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Li Shanchang | |
|---|---|
| 李善長 | |
 A Qing dynasty illustration of Li Shanchang in the Wanxiaotang Huanchuan, by Shangguan Zhou | |
| Left Grand Councilor | |
| In office 1368–1371 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Xu Da |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1314 Yuan Yanyou 1 (元延祐元年) Dingyuan County, Hao Prefecture, Anfeng Lu, Henan Jiangbei Province |
| Died | 1390 (aged 75–76) Ming Hongwu 23 (明洪武二十三年) Yingtian Prefecture |
| Children | Li Qi (son) Li Fang (grandson) Li Mao (grandson) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Li Shanchang (Chinese: 李善長; pinyin: Lǐ Shàncháng; Wade–Giles: Li Shan-ch'ang; 1314–1390) was a Chinese official of the Ming dynasty, part of the West Huai (Huaixi) faction, and Duke of Han, one of the six founding dukes of the Ming dynasty in 1370.[1] Li Shanchang was one of Emperor Hongwu's associates during the war against the Yuan dynasty to establish the Ming dynasty.[2] Deeply trusted by the Emperor,[3] Hongwu consulted Li on institutional matters,[4] but became "bored with Li's arrogance" in old age. Ultimately, the emperor purged and executed Li along with his extended family and thirty thousand others, accusing him of supporting treason.[5][6]
Li planned the organization of the six ministries, helped draft a new law code, and supervised the compiling of the History of Yuan, being the Ancestral Instructions and the Ritual Compendium of the Ming Dynasty. He established salt and tea monopolies based on Yuan institutions, launched an anti-corruption campaign, restored minted currency, opened iron foundries, and instituted fish taxes. It is said that revenues were sufficient, yet the people were not oppressed.
A doubtful classicist, he was charged with drafting legal documents, mandates, and military communications. The History of Ming biography states that his studies included Chinese Legalist writings. Most of his activities seem to have supported Hongwu Emperor's firm control of his regime. He was tasked with purging political opponents, anti-corruption, and rooting out disloyal military officers. His reward and punishment system was influenced by Han Feizi, and Li Shanchang had a kind of secret police in his service. At times he had charge of all civil and military officials in Nanjing.[1][7]
- ^ a b Taylor, Romeyn (1963). "Social Origins of the Ming Dynasty 1351–1360". Monumenta Serica. 22 (1): 1–78. doi:10.1080/02549948.1963.11731029. JSTOR 40726467.
- ^ Fan, C. Simon (2016). Culture, Institution, and Development in China: The economics of national character. Routledge. p. 94. doi:10.4324/9781315628707. ISBN 978-1-317-24183-6.
- ^ Anita M. Andrew, John A. Rapp 2000. p.161. Autocracy and China's Rebel Founding Emperors. https://books.google.com/books?id=YQOhVb5Fbt4C&pg=PA161
- ^ Jiang Yonglin, Yonglin Jiang 2005. p.xxxiv. The Great Ming Code: Da Ming lü. https://books.google.com/books?id=h58hszAft5wC
- ^ Andrew, Anita M.; Rapp, John A. (2000). Autocracy and China's Rebel Founding Emperors: Comparing Chairman Mao and Ming Taizu. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-8476-9580-5.
- ^ The Great Ming Code / Da Ming lu. University of Washington Press. 2012. ISBN 978-0-295-80400-2.[page needed]
- ^ Farmer, Edward L. (1995). Zhu Yuanzhang and Early Ming Legislation: The Reordering of Chinese Society Following the Era of Mongol Rule. BRILL. p. 29. doi:10.1163/9789004489158. ISBN 978-90-04-10391-7.