperor. Li Congyan received another honorary title, acting Taibao. He passed away in 946, still serving as the military governor of Fengxiang.
