Born Wang Shishi, [1] her mother died soon after her birth. Her father used bean starch as of milk to keep her alive. When Li was four, her father was jailed for delaying an Imperial textile order.
He later died in prison. Li went at first to an orphanage but was later taken in by a procuress named Li Yun, who owned a brothel. Her given name, Shishi, has Buddhist connotations. Li was renown for her beauty and artistic abilities. Their relationship became on open secret in Bianjing. Other sources say Huizong had a tunnel dug from the palace to Li Shishi's house. In Huizong took responsibility for overwhelming losses during the Jin—Song Wars and abdicated in favour of his eldest son Zhao Huan Emperor Qinzong.
Huizong and his court was captured and Huizong later died, ending the Northern Song dynasty. In the classical novel Water Margin , Li Shishi encounters the outlaws from Liangshan Marsh on two occasions; on the second, more important encounter, she befriends Yan Qing and agrees to become her sworn sister.
She then promises Yan Qing that she will tell the emperor about the outlaws' plight and desire to be granted amnesty. Performing an interpretation of "Yangguan" [19] in another tone and style, in the previous dynasty [20] only Madam Li Li Shishi was capable of doing that.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Chinese prostitute of the Song Dynasty. For the Chinese politician, see Li Shishi politician.
