| Li Bian (李昪) |
|
Emperor Liezu of (Southern) Tang (more...)
|
| 1st emperor of Southern Tang |
| Reign |
November 10, 937 – March 30, 943 |
| Successor |
Li Jing (Emperor Yuanzong), son |
|
|
| Born |
January 7, 889
Pengcheng, Xú Prefecture, Tang
|
| Died |
March 30, 943
Jinling Municipality, Southern Tang
|
| Wives |
|
| Concubines |
- Zhong Shiguang (種時光)
- Lady Ji (吉)
- Lady Zhou (周)
- Lady Meng (孟)
|
| Issue |
|
| Era name and dates |
| Shēngyúan (昇元): November 10, 937 – April 8, 943 |
| Posthumous name |
Emperor Guangwen Suwu Xiaogao
(光文肅武孝高皇帝) (full) |
| Temple name |
| Lièzǔ (烈祖) |
|
| Dynasty |
Southern Tang |
| Father |
- Li Rong (李榮), biological father
-
Xu Wen, adoptive father
|
| Mother |
- Lady Liu (劉), biological mother
- Lady Li (李), adoptive mother
|
| Era name and dates |
| Shēngyúan (昇元): November 10, 937 – April 8, 943 |
| Posthumous name |
Emperor Guangwen Suwu Xiaogao
(光文肅武孝高皇帝) (full) |
| Temple name |
| Lièzǔ (烈祖) |
Li Bian (7 January 889 – 30 March 943, courtesy name Zhenglun), known as Xu Gao between 937 and 939 and Xu Zhigao before 937, and possibly Li Pengnu during his childhood, also known posthumously by his temple name Liezu, was the founder and first emperor of the Southern Tang. In traditional histories, he is also often referred to as the First Lord of Southern Tang (南唐先主). He was an adopted son and successor of the Wu regent Xu Wen who usurped power from the Wu emperor Yang Pu.
Li Bian was born in 889 at Pengcheng (彭城, in modern Xuzhou, Jiangsu), during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, and might have been known as Li Pengnu in his childhood. His father was named Li Rong (李榮), who was said to be careful and kind. Li Rong favored spending time with Buddhist monks and often visited their residences, such that he became known as Philosopher Li (李道者). His mother was a Lady Liu, who was probably Li Rong's wife.
In 893, Li Rong died. At that time, the Pengcheng region was engulfed in warfare. Li Rong's older brother Li Qiu (李球) took Li Bian and Lady Liu and fled to Hao Prefecture (濠州, in modern Chuzhou, Anhui). Shortly after, Lady Liu died. Li Qiu, apparently unable to care for Li Bian, left Li Bian in the care of the monks at Kaiyuan Temple (開元寺) at Hao.
In 895, the major warlord Yang Xingmi the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu) attacked Hao and captured it. Yang's soldiers took Li Bian captive. Yang, finding Li Bian's appearance to be unusual, wanted to take him in as an adoptive son, but Yang's oldest son Yang Wo disliked Li Bian. Yang therefore gave Li Bian to his officer Xu Wen, and Xu took Li Bian as an adoptive son and renamed him Xu Zhigao. As Xu Wen's wife Lady Li had the same surname and felt attached to Xu Zhigao, she cared for him well. It was said that Xu Zhigao served his father with greater filial piety than Xu Wen's other (biological) sons. One time, when he offended Xu Wen, Xu Wen caned him and chased him out of the house. However, when Xu Wen came home at night, Xu Zhigao was waiting at the door for him. Xu Wen asked, "Why are you still here?" Xu Zhigao wept and responded, "Where can a son go but to his parents? When father is angry, I go to mother. This is what human nature is." Xu Wen became even more loving of him, and often put him in charge of family matters. (Xu Wen had six biological sons known to history — Xu Zhixùn, Xu Zhixún, Xu Zhihui (徐知誨), Xu Zhijian (徐知諫), Xu Zhizheng (徐知證), and Xu Zhi'e (徐知諤); and it appeared that at least five, if not all six, were younger than Xu Zhigao.) When Xu Zhigao grew older, he became known for calligraphy and archery; he was also intelligent and handsome. Yang Xingmi often told Xu Wen, "Xu Zhigao is capable. None of the older officers' sons can be compared to him."
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