Li Shiji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Li Shiji
李世勣 |
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Portrait of Li Shiji
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| Born | 594 |
| Died | December 31, 669 (aged 75) |
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| Occupation | Military general, politician |
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Li Shiji (born around 594, died December 31, 669) was a very important military general and politician in early Tang dynasty China. He was known for his clever strategies and strong leadership. His original family name was Xu, but the first Tang emperor, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, gave him the imperial family name "Li" because he was so impressed by Li Shiji's loyalty.
Later, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Shiji's name was shortened to Li Ji. This was done to avoid a special rule called "naming taboo." The character "Shi" in his name was the same as part of the name of the previous emperor, Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin). Li Shiji is also sometimes called Xu Maogong in old stories.
Li Shiji first followed a rebel leader named Li Mi. When Li Mi joined the Tang Empire, Li Shiji followed him. Emperor Gaozu was so impressed by his loyalty that he gave him the imperial family name "Li." Li Shiji helped the Tang Empire defeat other rebel groups and unite China.
Under Emperor Taizong, he led successful wars against powerful groups like the Göktürks and Xueyantuo. These victories made the Tang Empire the strongest power in East Asia. He also served as a top government official, called a chancellor. During Emperor Gaozong's time, he continued as chancellor and led the army that finally defeated Goguryeo in 668. He passed away the next year. Li Shiji and another general, Li Jing, are remembered as the two greatest generals of the early Tang dynasty.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Xu Shiji was likely born in 594. His family came from a region called Cao Province, which is in modern-day Shandong, China. Later, during the end of the Sui dynasty, his family moved to Hua Province, near modern Anyang. Xu Shiji's father, Xu Gai, was a wealthy landowner. Both Xu Shiji and his father were known for being very generous. They often shared their farm's food with others, even if they weren't family.
Joining the Rebels and Li Mi
Around 616, a rebel leader named Zhai Rang started fighting against the rule of Emperor Yang of Sui. Xu Shiji joined Zhai's group. Xu Shiji suggested that instead of robbing local people, which Zhai's group had been doing, they should rob travelers on the Grand Canal. Zhai agreed, and their raids then focused on travelers and official messengers. Many people joined Zhai's group.
Later in 616, a key Sui general named Zhang Xutuo attacked Zhai's rebels. Xu Shiji bravely fought and killed Zhang in battle. This made Zhai even more famous. Around this time, Xu Shiji also became very good friends with another general under Zhai, Shan Xiongxin. They swore to be like brothers and even promised to die on the same day.
Meanwhile, Li Mi, a smart planner from a noble family, was visiting rebel leaders. He wanted to unite them to fight the Sui dynasty. Many rebels believed Li Mi might become the next emperor. Xu Shiji and another friend of Zhai's, Wang Bodang, convinced Zhai to support Li Mi as their leader. Zhai agreed. After their victory over Zhang, the rebels moved towards the eastern capital, Luoyang. They declared Li Mi their leader, giving him the title Duke of Wei. Xu Shiji became a major general.
Xu Shiji helped Li Mi win a battle against the Sui general Wang Shichong. Li Mi then made Xu Shiji the Duke of Donghai. Xu Shiji also suggested that Li Mi capture a huge food storage area called Liyang Storage. After capturing it, Li Mi opened the storage to feed people suffering from famine. This act brought over 200,000 new followers to Li Mi in just ten days. Many other rebel groups also joined him.
In late 617, Li Mi and Zhai Rang had a disagreement. Li Mi set a trap for Zhai at a party and killed him. Xu Shiji was hurt in the neck during this event and almost died. Li Mi quickly said he only wanted to punish Zhai. He personally helped Xu Shiji with his injuries. He then put Xu Shiji, Shan Xiongxin, and Wang Bodang in charge of Zhai's troops.
