Li Fuguo, ne Li Jingzhong, known from 757 to 758 as Li Huguo, formally Prince Chou of Bolu, was a Chinese eunuch, military general, and politician during the reign of Emperor Suzong of the Chinese Tang dynasty.
25 Facts About Li Fuguo
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Li Fuguo had served Li Heng while Li Heng was crown prince under Li Heng's father Emperor Xuanzong and later supported Li Heng in ascending the throne during Anshi Rebellion, when Emperor Xuanzong's realm was thrown into confusion.
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Li Fuguo later became exceedingly powerful, in alliance with Emperor Suzong's wife Empress Zhang, but broke with her and killed her in 762 when Emperor Suzong died.
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Li Fuguo briefly became the paramount figure in the administration of Emperor Suzong's son and successor Emperor Daizong, but was removed and then killed by assassins sent by Emperor Daizong later that year.
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Li Fuguo was castrated early in his childhood, and became a servant at the imperial stables.
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Li Fuguo was said to be ugly in appearance, but knew how to read and write, and eventually became a servant of the powerful eunuch Gao Lishi.
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Li Fuguo soon became a trusted servant of Li Heng's.
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Emperor Suzong entrusted Li Jingzhong with the important secrets, and Li Fuguo became in charge of receiving important reports, as well as distributing military command seals and signs.
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Li Fuguo bestowed on Li Fuguo a number of titles that gave him responsibility over a number of financial affairs of the state.
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Li Fuguo gave Li Fuguo the honorific title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi and created him the Duke of Cheng.
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Later in the year, after Li Xian and Li Fuguo had an open conflict over the criminal charges against an imperial stable official that led to that official's execution, Li Fuguo convinced Emperor Suzong that Li Xian was simply grabbing power, and Emperor Suzong exiled Li Xian.
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In 760, with Emperor Suzong's tacit, although not explicit, approval, on one occasion when Emperor Xuanzong was out riding, Li Fuguo intercepted him and forced him to move back to the main palace.
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Emperor Suzong regretted this and considered killing Li Fuguo, but feared the fact that Li Fuguo had command of the imperial guards, and therefore did not act.
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In 761, Li Fuguo was made the minister of defense, but further wanted to be chancellor.
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Emperor Suzong, who by this point was fearful of Li Fuguo, refused on the basis that he did not have the support of the officials, Li Fuguo tried to persuade Pei Mian, a senior official who had previously been chancellor, to recommend him.
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When Xiao subsequently discussed this with Pei, Pei adamantly stated that he would never allow Li Fuguo to be chancellor.
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Subsequently, Li Fuguo was not able to be chancellor while Emperor Suzong was alive, much to Li Fuguo's resentment.
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However, as of spring 762, when both Emperors Xuanzong and Suzong were seriously ill, Empress Zhang and Li Fuguo had begun to be rivals.
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Li Fuguo summoned Li Chu and tried to persuade him to join her in killing Li Fuguo and his ally Cheng Yuanzhen.
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Cheng found out and informed Li Fuguo, who intercepted Li Yu at the palace gate and then escorted him to the camp of the imperial guards under Li Fuguo's command.
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Emperor Daizong was secretly displeased, but in order to placate Li Fuguo, gave him the title of Shangfu and ordered that he not be referred to by name.
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Li Fuguo made Li Fuguo Sikong and Zhongshu Ling : the head of the legislative bureau of government and a post considered one for a chancellor.
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Li Fuguo gave a major part of the command responsibilities to Cheng Yuanzhen.
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Meanwhile, though, Li Fuguo did not expect that both Emperor Daizong and Cheng, who wanted more power, would turn against him.
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Li Fuguo became apprehensive and offered to retire, and Emperor Daizong declined and sent him away with formal respect.