Li Shi (李石), courtesy name Zhongyu (中玉), formally the Count of Longxi (隴西伯), was a Chinese politician of the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong.
He was credited with stabilizing the political scene in the aftermaths of the Ganlu incident, a failed attempt by Emperor Wenzong to slaughter the powerful eunuchs.
[2][5] In winter 835, he was made the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang), and was also acting director of finances.
Thereafter, it was said that the eunuchs' arrogance subsided somewhat, and the imperial officials depended on Li Shi and Zheng Tan to protect them.
Li Shi submitted a petition to Emperor Wenzong declining the two circuits' offer:[6] If the chancellors are faithful and righteous, without wickedness, the gods will protect them, and even if they encountered bandits, they would not be injured.
[7]) However, the eunuchs continued to be in control of the government, and it was said that the imperial officials worried about being slaughtered on a daily basis.
It was not until spring 836, when Liu Congjian the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi), submitted harshly worded petitions protesting the innocence of Wang Ya and Jia Su and accusing Qiu of crimes, did Qiu and the other eunuchs began to cut back on their behavior and allow Emperor Wenzong, as well as Li Shi and Zheng, to exercise their authority.
[6] In addition to being chancellor, Li Shi was given the office of Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎, the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng)), as well as acting director of salt and iron monopolies, and imperial scholar at Jixian Hall (集賢殿).
[2] In spring 836, there was an incident when there were rumors that Emperor Wenzong was prepared to give the chancellors commands of the armies to again act against the eunuchs, and tensions rose again.
Li Shi stated to Emperor Wenzong, "I thought that Han Yi was familiar with monetary and food supply matters, and that was why I used him.
Li Shi also suggested that Emperor Wenzong show greater favor to two eunuchs who were virtuous, Liu Hongyi (劉弘逸) and Xue Jileng (薛季稜).
[2] In 843, in the middle of Emperor Wuzong's campaign against the warlord Liu Zhen, who controlled Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi), Emperor Wuzong, concerned that there was resentment between two of Zhaoyi's nearby circuit governors — Liu Mian (劉沔) the military governor of Hedong and Zhang Zhongwu the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing), moved Liu to Yicheng Circuit and made Li Shi the military governor of Hedong to replace Liu.
[9] Li Shi was also made acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies) and the mayor of Hedong's capital Taiyuan.
He was created the Count of Longxi as well, and allowed to continue to carry the honorary title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
Meanwhile, under orders of the imperial government to supply additional forces on the Zhaoyi front, Li Shi recalled 1,500 soldiers that Liu had previously stationed at Hengshui Fence (橫水柵, in modern Datong, Shanxi) to defend against Huigu raiders, under the command of the officer Yang Bian (楊弁).
Further, the eunuch monitor Lü Yizhong (呂義忠), then with Wang Zai, was sending messages forcing the soldiers to get underway without staying at Taiyuan for New Year.