Li Bi

Li Bi (494–14 November 557), courtesy name Jinghe, Xianbei name Tuhe Bi, was a Chinese military general of the Northern Wei, Western Wei and Northern Zhou during the Northern and Southern dynasties period. He came to prominence under Erzhu Tianguang during his campaign to pacify the Guanzhong, and in the power struggle that followed Heba Yue's assassination, he initially sided with Houmochen Yue before defecting to Yuwen Tai. After Yuwen founded the Western Wei in 534, Li Bi fought in numerous campaigns against the Eastern Wei, most notably the Battle of Shayuan, where he proposed and led a decisive ambush against Gao Huan's forces. As one of the state's most distinguished generals, he became one of the Eight Zhuguo (八柱國) in 548.

Background Li Bi's family were natives of Xiangping County, Liaodong Commandery. His ancestor, Li Gen (李根), was a Gentleman at the Yellow Gates under Murong Chui during the Later Yan dynasty. His grandfather, Li Guichou (李貴醜), was the Inspector of Ping province, while his father Li Yong (李永), was a Palace Counsellor and posthumously appointed the Inspector of Liang province. Since his youth, Li Bi possessed great ambitions and immense physical strength. He was also described as a calm and resolute individual with profound insight, and during his years as an official, he was very devoted in his duty.

When the Northern Wei fell into turmoil, he said to his relatives, "A real man must tread on the sharp edge of a sword. Quelling the troublemakers and bringing peace to the state is the only way to gain fame and honour. How can one rely on rank and status to gain a highly position?"

When the two met each other, Yuwen Tai said to Li Bi, "So long as you and I are of one mind, we can pacify the world." After Houmochen Yue was defeated later that year, the captured gold, silver and servants were handpicked and given to Li Bi as rewards. Yuwen then ordered him to guard Yuan province (原州; roughly in modern Guyuan, Ningxia) in his original positions, and he was later appointed as Inspector of Qin province.

Battle of Shayuan

Later that year, Yuwen Tai faced Gao Huan again at the Battle of Shayuan, and Li Bi commanded the right army. The Eastern Wei forces significantly outnumbered the Western Wei. Therefore Li Bi proposed to Yuwen that they occupy the Weiqu river (渭曲; southeast of present-day Dali County, Shaanxi) in the east, where they can lie in ambush among the reeds and attack at the appropriate moment when they sound the drums. When the Eastern Wei troops fell into the ambush and engaged with the left army led by Zhao Gui, Li Bi brought with him 60 cavalrymen to attack them horizontally, thereby separating the Eastern Wei army into two. The Western Wei forces slaughtered them, incurring Gao Huan a great defeat. For his role in the battle, Li Bi was given the honourific title of "Specially Advanced" and enfeoffed as the Duke of Zhao Commandery.

Battle of Heqiao In October or November, Li Bi and Heba Sheng conquered Hedong Commandery and pacified the provinces of Fen and Jiang (絳州; roughly southwest Shanxi). In 538, when Yuwen Tai marched east to rescue Dugu Xin under siege by Eastern Wei forces at Jinyong, Li Bi commanded the vanguard. The Eastern Wei general, Moduolou Daiwen led several thousand soldiers and suddenly reached Gucheng (谷城; near present-day Luoyang, Henan) at night, where Li Bi and another general, Daxi Wu was camped. Li Bi hurriedly sent his soldiers to shout and beat the drums, dragging firewood to bring about a cloud dust. Moduolou thought the main Western Wei forces had arrived and retreated, but Li Bi pursued him relentlessly, capturing his soldiers and beheading him. Moduolou's head was then passed around the Western Wei soldiers.

The next day, Yuwen Tai and Gao Huan faced off at Heqiao (河穚; southwest of present-day Mengzhou, Henan). Li Bi penetrated deep into the enemy lines and was wounded seven times. He was also captured and surrounded by several layers of guards. Li Bi feigned serious injury and suddenly collapsed to the ground, causing the guards to slightly relax. Then, he spotted a horse nearby, soon he swiftly jumped onto the horse and galloped west, thus escaping.

Pillar of State In 548, the northern Jihu tribes rebelled, and Li Bi suppressed them. For his military achievements, Li Bi was promoted to Grand Protector and given the exclusive title of Pillar of State along with seven other officials including Yuwen Tai. In 552, as part of Yuwen Tai's policy of enforcing Xianbei surnames, Li Bi was given the surname of "Tuhe" (徒河). Later, when Yuwen Tai went west to carry out an inspection, Li Bi was ordered to stay behind to stand guard and handle with all state matters.

In 556, when the Six Titled Retainers was established, Li Bi was appointed as the Grand Tutor and Grand Minister Over the Masses. That same year, the Rouran Khaganate in the northern steppe were defeated by the Göktürks, prompting them to surrender to Western Wei. Li Bi therefore led the vanguard to welcome them. After Yuwen Tai died and his nephew Yuwen Hu took charge of the government, Li Bi was one of the few officials that he consulted with to discuss important affairs.

Death and posthumous honours In 557, Yuwen Hu forced Emperor Gong of Western Wei to abdicate the throne to Yuwen Jue, hence establishing the Northern Zhou dynasty. Li Bi was re-appointed the Grand Tutor and promoted to the Duke of Zhao Commandery. However, just a few months later, he died in office at the age of 64. Emperor Ming of Zhou carried out a mourning period on the same day he died. On the day of his burial, the emperor visited his funeral three times and also sent soldiers to dig up his tomb to present him with large carriages and dragon flags. The soldiers then all lined up at his tomb. Li Bi was given the posthumous name of Wu, and later the posthumous title of Duke of Wei. He was also enshrined in the ancestral temple of Yuwen Tai.