Five Dynasties & Ten Kingdoms · 907 – 979

Empress Li (Later Jin)

Artist: Xiang Li
Medium: watercolor on silk
Dimension: 36×79 in

Empress Li (personal name unknown; died October 7, 950) was a princess during China’s Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. She was the third daughter of Li Siyuan, Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang, and became the wife of Shi Jingtang, the founder of the Later Jin dynasty. Their marriage linked two significant dynastic families during a time of political upheaval. Empress Li was granted titles reflecting her esteemed status, including Princess Yonging and later Grand Princess of Jin. She and Shi Jingtang had at least one son, Shi Chongxin. Empress Li passed away in 950, shortly before the fall of the Later Jin dynasty.

Her Spouse: Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin

Shi Jingtang (892–942 CE), posthumously known as Emperor Gaozu of Later Jin, was a Shatuo military governor under the Later Tang who rebelled in 936. With crucial military support from the Khitan-led Liao dynasty, he overthrew the Later Tang, seized power, and founded the Later Jin dynasty—though as a semi-subordinate to his Khitan allies . In exchange for their support, he ceded the strategically vital Sixteen Prefectures to the Liao, a decision that had enduring consequences for northern China’s political landscape . His reign lasted until his death in 942, after which the Later Jin continued briefly before succumbing to later Khitan aggression .