25 Facts About Li Te

Li Te initially agreed to coexist with the new Inspector, Luo Shang, but due to conflicting interests, they eventually went to war with each other.

Li Te had the upper hand early on, and in 303, he hinted at the formation of a new state.

Li Te's ancestors were Cong or Bandun people originally from Baxi commandery.

Li Te was described as 8 chi tall and displayed martial talents such as horseback archery.

The land was struck by famines and military occupation, so many of its inhabitants decided to migrate including Li Te, who led his followers back to his ancestral homeland in Yizhou.

Zhao Xin ordered his forces to garrison at Shiting in Mianzhu, but Li Te launched a successful night raid on their camp, setting fire to it and killing many of the soldiers before continuing towards Chengdu.

Li Te's arrival threw the city into panic, and many of Zhao Xin's officials abandoned him.

Li Te entered Chengdu, sacking the city before sending a list of crimes that Zhao Xin had committed to the Jin capital in Luoyang.

Li Te sent his brother Li Xiang to welcome Luo Shang along the road and gift him with presents.

Li Te thus sent Yan Shi along with bribes to Luo Shang to extend their stay to autumn, which Luo Shang permitted.

Li Te was later named General Who Displays Might and made a marquis, but the court unpopularly refused to reward those who had helped Li Te in quelling Zhao Xin.

Li Te sent Yan Shi again to negotiate their stay till winter, but this time Luo Shang rejected.

Li Te was becoming increasingly popular and was bringing in more refugees under his care by the day, so he continued to pester Luo Shang for an extension.

Li Te acquired these notices and edited them by saying that Xin Ran not only wanted the Li family dead, but the other major families among the refugees.

At the advice of Yan Shi, Li Te readied himself for war.

Li Te allowed half of the enemies to enter his camp before ambushing them with no escape.

Li Te killed Ceng Yuan and the other generals, sending their heads to Luo Shang and Xin Ran as a warning.

Li Te appointed his brothers with offices before assaulting Xin Ran at Guanghan County.

Li Te proceeded to give out more appointments to his family members and members of the powerful refugee families.

Li Te routed Zhang Gui and received the surrender of Zitong and Baxi.

Li Te wanted to retreat but through his son's advice, decided to attack again.

Li Te fought with the Inspector of Liangzhou, Xu Xiong numerous times, winning in every bout between the two.

Li Te occupied the lesser city of Chengdu and captured the horses but did not carry out any further plunder.

The Jin court had ordered reinforcements from Jingzhou to help Luo Shang, so Li Te sent Li Dang and a few others to defend Deyang.

Ren Rui then feigned surrender to Li Te and provided misinformation about Luo Shang's situation.