Li Shentong

Biography

Family Background and Early Life

Li Shentong belonged to the Longxi Li clan and was a grandson of Li Hu, one of the Eight Pillars of State of Western Wei. His father Li Liang served as Inspector of Hai Prefecture and was posthumously created Prince Xiao of Zheng. Li Yuan's father Li Bing and Li Liang were brothers, making Li Shentong and Li Yuan paternal cousins. In youth Li Shentong was generous with wealth, valued righteousness, and enjoyed associating with martial men, gaining a reputation in Guanzhong.

Raising Troops at the End of the Sui

In 617, when Li Yuan rose at Taiyuan, Li Shentong was living in Chang'an. Sui authorities began arresting Li Yuan's relatives, forcing him to flee to the mountains south of Hu County. He contacted Shi Wanbao, Pei Ji, Liu Chongli, and others and raised troops in support of Li Yuan. The western-region merchant He Panren, who commanded tens of thousands at Sizhu Garden, was meanwhile persuaded by Princess Pingyang's household servant Ma Sanbao to cooperate with Li Shentong. Li Shentong, Princess Pingyang, and He Panren combined forces, captured Hu County, and gathered more than 10,000 followers. Li Shentong styled himself Commander-in-Chief of the Guanzhong Route, with Shi Wanbao as deputy, Pei Ji as chief secretary, Liu Chongli as army adjutant, and the former magistrate Linghu Defen as secretary.

After Li Yuan crossed the Yellow River, Li Shentong, Princess Pingyang, and Duan Lun each sent envoys to welcome him. Li Yuan granted Li Shentong the title Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and appointed his eldest son Li Daoyan a court gentleman. After Li Shentong joined Li Yuan in taking Chang'an, he was appointed Minister of the Imperial Clan and placed in charge of palace guard troops.

Pacification Commissioner of Shandong and the Campaign against Yuwen Huaji

After Li Yuan proclaimed the Tang in 618, Li Shentong was advanced from Duke of Zheng to Prince of Yongkang Commandery, then Prince of Huai'an, and appointed General of the Right Guard. In October he became Pacification Commissioner of the Shandong Circuit with authority over Tang forces in the region; Huangmen Vice Director Cui Gan served as deputy.

In the first month of 619, Li Shentong attacked Yuwen Huaji at Wei County. Yuwen withdrew east to Liaocheng. Li Shentong captured Wei County, killed or captured more than 2,000 men, pursued, and besieged Liaocheng. In the intercalary second month, Yuwen Huaji, short of grain, sought to surrender. Li Shentong refused, arguing that victory would allow the army to seize the enemy's property for rewards. Cui Gan warned that Dou Jiande was approaching and that fighting enemies both inside and outside the siege would be disastrous; Li Shentong became angry and imprisoned him. Yuwen Shiji later brought supplies from Jibei, strengthening Yuwen Huaji. During another assault, Zhao Junde, Inspector of Bei Prefecture, was first onto the wall, but Li Shentong, jealous of his achievement, ordered the army to withdraw and failed to take the city. When Dou Jiande's army approached, Li Shentong had to retreat.

Defeat, Captivity, and Release

In August 619, Dou Jiande advanced south with more than 100,000 troops. Li Shentong retreated first to Xiang Prefecture, then to Liyang, where he relied on Li Shiji. In November Dou Jiande captured Liyang and took Li Shentong, Li Shiji, Wei Zheng, Princess Tong'an, and others prisoner. After moving his capital to Ming Prefecture, Dou Jiande housed Li Shentong at Xiabo and treated him as an honored guest. Li Shentong later returned to Tang territory together with Princess Tong'an.

Renewed Campaigns in Shandong

After Dou Jiande's defeat in 621, Li Shentong again became Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs at the Hebei Circuit Branch Secretariat. In the seventh month the Tang established the Shandong Circuit Branch Secretariat at Ming Prefecture, and he became its Right Vice Director. In September he led Guanzhong troops to Ji Prefecture to join Li Yi, requisitioned more than 50,000 men from Xing, Ming, Xiang, Wei, Heng, Zhao, and other prefectures, and fought Liu Heita south of Raoyang. During a snowstorm he attacked with the wind at his back, but when the wind suddenly reversed the Tang army suffered a major defeat and lost two-thirds of its troops, horses, and supplies. In 622 he was ordered to attack Xu Yuanlang, later followed Li Shimin in defeating Liu Heita, and was promoted to General of the Left Martial Guard.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident and Later Years

In 626, the text records that Li Shimin was poisoned by wine associated with Li Jiancheng and vomited several pints of blood; Li Shentong helped escort him back to the Western Palace. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin became emperor. In 627 Li Shentong was appointed Grandee of Opened Office with the Rank of the Three Excellencies and granted an assessed fief of 500 households. He died at Chang'an in 630 at age fifty-four. Emperor Taizong suspended court in mourning, posthumously appointed him Minister of Works, and granted the title Jing. In 640 he was enshrined in Emperor Gaozu's ancestral temple.

Major Activities

Raising Troops in Support of Li Yuan

Li Shentong was among the earliest imperial clansmen to respond to Li Yuan's uprising. He raised forces at Hu County, joined Princess Pingyang and He Panren in capturing the county, gathered more than 10,000 men, and styled himself Commander-in-Chief of the Guanzhong Route. This strengthened the anti-Sui movement and helped clear the way for Li Yuan's entry into Guanzhong. After Li Yuan crossed the Yellow River, Li Shentong brought his troops over and took part in the pacification of Chang'an.

