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Li Hu (Chinese: 李虎; died 551 or 554), styled Wenbin (文彬), was a Chinese general and official of the Northern Wei and Western Wei dynasties. He was the grandfather of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty, during which he was honored with the temple name of Emperor Taizu (太祖皇帝).
Background
Official histories about Li Hu's era such as Book of Wei, Book of Zhou, and History of the Northern Dynasties have no biographies about him, as these histories were all written during the Tang dynasty, which honored him as an emperor, meaning that he was not included in the biographies section, which was reserved for officials, princes, and other figures. Much information about Li Hu comes from histories composed in later dynasties such as Cefu Yuangui, Zizhi Tongjian, and Book of Western Wei [zh].
According to Old Book of Tang, Li Hu was a fifth-generation descendant of Li Gao, founder of the Western Liang dynasty through his son Li Xin. Li Hu was the second of three sons of Li Tianxi (李天錫), who was an officer serving Northern Wei.
Li Hu initially served under Northern Wei general Heba Yue (賀拔岳) and participated in the defeat of Yuan Hao, a Northern Wei pretender backed by Southern Liang in 529. For his efforts, Li Hu was made the Viscount of Jinshou County (晉壽縣子). Later, he followed Heba Yue in defeating Xiongnu rebel leader Moqi Chounu (万俟醜奴) in Longxi. After Heba Yue was murdered by fellow general Houmochen Yue (侯莫陳悅) in 534, his subordinates offered the command to Yuwen Tai. Li Hu, however, opted to go to general Heba Sheng (賀拔勝), Heba Yue's elder brother, and offered him the command instead. Heba Sheng refused, and Li Hu returned to Yuwen Tai and submitted to his command. At this point, he became the Inspector of Ling Prefecture (靈州刺史).
In 537, Li Hu participated in the Battle of Shayuan against Gao Huan's forces. After years of suppressing rebellions, Li Hu gained the title of Duke of Longxi Commandery (隴西郡公).
According to Zizhi Tongjian, Li Hu died in June or July of 551, while the Book of Western Wei (西魏書) asserts that he died in June or July of 554.
Family
Father:
- Li Tianxi (李天錫)
Mother:
- Lady Jia (賈)
Children:
- Li Yanbo (李延伯), posthumously honored as Duke of Nanyang (南陽公).
- Li Zhen (李真), posthumously honored as Prince of Qiao (譙王).
- Li Bing (李昞), father of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of Tang dynasty.
- Li Zhang (李璋), posthumously honored as Prince of Bi (畢王).
- Li Hui (李繪), posthumously honored as Prince of Yong (雍王).
- Li Yi (李禕), posthumously honored as (郇王). Ancestor of Chancellor Li Linfu.
- Li Wei (李蔚), posthumously honored as Prince Lie of Cai (蔡烈王).
- Li Liang (李亮), posthumously honored as Prince Xiao of Zheng (鄭孝王).
- At least 3 daughters.
References
- Book of Western Wei, vol. 1
- (其先陇西狄道人，凉武昭王暠七代孙也。暠生歆，歆生重耳，仕魏为弘农太守。重耳生熙，为金门镇将，领豪杰镇武川，因家焉。仪凤中，追尊宣皇帝。熙生天锡，仕魏为幢主。大统中，赠司空。仪凤中，追尊光皇帝。皇祖讳虎，后魏左仆射，封陇西郡公，与周文帝及太保李弼、大司马独孤信等以功参佐命，当时称为“八柱国家”，仍赐姓大野氏。) Jiu Tang Shu, vol.01
- (五月，魏陇西襄公李虎卒。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.164. The month corresponds to 19 Jun to 18 Jul 551 in the Julian calendar.
- Book of Zhou, vol. 1
- Old Book of Tang, vol. 1
- New Book of Tang, vol. 70
- Cefu Yuangui, vol. 1
- Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 164
- Book of Western Wei, vol. 18