Li Sheng

Li Sheng (died 9 February 249), courtesy name Gongzhao, was a Chinese politician of the state Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Life Li Sheng was from Nanyang Commandery, which is around present-day Nanyang, Henan. His father, Li Xiu, was formerly a subordinate of the warlord Zhang Lu. After the Battle of Yangping in 215, Li Xiu switched allegiance to the warlord Cao Cao and eventually came to serve in the Cao Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. In his younger days, Li Sheng met and befriended Cao Shuang. Along with other "celebrities" (e.g., sons of famous officials), he engaged in superficial and fame-seeking behaviour to earn themselves praise from other officials and citizens in the imperial capital, Luoyang. The Wei emperor Cao Rui ( 226–239) felt disgusted when he heard about it and wanted to get rid of such unhealthy and corrupt practices, so he ordered an investigation. Someone reported Li Sheng as one of those involved, resulting in Li Sheng's arrest and imprisonment. However, with help from his wide network of connections, he managed to get himself released after spending a few years behind bars. In 239, Cao Rui died and was succeeded by his adopted son, Cao Fang, who became the new Wei emperor. As Cao Fang was still young then, Cao Shuang ruled on his behalf as a regent. Cao Shuang appointed Li Sheng as the Prefect of Luoyang. In 244, he was reassigned to be a Chief Clerk under his friend Xiahou Xuan, who then held the position of General Who Attacks the West. In the same year, Li Sheng and Deng Yang advised Cao Shuang to launch a military campaign against Wei's rival state, Shu, to boost his fame and authority in Wei. Cao Shuang's co-regent, Sima Yi, strongly objected but Cao Shuang ignored him and went ahead. The Wei forces were subsequently defeated at the Battle of Xingshi against Shu forces and suffered heavy casualties.