Li Siyuan

An adopted son of Li Keyong, he was put on the throne in the Yedu Mutiny and was one of the few stable rulers of the Five Dynasties.

Life

Shatuo adopted son

Li Siyuan was a Shatuo whom Li Keyong adopted as a son. A fierce fighter, he was a principal contributor to Li Cunxu's destruction of the Later Liang.

Yedu Mutiny

In 926 CE, when the army at Weizhou mutinied, he was ordered to suppress it, but was instead proclaimed ruler by the mutineers. Li Cunxu was killed in the Xingjiao Gate Incident, and Li Siyuan entered Luoyang and took the throne.

Modest prosperity of the Five Dynasties

In his eight-year reign he dismissed the eunuchs, lightened taxes and punished corrupt officials, bringing about a rare period of "modest prosperity" in the Five Dynasties. Every night he burned incense and prayed that Heaven would soon send a sage to bring peace to the people. In 933 CE he died of illness, terrified by the rebellion of his son Li Congrong, Prince of Qin.

Legacy

Li Siyuan was one of the rare benevolent rulers of the Five Dynasties, and his reign was one of the most stable periods of the era.

Major works & achievements

• Dismissed eunuchs and lightened taxes

Did you know? He was illiterate, so An Chonghui had to read his ministers' memorials aloud to him.

Key dates

• 923Helped destroy Later Liang
• 926Raised to the throne by the Yedu Mutiny
• 933Died