Veteran Tang Warrior (Li Shiji) 李世勣

Li Shiji was one of the most important early Tang generals and was responsible for much of the dynasty's early expansion, dutifully serving 3 of the dynasty's emperors. Born to a minor landowner's family, his home province was caught in one of the worst struggles in the post- Sui anarchy.

Originally born with the last name of "Xu" Li Shiji first served the charismatic folk hero Li Mi as a general, however, when Li Mi was driven out of Henan by the rival warlord Wang Shichong, Li Shiji pledged his loyalty to the nearby Tang regime. In gratitude, Emperor Gaozu of Tang rewarded his clan with the imperial last name of "Li." It was a fatal decision and Li soon found himself surrounded by enemies, but at least with an alliance with the Tang, one of his three fronts was secured.

LONE DEFENDER, EYE OF A STORM

The eye of a storm: In the unfolding drama, Li Shiji by pure accident had run-ins with all three of the major contenders. Originally, he served Li Mi- the very warlord Wang Shichong would expel from Henan during his ascension. Li Shiji then pledged his loyalty to the Tang and held out Li Mi's former holding of Liyang for his Tang lords. 

The respective territories of Tang of the Li clan (Pink), Wang Shichong's Zheng (Yellow), and Dou Jiande's Xia (Orange) in 620. The Li family of Tang controlled mostly the northwestern sectors of the realm, Wang controlled the resource rich central five point of the empire at Henan, while Dou controlled the equally populous and fiercely turbulent province of Hebei. 

Though the Tang holdings were territoriality impressive, at this point they only controlled the frontier backwaters of the empire + the capital of Chang An. Comparatively, both Wang and Dou controlled the most prosperous, populous, and well defended regions of the empire, composing nearly 60% of the empire's population and respective industries. As of early 621, nearly all three contenders had only been regional hegemons, powerful and capable enough to merely control provinces. 

But in so doing he found himself trapped between Wang and Dou as a lone hold out for the Tang. Stationed at Liyang in northern Henan: right between Tang's Shanxi, Dou's Hebei, and Wang's Henan, Li was in the worst straights in the dog- eat- dog anarchy. He found himself between the open wars of three of the most powerful warlords in the age, the very eye of a killing storm.

When Dou invaded Tang territories in 619, Li Shiji ambushed Dou, but Dou prevailed and in anger, captured Liyang, taking many Tang hostages including Li Shiji's father. After this, Li pledged his loyalty to Dou, though in truth he remained loyal to the Tang. 

UNDER COVER

Under a pretext of expanding Dou's empire, during a brief war between Wang Shichong and Dou in the fall of 619, Li Shiji captured a key city held by Wang and captured many grains and rescued many of Dou's comrades. He then audaciously attempted to attack Dou, hoping to kill him and rescue his father, however the plot was unraveled and Li fled with a small band back to the Tang territories. 

After regaining contact with Gaozu and the rest of Tang high command, Li Shiji joined Prince Li Shimin on the 620 Shanxi campaigns and later in 620 followed Prince Shimin right back into Henan. During the Henan/ Hulao Campaign, Li Shiji provided critical support for Li Shimin, leading the young prince to triumph over his enemies in one of the most lopsided victories in all of Chinese history. 

Li Shiji was one of the 25 generals honored by Gaozu and they were permitted to ride with Li Shimin at the center of the grand victory procession and allowed to offer the captives at Tang's imperial ancestral temple. He was also united with his father Li Gai, who managed to survive the collapse of the Xia regime and return to Tang territory.

He would one day become one of Tang's most powerful generals and defeat 

both the Göktürks and Xueyantuo Khaganates in battle. During the reign 

of Li Shimin's son Emperor Gaozong, he served as Chancellor and 

destroyed the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo.

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