Li Jitao, general of Later Tang

Li Jitao (Chinese: 李繼韜), known also by his evocative nickname Liude (留得), was a prominent military general whose career unfolded during the highly tumultuous Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. His life, marked by significant shifts in allegiance and deep political intrigue, ultimately concluded with his execution on 20 January 924.

Navigating the Tumult of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period

The Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–960 CE) represents an intensely fragmented and volatile half-century in Chinese history, directly succeeding the collapse of the once-mighty Tang Dynasty. During this era, central authority disintegrated, giving rise to numerous short-lived, rival states vying for control of the Central Plains (the Five Dynasties), alongside various independent kingdoms established primarily in the south and west (the Ten Kingdoms). Li Jitao's service spanned three of the most powerful contenders of his time: the state of Jin, its principal adversary Later Liang, and ultimately Jin's successor, Later Tang. His complex trajectory exemplifies the fluid loyalties and brutal power struggles characteristic of this turbulent epoch.

A Legacy Inherited: Li Jitao's Family and Early Affiliations

Li Jitao was born into a distinguished military lineage within the state of Jin. His father, Li Sizhao, was an exceptionally respected and highly influential major general for Jin, celebrated for his strategic acumen and battlefield prowess. Li Sizhao maintained a particularly close and honored relationship with Jin's ambitious prince, Li Cunxu, who would later achieve imperial status as Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang. This bond was further solidified by Li Sizhao's position as an adoptive cousin of Li Cunxu – a common and significant practice during that period where adoption into ruling or imperial clans often symbolized deep trust and cemented strategic military alliances. As the son of such a loyal and prominent figure, Li Jitao not only inherited his father's considerable territories and military forces upon his passing but also, initially, a presumed legacy of unwavering fidelity to the state of Jin and its ruling family.

The Profound Shift: From Jin to Later Liang

However, Li Jitao notably deviated from his father's steadfast loyalties following Li Sizhao's death. Instead of maintaining his allegiance to Jin and Prince Li Cunxu, Li Jitao made a calculated, yet highly controversial, decision: he asserted control over the territories and military units previously under his father's command and overtly defected to Later Liang. This act constituted a profound betrayal, as Later Liang was not merely another rival, but the foremost and most formidable adversary of Jin, locked in a brutal and protracted conflict for ultimate dominion over northern China. While shifts in allegiance were not entirely unprecedented during the Five Dynasties, often driven by personal ambition, perceived strategic advantages, or a pragmatic assessment of fluctuating power dynamics, aligning with the *archrival* of one's father's liege and adoptive family was particularly egregious. This decision starkly underscored the fragile nature of loyalty and the ruthless pragmatism prevalent in the political landscape of the time.

The Fall of Later Liang and Li Jitao's Ultimate Fate

The political order of the Central Plains was irrevocably transformed when Jin, under the dynamic leadership of Li Cunxu, achieved a decisive victory, culminating in the conquest and dissolution of Later Liang in 923. This monumental achievement paved the way for the establishment of the Later Tang Dynasty, with Li Cunxu ascending the imperial throne as Emperor Zhuangzong. In the aftermath of this unification, the position of former Later Liang generals and their defecting allies, including Li Jitao, became extremely precarious. Initially, Emperor Zhuangzong, perhaps acknowledging Li Sizhao's distinguished past service or desiring to foster stability in his newly unified realm, was inclined towards an act of clemency for Li Jitao, considering sparing his life. However, this period of potential leniency was brief. Imperial intelligence soon uncovered evidence that Li Jitao was actively involved in clandestine activities, engaged in plotting against the newly established Later Tang imperial governance. This was perceived not as a minor offense, but as a direct and dangerous challenge to the emperor's supreme authority and the hard-won stability of the realm. Consequently, Emperor Zhuangzong, concluding that Li Jitao represented an irredeemable threat to the nascent dynasty, ordered his execution. Li Jitao was put to death on 20 January 924, marking the end of a military career that vividly encapsulated the turbulent and often unforgiving political realities of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Frequently Asked Questions About Li Jitao

Who was Li Jitao?

Li Jitao was a military general who served various states—Jin, Later Liang, and Later Tang—during China's tumultuous Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960 CE). He is known for his shifting allegiances and his ultimate execution.

Why was Li Jitao's shift in allegiance significant?

His change of allegiance was particularly notable because his father, Li Sizhao, was a highly esteemed general loyal to Jin and its prince Li Cunxu. Li Jitao's decision to defect to Later Liang, Jin's main archrival, after his father's death was considered a profound betrayal of his family's loyalty and legacy.

What was the relationship between Li Jitao and Emperor Zhuangzong (Li Cunxu)?

Emperor Zhuangzong (Li Cunxu) was the adoptive cousin of Li Jitao's father, Li Sizhao, creating an indirect family connection. Despite this familial tie and the emperor's initial inclination to spare him, Li Jitao's continued plotting led to his execution by Emperor Zhuangzong.

Why was Li Jitao executed?

Although Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang initially considered sparing Li Jitao after conquering Later Liang, it was discovered that Li Jitao was actively conspiring against the newly established imperial government. This persistent subversion was deemed a direct threat to the stability of the realm, leading to his execution on 20 January 924.