In 618, Emperor Yang was killed by his general Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen then marched north with his army. Li Mi and the Sui officials in Luoyang (who had made Emperor Yang's grandson, Yang Tong, emperor) decided to make peace to fight Yuwen. Xu Shiji also received a Sui general title. Li Mi, who was a bit distant from Xu Shiji, put Xu Shiji in charge of defending Liyang Storage. Yuwen attacked Liyang, but Xu Shiji successfully defended it and even defeated Yuwen's forces outside the city.
Later in 618, Wang Shichong took control in Luoyang. Li Mi broke off his peace with Wang. However, Wang surprised Li Mi and defeated him, taking most of his soldiers. Li Mi thought about going to Xu Shiji for help, but some people warned him not to trust Xu Shiji because of what happened to Zhai. So, Li Mi went to Chang'an and surrendered to the new Tang dynasty.
When Xu Shiji heard that Li Mi had surrendered, he took control of Li Mi's old territory. He decided to join the Tang dynasty too. But he told his secretary, Guo Xiaoke, something important: "The Duke of Wei (Li Mi) has joined Tang. All these people and this land belong to him. If I give them to Tang myself, it would look like I'm taking credit for his defeat. I would be ashamed. Let's list all the prefectures, counties, and soldiers, and send the list to the Duke of Wei. Let him offer them to Tang himself. That way, it will be his achievement."
So, Xu Shiji sent Guo to Chang'an to report to Li Mi. Emperor Gaozu of Tang heard that Xu Shiji had sent messengers but had not formally asked to join Tang. He was surprised. He asked Guo about it, and Guo explained Xu Shiji's loyalty. Emperor Gaozu was very impressed. He said, "Xu Shiji remembers his lord and gives up his own achievements. He is truly a loyal subject." Because of this, Emperor Gaozu gave Xu Shiji the imperial family name "Li," which he shared with Li Mi. From then on, he was known as Li Shiji. Emperor Gaozu also made Li Shiji the Duke of Cao and his father, Xu Gai (now Li Gai), the Prince of Jiyin. Li Gai humbly refused the prince title and was later made the Duke of Shu. Li Shiji stayed in the Liyang area to fight against Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande.
Serving Emperor Gaozu
Around early 619, Li Mi tried to become independent again but was killed by a Tang general. Emperor Gaozu sent a message to Li Shiji explaining why Li Mi was killed. Li Shiji was very sad and asked to bury Li Mi with honor. Emperor Gaozu agreed and sent Li Mi's body to Li Shiji. Li Shiji held a grand funeral for Li Mi, treating him like a ruler, south of Liyang.
In late 619, Dou Jiande, who was the Prince of Xia, launched a big attack. He wanted to control the land north of the Yellow River. Many cities there had joined Tang. After Dou won several battles, Li Shentong, Emperor Gaozu's cousin, who was in charge of Tang operations north of the Yellow River, retreated to Liyang and joined Li Shiji. When Dou attacked Tang's Wei Prefecture, Li Shiji tried to ambush him. Li Shiji's officer almost killed Dou. Angry, Dou turned his army and attacked Liyang. He captured it and took Li Shentong, Li Gai (Li Shiji's father), and other important people. Li Shiji managed to escape. However, a few days later, because his father was captured, Li Shiji surrendered to Dou. Dou made Li Shiji a general and kept him in charge of Liyang. But he took Li Gai to his capital as a hostage.
Li Shiji soon thought about rejoining Tang. But he worried Dou would kill his father. Guo Xiaoke suggested he first earn Dou's trust. Li Shiji agreed. In late 619, he attacked a city held by Wang Shichong. He captured many valuable things and people, including Dou's childhood friend Liu Heita, and gave them to Dou. Dou began to trust him. Li Shiji then suggested Dou attack another rebel leader, Meng Haigong. Dou agreed and sent his brother-in-law, Cao Dan, to join Li Shiji. Li Shiji planned to ambush Dou when he arrived. However, Dou was delayed. Meanwhile, Cao Dan was treating other rebel leaders badly, making them angry. One of them, Li Shanghu, and his mother, Lady Huo, urged Li Shiji to act quickly. When Li Shiji hesitated, Li Shanghu and Lady Huo attacked Cao Dan themselves. But Cao Dan was not hurt and prepared to fight back. Li Shanghu told Li Shiji to attack Cao, but Li Shiji saw that Cao was ready. So, Li Shiji and Guo fled to Tang territory. Cao defeated and killed Li Shanghu. When Dou's officials wanted to execute Li Gai, Dou said, "Li Shiji was a Tang subject. He was captured by us but still remembered his old lord and was loyal. What sin did his father commit?" Dou spared Li Gai.
