Li Xi
Encyclopedia
Li Xi (per the Zizhi Tongjian
) or Li Qi (李磎) (per the Book of Tang
and the New Book of Tang
) (d. June 4, 895), courtesy name Jingwang (景望), nicknamed Li Shulou (李書樓), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong
. With imperial power dwindling, Li Xi's fellow chancellor Cui Zhaowei
, who associated with the warlords Li Maozhen
, Wang Xingyu
, and Han Jian
, encouraged Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han to march on the capital Chang'an
, and the three warlords, once they arrived there, put Li Xi and fellow chancellor Wei Zhaodu
to death.
State of Zhao general Li Mu
and also claimed ancestry through a line of officials of Qin Dynasty
, Han Dynasty
, and Jin Dynasty (265-420)
. His grandfather Li Yong was briefly chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong
, but resigned soon after being named chancellor. Li Xi's father Li Shi (李拭) served as a chronicler of the emperor's acts and also served in several other important positions, including military governor (Jiedushi
) of two different circuits.
Li Xi was considered well-learned and a skillful writer. He passed the imperial examination
s in 859
, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Xuānzong
, in the Jinshi (進士) class, on his first try. At one point, he was made Hubu Langzhong (戶部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu), but had his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
, not at the capital Chang'an
. He had once submitted a petition accusing the eunuch Hao Jingquan (郝景全) of impropriety, but was instead himself accused of violating naming taboo
of Emperor Xianzong's father Emperor Shunzong
(who was named Li Song) by using the character Song (訟, a different character than Emperor Shunzong's name) in his petition; he was initially punished by having part of his salary withheld. Li Xi submitted another petition, pointing out that the phrase he used was used in imperial edicts of the past and that he should not be punished for quoting imperial edicts; the punishment against him was then reversed.
When the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
captured Luoyang in 879
, by which time Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
was emperor, Li Xi took eight seals used by the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), crossed the Yellow River
, and fled to Heyang (河陽, in modern Luoyang
, Henan
). The defender of Luoyang, Liu Yunzhang (劉允章), who had surrendered to Huang Chao, sent messengers to Li Xi demanding the seals; Li Xi refused to yield them. This made Liu realize that he should not submit to Huang either, and he subsequently repudiated his allegiance to Huang. At a later point, when Li Yun
the Prince of Xiang challenged Emperor Xizong for the throne in 886
, Li Xi happened to be staying away from the warfare in Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), and he tried, in vain, to persuade Huainan's military governor Gao Pian
not to recognize Li Yun as emperor. At a later point, Li Xi was recalled to Chang'an to serve at Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). At a later point, he resigned and retired to Huayin
, but was yet later recalled to again serve as imperial scholar.
, by which time Emperor Xizong's brother and successor Emperor Zhaozong
was emperor, Li Xi was serving as the chief imperial scholar (翰林學士承旨, Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi), when Emperor Zhaozong made him a chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). However, the chancellor Cui Zhaowei
disliked Li Xi and feared that Li Xi would divert his power, and therefore persuaded the imperial official Liu Chonglu (劉崇魯) into disrupting the public declaration — by stepping out into the open at the imperial gathering, bearing mourning clothes and weeping. Liu publicly stated that Li Xi was wicked and had only become imperial scholar because of his relationships with the eunuchs Yang Fugong
and Ximen Junsui (西門君遂). Emperor Zhaozong, faced with this public display, cancelled Li Xi's commission and made him Taizi Shaofu (太子少傅), an advisor to the Crown Prince
. Li Xi responded by submitting 10 petitions defending himself and accusing Liu of crimes, going as far as writing sharply-worded language that included references to the suicide of Liu's father Liu Fu (劉符) while Liu Fu was being investigated for corruption and accusations that Liu Chonglu and his brother Liu Chongwang
were themselves eunuchs' associates. His accusatory petitions did not stop even after Emperor Zhaozong suspended Liu Chonglu. It was said that these petitions were well-written, but the public, while recognizing the artfulness of the writing, looked at Li Xi poorly for the bitterness.
However, Emperor Zhaozong still respected Li Xi for his talent, and, in spring 895
, again named him chancellor, as well as the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). Cui, who was by this point in close alliance with the warlords Li Maozhen
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
) and Wang Xingyu
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
), thereafter falsely stated to Li Maozhen and Wang that fellow chancellor Wei Zhaodu
had prevented the bestowing of the highly honorary title of Shangshu Ling (尚書令) on Wang and had recommended Li Xi as chancellor; he further suggested that Wei and Li Xi were in favor of a campaign against Li Maozhen and Wang, just as the deceased chancellor Du Rangneng
was. Li Maozhen and Wang thereafter submitted multiple petitions objecting to Li Xi's commission as chancellor. Emperor Zhaozong was forced to placate them by removing Li Xi, making him Taizi Shaoshi (太子少師), also an advisor to the Crown Prince.
