Li Mian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Li Mian
Children	Li Zuan, Li Zhen, Li Wei, Li Yue
Parent(s)	Li Zeyan

Li Mian (Chinese: 李勉; 717 – September 14, 788) was an important person in ancient China during the Tang dynasty. He was a judge, a military leader, a musician, a poet, and a politician. He even became a chancellor, which was like a top advisor to the emperor.

Early Life and Education

Li Mian was born in 717, when Emperor Xuanzong was ruling. He was part of the royal Li family, related to Emperor Gaozu, who founded the Tang dynasty. His family was well-known and respected.

As a young person, Li Mian loved to study. He spent a lot of time learning about Confucian classics and history. People described him as quiet, polite, honest, and strict. He also knew a lot about mystical ideas. Because he was related to the emperor, he got a job as a local official in Kaifeng County.

Kaifeng was a very busy place, important for travel by both land and water. It had many different kinds of people, which made it hard to govern. But Li Mian and another official, Lu Chenggui, were both known for being good at catching criminals and keeping the peace.

Serving Emperor Suzong

In 755, a general named An Lushan started a big rebellion called the Anshi Rebellion. The rebels got close to the capital city, Chang'an. Emperor Xuanzong had to run away. But his son, Li Heng, became the new emperor in a different city called Lingwu.

Li Mian joined Emperor Suzong in Lingwu. He became an imperial censor, which meant he watched over other officials. At that time, the new court was very basic, and some officers were not disciplined. Once, an officer sat disrespectfully with his back to the palace. Li Mian reported him. Emperor Suzong forgave the officer but said, "Because I have Li Mian, my court has discipline."

Later, in 757, Tang forces were fighting to take back the eastern capital, Luoyang. Over 100 rebel captives were brought to Chang'an to be executed. Li Mian asked the emperor to pardon them. He said that executing them would make more people join the rebels. Emperor Suzong listened and pardoned the captives.

After Luoyang was taken back, Li Mian held various important roles. He was known for being fair. Once, a good official named Wang Zui was falsely accused and ordered to be executed. Li Mian stopped the execution and defended Wang. Wang was saved, but Li Mian was moved to a less important job. This happened because Li Mian wouldn't be submissive to a powerful eunuch named Li Fuguo.

During Emperor Daizong's Reign

When Emperor Daizong became emperor in 762, Li Mian continued to serve in different roles. He was a mayor in several important cities, including Chang'an and Luoyang. He also became a governor in Jiangxi. He successfully put down several rebellions there.

Li Mian was known for his honesty. Once, a subordinate used witchcraft against Li Mian to try to cure his father. When this was discovered, Li Mian said, "He did this to help his father, and that can be forgiven."

In 767, Li Mian became the mayor of Chang'an again. He was simple and serious in his work. At this time, a powerful eunuch named Yu Chao'en was very arrogant. Previous mayors would hold big feasts for Yu. But when Yu visited during Li Mian's time, Li Mian refused to hold a feast. He said that Yu, as the head of the university, was the host there. Yu got angry, and Li Mian was soon removed from his post.

In 769, Li Mian became the military governor of Lingnan, a region in the south. Two rebel leaders controlled many areas there. Li Mian helped his officers defeat them, and by 771, the region was peaceful. Because Li Mian was honest and didn't demand bribes, many more foreign merchant ships came to Guang Prefecture each year. This helped the economy.

When Li Mian returned to Chang'an, he showed how little he cared for money. He threw treasures his family had collected into the Yangtze River. People admired his honesty, comparing him to famous honest officials from the past. Emperor Daizong was pleased and made him the Duke of Qian.

Li Mian later became the military governor of Yongping. In 776, a rebel named Li Lingyao took control of a region. Emperor Daizong ordered several governors, including Li Mian, to attack him. Li Mian's subordinate captured Li Lingyao, who was then executed.

Serving Emperor Dezong

In 779, Emperor Dezong became emperor. He made Li Mian an honorary chancellor.

Emperor Dezong wanted to control military governors who were acting too independently. He prepared for war against them. Li Mian was made the overall commander of several armies. When one rebel, Li Na, was under siege, Li Mian tried to convince him to surrender. But Emperor Dezong was confident of victory and refused Li Na's surrender.

Later, a general named Li Xilie openly rebelled. Li Mian was ordered to help another general, Geshu Yao, who was under siege. Li Mian tried to capture a key city to force Li Xilie to lift the siege. However, Emperor Dezong sent an order to stop, which caused Li Mian's forces to suffer heavy losses.

By late 783, Li Xilie was attacking Bian Prefecture, where Li Mian was. Li Mian defended the city for over a month. But with no help arriving, he had to leave the city and take over 10,000 people to safety. Li Mian asked Emperor Dezong to punish him for losing the city. But Emperor Dezong said, "I was unable to defend the imperial temples. Li Mian does not need to feel insecure."

Li Mian was later recalled to Chang'an and continued to serve as a chancellor. Some officials thought he shouldn't be a chancellor because he lost Bian Prefecture. But a trusted advisor, Li Mi, argued that Li Mian was a good governor who people loved. He also said that Li Mian's actions helped lead to a later victory. Emperor Dezong agreed and kept Li Mian as chancellor.

As Chancellor

Even as a chancellor, Li Mian was humble and didn't try to show off his power. He often let other chancellors take the lead. In 785, Emperor Dezong wanted to promote a controversial official named Lu Qi. Many officials disagreed. Li Mian supported them. When Emperor Dezong asked if it was okay to make Lu Qi a prefect, Li Mian said, "If Your Imperial Majesty truly wants to use him, even a large prefecture is fine. But you should think about how disappointed everyone would be."

Emperor Dezong then asked Li Mian if he thought Lu Qi was treacherous. Li Mian famously replied, "Everyone under heaven knows that he is treacherous, but Your Imperial Majesty does not. This is, indeed, proof of his treacherousness." This showed Li Mian's great honesty, but it also made Emperor Dezong keep a distance from him.

In 786, Li Mian was given control of the ministry of justice. He kept offering to resign, and eventually, he was removed from his chancellor post. He became a senior advisor to the crown prince, Li Song.

Li Mian died later in 786 and was buried with great honors. He was known for his skills in playing the guqin (a Chinese musical instrument) and writing poetry. He even composed several musical pieces. For over 20 years in high positions, he gave most of his salary to his relatives and staff. When he died, he had no savings. Despite his high status, he was always humble with those who worked for him. He even honored the spirits of two secretaries who died while serving him, setting places for them at feasts for three years.