Li Nong (died c.June 350[1]) was a Chinese military general and politician of the Later Zhao and Ran Wei dynasties during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.
At the time, he was already Shi Hu's Minister over the Masses who he tasked in paying respects to the Buddhist monk Fotudeng and check on his health twice daily.
[2] In 339, the Jin commander, Yu Liang, who had long intended to launch a campaign against Later Zhao, unknowingly provoked Shi Hu by camping at Zhucheng (邾城, in modern Huanggang, Hubei).
The overall assault was a major success for Later Zhao, as many Jin generals and soldiers either died or surrendered and territorial gains were made while Yu Liang decided to call off his invasion upon hearing the losses.
[3] The same year, Li Nong was stationed at Lingzhi and appointed Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Chief of military affairs in Liaoxi and Beiping, General Who Conquers the East, and Governor of Yingzhou.
Li Nong was made Grand General and sent to stop Liang Du's advance but was also defeated and forced to retreat.
Li Nong's friend Zhang Ju (張舉), despite being a part of the plot, informed him before the plan could be carried due to their friendship.
Li Nong took shelter at Shangbai (上白, in modern-day Guangzong County, Hebei) where he defended himself with the Qihuo troops whilst Empress Dowager Liu ordered Zhang Ju to besiege him.
As the people of Lu commandery offered their surrender to the Jin forces, Chu Pou sent Wang Kan (王龕) and Li Mai (李邁) to gather them.
The third plot was headed Sun Fudu (孫伏都) and Liu Zhu (劉銖), with both generals intending to restore the emperor's authority.
Sun Fudu and Liu Zhu waited for Li Nong and Shi Min in the capital to ambush them, but they too were defeated.
Shi Min also changed his family name back to Ran, and appointed Li Nong as Grand Governor and Prince of Qi.
[13] Li Nong would not hold his new titles for long, as he and his three sons were executed as a part of a government purge by Ran Min.