Luo Shixin (c. 600–622) was a general during the transitional period between the Sui and

Tang Tang or TANG most often refers to: * Tang dynasty * Tang (drink mix) Tang or TANG may also refer to: Chinese states and dynasties * Jin (Chinese state) (11th century – 376 BC), a state during the Spring and Autumn period, called Tang (唐) b ...

History

Luo Shixin was originally a young soldier under

Zhang Xutuo Zhang Xutuo, courtesy name Guo, was one of the most celebrated generals during the Sui dynasty. He was best known for his achievements in suppressing rebellions and uprisings during Emperor Yang's reign. In history Zhang Xutuo originally served i ...

, one of top generals of the Sui Dynasty during Emperor Yang's reign. In 613, when he was only 14 years old, Luo Shixin fought in various battles against peasant uprisings in the Shandong region. His bravery left a deep impression on Zhang Xutuo. Afterwards, Luo Shixin continued serving in Zhang Xutuo's army. He gradually became famous within Sui armies in which he served as well as within many rebellious forces. Because he was strong and brave in the battle, it was commonly believed that his enemies would be scared after hearing his name. Even Emperor Yang knew him by name and commended him, which was rare for a soldier of his rank. In 614, Luo Shixin and

Qin Shubao Qin Qiong (died 638), courtesy name Shubao, better known as Qin Shubao, was a Chinese general who lived in the early Tang dynasty of China. Along with Yuchi Gong, he continues to be worshipped in China as a door god. He is also known by his post ...

played key roles in defeating the peasant army led by Lu Mingyue. In 616, Zhang Xutuo was killed in battle. Luo Shixin thus became a soldier under Pei Renji, another Sui general. Pei Renji relied heavily on Luo Shixin in battle and treated him very well. However, in 617, Pei Renji was defeated by

Wagang Army Wagang Army ({{zh, s=瓦岗军, 611–618) was a key rebel army in the late Sui dynasty of China. The Wagang Army was primarily led by Zhai Rang before 617, and Li Mi after 617. To its greatest extent, it occupied major territories in the Henan ...

and surrendered, while Luo Shixin also joined the Wagang Army while being promoted to be a commander. Not long afterwards, Luo Shixin was captured by

Wang Shichong Wang Shichong (; 567– August 621), courtesy name Xingman (行滿), was a Chinese military general, monarch, and politician during the Sui dynasty who deposed Sui's last emperor Yang Tong and briefly ruled as the emperor of a succeeding state ...

, another rebellion warlord based in

Luoyang Luoyang is a city located in the confluence area of Luo River and Yellow River in the west of Henan province. Governed as a prefecture-level city, it borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang ...

, during a battle. Wang Shichong knew that Luo Shixin had great talent, so he treated Luo Shixin well and tried to let him surrender. However, Luo Shixin disliked Wang Shichong and thought that Wang Shichong would eventually be defeated. He was especially disappointed after Wang Shichong executed Pei Renji and Pei Xingyan. After some struggles and conflicts with Wang Shichong's nephew, Luo Shixin escaped from Luoyang and submitted to the emerging

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdom ...

instead. Emperor Gaozu was delighted to get Luo Shixin, and immediately promoted Luo Shixin to be a high-ranked general. From 620 to 621, Luo Shixin took part in the campaign against Wang Shichong and

Dou Jiande Dou Jiande (; 573 – 3 August 621) was a leader of the agrarian rebels who rose against the rule of Emperor Yang of Sui near the end of the Chinese Sui dynasty. Generally considered the kindest and most able of the agrarian rebel leaders ...

. He played a key role in

Battle of Hulao The Battle of Hulao () or Battle of Sishui (汜水之戰, Wade–Giles: Ssŭ Shui), on 28 May 621 was the main and final battle of the Luoyang–Hulao campaign between the rival Tang, Zheng, and Xia regimes during the transition from Sui to Tan ...

in which Tang forces completely destroyed the allied force between Wang and Dou. In order to reward his contributions, Emperor Gaozu gave Luo Shixin the title Duke of Tan. In 622, Luo Shixin took part in the campaign against

Liu Heita Liu Heita () (died 623) was an agrarian rebel leader during China's transition period from Sui Dynasty to Tang Dynasty, who initially successively served under Hao Xiaode (), Li Mi, and Wang Shichong. He eventually followed Dou Jiande the Prin ...

. At that time, another general of Tang named

Wang Junkuo Wang may refer to: Names * Wang (surname) (王), a common Chinese surname * Wāng (汪), a less common Chinese surname * Titles in Chinese nobility The nobility of China was an important feature of the traditional social structure of Ancie ...

was guarding a small city by the Ming River (near today's Shahe). Wang Junkuo was struggling under Liu Heita's attacks, and the reinforcement army led by

Li Shimin Emperor Taizong of Tang (28January 59810July 649), previously Prince of Qin, personal name Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649. He is traditionally regarded as a co-founder of the dynasty ...

failed to approach the city after three tries. Luo Shixin thus led his division charging toward the city. He communicated with Wang Junkuo with flag signals, and successfully joined force with Wang Junkuo after opening up a pathway in Liu Heita's formations. Later, Wang Junkuo broke out of the encirclement, but Luo Shixin and his 200 men were trapped by Liu Heita's army. Luo Shixin was eventually captured by Liu's army. Liu Heita wanted Luo Shixin to surrender but Luo Shixin refused, so Liu Heita executed Luo Shixin. Li Shimin was sad to hear about the death of Luo Shixin, bought his body back from Liu Heita and buried him ceremoniously near the tomb of his former superior Pei Renji.'' Old Book of Tang'': 士信初为裴仁基所礼，尝感其知己之恩，及东都平，遂以家财收敛，葬于北邙。又云："我死后，当葬此墓侧。"及卒，果就仁基左而托葬焉。

In popular culture

Luo Shixin's stories triggered the creation of the semi-fictional figure

Luo Cheng 18 Warriors of Sui-Tang Period (隋唐十八条好汉) are 18 legendary and fictional heroes living in Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty. The concept of 18 Warriors was first mentioned in the traditional historical novel ''Shuo Tang''. The ranking ...

in many folk tales. In those tales, he was said to be a son of

Luo Yi Luo Yi () (died 627), known during service to Tang Dynasty as Li Yi (), courtesy name Ziyan (子延) or Ziting (子廷), was a Sui Dynasty official who rose against the rule of Emperor Yang of Sui and occupied the modern Beijing region. He subsequ ...

and cousin of

, and was one of the greatest warriors at that time. In some other versions, Luo Shixin was described as a naïve and clumsy soldier but has a strength that could rival the best warrior at his time.

References

{{Authority control Tang dynasty people Transition from Sui to Tang 600 births 622 deaths