Li Yu (Southern Tang)
ruler of the Southern Tang Kingdom in ancient China
Li Yu (Chinese: 李煜; c.15 August 937 – 13 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 the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He reigned from 961 until 976, when his state was conquered by the Northern Song dynasty. Taken captive to the Song capital Bianjing, Li Yu was given the title Marquis of Disobedience (違命侯), reflecting Emperor Taizu of Song’s resentment over Li’s delayed surrender. In 978 he was executed by poisoning on the orders of Emperor Taizong of Song.
Li Yu is regarded as an ineffective ruler but an accomplished artist, especially renowned for his ci poetry. His early poetry depicts courtly pleasures and romantic love, while his later poetry expresses profound grief over the loss of his kingdom.
Family
Parents
Father: Li Jing
Mother: Empress Guangmu (光穆皇后; d.965) of the Zhong clan (鍾氏)
Consort and their respective issue(s)
Empress Zhaohui, of the Zhou clan (昭惠國后 周氏), personal name Ehuang (娥皇)
Li Zhongyu, Duke Qingyuan (清源郡公 李仲寓; 958–994), 1st son
Li Zhongxuan, Prince Huaixian (岐懷獻王 李仲宣; 961–964), 2nd son
Empress Zhou the younger, of the Zhou clan (小周后 周氏), sister of Empress Zhaohui
Baoyi, of the Huang clan (保儀黃氏)
Gongren, of the Bao clan (宮人喬氏)
Gongren, of the Zang clan (宮人臧氏)
Early life
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.
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