1. Li Xiaogong, posthumously known as Prince Yuan of Hejian, often referred to by his earlier title as the Prince of Zhao Commandery, was an imperial prince and general of the Tang dynasty.
19 Facts About Li Xiaogong
1. 2.
Li Xiaogong was a son of a cousin of Emperor Gaozu, the founder of the Tang dynasty, and served as a general under Emperor Gaozu.
3.
Li Xiaogong defeated Emperor Gaozu's major competitors Xiao Xi and Fu Gongshi.
4.
Li Xiaogong was one of the few generals of the early Tang dynasty who had already distinguished themselves in their careers before rising to prominence during the reign of Emperor Gaozu's successor, Emperor Taizong.
5.
Li Xiaogong was born in 591, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui.
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Li Xiaogong's grandfather Li Wei was a son of the Western Wei general Li Hu, the grandfather of the major Sui general Li Yuan, and was a regional commandant during Sui's predecessor dynasty Northern Zhou.
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Li Xiaogong's father Li An was a general during Sui.
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Li Xiaogong was considered calm and knowledgeable in his youth.
9.
Li Xiaogong was able to persuade some 30 commanderies to submit to Li Yuan, and he defeated the rebel leader Zhu Can in battle, after which he, against the advice of his subordinates, refused to slaughter the captives, and it was said that because of this, more rebels were willing to surrender to him than before.
10.
Li Xiaogong made Li Xiaogong the commandant at Xin Prefecture.
11.
Li Xiaogong commissioned the sons of many of the non-Han chieftains of the area as officers, both as a way to placate the chieftains and to hold them as collateral for their loyalty.
12.
Li Xiaogong delivered Xiao to Chang'an, where Emperor Gaozu executed him.
13.
Li Xiaogong drank the blood-water with ease, impressing and calming his generals.
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Li Xiaogong then sailed down the Yangtze, attacking and defeating the Song generals at multiple battles.
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However, Li Xiaogong cut off their supply route, and when Feng and Chen's food supplies ran low, they challenged Li Xiaogong.
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Meanwhile, Li Xiaogong was confiscating the properties of Fu's adherents, and in doing so, he confiscated properties owned by Li Fuwei, Wang Xiongdan, and Kan.
17.
Li Xiaogong was one of the few Tang generals who achieved great independent success without being associated with Emperor Gaozu's talented son Li Shimin, and he enjoyed great reputation among the soldiers.
18.
In 640, Li Xiaogong died suddenly while at a feast.
19.
In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion, to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Li Xiaogong's portrait was one.