Li Kindred Of Puzhou In Northern Song Dynasty And Its Member Named Li Di

In the central government of Northern Song Dynasty, Li Di once was appointed prime minister, firstly by Emperor Zhen-zong and Secondly by Emperor Ren-zong. Being famous for his virtuousness and ability, Li Di took an important historical position in ancient China. He came of Li kin in Puzhou, which was a notable family and had many descendants holding eminent post in government since the foundation of Song Dynasty. Therefore, the political and cultural life at that time was under influence of Li kin.As the best candidate in selection examination presided by Zhen-zong in the second year of Jing-de period, Li Di was the core figure in Li kindred. It was not long before he accompanied Zhen-zong to Mountain Tai for rogation. Later, he took up the post titled as Zhi-zhi-gao, Han-lin-xue-shi, Can-zhi-zheng-shi successively, and was promoted to be prime minister in the fourth year of Tian-xi period by Emperor Zhen-zong. Li Di made a lot of efforts to protect the crown prince from danger and battled the treacherous minister called Ding Wei tit for tat. Because of the circumvention from Ding Wei and his clique, Li Di was demoted to the post titled as Tuan-lian-shi of Hengzhou and almost got killed by conspiracy in journey. Soon, Ding Wei was dismissed from office and receded into the background, and Li Di came back into central government. After the crown prince ascended the throng and became Emperor Ren-zong, he instated Li Di as prime minister to requite for Li's loyalty and service. Li Di presented at many crucial moments and impacted political events deeply.Li kin in Puzhou could be traced to the source of Li kindred in Zhao County, which was also a famed big family. Through the whole Northern Song Dynasty, Li kindred had maintained a flourishing population and proffered officials to all emperors. As a glorious bureaucratic family, it had affinity with other old and well-known families, such as Wang kindred in Sanhuai and Chen kin in Langzhou. These big families interdepended on each other and safeguarded their reputation and interest together.By inheriting his ancestor's post or taking part in imperial examination, most members of Li kin in Puzhou listed themselves as officials in various ranks. Li Su-zhi had assumed the office of chief administrator in seven different provinces for a lot of years. Li Cheng-zhi played a positive role in Reformation of Wang An-shi and made great contribution to the renovation. There were three members taking the post of chief administrator of capital in two successive generations. Besides, a few members were once sent on crucial diplomatic missions to Empire Liao and engraved their names into annals of history. Because Li family in Puzhou put importance to education and self-improvement, maintained a fine custom of piety and brotherliness, their official members manifested the style of seeking the practical achievements in office, not the fame and wealth. Nevertheless, it should be natural for them experiencing vicissitudes of official career.Li family in Puzhou had a close connection with the culture of Northern Song Dynasty. They incorporated learning knowledge into making intimate friends with other intellectual personage and scholar-bureaucratic.