Li Baoyu
Li Baoyu (李抱玉, 703–777) was a general and regional commander of the Tang dynasty, originally surnamed An, who served for more than a decade as military commissioner of Fengxiang (凤翔) and held the western approaches to the capital against Tibetan raiding under Emperor Daizong (代宗).1 • 2
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 703 according to the China Biographical Database1 |
| Died | 777, aged 741 • 2 |
| Original name | Surname An (安) of Liangzhou (凉州); granted the imperial surname Li in the fifth month of the 至德 era2 |
| Principal posts | Commissioner of Fengxiang for over ten years; 山南西道节度使; 河西陇右山南西道副元帅; 同中书门下平章事1 • 2 • 3 |
| Titles | Titled 凉国公 at his death3 |
| Posthumous honor | 赠太保, with the court suspended for three days2 |
| Named kin | Father An Zhongjing (安忠敬); son Li Zizheng (李自正)1 |
Origins and family
The China Biographical Database records An Zhongjing as his father and Li Zizheng as his son.1
His own memorial, quoted in the biography, explains the name change: his family was registered in Liangzhou with the surname An, and because the rebel An Lushan (安禄山) bore the same surname, he asked in the fifth month of the 至德 era to be granted the imperial surname Li, with his household moved to Chang'anxian (长安县) in Jingzhaofu (京兆府); the request was approved and his whole clan received the imperial surname.2
Career
According to the China Biographical Database, his first prefectural appointment dates to the 乾元 era.1
Under Emperor Daizong, the basic annals of 《旧唐书》 record him as commissioner of 陈 and 泽潞 receiving 检校司空 and the enfeoffment of 武威郡王, entering the capital the same day as other newly honored commissioners.3 He was later advanced to 司徒 with the posts of southern-route commissioner for peace with the Tibetans and observer of the region from Fengxiang, 秦, 陇, and 临洮 eastward, and then combined the 泽潞 commissionership with that of Fengxiang and 陇右.3 According to the Jiu Tangshu, when Tibetan forces threatened the capital region, he was among the commanders deployed, holding Fengxiang.3 The annals also record him striking a Tibetan raid on Longzhou (陇州).3
According to his biography in the Jiu Tang Shu, with the Tibetans invading every year, the emperor regarded the Qiyang (岐阳) region as the state's western gate and entrusted it to Li Baoyu, with favor beyond compare, promoting him to 同中书门下平章事.4 On one occasion when he moved his seat, the Fengxiang troops, in anger, looted for several days before stopping.3
Military style
Li Baoyu commanded troops in the field. The biography groups his methods under training, feigned surrender, and similar stratagems.5 On the frontier he held Fengxiang during a general mobilization against the Tibetans and took the offensive against a raid on Longzhou.3 The history's own summary of his long tenure is that, although he had no victories over the barbarians to his credit, he suppressed violence and kept the people at peace, and was much praised at the time.2 • 6
Death, titles, and heirs
He died in 777, in the twelfth year of the 大历 era, at the recorded age of 74.1 • 2 The annals record his full string of titles at death, ending with 凉国公.3 The emperor was deeply grieved, suspended court for three days, and conferred the posthumous title of 太保.2 • 6 • 4 His son was Li Zizheng.1
Assessment
The historian of 《旧唐书》 judged him and Li Baozhen (李抱真) together: men of martial valor joined to loyal and righteous conduct, good generals of the Tang.4 The biography's own verdict on his decade at Fengxiang is measured, crediting him with public order and the people's welfare rather than battlefield victories.2 His birth year is given as 703 by the biographical database.1 The annals record the grant of 武威郡王.3
Legacy
His transmitted reputation rests on the posthumous honor of 太保, the three-day suspension of court at his death, and the paired verdict with Li Baozhen as good generals of the Tang.2 • 4
References
- China Biographical Database (CBDB), person 184869 李抱玉, https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0184869
- 《旧唐书》卷一百三十二 李抱玉传 (transcription), 识典古籍, https://www.shidianguji.com/book/NGJ89241200000288715107/chapter/1lvx1n1wli8ei
- 《旧唐书》卷十一 代宗纪 (passages naming 李抱玉), Wikisource transcription, https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊唐書/卷11
- 列传第八十二, 旧唐书, 墨书院, https://www.moshuyuan.com/zh-tw/chapter/shibu/jiu-tang-shu/lie-zhuan-di-ba-shi-er.html
- 卷一百三十二·列传第八十二, 旧唐书, 读典籍, https://dudianji.com/book/%E6%97%A7%E5%94%90%E4%B9%A6/%E5%8D%B7%E4%B8%80%E7%99%BE%E4%B8%89%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C%C2%B7%E5%88%97%E4%BC%A0%E7%AC%AC%E5%85%AB%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C
- 卷132 Chapter 132, Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu), Deltoi, https://deltoi.com/zh/twenty-four-histories/jiu-tangshu/chapter-132
Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › History and archaeology › Asian history › China › Mid-Tang (755 to 820) › Mid-Tang emperors and officials
Initially written Sep 23, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026
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