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Biography & Historical Record
Li Heng (Lý Hành), courtesy name Shuping, was a prominent and highly intelligent official of the Eastern Wu state during the late Three Kingdoms period. Originally a commoner from Xiangyang, Jing Province, Li Heng was noted for his exceptional eloquence, sharp political instincts, and foresight, which allowed him to rise through the social hierarchy of his era despite his humble beginnings.
His talent was first recognized by the Wu scholar-official Yang Xi (羊衜), who recommended him to the powerful grand regent Zhuge Ke (Gia Cát Khác). Impressed by his intellect, the Wu administration employed him, and he eventually rose to the prominent position of Administrator of Danyang (丹陽太守). Li Heng was an efficient administrator, but his outspoken nature often put him at odds with powerful court figures.
Li Heng is best remembered in Chinese cultural history for the famous anecdote of the “Wooden Slaves” (Mộc nô – 木奴). Recognizing the volatile nature of politics and desiring to secure a livelihood for his descendants, Li Heng purchased a plot of land on an island along the Yangtze River (in the Wuling region) and planted one thousand sweet orange trees. On his deathbed, he told his son: “Your mother and I have left you a thousand wooden slaves. They will provide you with clothing and food without demanding a single copper or grain of rice.” Following his death, the orange grove flourished, producing massive yields that brought his family great wealth, making “wooden slaves” a classic literary metaphor in China for agricultural enterprise and wise legacy planning.
Politically, his life was saved by his brilliant wife, Lady Xi (Tập thị). When the tyrannical regent Sun Lin (Tôn Lâm) took power in Eastern Wu, Li Heng, who had previously clashed with Sun Lin, was terrified of execution and prepared to defect to Cao Wei. Lady Xi stopped him, arguing that defection would destroy his reputation and that Sun Lin’s reign of terror would be short-lived. Following her advice, he sent a representative to offer sweet oranges as tribute and express submission, successfully pacifying Sun Lin and allowing Li Heng to retire peacefully in his home region until his natural death.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the classic 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Tam Quốc Diễn Nghĩa) by Luo Guanzhong, Li Heng does not make a direct appearance in the main narrative of the military and political struggles. His historical exploits, especially the famous “Wooden Slaves” orange grove and his relationship with his wise wife Lady Xi, are recorded in historical texts like the Xiangyang Ji (襄陽記) and annotations to the Sanguozhi (Records of the Three Kingdoms) rather than being dramatized in the novel. As such, he is not featured in any specific chapters of the standard Romance edition.
Li Heng — Historical & Literary Timeline
Discovered by Yang Xi
Recognized for his potential despite his commoner status, Li Heng is recommended by the scholar Yang Xi to Zhuge Ke, launching his career in Eastern Wu.
Governing Danyang
Li Heng is appointed as the Administrator of Danyang, proving himself to be a capable and proactive local administrator.
The Political Crisis and Wife’s Wisdom
As Sun Lin seizes dictatorial power in Wu, Li Heng plans to defect to Cao Wei due to fear of persecution. His wife, Lady Xi, dissuades him, saving him and securing his survival through political submission.
Retirement and the “Wooden Slaves” Legacy
Li Heng retires and passes away of natural causes. His secret investment in a thousand orange trees (“wooden slaves”) provides immense wealth to his family, cementing his legacy in Chinese folklore.
Key Relationships
Family
- Lady Xi (习氏, Tập Thị): Wife. Highly intelligent noblewoman from the prominent Xi clan of Xiangyang; when Li Heng panicked and prepared to defect to Cao Wei in 257 AD, Lady Xi wisely dissuaded him, devised an appeasement tribute of sweet oranges to Sun Chen, and saved his life and reputation.
- Descendants of Li Heng (李衡后裔, Hậu duệ Lý Hành): Beneficiaries of Li Heng’s famous agricultural legacy of 1,000 orange trees (“Wooden Slaves” / *Mu Nu*), which yielded vast wealth for generations.
Friends
- Yang Xi (羊衜, Dương Đạo): Scholar-official of Eastern Wu. Discovered Li Heng’s exceptional eloquence and administrative foresight despite his commoner origins, recommending him to Zhuge Ke.
- Zhuge Ke (诸葛恪, Gia Cát Khác): Grand Regent of Eastern Wu. Patronized Li Heng and elevated him to Grand Administrator of Danyang (Danyang Taishou).
- Sun Xiu (孙休, Tôn Hưu): Third Emperor of Eastern Wu (Emperor Jing) under whose reign Li Heng lived in honorable retirement.
Enemies
- Sun Chen (孙綝, Tôn Lâm): Despotic military regent of Eastern Wu. Li Heng frequently clashed with Sun Chen and feared imminent execution during Sun Chen’s 257 AD purges before pacifying him through Lady Xi’s stratagem.
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 112
- Li Heng (李衡, Lý Hành): Li Heng serves Wu during the late Three Kingdoms period. He is associated with the Wu court and the administration of Jingzhou during the final decades of the kingdom. His appearance is political and administrative rather than a major battlefield episode.
In History
Eastern Wu
- Li Heng (李衡, Lý Hành) was an official of Eastern Wu during the later Three Kingdoms period. He is remembered as a capable administrator and for his connection with the government of Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền).
Public Service
- Li Heng held important administrative responsibilities in Wu and became known for his practical approach to government. His career was part of the development of Wu’s civil administration as the state consolidated its territories in the south.
Later Years
- His family continued to have a place in the political society of the lower Yangtze. The historical tradition preserves Li Heng as an official whose career combined administrative ability with the cultivation of a substantial family estate.