Li Zhenwu (李振武) | 24 Histories

Overview

Li Zhenwu was a ruler and General.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Temple name	Ancestor of Offerings	獻祖	Xianzu

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 874 to AD 879 乾符中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passages 7, 11
AD 878 to AD 883 獻祖失振武、入達靼
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passages 17, 19

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Martial Emperor (武皇)
father 父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passages 7, 9, 11

Origins and identity

Shatuo 沙陀
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 7

Places and affiliations

Polity Shatuo 沙陀 · Relation Leader of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 7
At Zhenwu 振武 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passages 11, 17
Organization Shatuo tribe 沙陀部 · Relation Leader of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 7

Events and relationships

Entered the Tatar lands
AD 878 to AD 883 獻祖入達靼 · Travel · Subject · At Tatar lands 達靼
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 19
Lost Zhenwu
AD 878 to AD 880 俄而獻祖失振武 · Military · Loser · At Zhenwu 振武
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 17

Assessments and attributes

Assessment boldest among all armies, together with his son · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Kang Junli (康君立)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 7

References in the histories

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 55Volume 55 Book of Later Tang 31: Biographies 7: Kang Junli, Xue Zhiqin, Shi Jiantang, Li Chengsi, Shi Yan, Gai Yu, Yi Guang, Li Chengxun, Shi Jingrong · 4 passages

Open chapter

吾等雖權係部眾，然以雄勁聞於時者，莫若沙陀部，復又李振武父子勇冠諸軍，吾等合勢推之，則代北之地，旬月可定，功名富貴，事無不濟也。」 We command only tribal bands, yet none in this age are fiercer than the Shatuo, and Li Zhenwu and his son outmatch every army. If we join forces and put them forward, we can secure the north of Dai within a month. Fame, wealth, and rank will all be within reach."

予家尊遠在振武，萬一相迫，俟予稟命。」 My father is far away at Zhenwu. If you force the issue, wait until I have reported to him."

俄而獻祖失振武，武皇失雲州。 Soon the Ancestor of Offerings lost Zhenwu and the Martial Emperor lost Yunzhou.

君立從擊可舉之師屢捷，及獻祖入達靼，君立保感義軍，武皇授雁門節度，以君立為左都押牙，從入關，逐黃孽，收長安。 Junli followed the campaigns against Keju's army and won victory after victory. When the Ancestor of Offerings fled into the Tatar lands, Junli held the Ganyi army. The Martial Emperor received the Yanmen command, made Junli his left chief guard officer, marched with him through the passes, drove off Huang Chao, and recovered Chang'an.