Background
Ethnicity:
Li Guang was born into a military family. Li Guang’s ancestor was Li Xin, who had been a general during the Qin Dinasty.
He also earned the favour of Emperor Wen, who said of him: "If he had been born in the time of Emperor Gaozu, he would have been given a fief of ten thousand households without any difficulty." Li Guang first distinguished himself during the Rebellion of the Seven States, where he served under the Grand General Zhou Yafu. However, Li Guang's late military career was constantly haunted by repeated incidents of what would be regarded as "bad luck" by later scholars. Once, Li Guang and his army failed to arrive at the battlefield in time because they had gotten lost in the desert.He then killed himself with his sword.The death of General Li was a tragedy. He was not born at the right time and suffered many mishaps in his life. His death brought more melancholy than anyone can bear. As the Official Historian sais, “Everyone who khew or did not know him loyalty was comparable to that of the scholar officials.” He was indeed a hero who won moral victories. Li Guang led an exemplary life. He spent most of his time fighting against the Xiongnu. Nonetheless, he was never accorded the title of “Duke”.