Li Ji
A famed general of the early Tang who came from the Wagang army, ranked alongside Li Jing, and in old age conquered Goguryeo.
Life
Former Wagang general
Li Ji, originally named Xu Shiji, joined the Wagang army at seventeen. When he went over to Tang, he handed the household registers of the commanderies and counties under him to Li Mi so that Li Mi could present them to the Tang dynasty. Emperor Gaozu of Tang praised him as "a truly loyal subject" and granted him the surname Li; he later changed his name to Li Ji to avoid Emperor Taizong's personal name.
Ranked alongside Li Jing
He followed Li Shimin in defeating Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, and in 630 crushed the Eastern Turks together with Li Jing. He then guarded Bingzhou for sixteen years, during which the Turks dared not raid southward; Emperor Taizong said he was worth more than the Great Wall.
Campaign of Pyongyang
He served three reigns and was listed among the meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. In 668, in his seventies, he led an army that took Pyongyang and destroyed Goguryeo. He died in 669.
Legacy
Ranked alongside Li Jing as the "Two Lis," Li Ji was one of the most important commanders of the early Tang.
Major works & achievements
- Crushed the Eastern Turks
- Destroyed Goguryeo
Did you know? He is the real-life model for "Xu Maogong" in popular fiction.
Key dates
- 611Joined the Wagang army
- 619Submitted to Tang, granted the surname Li
- 630Crushed the Eastern Turks
- 668Conquered Goguryeo
- 669Died