Li Chong
Designed the Three Elders system and oversaw building the new capital at Luoyang; a key driving force behind the reforms of Emperor Xiaowen.
Life
Confidant of Empress Dowager Feng
Li Chong came from the Li clan of Longxi. He won the trust of Empress Dowager Feng and took part in confidential affairs of state.
Three Elders system
In 486 he proposed the Three Elders system: five households formed a neighborhood, five neighborhoods a village and five villages a ward, each with its own elder, to check household registers and collect taxes and labor service. Working together with the equal-field system, it greatly increased the number of households under the Northern Wei state's control.
Building Luoyang
When Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, Li Chong oversaw the planning and construction of the new capital, and many of its palaces and walls were of his design. Diligent in his duties, he fell ill after a quarrel with Li Biao and died in 498, much to Emperor Xiaowen's grief.
Legacy
The Three Elders system designed by Li Chong, together with the equal-field system, became the foundation of the tax and labor-service system from the Northern Dynasties through the Sui and Tang.
Major works & achievements
- Designed the Three Elders system
- Oversaw building the new capital at Luoyang
Did you know? He was skilled in architectural design, and most of the palace planning in Luoyang was his work.
Key dates
- 486Proposed the Three Elders system
- 493Oversaw building Luoyang
- 498Died