Campaign against Yuwen Huaji

In 619, as Pacification Commissioner of the Shandong Circuit, Li Shentong attacked Yuwen Huaji, captured Wei County, and pursued him to Liaocheng. His refusal to accept Yuwen's surrender and his jealousy of Zhao Junde's achievement contributed to the failure to take Liaocheng and allowed Dou Jiande to exploit the situation.

Campaigns against Dou Jiande, Liu Heita, and Xu Yuanlang

Li Shentong repeatedly led troops in the Tang wars of unification. He was defeated and captured during the campaign against Dou Jiande in 619, returned to office in 621, and then suffered a major defeat against Liu Heita near Raoyang. In 622 he followed Li Shimin against Liu Heita and attacked Xu Yuanlang, after which he was promoted to General of the Left Martial Guard.

Dispute over Rewards for Merit

In 627 Emperor Taizong and his ministers discussed rewards for the founding meritorious officials. Li Shentong, citing his status as an imperial clansman who had been among the first to answer the uprising, objected that civil officials such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui ranked above him. Taizong replied that although Li Shentong had raised troops early, his army had been destroyed when Dou Jiande advanced south and he had fled before Liu Heita, whereas Fang Xuanling and others had planned strategy and secured the state. This episode became a classic example of Taizong's claim to reward merit impartially.

Personal Relations

Family

• Grandfather: Li Hu, one of the Eight Pillars of State of Western Wei, posthumously honored as Emperor Taizu of Tang
• Father: Li Liang, Inspector of Hai Prefecture, posthumously Prince Xiao of Zheng
• Paternal cousin: Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of Tang
• Younger brother: Li Shenfu, Prince of Xiangyi Commandery
• Eldest son: Li Daoyan, Prince of Jiaodong
• Second son: Li Xiaocha, Prince of Gaomi
• Sons: Li Xiaotong, Prince of Zichuan; Li Xiaoci, Prince of Guangping Commandery; Li Xiaoben, Prince of Hejian Commandery; Li Xiaojie, Prince of Qinghe Commandery; Li Xiaoyi, Duke of Liang Commandery; Li Xiaoyi, Prince of Jiaoxi Commandery
• Daughter: a Lady Li, Lady of Huaide County, married Sima Jian

Associates and Colleagues

• Shi Wanbao: Chang'an martial notable; raised troops with Li Shentong and served as deputy
• Pei Ji: participated in the uprising and served as chief secretary
• Liu Chongli: participated in the uprising and served as army adjutant
• Linghu Defen: served as secretary and later became a noted historian
• Cui Gan: deputy Pacification Commissioner of Shandong; imprisoned after advising acceptance of surrender
• Li Shiji: Li Shentong relied on him at Liyang; both were captured by Dou Jiande
• Wei Zheng: captured together with Li Shentong by Dou Jiande

Rulers

• Li Yuan: paternal cousin and ruler who entrusted him with major commands
• Li Shimin: younger paternal cousin; on friendly terms, and Li Shentong helped escort him back to his residence before the Xuanwu Gate Incident

Adversaries

• Yuwen Huaji: campaign target
• Dou Jiande: captured Li Shentong and treated him as a guest
• Liu Heita: defeated Li Shentong at Raoyang
• Xu Yuanlang: campaign target

Historical Assessment

Tang and Contemporary Assessments

• Li Yuan regarded Li Shentong as an imperial clansman who had been among the first to answer the uprising and entrusted him with authority as Pacification Commissioner of Shandong. (Old Book of Tang, vol. 60)
• Li Shimin held that although Li Shentong had risen early, repeated defeats meant he should not receive rewards equal to officials whose planning had secured the state. (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, vol. 192)
• Emperor Taizong suspended court after Li Shentong's death and posthumously appointed him Minister of Works, showing respect for his status as an imperial clansman and founding contributor. (Old Book of Tang, vol. 60)

Song and Yuan Periods

• The New Book of Tang describes him as having been fond of martial companionship in youth, summarizing his early character.
• The Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance records his refusal of Yuwen Huaji's surrender and his jealousy of Zhao Junde's achievement, taking a reserved view of his military ability.
• Sima Guang used Emperor Taizong's discussion of rewards to praise the emperor's impartiality and refusal to favor imperial relatives.

Ming and Qing Periods

• Wang Fuzhi, in Du Tongjian Lun, argued that Li Shentong's early response as an imperial clansman remained significant despite his lack of spectacular military victories.
• Zhao Yi, in Notes on the Twenty-Two Histories, noted that although Li Shentong was an imperial clansman and founding contributor, Taizong did not indulge him when assessing merit.

Modern Period

• Cen Zhongmian's History of the Sui and Tang emphasizes Li Shentong's role in stabilizing Guanzhong and assisting Li Yuan's entry into the region.
• Huang Yongnian, discussing the Xuanwu Gate Incident, notes that Li Shentong was not a direct planner of the coup but had long been on good terms with Li Shimin and supported him before the event.
• Modern scholarship generally regards Li Shentong as a mediocre commander whose failures at Raoyang and Liaocheng exposed command problems, while his imperial lineage and early support for the uprising remained symbolically important in early Tang politics.