In early 620, Li Shiji served under Emperor Gaozu's son, Li Shimin, who was the Prince of Qin. They fought against a major attack by Liu Wuzhou. In one battle, Li Shiji was unsuccessful, but Li Shimin saved him. Li Shimin eventually defeated Liu, forcing him to flee.
In late 620, Li Shimin launched a big attack against Wang Shichong's state. A general from Wang's side surrendered a city. Li Shimin sent Li Shiji to take it over. Li Shiji then convinced another Zheng official to surrender. This led to many of Zheng's cities in eastern Henan surrendering one by one. Wang Shichong's son, Wang Xuanying, fled back to the capital, Luoyang. In early 621, another of Wang Shichong's officers surrendered to Li Shiji. This allowed Li Shiji's general to capture a key pass and Wang Shichong's nephew.
Soon, Wang Shichong asked Dou Jiande for help. Dou believed that if Tang defeated Wang, his own state would be in danger. So, he agreed to help. Li Shimin sent Li Shiji and other generals to fight Dou's first troops, and they won. Li Shimin tried to convince Dou to stop helping Wang, but Dou refused. In mid-621, Li Shimin fought Dou at the Battle of Hulao, defeating and capturing him. Wang Shichong then surrendered. Li Shimin spared Wang but executed some of Wang's officials he considered disloyal.
Li Shiji's sworn brother, Shan Xiongxin, was among those to be executed because Li Shimin saw him as disloyal to Li Mi. Li Shiji begged Li Shimin to spare Shan, saying Shan was a skilled general who could help Tang. He even offered to give up all his own honors to save Shan. Li Shimin refused. When Shan reminded Li Shiji of their promise to die on the same day, Li Shiji said he had already given his life to the state and couldn't die now. He said if he died, no one would care for Shan's family. Instead, Li Shiji cut a piece of muscle from his own leg, cooked it, and had Shan eat it. He said, "Let my flesh turn to dust with you, my brother. By this, I can at least keep part of our promise."
Later that year, when Li Shimin returned to Chang'an, Emperor Gaozu honored his generals. Li Shiji was one of 25 generals allowed to wear the same golden armor as Li Shimin. He also offered the captured enemies at Tang's imperial temple. He was reunited with his father, Li Gai, who had survived the fall of Dou Jiande's regime and returned to Tang.
Former Xia territory was taken over by Tang. But in late 621, Liu Heita rebelled against Tang, saying he was avenging Dou Jiande (whom Emperor Gaozu had executed). Liu quickly recaptured most of the old Xia territory. When Liu approached the former Xia capital, Ming Prefecture, Li Shiji, who was nearby, went to Ming to help defend it. But Liu defeated him and captured Ming, forcing Li Shiji to flee.
Li Shiji later served under Li Shimin again. In early 622, they attacked Liu, who had declared himself the Prince of Handong. In one battle, Li Shiji's officer killed Liu's main general. Later, when Liu attacked Li Shiji, Li Shimin tried to help but was surrounded and almost captured. He was saved by the brave general Yuchi Gong. Li Shimin then defeated Liu by flooding his troops. Liu fled. (Liu returned later that year but was finally defeated by Li Shimin's older brother, Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince.)
Li Shiji then followed Li Shimin to attack Liu's ally, Xu Yuanlang. After Li Shimin was called back to Chang'an, Li Shiji continued the fight against Xu Yuanlang. By early 623, Xu was desperate and abandoned his capital. He was killed while fleeing. Li Shiji sent Xu's head to Emperor Gaozu.