the military governor of Zhenguo Circuit (鎮國, headquartered in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
), locked in a dispute with Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
), over their contrary recommendations for the military governorship of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng
, Shanxi
) (Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han recommended Wang Gong
, while Li Keyong recommended Wang Ke
), decided to march on Chang'an to force Emperor Zhaozong to agree to their demands. Once they arrived at Chang'an, they submitted demands to Emperor Zhaozong that Li Xi and Wei Zhaodu be executed. Emperor Zhaozong refused, but Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han then executed Li Xi and Wei anyway. Li Xi's son Li Wei (李沇) was also killed. After Li Keyong attacked and defeated Wang later that year, Emperor Zhaozong posthumously honored both Li Xi and Li Wei.
It was said that Li Xi was studious and had a large book collection, earning him the nickname of Shulou (i.e., "tower of books"). He was also a prolific writer and annotator. In the aftermaths of his death, however, the collection was lost.
Zizhi Tongjian
The Zizhi Tongjian was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography, published in 1084, under the form of a chronicles. In 1065 CE, Emperor Yingzong of Song ordered the great historian Sima Guang to lead with other scholars such as his chief assistants Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, the...
) or Li Qi (李磎) (per the Book of Tang
Book of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
and the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
) (d. June 4, 895), courtesy name Jingwang (景望), nicknamed Li Shulou (李書樓), was an official of the Chinese
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang , né Li Jie , name later changed to Li Min , yet later name changed to Li Ye , was the penultimate emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 888 to 904...
. With imperial power dwindling, Li Xi's fellow chancellor Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei , courtesy name Yunyao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
, who associated with the warlords Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen , né Song Wentong , courtesy name Zhengchen , formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin , was the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi...
, Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
, and Han Jian
Han Jian (Tang Dynasty)
Han Jian , courtesy name Zuoshi , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who eventually became a subject of the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty...
, encouraged Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han to march on the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, and the three warlords, once they arrived there, put Li Xi and fellow chancellor Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu , courtesy name Zhengji , formally the Duke of Qi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
to death.
Background and early career
It is not known when Li Xi was born. His family claimed to be descended from the Warring States PeriodWarring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
State of Zhao general Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
and also claimed ancestry through a line of officials of Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
, Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, and Jin Dynasty (265-420)
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
. His grandfather Li Yong was briefly chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
, but resigned soon after being named chancellor. Li Xi's father Li Shi (李拭) served as a chronicler of the emperor's acts and also served in several other important positions, including military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) of two different circuits.
Li Xi was considered well-learned and a skillful writer. He passed the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
s in 859
859
Year 859 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 15 – Battle of Saint-Quentin, Aisne: Humfrid defeats Louis the German....
, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Xuānzong
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
, in the Jinshi (進士) class, on his first try. At one point, he was made Hubu Langzhong (戶部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu), but had his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, not at the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
. He had once submitted a petition accusing the eunuch Hao Jingquan (郝景全) of impropriety, but was instead himself accused of violating naming taboo
Naming taboo
Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere.-Kinds of naming taboo:...
of Emperor Xianzong's father Emperor Shunzong
Emperor Shunzong of Tang
Emperor Shunzong of Tang , personal name Li Song , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. He was created crown prince in 779 and became emperor in 805 after the death of his father Emperor Dezong, of whom he was the oldest son...
(who was named Li Song) by using the character Song (訟, a different character than Emperor Shunzong's name) in his petition; he was initially punished by having part of his salary withheld. Li Xi submitted another petition, pointing out that the phrase he used was used in imperial edicts of the past and that he should not be punished for quoting imperial edicts; the punishment against him was then reversed.
When the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
captured Luoyang in 879
879
Year 879 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pope John VIII recognizes the Duchy of Croatia as an independent state....
, by which time Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
was emperor, Li Xi took eight seals used by the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), crossed the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
, and fled to Heyang (河陽, in modern Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). The defender of Luoyang, Liu Yunzhang (劉允章), who had surrendered to Huang Chao, sent messengers to Li Xi demanding the seals; Li Xi refused to yield them. This made Liu realize that he should not submit to Huang either, and he subsequently repudiated his allegiance to Huang. At a later point, when Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
the Prince of Xiang challenged Emperor Xizong for the throne in 886
886
Year 886 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :...
, Li Xi happened to be staying away from the warfare in Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), and he tried, in vain, to persuade Huainan's military governor Gao Pian
Gao Pian
Gao Pian , courtesy name Qianli , formally the Prince of Bohai , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
not to recognize Li Yun as emperor. At a later point, Li Xi was recalled to Chang'an to serve at Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). At a later point, he resigned and retired to Huayin
Huayin
Huayin is a county-level city in Weinan, Shaanxi, China. Prior to 1990, Huayin had been regarded as a county. Huayin literally means to the north of Mount Hua, because it is situated to the north of that mountain....
