李

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Li Fuguo李辅国

TangHistory × Fiction

A eunuch official in the Eastern Palace of the Tang Dynasty and a powerful eunuch. He held military power, abused his authority to frame Li Bai, and allied with Empress Zhang. He persuaded the Crown Prince to stay, later killed Empress Zhang, installed Emperor Daizong, and was eventually killed himself.

Open this figure in the atlas ↗ Read the key relationships and their sources ↓
DIRECT FIGURES
19
RELATION RECORDS
34
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Li Fuguo, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

1 figure · 1 record
02
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

1 figure · 1 record
03
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

8 figures · 9 records
4 more in the complete record
04
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

14 figures · 17 records
11 more in the complete record
05
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

6 figures · 6 records
3 more in the complete record
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Old Book of Tang

A eunuch who once slandered Huaien. A eunuch who supported Emperor Daizong and was later killed. A favorite of Emperor Suzong, wielding great power and on good terms with Yuan Zai.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

A eunuch in the Eastern Palace who discussed matters with Chen Yuanli. An Eastern Palace guard who persuaded the Crown Prince to stay. A eunuch who abused power and framed Li Bai.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    25 profile notes
    19 relations22 verified quotations
    • Li Fuguo→ forge edict move →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Suzong of Tang→ employ →Li Fuguo
    • Li Fuguo→ support enthronement →Emperor Suzong of Tang
    • Emperor Suzong of Tang→ marry wife →Li Fuguo
    Verified original text · 22
    1. 矫诏移上皇居西内

      forge edict move · Old Book of Tang, 宦官传

    2. 仍赐名护国

      grant name · Old Book of Tang, 宦官传

    20 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page →

  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    7 profile notes
    3 relations3 verified quotations
    • Emperor Daizong→ assassinate →Li Fuguo
    • Li Fuguo→ impeach →Li Bai
    • Li Fuguo→ flatter →Zhang Shi
    Verified original text · 3
    1. 刺客实代宗所使也

      assassinate · Romance of Sui and Tang, 100

    2. 李辅国奏称……原任翰林学士李白，现为逆藩永王磷谋主

      impeach · Romance of Sui and Tang, 096

    1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.

    Open work page →

  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    24 profile notes
    20 relations22 verified quotations
    • Li Fuguo→ forge edict move →Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Suzong of Tang→ employ →Li Fuguo
    • Li Fuguo→ support enthronement →Emperor Suzong of Tang
    • Li Fuguo→ colleague →Guo Ziyi
    Verified original text · 22
    1. 李辅国迁帝西内

      迁帝 · New Book of Tang, 刘锺崔二王传

    2. 辅国矫诏取之

      coerce · New Book of Tang, 宦者传下

    20 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

    Open work page →

History vs. fiction

In the official history, Li Fuguo, holding military power and monopolizing authority, was eventually killed by assassins sent by Emperor Daizong. The novel vividly recreates his deserved end of full retribution.

  • attestedLi Fuguo killed Empress Zhang and established Emperor Daizong, and was assassinated

    The Old Book of Tang, Annals of Emperor Daizong, records that when Emperor Suzong was gravely ill, Li Fuguo imprisoned Empress Zhang and executed Prince Yue Xi, then supported the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. 'On the night of Dingmao, bandits assassinated Li Fuguo at his residence and took his head away.' In Chapter 100 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, it is written: 'Li Fuguo killed Empress Zhang and established the Crown Prince as Emperor Daizong, after which Fuguo became even more arrogant and domineering. Later, Fuguo was killed by someone, and this assassin was actually sent by Emperor Daizong.' The cause of death is exactly the same as in the official history.

Relationship network

20 figures · 130 links
Li FuguoLi FuguoEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangGuo ZiyiGuo ZiyiEmperor DaizongEmperor DaizongYuan ZaiYuan ZaiYan ZhenqingYan ZhenqingLi GuangbiLi GuangbiPugu Huai'enPugu Huai'enLi MiLi MiGao LishiGao LishiLi MianLi BaiPei MianLi KuiWei LunZhang ShiLi XianXiao HuaCheng Yuanzhen
historyliteraturedual
Open full atlas →

Sources: New Book of Tang, 元王黎杨严窦传; Old Book of Tang, 仆固怀恩梁崇义李怀光传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 091; New Book of Tang, 兵志; Old Book of Tang, 代宗本纪; Romance of Sui and Tang, 092; New Book of Tang, 刘锺崔二王传; Old Book of Tang, 元载王昂李少良王缙杨炎黎干庾准传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.