Li Bian, known as Xu Gao between 937 and 939 and Xu Zhigao before 937, and possibly Li Pengnu during his childhood, known posthumously by his temple name Liezu, was the founder and first emperor of the Southern Tang.
23 Facts About Li Bian
1.
2.
Li Bian was an adopted son and successor of the Wu regent Xu Wen who usurped power from the Wu emperor Yang Pu.
3.
Li Bian was born in 889 at Pengcheng, during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, and might have been known as Li Pengnu in his childhood.
4.
Li Bian's father was named Li Rong, who was said to be careful and kind.
5.
Li Bian's mother was a Lady Liu, who was probably Li Rong's wife.
6.
Li Qiu, apparently unable to care for Li Bian, left Li Bian in the care of the monks at Kaiyuan Temple at Hao.
7.
Li Bian left Xu Zhigao's brother Xu Zhixun in charge at Guangling as the junior regent.
8.
Li Bian continued to employ Song as a chief strategist.
9.
Li Bian wanted to further have Zhong interrogated, but Xu Wen, pointing out that Zhong was a close ally during the time when he killed Zhang Hao and stating that he would have died at Zhang's hands without Zhong, refused.
10.
Li Bian further had Xu Zhigao's son Xu Jingtong marry Zhong Taizhang's daughter, to make peace between Xu Zhigao and Zhong.
11.
Li Bian immediately withdrew and apologized, and had himself indicted.
12.
Li Bian wanted to have Song Qiqiu made a chancellor, but Song, knowing that he did not yet have the proper reputation to be a chancellor, declined and retired for some time, before returning to the government.
13.
Li Bian himself moved from his headquarters into a private residence, preparing to move the emperor there.
14.
Li Bian recalled Xu Jingtong back from Jiangdu to serve as his deputy; a younger son, Xu Jingqian, was made the junior regent in Xu Jingtong's stead.
15.
Li Bian made Li Jingtong deputy generalissimo, and Song and Xu Jie his assistants.
16.
Li Bian headed for Desheng Circuit, hoping that its military governor Zhou Ben, who was a senior general under Yang Xingmi, would support him.
17.
Xu Gao took the name of Li Bian, and effectively claimed to be the legitimate successor to the Tang throne and that he was a descendant of Li Ke the son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
18.
Li Bian honored his biological father Li Rong, as well as three other ancestors, as emperors, and their wives as empresses.
19.
Li Bian sent the generals Li Chengyu and Duan Chugong to aid Li Jinquan, but with instructions not to pillage and to, with haste, escort Li Jinquan back to Southern Tang territory safely.
20.
When Later Jin's emperor Shi Jingtang subsequently tried to return the 570 Southern Tang captives to Southern Tang, Li Bian refused to accept them, citing, in a letter to Shi, that they violated his orders.
21.
Li Bian sent the official Shang Quangong to Min on a diplomatic mission to try to help end the Min civil war.
22.
Meanwhile, his youngest son Li Jingti was born of his favorite concubine Consort Zhong, and once, when Li Bian was angry with Li Jing for being occupied with musical instruments, Consort Zhong tried to persuade him to divert succession from Li Jing and making Li Jingti his heir.
23.
Also over the years, Li Bian had been taking alchemists' medicines, believing that they would allow him to have long life, but the medicines were in fact making his temper flare frequently and health deteriorate.