Li Jiqian

Li Jiqian (Chinese: 李繼遷) (963–1004), occasionally also known by his Song-bestowed name of Zhao Baoji (趙保吉), was a Tangut leader and progenitor of China's Western Xia dynasty. He resisted the Song dynasty and organized a rebellion in 984. He also created a successful alliance with the Liao dynasty for military support. Li Jiqian arranged a peace agreement with the Song emperor, but violated the treaty himself. To avoid costly military campaigns, Emperor Zhenzong of Song made Li Jiqian the jiedushi of Dingnan (定難節度使), and recognized Li Jiqian's new autonomous rule. He supported the construction of irrigation canals that were crucial for the development of agriculture in the arid areas of northwestern China, especially around the capital Xingqing (modern Yinchuan).

Li Jiqian 李繼遷
Prince of Xia
Reign	990 – 1004
Successor	Li Deming
Dingnan Jiedushi
Tenure	998 – 1004
Predecessor	Li Jipeng
Successor	Li Deming
Born	963
Died	26 January 1004(1004-01-26) (aged 40–41)
Burial	Yuling Mausoleum (裕陵, presumptively the No. 1 tomb of Western Xia mausoleums[1])
Spouse	Lady Yeli Princess Yicheng of Khitan
Names Li Jiqian (李繼遷) Zhao Baoji (趙保吉) Posthumous name Emperor Yingyun Fatian Shenzhi Rensheng Zhidao Guangde Guangxiao (應運法天神智仁聖至道廣德光孝皇帝) Emperor Shenwu (神武皇帝) Temple name Wuzong (武宗) Taizu (太祖)
Father	Li Guangyan

Mausoleum of Li Jiqian (Yuling 裕陵)

Li Jiqian was father of Li Deming, and grandfather of Li Yuanhao, the founder of the Western Xia dynasty. He was conferred the temple name "Wuzong" (武宗) and the posthumous name "Emperor Yingyun Fatian Shenzhi Rensheng Zhidao Guangde Guangxiao" (應運法天神智仁聖至道廣德光孝皇帝) by Li Deming in 1005. Later, he was honored with the temple name "Taizu" (太祖) and the posthumous name "Emperor Shenwu" (神武皇帝) by Li Yuanhao.

In 1644, Li Zicheng, founder of the short-lived Shun dynasty, accorded the temple name "Taizu" (太祖) to Li Jiqian because Li Zicheng grew up in a village in Shaanxi called "Li Jiqian's walled village" (李繼遷寨), and he therefore claimed ancestry from him.^{[citation needed]}

Family

Consorts and issue:

• Empress Shuncheng Yixiao, of the Yeli clan (順成懿孝皇后野利氏, d.1007)
  • Li Deming
• Yelü Ting, Princess Yicheng of Khitan (義成公主耶律汀)

References

1. "西夏王陵简介" (in Chinese (China)). 宁夏西夏陵. 2012-12-14. Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-20.

External links

• www.chinaknowledge.de