Li Maoxun
Encyclopedia
Li Maoxun was a warlord late in the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, who seized control of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) briefly from 875 to 876 before retiring and turning control of the circuit over to his son Li Keju
.
(in office 841-849), Zhang waged many campaigns against the Huigu, and in one of the campaigns, Li Maoxun surrendered along with the other nobles of the tribe, and was granted a Chinese name, along with the imperial clan surname of Li. It was said that he was capable in riding and archery, and was much favored by Zhang, who often sent him on border campaigns.
(not related to Zhang Zhongwu) was the military governor, and it was said that the soldiers despised him for his harshness and violence. Instead, the soldiers hoped that the officer Chen Gongyan (陳貢言), who was then the defender of Naxiang Base (納降軍, in modern Beijing), would take over. The ambitious Li Maoxun, instead, assassinated Chen, took his army, and headed toward the circuit capital You Prefecture (幽州), claiming to be Chen's forward commander against Zhang. Zhang engaged him and was defeated, and Zhang fled to the imperial capital Chang'an
. Once Li entered You Prefecture, the people realized that he was not acting on Chen's behalf, but given that he had the prefecture under control by this time, they were forced to support him. Then-reigning Emperor Xizong
thus commissioned Li as the acting military governor, and then as full military governor.
be made acting military governor. Emperor Xizong agreed, and allowed Li Maoxun to retire while making Li Keju acting military governor and later full military governor. That was the last historical reference to Li Maoxun, and it is not known when he died — although he presumably died long before his son Li Keju, facing the mutiny by his officer Li Quanzhong
, committed suicide along with his entire family, in 885.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, who seized control of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) briefly from 875 to 876 before retiring and turning control of the circuit over to his son Li Keju
Li Keju
Li Keju was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Lulong Circuit from 876 to 885.- Background :...
.
Background
It is not known when Li Maoxun was born, but it was known that he was ethnically Huigu, of the Abusi (阿布思) tribe. During the governance of Lulong's military governor Zhang ZhongwuZhang Zhongwu
Zhang Zhongwu , formally Prince Zhuang of Lanling or Duke Zhuang of Lanling , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who governed Lulong Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government,...
(in office 841-849), Zhang waged many campaigns against the Huigu, and in one of the campaigns, Li Maoxun surrendered along with the other nobles of the tribe, and was granted a Chinese name, along with the imperial clan surname of Li. It was said that he was capable in riding and archery, and was much favored by Zhang, who often sent him on border campaigns.
Seizure of Lulong Circuit
As of 875, Zhang GongsuZhang Gongsu
Zhang Gongsu was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Lulong Circuit from 872 to 875 as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government....
(not related to Zhang Zhongwu) was the military governor, and it was said that the soldiers despised him for his harshness and violence. Instead, the soldiers hoped that the officer Chen Gongyan (陳貢言), who was then the defender of Naxiang Base (納降軍, in modern Beijing), would take over. The ambitious Li Maoxun, instead, assassinated Chen, took his army, and headed toward the circuit capital You Prefecture (幽州), claiming to be Chen's forward commander against Zhang. Zhang engaged him and was defeated, and Zhang fled to the imperial capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
. Once Li entered You Prefecture, the people realized that he was not acting on Chen's behalf, but given that he had the prefecture under control by this time, they were forced to support him. Then-reigning Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
thus commissioned Li as the acting military governor, and then as full military governor.
Retirement
In spring 876, Li Maoxun requested retirement and requested that his son Li KejuLi Keju
Li Keju was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Lulong Circuit from 876 to 885.- Background :...
be made acting military governor. Emperor Xizong agreed, and allowed Li Maoxun to retire while making Li Keju acting military governor and later full military governor. That was the last historical reference to Li Maoxun, and it is not known when he died — although he presumably died long before his son Li Keju, facing the mutiny by his officer Li Quanzhong
Li Quanzhong
Li Quanzhong was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Lulong Circuit from 885, when he overthrew the prior military governor Li Keju, to his death in 886...
, committed suicide along with his entire family, in 885.