Li Sigong

Li Sigong (; d. 886? ), né Tuoba Sigong (拓跋思恭), noble title Duke of Xia (夏國公), was an ethnic Tangut warlord and government official of China's Tang dynasty. For his contributions in fighting against the rebel Huang Chao, he was appointed as the military governor of Dingnan Circuit (headquartered in modern-day Yulin, Shaanxi). The position was hereditary and passed down through his family. This laid the foundation for the future Western Xia dynasty.

Background It is not known when Tuoba Sigong was born. His family was of Tangut stock from the Pingxia branch. Late in the Xiantong era (861–874) of Emperor Yizong, he seized control of You Prefecture (宥州, in modern Ordos, Inner Mongolia), which had been established by the Tang imperial government to govern the Tangut, and claimed the title of prefect.

Subsequently, with Tang forces gathered around Chang'an, Huang abandoned Chang'an. The forces under the Tang generals Tang Hongfu , Cheng Zongchu , and Wang Chucun entered the city, but did not notify Tuoba, Li Xiaochang, or Zheng Tian the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi). The Tang forces that entered the city became bogged down in pillaging the city, and Qi forces counterattacked, crushing them and recapturing Chang'an. Subsequently, Qi forces engaged those under Tuoba and Li Xiaochang at Wangqiao (王橋, in modern Xianyang, Shaanxi), defeating them. Tuoba and Li Xiaochang nevertheless stayed in the area, and Huang sent his general Zhu Wen to defend against them. Soon thereafter, Emperor Xizong made Tuoba full military governor and renamed his circuit Dingnan Circuit (meaning, "those who stopped disaster"). Tuoba and Li Xiaogong then engaged Zhu and the major Qi general Shang Rang, but could not prevail, and withdrew. After Huang was destroyed, Tuoba was created the Duke of Xia, and given the imperial surname of Li.

Death In 886, after Emperor Xizong fled to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi) due to a major dispute between the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi (who controlled Emperor Xizong's court) and Li Keyong and Wang Chongrong the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), Tian's erstwhile ally Zhu Mei the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang) declared Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun the Prince of Xiang the new emperor. Emperor Xizong ordered Li Sigong to attack Zhu. Before Li Sigong could launch his troops, however, he died. Emperor Xizong gave Li Sigong's younger brothers Li Sijian Dingnan Circuit and Li Sixiao Baoda Circuit (保大, i.e., Fuyan). or Li Sigong's son.

Personal Information Children Li Renyou , died early, father of Li Yichang Li Renfu (died 933), Later become the military governor of Dingnan Circuit

Notes and references

New Book of Tang, vol. 221, part 1. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 254.