Later in 623, a general named Fu Gongshi rebelled against Tang. Li Shiji helped in the campaign against Fu. After Tang forces defeated Fu's army, Fu fled. Li Shiji chased him down. Fu was captured by local people and delivered to Li Shiji, who then sent him to be executed.
By 626, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were in a fierce rivalry. Li Shimin feared Li Jiancheng might try to kill him. He asked Li Shiji and Li Jing for advice. Both refused to get involved in the family fight, which Li Shimin respected. In mid-626, Li Shimin ambushed Li Jiancheng and another brother, Li Yuanji, at Xuanwu Gate and killed them. He then made Emperor Gaozu name him Crown Prince and later give him the throne (as Emperor Taizong).
Serving Emperor Taizong
After Emperor Taizong became emperor, he made Li Shiji the military commander at Bing Prefecture. In 629, Emperor Taizong launched a major attack against the Eastern Tujue's leader, Jiali Khan. Li Jing led this attack, and Li Shiji was one of his main generals. Li Shiji was in charge of one of the four attack groups. In early 630, Li Shiji defeated Eastern Tujue forces. Li Jing also defeated the main Eastern Tujue army, forcing their leader to flee. Li Shiji met with Li Jing. Even though the Eastern Tujue leader claimed he wanted peace, they decided to attack him again. They defeated him and captured most of his remaining forces.
Because Emperor Taizong's son, Li Zhi, was made the official commander of Bing Prefecture (though he wasn't actually there), Li Shiji's title changed. But he still acted as the main commander. In 637, Emperor Taizong wanted to give land to his relatives and great generals. Li Shiji was given the title Duke of Ying and was supposed to be the governor of Qi Prefecture, a title his children could inherit. But Li Shiji stayed at Bing and didn't go to Qi. Soon, many people disagreed with this plan, and Emperor Taizong canceled it. However, Li Shiji kept his title as Duke of Ying.
In 641, Emperor Taizong talked about Li Shiji. He said that people always obeyed Li Shiji without complaining. Emperor Taizong commented: "Emperor Yang of Sui made people work hard to build the Great Wall to defend against Tujue attacks, but it didn't help. All I had to do was put Li Shiji in charge of Jinyang (Bing Prefecture), and there wouldn't even be dust flying in the air. Isn't he a more impressive Great Wall?"
In late 641, Emperor Taizong promoted Li Shiji to Minister of Defense. But before Li Shiji could leave for the capital, the Xueyantuo leader, Yi'nan, attacked. He thought Emperor Taizong would be busy with a religious ceremony and wouldn't fight back. Xueyantuo attacked Tang's ally, the Eastern Tujue. The Eastern Tujue leader couldn't resist and retreated. Emperor Taizong sent armies, including Li Shiji's, to help. Around early 641, Li Shiji fought Xueyantuo forces and defeated them, forcing them to flee. (It seems Li Shiji wanted to keep fighting to destroy Xueyantuo, but Emperor Taizong ordered him to stop.) Li Shiji then returned to the capital to serve as Minister of Defense.
In 643, Emperor Taizong ordered portraits of 24 great people who helped the Tang dynasty. Li Shiji's portrait was one of them. In early 643, Emperor Taizong's son, Li You, rebelled. Emperor Taizong sent Li Shiji to attack Li You. But even before Li Shiji arrived, Li You's own men captured him. Later, in mid-643, it was found that Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince, had planned to overthrow Emperor Taizong. Emperor Taizong asked Li Shiji and other important officials to investigate. They confirmed Li Chengqian's guilt. Emperor Taizong removed Li Chengqian from his position. He also removed another son, Li Tai, and made Li Zhi the new Crown Prince. Li Shiji was given an extra title as the new Crown Prince's head of household. He also received a new title that made him a top government official, a chancellor.
Old stories say that once, when Li Shiji was suddenly sick, doctors said ashes from beards could help him. Emperor Taizong cut off his own beard and burned it to mix with the medicine. When Li Shiji got better, he bowed deeply to thank Emperor Taizong, so much that his forehead bled from hitting the floor. Emperor Taizong replied, "I did it for the empire, not for you. You don't need to thank me."
