Li Jiqian 李繼遷 | |||||||||||||
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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 | (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 | ||||||||||||
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Father | Li Guangyan |
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 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, gave Li Jiqian the temple name "Taizu" (太祖). Zicheng grew up in a Shaanxi village called "Li Jiqian's walled village" (李繼遷寨) and claimed to be descended from Jiqian.[citation needed]