Li Jing
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| This article is part of the Transition from Sui to Tang series. |
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| Sui Dynasty imperials |
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| Emperor Yang | |
| Empress Xiao | |
| Emperor Gong | |
| Yang Tong | |
| Yang Hao | |
| Tang Dynasty imperials |
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| Emperor Gaozu | |
| Emperor Taizong | |
| Li Jiancheng | |
| Li Yuanji | |
| Independent contenders |
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| Dou Jiande | |
| Fu Gongshi | |
| Gao Kaidao | |
| Li Gui | |
| Li Mi | |
| Li Zitong | |
| Liang Shidu | |
| Lin Shihong | |
| Liu Heita | |
| Liu Wuzhou | |
| Shen Faxing | |
| Wang Shichong | |
| Xiao Xi | |
| Xu Yuanlang | |
| Xue Ju | |
| Xue Rengao | |
| Yuwen Huaji | |
| Zhu Can | |
| Other generals or key figures |
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| Empress Cao | |
| Du Fuwei | |
| Li Jing | |
| Li Shiji | |
| Li Xiaogong | |
| Luo Yi | |
| Yang Xuangan | |
| Yang Yichen | |
| Yuwen Shu | |
| Zhai Rang |
Li Jing (李靖, pinyin: Lǐ Jìng, real name: 药师, pinyin: Yào Shī, C.E. 571-649,) was a real-life Tang Dynasty general who has been assimilated into Chinese mythology. The historical Li Jing was a general under Li shimin, the Emperor Taizong of Tang China. In 630, Li Jing defeated the Turkic Khan using 3,000 cavalry at Dingxiang in a surprise attack and later conquered the once mighty Eastern Göktürks Khanate (東突厥). He wrote the first book concerning war crimes in history, The Tao of War.
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[edit] Early Life
Li was supposedly an official in a small prefecture of Sui. As the Sui empire declined, he noticed the head commander of the region, Li Yuan, the future first emperor of Tang Dynasty had some plots against the Sui house. He then pretended to be a criminal and on delivering criminals to be executed at the capital, he would tell the imperial ministers about Li's treacherous thoughts. However he was caught by citizens who loved Li's tolerant rule. Li Yuan had wanted to execute him but Li Jing spoke out, "This is a time of chaos and I am a servant of Sui, it is my duty to inform the country of traitors, what wrong is it for me to serve my country justice when traitors of the country plague the land". Li Yuan was enraged by this but his second son, Li Shimin was impressed and decided to let him go. Not long after, he heard of his uncle, a famed Sui general's tragic death over destroying rebels. At the moment, he decided he was to join the chaos. He was recruited by a famed warlord as a general.
Li Jing first served under the warlord Li Mi, however he was disgusted by Li's policy for allowing troops to take advantage of innocent citizens. One night, he abandoned the camp on single horseback and was about to give up his life as a warrior. On his way, he again met Li Shimin, the future Taizong emperor, who was on his way to attack Li Mi. Seeing that Li's army was escorting villagers who had been plundered by Li Mi's troops, Li Jing was convinced that Li Shimin was the man that would ease China from its troubles and decided to join him.
Li Jing believed a general should not be too involved in politics. Thus, he didn't persuade his followers in Li Mi's army to join him in mutiny nor did he take part in Li Shimin's plot on his brothers.
[edit] War with the Göktürks Khanate
When the Tang was consolidated, the first threat they met was the Eastern Göktürks Khanate who almost sacked the capital at Chang'an when the main Chinese armies were busy fighting different warlords, the Hmongs and the kingdom of Goguryo. Taizong was convinced that no spare troops could be sent to protect China from the Turks as Tang was still in its infant stage. Li Jing personally recruited 3,000 men to fight the Turks. In 630, he conquered the Eastern Göktürks Khanate, establishing Tang as the major political and military power of the region, for which Li was given the title of Duke of Wei (衛公, wèigōng). This was unexpected because the Turkic Khanate was the powerhouse of Asia at the time. Li Jing easily pushed his way into Turkestein using clever strategies and well-deployed formations. Li Jing then continued his attack on the Turks successfully. By the end, the Turkish army of over 200 thousands personnel had either been killed, captured or fled. The defeat of the Turks was a trumph to the dynasty in its infancy, and many citizens even spread the story that Li Jing was indeed a heavenly general descended from the avalon above. Li Jing was known to be a general who could lead an army of few yet manage to inflict damage on a larger army. His troops were well disciplined and would not trouble citzens. On many occasions he even offered to help starving Turkish citizens by sharing some of his army supplies.
Li Shimin was especially fond of Li Jing. During his return from pacifying Eastern Göktürks Khanate, it is noted that he says, "The Han emperor Wudi sent the great general Li Ling with 8000 men to pacify the Xiongnu (Huns), despite his courage of defeating 10,000 men they surrendered. I sent you to check the Eastern Turkic Khanate advance with 3000 cavalry, however you eliminated their 200,000 men strong army and added their territories into the empire. How scarce is the sight of such a general in history."
[edit] Books Written by Li Jing
Disgusted by the Turkish war crimes, Li Jing wrote down the Tao of War which he used to punish Chinese or non-Chinese militants who committed immoral actions in war.
One of the Seven Military Classics (TC: 武經七書, SC: 武经七书, pinyin: Wǔjīng qīshū) of China, Li Weigong answering the questions of Tang Taizong (TC: 唐太宗李衛公問對, SC: 唐太宗李卫公问对, pinyin: Táng Tàizōng Lǐ Wèigōng Wènduì), is a dialogue between Li Jing and the Tiazong emperor. The work is attributed to Li Jing.[1]
[edit] Fictional Li Jing
Li Jing appears in many Chinese folk tales and novels. In the novel ShuiTang Yanyi, the character Li Jing is based on Li Jing's real life.
[edit] References
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