In early 644, a Tang messenger returned from Goguryeo. He said that Yeon Gaesomun, the general controlling Goguryeo, would not stop attacking Silla, which was a Tang ally. Li Shiji suggested attacking Goguryeo, and Emperor Taizong agreed, even though others disagreed. After months of planning, Emperor Taizong launched a two-part attack on Goguryeo in late 644. Li Shiji led the land army of 60,000 soldiers towards the Liaodong Peninsula. Another general led the navy towards the Goguryeo capital, Pyongyang. Emperor Taizong followed them.
In early 645, Li Shiji reached You Prefecture and then entered Goguryeo. With another general, he captured Gaemo. Then they surrounded the important city of Liaodong. After Emperor Taizong arrived, Liaodong fell. Tang forces continued southeast, towards the Yalu River, and surrounded Ansi. When a large Goguryeo army arrived, Emperor Taizong had Li Shiji lead 15,000 men as a distraction. When Goguryeo attacked Li Shiji, another general attacked them from behind. Li Shiji, the other general, and Emperor Taizong himself defeated the Goguryeo forces, forcing them to surrender. Emperor Taizong then thought about attacking Pyongyang directly. But Li Shiji believed that if Ansi was not captured first, its commander might attack Tang forces from behind. Emperor Taizong agreed and continued to surround Ansi.
However, the commander at Ansi was a very good defender. The defenders became even more determined when Li Shiji, in anger, said that all residents would be killed after the city fell. In late 645, unable to capture Ansi and running low on food, Emperor Taizong ordered his army to retreat. Li Shiji and another general served as the rear guard, protecting the army as it left.
In 646, the Xueyantuo group had problems because their leader was cruel. Emperor Taizong sent Li Shiji with an army towards them. The Xueyantuo leader surrendered. Li Shiji attacked the remaining forces that refused to surrender, defeating and capturing them. He brought the Xueyantuo leader to the capital, where Emperor Taizong made him a general.
In 647, Emperor Taizong began yearly raids against Goguryeo. These raids were meant to weaken Goguryeo's border areas for a future big attack. For the 647 raids, Li Shiji was in charge of the land army.
In mid-649, Emperor Taizong became very ill. He didn't fully trust Li Shiji. He told Li Zhi (the Crown Prince): "Li Shiji is very smart and capable, but you haven't done him any favors, so it might be hard for him to be loyal to you. I'm going to send him away now. If he leaves right away, promote him to a very high position and trust him after I die. If he hesitates, execute him."
So, Emperor Taizong demoted Li Shiji to a commander in a far-off region. Li Shiji received the order and left without any hesitation. Nine days later, Emperor Taizong died, and Li Zhi became Emperor Gaozong.
Serving Emperor Gaozong
Almost immediately after becoming emperor, Emperor Gaozong promoted Li Shiji. (At the same time, Emperor Gaozong said that the character "Shi" could not be used in names because it was part of his father's name. So, Li Shiji became known as Li Ji.) Emperor Gaozong quickly promoted him back to a top government official, a chancellor. He then made him the Executive State Secretary.
In late 650, Li Ji asked to step down from the Executive State Secretary role. Emperor Gaozong agreed but kept him as a chancellor.
In 653, Emperor Gaozong gave Li Ji a very high honor, Minister of Works. Li Ji continued to be a chancellor.
In 655, Emperor Gaozong wanted to remove his wife, Empress Wang, and make his favorite concubine, Consort Wu, the empress. Most high officials were against this. They pointed out that Consort Wu had been a concubine of the previous emperor, and Empress Wang came from a very respected family. Li Ji, however, remained silent. When Emperor Gaozong asked Li Ji for his opinion, Li Ji replied, "This is your family matter, Your Imperial Majesty. Why ask anyone else?" Because of this, Emperor Gaozong removed Empress Wang and made Consort Wu empress. Li Ji served as the ceremonial official for this event. Empress Wu soon became very powerful. She removed officials who had opposed her, but Li Ji, who had not opposed her, was safe.
