Li Xiucheng facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Li Xiucheng
|
|
|---|---|
Li Xiucheng
|
|
| Nickname(s) | The Loyal King |
| Born | 1823 Teng County, Guangxi, Qing Empire |
| Died | 7 August 1864 (aged 40–41) Jiangning, Nanjing, Qing Empire |
| Allegiance | Qing Empire (to 1849) Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (to 1864) |
| Years of service | 1852–1864 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Eastern campaign
Western campaign
|
Li Xiucheng (Chinese: 李秀成; pinyin: Lǐ Xiùchéng; 1823 – August 7, 1864) was a very important military leader during the Taiping Rebellion. This was a huge uprising against the Qing dynasty in China. Li Xiucheng was born into a farming family. He became a key general for the Taiping rebels. In 1864, he was captured after the final big battle for Nanjing. He was then executed by a Qing general named Zeng Guofan.
Contents
The Loyal King
Li Xiucheng was often called the Loyal King (Chinese: 忠王; pinyin: Zhōng Wáng). He earned this special title because he showed great loyalty. A general from the Qing army tried to bribe him. The general offered Li Xiucheng money to betray and kill Hong Xiuquan. Hong Xiuquan was the main leader of the Taiping Rebellion. Li Xiucheng refused the bribe, proving his loyalty to the Taiping cause.
Li Xiucheng's Life and Battles
Fighting the Jiangnan Army
The Army Group Jiangnan was a major Qing army base near Nanjing. Li Xiucheng's forces surrounded this base. They wanted to make the Qing soldiers give up. In March 1858, the Qing army had about 200,000 soldiers. They fought against Li Xiucheng's Taiping forces. But Li Xiucheng's army won a big victory in May 1860. After this win, Li's forces took control of almost all of Jiangsu province, except for Shanghai.
Defending Nanjing
Li Xiucheng also worked with another Taiping general, Chen Yucheng. Together, they helped protect and free the capital city of Nanjing. This happened during a big siege in 1860.
The Fall of Suzhou
Li Xiucheng had a palace in Suzhou. It is the only palace from the Taiping Rebellion that still stands today. In July 1863, Li Xiucheng ordered his son-in-law, Tan Shaoguang, to capture Suzhou. However, a Qing general named Li Hongzhang led his army, called the Huai Army. This army was joined by the "Ever Victorious Army." This special army was first started by an American, Frederick Townsend Ward. Later, it was led by a British officer, Charles George Gordon.
With this strong support, Li Hongzhang won many battles. This led to the surrender of Suzhou.
A Story of Hidden Wealth
There is a famous story about Li Xiucheng and his wealth. In 1864, just before Nanjing fell, Li Xiucheng had a lot of valuable items. He gave them to the manager of his stables, a man named Donkey Jiang. Li asked Jiang to quickly move these treasures out of Nanjing. They planned to meet up later. Jiang did as he was asked, taking the wealth with 20 horses and an ox. However, Li Xiucheng was captured and executed before he could meet Jiang. After the war ended, Jiang was able to bring the wealth back to Nanjing.
Li Xiucheng's Writings
Li Xiucheng wrote his own story shortly before he was executed. This book is called Loyal Prince Li Xiucheng In His Own Words (Chinese: 《忠王李秀成自述》). It tells about his life and experiences during the rebellion.
The Journey of Li's Sword
When Li Xiucheng left Suzhou, he gave his special sword to his younger brother, Li Shixian. This sword was a symbol of Li Xiucheng's power. Later, Li Shixian was captured by Charles George Gordon in Liyang. Gordon took the sword.
Charles George Gordon then returned to the UK. He gave Li's sword to the Duke of Cambridge. The Duke was a cousin of Queen Victoria and a top military commander.
Many years later, on August 30, 1961, the sword was with a history professor at the University of London. In 1981, this important sword was returned to China. Today, it is kept safe in the National Museum of China.
Li Xiucheng's Family
Li Xiucheng had one son named Li Rongfa. He also had three daughters. His daughters married other important Taiping generals. These included Tan Shaoguang and Chen Binwen.
