Qin and Han · Grand Herald

Li Xi 李息

Attested BC 141 - BC 87

Passages: 11
Chapters: 4
Histories: 2

Overview

Li Xi was a Grand Herald.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 134 元光元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 108, passage 86
BC 141 to BC 87 武帝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 59, passage 223; Book of Han 101, passage 94
BC 120 to BC 115 武帝中期
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passages 107, 115

Key source chapters

Career and standing

General of Infantry 材官將軍
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 108, passage 86
Grand Herald 大行
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 107
Punished
Punishment · Authority Emperor Wu of Han (漢武帝) · Reason failed to report Zhang Tang
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 120, passage 115
Sentenced
Punished · Authority Emperor Wu (武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Han 59, passage 232

References in the histories

Search passages

History

11 passages

Book of Han, Chapter 59Volume 50: Zhang, Feng, Ji and Zheng · 3 passages

黯既辭，過大行李息，曰：「黯棄逐居郡，不得與朝廷議矣。 On his way out Ji An stopped Grand Herald Li Xi: "Banished to the provinces, I shall no longer speak in council.

息畏湯，終不敢言。 Li Xi feared Zhang Tang too much ever to repeat the warning.

後張湯敗，上聞黯與息言，抵息罪。 When Zhang Tang fell, the emperor remembered Ji An's words to Li Xi and punished Li Xi for his silence.

Book of Han, Chapter 101Volume 89: Upright Officials · 3 passages

昔汲黯為淮陽守，辭去之官，謂大行李息曰：『御史大夫張湯懷詐阿意，以傾朝廷，公不早白，與俱受戮矣。』 Long ago, when Ji An left for his post as governor of Huaiyang, he warned Grand Herald Li Xi: "Imperial Clerk Zhang Tang schemes and flatters to undermine the court. If you do not speak up soon, you will die beside him."

息畏湯，終不敢言。 Li Xi feared Zhang Tang and never breathed a word.

後湯誅敗，上聞黯與息語，乃抵息罪而秩黯諸侯相，取其思竭忠也。 After Zhang Tang fell and died, the emperor learned of that conversation, punished Li Xi, and made Ji An a kingdom chancellor to reward his stubborn loyalty.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 108Biography of Han Changru · 2 passages

衛尉李廣為驍騎將軍，太仆公孫賀為輕車將軍，大行王恢為將屯將軍，太中大夫李息為材官將軍。 The Captain of the Guard Li Guang was appointed General of Agile Cavalry, the Grand Coachman Gongsun He was appointed General of Light Chariots, the Grand Herald Wang Hui was appointed General of the Garrison, and the Palace Grandee Li Xi was appointed General of Infantry.

王恢、李息、李廣別從代主擊其輜重。 Wang Hui, Li Xi, and Li Guang were to advance separately from Dai to strike the Xiongnu supply train.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 120Biographies of Ji and Zheng · 3 passages

黯既辭行，過大行李息，曰：「黯棄居郡，不得與朝廷議也。 After taking his leave, Ji An visited Li Xi, the Grand Herald, and said: 'I am being cast aside to a distant commandery, cut off from the deliberations of the court.

息畏湯，終不敢言。 But Li Xi was afraid of Zhang Tang and never dared to speak.

後張湯果敗，上聞黯與息言，抵息罪。 In time, Zhang Tang did indeed meet his downfall. When the Emperor learned of what Ji An had said to Li Xi, he punished Li Xi for his failure to speak up.