Around early 667, after the death of Yeon Gaesomun, the leader of Goguryeo, his sons started fighting. One son, Yeon Namsaeng, fled to Tang. Emperor Gaozong launched an army led by Li Ji, with Yeon Namsaeng as his guide. In late 667, Li Ji first captured a city called Sinseong. Then he moved further into Goguryeo. Other generals under him also defeated Yeon Namgeon's forces. However, a fleet carrying food supplies ran into problems. Its commander sent a coded message to Li Ji asking for help. Li Ji at first didn't understand it was code and was angry. But his secretary decoded the message, and Li Ji sent food supplies.
Only in late 668 was Li Ji able to cross the Yalu River and reach Pyongyang, the capital of Goguryeo. He surrounded the city. The King of Goguryeo, and Yeon Namgeon's younger brother, surrendered. But Yeon Namgeon continued fighting. A few days later, one of Yeon Namgeon's generals opened the city gates and surrendered. Yeon Namgeon was captured. This was the end of Goguryeo. Later that year, after Li Ji returned to the capital, a huge celebration was held for him. Around early 669, when Emperor Gaozong made sacrifices to Heaven, he had Li Ji sacrifice after him, which was a very special honor.
Later in 669, Li Ji became ill. Emperor Gaozong called all of Li Ji's brothers and sons who were serving outside the capital to come back and care for him. Li Ji only took medicine given by Emperor Gaozong and the Crown Prince. He refused other medical treatment, saying: "I was just a farmer. I was lucky to meet great emperors, and I became one of the highest officials. I am also almost 80 years old. Isn't this Heaven's protection? How long I live is already decided. How can I beg doctors for a longer life?"
One day, Li Ji called his younger brother, Li Bi. He told Li Bi he felt better that day and should invite all their relatives for a feast. At the end of the feast, he told Li Bi: "I know my illness will not be cured. This feast is my farewell to all of you. Don't cry, but listen to me. I saw with my own eyes how great officials worked hard and became famous, but their bad children ruined their families. All my sons and grandsons are here, and I trust them to you. After I die and am buried, move into my bedroom and look after the young ones carefully. If any of them think dangerously or spend time with bad people, beat them to death, and then report to the Emperor." He said no more and died not long after, around early 670. He was buried with great honors near Emperor Taizong's tomb. Emperor Gaozong ordered his tomb to be shaped like mountains in the lands of Eastern Tujue and Xueyantuo, to remember his victories over them. His tomb is now part of the Zhaoling Museum site.
The historian Sima Guang, from the Song dynasty, wrote about Li Ji: "Li Ji, as a military commander, was full of good plans and made excellent decisions. When he talked with others, he accepted good ideas quickly. When he won a victory, he gave credit to his soldiers. All the gold, silver, and silk he received were given to his officers and soldiers. People were willing to fight bravely for him, so whenever he attacked, he always won. He always chose officers who looked proper and were patient and serious. When asked why, he said, 'Those who are unlucky will not succeed.' He managed his household strictly but with love. Once, when he was a high official, his sister was ill, and he personally cooked porridge for her. A gust of wind blew the flame and burned his beard. His sister said, 'You have many servants. Why do you have to do this yourself?' He replied, 'It's not that I have no one to order. It's just that you are old, and I am old. Will there really be enough times for me to be able to cook porridge for you?'"
Li Ji's oldest son, Li Zhen, died before him. So, the title of Duke of Ying was passed to Li Zhen's son, Li Jingye. In 684, after Emperor Gaozong died, Empress Dowager Wu (the former Empress Wu Zetian) removed her son, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, from the throne. She replaced him with another son, Emperor Ruizong of Tang, but she was planning to become empress herself. Li Jingye started a rebellion against her. In response, Empress Dowager Wu destroyed Li Ji's tomb, took away his titles after his death, and killed most of his family. In 705, after Emperor Zhongzong was put back on the throne, Li Ji's tomb and titles were restored.
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