Li Gang

Li Gang (; 1083–1140) was a politician serving during the transition from the Northern Song to the Southern Song dynasty in the 1130s. He served as Grand Chancellor of Northern Song at its fall in 1127. He was also a general. Biography He claimed to be descended from Emperor Aidi of Tang, the last Emperor of Tang through a son named Li Xizhao (李熙照) In 1127, Emperor Qinzong appointed the Li Gang to lead the Song military to fend off the Jurchens, but Qinzong removed Li Gang from his appointment in the hope of starting peace talks with the Jurchens and sent his younger brother Zhao Gou to negotiate. The negotiation worked but not before Zhao Gou was taken hostage, ransomed, and released. Despite this, the Jurchens renewed their war again due to Emperor Qinzong's decisions. Since Emperor Qinzong sent his generals to other parts of the country, Li Gang himself included, he was not captured during the Jingkang Incident but Emperor Qinzong was captured. Zhao Gou later became Emperor Gaozong in June 1127.