Li Shiji (594?[1] – December 31, 669[2]), courtesy name Maogong, posthumously known as Duke Zhenwu of Ying, was a Chinese military general and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty. His original family name was Xú, but he was later given the family name of the Tang imperial clan, Li, by Emperor Gaozu, the Tang dynasty's founding emperor. Later, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, Li Shiji was known as Li Ji (i.e. the "Shi" in his name was omitted) to avoid naming taboo because the personal name of Emperor Gaozong's predecessor, Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin), had the same Chinese character "Shi". Li Shiji is also referred to as Xu Maogong (his original family name and his courtesy name combined) and Xu Ji in the historical novels Shuo Tang [zh] and Sui Tang Yanyi [zh].
Li Shiji was initially a follower of Li Mi, one of the rebel rulers rebelling against the preceding Sui dynasty, and he submitted to the Tang Empire after Li Mi did so, upon which Emperor Gaozu, impressed with his loyalty to Li Mi, granted him the imperial family name "Li". He later participated in destroying Xu Yuanlang and Fu Gongshi, two of the Tang Empire's competitors in the campaign to reunify China. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu's son and successor, Emperor Taizong, Li Shiji participated in the successful campaigns against the Göktürks and Xueyantuo, allowing the Tang Empire to become the dominant power in eastern Asia, and also served as a chancellor. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he served as chancellor and the commander of the army against Goguryeo, destroying it in 668. He died the next year. He and Li Jing were considered the two most prominent early Tang generals.[3][4]
^The Old Book of Tang indicated that Li Shiji was 75 at the time of his death, while the New Book of Tang indicated that Li Shiji was 85 at the time of his death. Compare Old Book of Tang, vol. 67 with New Book of Tang, vol. 93. The Zizhi Tongjian, while not explicitly stating that Li Shiji was 75 at the time of his death, appeared to follow the Old Book of Tang by quoting Li Shiji as stating that he was satisfied with living almost to 80. See Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 201. (The New Book of Tang, containing apparently the same quote, had a slightly different version that had Li Shiji stating that he was satisfied with living over 80.)
^wushen day of the 12th month of the 2nd year of the Zongzhang era, per vol.05 of Old Book of Tang
LiShiji (594? – December 31, 669), courtesy name Maogong, posthumously known as Duke Zhenwu of Ying, was a Chinese military general and politician who...
declared a rebellion. Emperor Taizong sent LiShiji against Li You, but before LiShiji could engage Li You, Li You was captured by his own subordinate Du...
Dou's custody, LiShiji surrendered to Dou as well. In 620, LiShiji, in association with another Tang general who surrendered to Dou, Li Shanghu (李商胡)...
645, under the pretext of marching to camp Huaiyuan, Tang forces led by LiShiji suddenly turned to invade Goguryeo. They attacked several castles including...
impressed with LiShiji's abilities, was concerned that LiShiji was too able and would not submit to Li Zhi. He stated to Li Zhi: LiShiji is full of ability...
the actions of Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li You, and Li Yuanchang, Emperor Taizong summoned Zhangsun, Fang Xuanling, LiShiji, and Chu to a private meeting...
Henan), he was ambushed by LiShiji, and, in anger, he attacked Liyang, capturing it as well as Li Shentong, LiShiji's father Li Gai (李蓋), Wei Zheng, and...
Zhangsun Wuji (Empress Zhangsun's brother), Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, and LiShiji, as well as officials from the supreme court, the legislative bureau, and...
food supplies, eventually allowing Li Shimin to defeat Liu. Further, during the campaign, Li Daozong and Yuwen Shiji were able to persuade Liu's general...
lines. Emperor Taizong agreed, and LiShiji began to siege Ansi.[citation needed] When Emperor Taizong and LiShiji arrived at Ansi, it was said that the...
merely to establish LiShiji in Jinyang for the dust on the border to settle." Accordingly, Taizong sent talented generals like LiShiji with mobile armies...
commissioned the famed Tang military officer Li Jing (李靖, 571–649), along with LiShiji, Wei Xiaojie, Li Daozong, Chai Shao (柴紹), and Xue Wanche (薛萬徹)...
commissioned Li Jing, LiShiji, Wei Xiaojie, Li Daozong, Chai Shao (柴紹), and Xue Wanche (薛萬徹) to attack Eastern Tujue, with Li Jing in overall command. Li launched...
Tang forces, Emperor Taizong had LiShiji command 15,000 men to serve as decoy, and when Goguryeo forces attacked LiShiji, Zhangsun Wuji attacked them from...
general and politician who was a grandson of the Tang dynasty general LiShiji who, after Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu...
army, and directly commanded the main column. Generals LiShiji, Xue Wanche (薛萬徹), Wei Xiaojie, Li Daozong and Chai Shao commanded the other columns. Bauer...
under the famed general LiShiji, who served as the commandant at Bing Prefecture (并州, i.e., Taiyuan). Because of LiShiji's accomplishments and reputation...
temple flanking Jiang Ziya's statue: Zhuge Liang, Bai Qi, Han Xin, Li Jing, LiShiji, Zhang Liang, Tian Rangju, Sun Tzu, Wu Qi, and Yue Yi. The authoritative...
Meanwhile, LiShiji's forces joined Li Jing at Baidao Pass. Illig tried to sue for peace. As negotiations were underway, Li Jing and LiShiji made a surprise...
generals Zhang Jian, LiShiji, Li Daliang, Zhang Shigui (張士貴), and Li Xiyu (李襲譽), to attack Xueyantuo to assist Ashina Simo, with LiShiji in overall command...
Gaozu's cousin Li Shentong (李神通) the Prince of Huai'an, Emperor Gaozu's sister Princess Tong'an, and LiShiji's father Li Gai (李蓋). (LiShiji was not captured...
Dayuan is the city of Guishan (Khujand), distant from Chang'an 12,550 li (Shiji,123 calls the capital Ershi). The kingdom contains 60,000 families, comprising...
Academic Press, ISBN 978-1845190859 Kern, Martin (2015). "The "Masters" in the Shiji". T'oung Pao. 101 (4–5). Leiden: Brill: 335–362. doi:10.1163/15685322-10145P03...
Fujiwara no Kamatari, founder of the Fujiwara clan (b. 614) December 31 – LiShiji, general and chancellor of the Tang dynasty (b. 594) Jaruman, bishop of...
Korea against Goguryeo, Emperor Tai Zong commissions his famous general LiShiji to fend off attacks in the campaign against Xueyantuo. An unsuccessful...
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