Li Jingsui facts for kids

Li Jingsui (Chinese: 李景遂; 920 – 17 September 958) was an important prince during China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He was a son of Li Bian, who founded the Southern Tang state. Li Jingsui was first known as Xu Jingsui. His courtesy name was Tuishen. He was later given the special title of Crown Prince Wencheng.

Li Jingsui's older brother, Li Jing, became emperor. Li Jing first chose Li Jingsui to be his heir, meaning Li Jingsui would be the next emperor. But Li Jingsui never really wanted this important job. He often tried to give up his position to Li Jing's son, Li Hongji. Eventually, Emperor Li Jing agreed to let Li Hongji become the heir. However, Li Hongji was still worried that Li Jing might change his mind again. Sadly, Li Jingsui passed away after being poisoned.

Early Life in the Wu Kingdom

Li Jingsui was born in the year 920. At that time, China was divided into many kingdoms. He was born during the reign of King Yang Longyan of the Wu Kingdom. His father, who was then called Xu Zhigao, was a powerful leader in the Wu Kingdom. He was like a junior ruler in the capital city, Guangling.

Li Jingsui's mother was Lady Song Fujin. She was also the mother of his older brothers, Xu Jingtong (who later became Emperor Li Jing) and Xu Jingqian. Li Jingsui was the third son in his family.

By 936, Li Jingsui's father, Xu Zhigao, was the main ruler of the Wu Kingdom. Li Jingsui's older brother, Xu Jingqian, was in charge of Guangling. But Xu Jingqian became very sick. So, in 936, when Li Jingsui was 16 years old, he was sent to Guangling. He took over his brother's role as a junior ruler. He was given important titles and acted like a top government official.

Life in the Southern Tang State

During Emperor Li Bian's Rule

In 937, the Wu Kingdom ended. Li Jingsui's father, Xu Zhigao, became the new emperor. He started a new state called Southern Tang. When Xu Zhigao became emperor, he gave Li Jingsui the title of Prince of Ji. He also made Li Jingsui a top official and the mayor of Jiangdu, which was the new eastern capital.

In 938, Li Jingsui was called back to the main capital, Jinling. He helped with important government matters. When the former Wu ruler, Yang Pu, died later that year, Li Jingsui was sent to attend his funeral. People who saw him were touched by how sad he was.

In 939, Li Jingsui's father changed his family name back to his original name, Li. So, Xu Zhigao became Li Bian. All his children also changed their names to Li. This is how Xu Jingsui became Li Jingsui. Soon after, Li Jingsui's title changed to Prince of Shou.

In 942, a powerful official named Song Qiqiu wanted to take charge of a main government department. Emperor Li Bian had Li Jingsui give up his role there. Instead, Li Jingsui oversaw other important government offices. His older brother, Li Jing, oversaw all three departments.

During Emperor Li Jing's Rule

Emperor Li Bian passed away in 943. His oldest son, Li Jing, became the new emperor. At first, Li Jing offered the throne to Li Jingsui. But Li Jingsui politely refused. So, Li Jing became emperor. He gave Li Jingsui the important title of Prince of Yan.

Emperor Li Jing believed it was his father's wish that he pass the throne to Li Jingsui and then to their younger brother, Li Jingda. So, Li Jing made Li Jingsui the Prince of Qi. This was a very special title that emperors had held before. Li Jingsui was also asked to live in the eastern palace, which was usually where the Crown Prince lived. This meant he was officially chosen to be the next emperor.

Both Li Jingsui and Li Jingda did not want these titles. They tried to refuse many times, but the emperor did not allow it. Li Jingsui truly did not want to be the heir. He even chose his courtesy name, Tuishen, from an old saying that means "withdraw your body after you complete your accomplishment." This showed he did not want to be the next ruler.

In 947, Emperor Li Jing formally made Li Jingsui the Crown Prince. At this time, Li Jing's oldest son, Li Hongji, became the Prince of Yan.

One time, Li Jingsui was meeting with his staff. He was looking at a jade item instead of paying attention. A staff member named Zhang Yi wanted to talk about Li Jingsui's behavior. Zhang Yi got angry and threw the jade cup on the ground, breaking it. Everyone was shocked. But Li Jingsui did not get angry. He apologized and treated Zhang Yi even better afterward.

Later, Emperor Li Jing wanted to send Zhang Yi on a dangerous trip across the sea. Li Jingsui wrote a letter to the emperor, asking him not to send Zhang Yi. He said Zhang Yi was a very capable man who should stay to give advice. But Emperor Li Jing sent Zhang Yi anyway.

By 958, the Southern Tang state had lost a war against a northern kingdom called Later Zhou. Southern Tang had to give up some land and become a subject state. Li Jingsui used this chance to ask, ten times, to give up his Crown Prince position. He said he had not helped enough in the war. He also mentioned that Li Hongji had helped defend against attacks.

Emperor Li Jing finally accepted Li Jingsui's request. He made Li Hongji the new Crown Prince. Li Jingsui was given the title of Prince of Jin. He also received many other important titles and was sent to govern a region called Zhennan.

When Li Jingsui arrived in Zhennan, he asked for a deputy to help him. Emperor Li Jing sent Li Zhenggu to be his deputy. However, Li Zhenggu was very proud and bossy. Even though Li Jingsui was a kind and relaxed person, he found it hard to get along with Li Zhenggu. Li Jingsui became very unhappy.

Meanwhile, Li Hongji, as the new Crown Prince, sometimes did things that were against the law. Emperor Li Jing was very angry about this. He once punished Li Hongji and said, "I will call Jingsui back!" This meant he might change his mind and make Li Jingsui Crown Prince again.

Li Hongji was worried about this. Sadly, Li Jingsui became very ill and passed away due to poison. Emperor Li Jing was very sad. His servants tried to comfort him by saying that Li Jingsui had said he was going to replace a Taoist god. Emperor Li Jing believed them and did not investigate further. He honored Li Jingsui with the special title of Crown Prince after his death.