, but was yet later recalled to again serve as imperial scholar.
Failed attempt at chancellorship and subsequent chancellorship
In 894894
Year 894 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Northumbrians and East Angles swear allegiance to Alfred the Great, but promptly break their truce by attacking the south-west of England.* Mojmír II becomes King of Great Moravia after the death of his father...
, by which time Emperor Xizong's brother and successor Emperor Zhaozong
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang , né Li Jie , name later changed to Li Min , yet later name changed to Li Ye , was the penultimate emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 888 to 904...
was emperor, Li Xi was serving as the chief imperial scholar (翰林學士承旨, Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi), when Emperor Zhaozong made him a chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). However, the chancellor Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei , courtesy name Yunyao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
disliked Li Xi and feared that Li Xi would divert his power, and therefore persuaded the imperial official Liu Chonglu (劉崇魯) into disrupting the public declaration — by stepping out into the open at the imperial gathering, bearing mourning clothes and weeping. Liu publicly stated that Li Xi was wicked and had only become imperial scholar because of his relationships with the eunuchs Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong , courtesy name Zike , formally the Duke of Wei , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, playing key roles in the imperial administrations of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
and Ximen Junsui (西門君遂). Emperor Zhaozong, faced with this public display, cancelled Li Xi's commission and made him Taizi Shaofu (太子少傅), an advisor to the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
. Li Xi responded by submitting 10 petitions defending himself and accusing Liu of crimes, going as far as writing sharply-worded language that included references to the suicide of Liu's father Liu Fu (劉符) while Liu Fu was being investigated for corruption and accusations that Liu Chonglu and his brother Liu Chongwang
Liu Chongwang
Liu Chongwang , courtesy name Xitu , formally the Baron of Pengcheng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong.- Background :...
were themselves eunuchs' associates. His accusatory petitions did not stop even after Emperor Zhaozong suspended Liu Chonglu. It was said that these petitions were well-written, but the public, while recognizing the artfulness of the writing, looked at Li Xi poorly for the bitterness.
However, Emperor Zhaozong still respected Li Xi for his talent, and, in spring 895
895
Year 895 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The seven tribes of the Magyars settle in the Carpathian Basin under the leadership of Árpád...
, again named him chancellor, as well as the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). Cui, who was by this point in close alliance with the warlords Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen , né Song Wentong , courtesy name Zhengchen , formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin , was the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi...
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
) and Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), thereafter falsely stated to Li Maozhen and Wang that fellow chancellor Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu , courtesy name Zhengji , formally the Duke of Qi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
had prevented the bestowing of the highly honorary title of Shangshu Ling (尚書令) on Wang and had recommended Li Xi as chancellor; he further suggested that Wei and Li Xi were in favor of a campaign against Li Maozhen and Wang, just as the deceased chancellor Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng , courtesy name Qunyi , formally the Duke of Jin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
was. Li Maozhen and Wang thereafter submitted multiple petitions objecting to Li Xi's commission as chancellor. Emperor Zhaozong was forced to placate them by removing Li Xi, making him Taizi Shaoshi (太子少師), also an advisor to the Crown Prince.
Removal and death
However, soon thereafter, Li Maozhen, Wang Xingyu, and their ally Han JianHan Jian (Tang Dynasty)
Han Jian , courtesy name Zuoshi , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who eventually became a subject of the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty...
the military governor of Zhenguo Circuit (鎮國, headquartered in modern Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), locked in a dispute with Li Keyong
Li Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), over their contrary recommendations for the military governorship of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng
Yuncheng
Yuncheng is the southernmost municipality in Shanxi province, China. It borders Linfen and Jincheng municipalities to the north and east, and Henan and Shaanxi provinces to the south and west....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) (Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han recommended Wang Gong
Wang Gong
Wang Gong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Baoyi Circuit from 887, when he succeeded his father Wang Chongying, to his death in 899.- Background :...
, while Li Keyong recommended Wang Ke
Wang Ke (Tang Dynasty)
Wang Ke was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Huguo Circuit as its military governor from 895 Wang Ke (王珂) was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) as its military governor...
), decided to march on Chang'an to force Emperor Zhaozong to agree to their demands. Once they arrived at Chang'an, they submitted demands to Emperor Zhaozong that Li Xi and Wei Zhaodu be executed. Emperor Zhaozong refused, but Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han then executed Li Xi and Wei anyway. Li Xi's son Li Wei (李沇) was also killed. After Li Keyong attacked and defeated Wang later that year, Emperor Zhaozong posthumously honored both Li Xi and Li Wei.
It was said that Li Xi was studious and had a large book collection, earning him the nickname of Shulou (i.e., "tower of books"). He was also a prolific writer and annotator. In the aftermaths of his death, however, the collection was lost.