Li Yu (Southern Tang) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Li Yu 李煜
"Last Ruler" of Southern Tang
an illustration from Sancai Tuhui (1609)
3rd and last ruler of Southern Tang
Reign	summer 961 – 1 January 976
Predecessor	Li Jing, father
Born	937 or early 938 likely modern Nanjing, Jiangsu
Died	(978-08-15)15 August 978 (aged 40–41) modern Kaifeng, Henan
Spouse	Queen Zhou the Elder (dec. 965) Queen Zhou the Younger
Issue Another son died young	Li Zhongyu, son
Full name Surname: Lǐ (李) Given name: Cóngjiā (從嘉), later changed to Yù (煜) Courtesy name: Chóngguāng (重光) Royal titles Before enthronement: Before 959: Duke of Anding 安定公 959–961: Prince of Wu 吳王 As ruler of Southern Tang: 961–971: King of Tang 唐國主 971–975: King of Jiangnan 江南國主 After surrender: After 975: Marquess Wei Ming 違命侯 Era dates Jianlong (建隆): 961–963 Qiande (乾德): 963–968 Kaibao (開寶): 968–974 None: 974–975 Posthumous name none
Father	Li Jing
Mother	Empress Zhong

Li Yu (Chinese: 李煜; c. 937 – 15 August 978) was the third and final ruler of the Southern Tang kingdom. This kingdom existed in China during a time known as the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He ruled from 961 until 976. That year, his kingdom was taken over by the powerful Song dynasty armies.

Li Yu was also a famous poet and artist. Many of his poems are still read and loved today. After his capture, he became a prisoner and died a few years later.

Family and Early Life

Li Yu's father was Li Jing, who was the second ruler of Southern Tang. His mother was Empress Guangmu. Li Yu was born as Li Congjia. His grandfather, Li Bian, founded the Southern Tang kingdom.

When Li Congjia was young, he wasn't expected to become ruler. He had several older brothers. But many of his brothers died young. This meant he moved up in the line to the throne.

Li Congjia loved art, poetry, and music. He also enjoyed reading, just like his father, who was also a well-known poet. At 17, he married Zhou Ehuang. She was also very talented in music and arts. They had a close relationship.

Becoming Ruler

In 955, the Southern Tang kingdom was attacked by a northern kingdom called Later Zhou. After a long war, Li Yu's father, Li Jing, had to give up some land. He also changed his title from "emperor" to "king" to show he was less powerful.

Soon after, Li Congjia's older brother, Li Hongji, died. This made Li Congjia the eldest surviving son. In 961, his father, Li Jing, became very ill. He decided to make Li Congjia the crown prince. Li Congjia then officially became the ruler. He changed his name to Li Yu.

As Southern Tang Ruler

Dealing with the Song Dynasty

Just before Li Yu became ruler, a new powerful kingdom called the Song dynasty was formed in the north. Its first emperor was Zhao Kuangyin. Li Yu knew his kingdom was not as strong as the Song. He tried very hard to be friendly and respectful to the Song emperor.

He sent gifts and letters that showed great humility. This was to avoid conflict. However, the Song emperor still made many demands. Li Yu had to send regular payments and gifts, which made his kingdom's treasury weak.

In 963, Li Yu's younger brother, Li Congshan, was held by the Song emperor. He was used to pressure Li Yu to visit the Song capital. Li Yu did not go, knowing it could be dangerous.

Sad Times for the Family

Li Yu was very close to his wife, Queen Zhou. He sometimes even missed government meetings to spend time with her.

Around 964, their three-year-old son died. Queen Zhou was heartbroken and became very ill. Li Yu was deeply saddened and cared for her constantly. When she passed away, he mourned terribly. He even carved a long poem about her on her headstone.

A few months later, in late 965, his mother, Queen Dowager Zhong, also died. These losses were very hard on Li Yu. He later married Queen Zhou's younger sister in 968.

Challenges and Decisions

Li Yu was more interested in poetry and art than in military matters. He often avoided making tough decisions about his kingdom's defense.

In 971, the Song Dynasty army was conquering other kingdoms. A Southern Tang general named Lin Renzhao suggested attacking Song cities. Li Yu refused, fearing it would only make the Song angry.

Later, the Song emperor received information that made Lin Renzhao seem disloyal. Without a full investigation, Li Yu ordered Lin to be killed. This upset many of his loyal officials.

The Fall of Southern Tang

Li Yu was not a strong military leader. He spent more time on his creative pursuits. The powerful Song dynasty continued to grow. In 971, Li Yu even dropped "Tang" from his kingdom's name. This was a desperate attempt to please the Song emperor.

In 974, the Song dynasty finally decided to invade Southern Tang. Li Yu had refused their summons to visit the Song court many times. After a year-long siege of his capital city, modern Nanjing, Li Yu surrendered in 975.

He and his family were taken as prisoners to the Song capital, Kaifeng. Li Yu wrote a famous poem about the shame and sadness he felt on that day. He wrote about his beautiful kingdom and how he never learned to fight. He ended by saying he became a captive slave.

Death

Li Yu lived as a prisoner in the Song capital for a few years. He died on August 15, 978, at the age of 40 or 41. After his death, he was given the title Prince of Wu.

His Writings

Li Yu is famous for his cí poetry. This type of poetry became very popular during the Song Dynasty. He is seen as a link between the older Tang poetry and the newer Song style.

His early poems were often about pleasure and beauty. But after his wife died in 964, his poems became much sadder. His most famous and sorrowful poems were written during his time as a prisoner. These poems often express his regret for losing his kingdom and the happy life he once had.

Li Yu helped develop ci poetry. He made it cover more topics than just love, adding themes of history and philosophy. He also introduced a two-stanza form. Only about 45 of his ci poems still exist today. He also wrote 17 shi style poems. His life story has even been made into Cantonese operas.

Cí Poetry Examples

Many of Li Yu's cí poems are still well-known. Some have even been set to music in modern times. For example, the singer Teresa Teng sang three of his poems in her 1983 album Light Exquisite Feelings.

Here is a famous poem by Li Yu, translated into English:

Alone Up the Western Tower (獨上西樓) This poem was written after he was captured.

This poem was also made into a song by Teresa Teng.

Calligraphy

"Traveling on the River in First Snow" (江行初雪) by the Southern Tang painter Zhao Gan (趙幹), National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan. The column of 11 characters on the right edge of the painting, which specified the artist and the title, was written by Li Yu.

Li Yu was also a skilled calligrapher. His writing style was called "Golden Inlaid Dagger." People said his large characters looked like split bamboo, and his small ones like clusters of needles. They thought his style was very unique and strong.

Television Series

Several TV shows have been made about Li Yu's life. They often focus on his relationships with Emperor Taizu of Song and the women in their lives. Some of these series include:

• The Sword and the Song (1986)
• Love, Sword, Mountain & River (1996)
• Li Houzhu and Zhao Kuangyin (2006)

See also

In Spanish: Li Yu para niños

• Song poetry
• Tang poetry