Li Yu (Southern Tang)

Li Yu (Li Congjia)
"Last Ruler" of Southern Tang (more...)
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	15 August 978(978-08-15) (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 () Given name: Cóngjiā (), later changed to Yù () Courtesy name: Chóngguāng () Noble titles Duke of Anding 安定公 959: Prince of Wu 吳王 971: King of Jiangnan 江南國主 975: Marquess Wei Ming 違命侯 Posthumous name none
Father	Li Jing
Mother	Empress Zhong

Li Yu (Chinese: 李煜; c. 937 – 15 August 978), before 961 known as Li Congjia (李從嘉), also known as Li Houzhu (李後主; literally "Last Ruler Li" or "Last Lord Li"), was the third ruler of the Southern Tang state during imperial China's Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He reigned from 961 until 976, when he was captured by the invading Song Dynasty armies which annexed his kingdom. He died by poison on orders of Emperor Taizong of Song after 2 years essentially as an exiled prisoner.

Although an incompetent ruler, he was a representative lyric poet during his era, even to the extent of having been called the "first true master" of the ci form.

In the same Chinese year Li Congjia was born, his grandfather Xu Zhigao, also known as Xu Gao (Li Bian) founded the state Qi (齊), renaming it Tang (known as the Southern Tang) 2 years later. When Li Congjia was 6, his father Li Jing became the next Southern Tang emperor. With Li Jing naming his younger brother Li Jingsui his heir apparent, his sixth eldest son Li Congjia seemed unlikely to ever succeed the throne. However, many of Li Congjia's brothers died very young, and after the death of the second eldest brother Li Hongmao (李弘茂) in 951, Li Congjia all of a sudden found himself right behind Li Hongji — the eldest brother — and uncle Li Jingsui in the succession line.

Li Hongji, a withdrawn and troubled young man, resented his crown prince uncle, whom he saw as a political enemy standing in his way. He also disliked his younger brother Li Congjia, even though they shared the same biological mother, Empress Zhong. Fearing the possible results of this family enmity, Li Congjia tried hard to be inconspicuous and focused on the arts, including poetry, painting and music. He loved reading, a passion encouraged by his father, also an acclaimed poet. At the age of 17, Li Congjia married Zhou Ehuang, chancellor Zhou Zong's daughter and a year his senior. Lady Zhou was not only highly educated but also multi-talented in music and the arts and the young couple enjoyed a very intimate relationship.