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Li Shizhi
Great-grandson of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Left Chancellor in the early Tianbao years, ousted by Li Linfu and author of a poem on leaving the chancellorship; he died in exile in 747.
In a council hall, a long table holds an unrolled map scroll, a brass-cornered chest and a brush pot, with tall-backed chairs around it and a bronze lamp at the left; a figure stands with their back turned on the balcony at the right, with palace roofs beyond.
Also known as Duke of Weiyuan
Li Shizhi was a great-grandson of Emperor Taizong and grandson of the deposed crown prince Li Chengqian, and served in the Kaiyuan and Tianbao years. He held posts including governor of Henan, Censor-in-Chief and Minister of Justice, and in 742 replaced Niu Xianke as Left Chancellor, with the title Duke of Weiyuan. In 746 Li Linfu pushed him out; he was made Junior Guardian of the Heir, then demoted to governor of Yichun, and died the next year. The Benshi Shi says he drank and wrote verse after losing office, and a poem traditionally titled Written on Leaving the Chancellorship is credited to him; Du Fu's Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup features him.
Life and times
Dates 694 CE–747 CE