Li Gu (Han dynasty)

Li Gu (李固; 94[1]- December 147 or January 148[2]), style name Zijian (子堅),[3] was an Eastern Han Dynasty scholar and official.[4] Twice, he opposed Liang Ji, a powerful consort kin, on the issue of succession of the imperial throne.

Service under Emperor Chong

On 27 September 144,[5] after Emperor Chong ascended the throne, Li Gu was appointed Grand Commandant.[6] However, Emperor Chong died the next year at the age of two. After Emperor Chong's death, Li Gu advocated that Liu Suan, Prince of Qinghe, should ascend the throne, citing his age and virtue. However, Liang Ji ignored him and made Liu Zuan (the future Emperor Zhi, then the son of Prince of Le'an Liu Hong) emperor instead.[7]

Service under Emperor Zhi

When Emperor Zhi ascended the throne in 145, Li Gu retained his post as Grand Commandant. However, Liang Ji soon became apprehensive of Emperor Zhi's intelligence. On 26 July 146,[8] he had his underlings poison a bowl of pastry soup and had it given to the emperor. After the young emperor consumed the soup, he quickly suffered great pain, and he summoned Li immediately and also requested for water, believing that water would save him. However, Liang, who was by the emperor's side, immediately ordered that the emperor not be given any water; the young emperor immediately died. Li cried bitterly upon Emperor Zhi's death and advocated a full investigation, but Liang was able to have the investigation efforts suppressed.[9] Soon after Emperor Zhi's death, on 29 July 146,[10] Li Gu was dismissed as Grand Commandant.

References
  1. Li Gu's biography in volume 63 of Book of the Later Han recorded that he was 54 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died. Thus by calculation, his birth year should be 94.
  2. (According to Emperor Huan's biography in Book of the Later Han, Li Gu died in the 11th month of the 1st year of the Jianhe era of his reign. This corresponds to 11 Dec 147 to 8 Jan 148 on the Julian calendar. [建和元年]十一月....。前太尉李固、杜乔皆下狱死.) Houhanshu, vol.07
  3. (李固字子坚) Houhanshu, vol.63
  4. Aat Emile Vervoorn Men of the Cliffs and Caves 1990 9622014151 p.161 "One of these was the remarkable figure of Li Gu 李固 (94-147), who had himself been recommended to the court on the strength of his reputation as a disengaged scholar."
  5. Emperor Chong's biography in Book of the Later Han recorded that Li Gu was made Grand Commandant on the dingchou day of the 8th month of the 1st year of the Jiankang era of Emperor Shun's reign. This corresponds to 27 Sep 144 on the Julian calendar. ([建康元年八月]丁丑，...大司农李固为太尉，参录尚书事。) Houhanshu vol.06
  6. (及冲帝即位，以固为太尉，...) Houhanshu, vol.63
  7. (固以清河王蒜年长有德，欲立之，谓梁冀曰：“今当立帝，宜择长年高明有德，任亲政事者，愿将军审详大计，察周、霍之立文、宣，戒邓、阎之利幼弱。”冀不从，乃立乐安王子缵，年八岁，是为质帝。) Houhanshu vol.63
  8. Emperor Zhi's biography in Book of the Later Han recorded that he died aged 9 (by East Asian reckoning) on the jiashen day of the leap month of the 1st year of the Benchu era of his reign. This corresponds to 26 Jul 146 on the Julian calendar. ([本初元年]闰月甲申，大将军梁冀潜行鸩弑，帝崩于玉堂前殿，年九岁。) Houhanshu, vol.06
  9. (冀忌帝聪慧，恐为后患，遂令左右进鸩。帝苦烦甚，使促召固。固入，前问：“陛下得患所由？”帝尚能言，曰：“食□饼，今腹中闷，得水尚可活。”时冀亦在侧，曰：“恐吐，不可饮水。”语未绝而崩。固伏尸号哭，推举侍医。冀虑其事泄，大恶之。) Houhanshu, vol.63
  10. Emperor Zhi's biography in Book of the Later Han recorded that Li Gu was dismissed as Grand Commandant on the dinghai day of the leap month of the 1st year of the Benchu era of his reign. This corresponds to 29 Jul 146 on the Julian calendar. ([本初元年闰月]丁亥，太尉李固免。) Houhanshu, vol.06


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