Li Yaozu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Li Yaozu (李耀祖)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Li Family; Li Residence
Occupation/Role	Master of the Li Residence; landlord
Status	Commoner household head
First Appearance	9

Background / History

Li Yaozu is the master of the Li Residence, where Wei Tu formerly serves as a groom. He is known among the household servants as shrewd and difficult to deal with. Before Wei Tu gains his freedom, Li Yaozu takes him to the prefectural city to pay Li Xingye's tuition and complains about the timing because it reduces the value of his grain sales. 9

During the trip, Li Yaozu proposes making Wei Tu his son Li Xingye's page and protector. Wei Tu suspects that this arrangement is intended to remove him during the autumn harvest, leaving Xinghua vulnerable; Cai Xia tells him that Li Yaozu has allegedly pursued tenant farmers' wives and has set his sights on Xinghua. 9

When Wei Tu seeks to redeem his indenture, Li Yaozu and Madam Li initially calculate a price of eleven taels and five qian. They ultimately accept eight taels and eight qian, with Li Yaozu issuing Wei Tu's letter of proof. Although angered by Wei Tu's departure, he remains outwardly cordial, recognizing that a prospective Martial Master is best not made into an enemy. 11

After Wei Tu leaves the household, Li Yaozu inspects the stable and reflects favorably on his former servant's diligence. He then writes a recommendation to his acquaintance Martial Graduate Dan, enabling Wei Tu to study martial arts in Sanyuan Township. His support is calculated as well as benevolent: he views the favor as a means to secure Wei Tu's future loyalty or protect himself should Wei Tu prove dangerous. 12

As Wei Tu's examination prospects and Huang Family connection become apparent, Li Yaozu shifts to treating him more as an equal. He offers him lodging during the county examination and frames Wei Tu as someone from the Li Family who remains “loyal and sincere,” language Wei Tu finds unsettling because of its implication that he is still tied to the household. 24 31

After Li Xingye fails the Dao Examination, Li Yaozu worries over the family's reputation and scolds his son for appearing unkempt before Wei Tu. When Wei Tu later reveals that he has become a second-class Martial Scholar, Li Yaozu is intimidated by the difference between the Li Family's commoner status and Wei Tu's new standing. He resolves to restrain Li Xingye to avoid exhausting the goodwill between their families. 40 43

During the later rebellion in Guangyuan Prefecture, Li Xingye acts independently of his father's earlier restraint by persuading Mingzhou King to attack the Prefectural City's west gate in pursuit of credit and influence. Mingzhou King's subsequent attempt to use the Li Family to control Wei Tu ends with Wei Tu killing Mingzhou King, Li Xingye, and Miao Dashi. 78 79

Personality

Li Yaozu is frugal, calculating, and highly conscious of advantage. He complains about financial losses over tuition timing, carefully assesses the price of Wei Tu's redemption, and weighs personal favors according to the obligation they may create. 9 11 12

He is also pragmatic. Rather than openly antagonizing Wei Tu after recognizing his martial potential, he reduces the redemption price, recommends him to Martial Graduate Dan, and later adjusts his manner after learning of Wei Tu's Huang Family ties. 11 12 31

Li Yaozu values the Li Family's public standing. His concern over Li Xingye's disordered appearance and his willingness to compromise during Cai Xia's dispute both stem partly from protecting the household from scandal. 40 41

Relationships

• Madam Li — Wife and manager of the Li Residence's internal affairs. They privately negotiate Wei Tu's redemption price; she frequently tempers or redirects his decisions. 11
• Li Xingye — Eldest son. Li Yaozu pays for his Prefectural Academy tuition, worries about his studies and reputation, and later scolds him for his conduct after his examination failure. Despite Li Yaozu's intention to restrain him, Li Xingye later allies with Mingzhou King during the Guangyuan Prefecture rebellion and is killed by Wei Tu. 9 40 43 78 79
• Wei Tu — Former household servant and later Martial Scholar. Li Yaozu first attempts to assign him as Li Xingye's page, then accepts his redemption and provides a recommendation to Martial Graduate Dan; their relationship becomes increasingly formal as Wei Tu rises in status. 9 11 12 31 43
• Xinghua — Wei Tu's wife and a servant of the Li Residence. Cai Xia believes Li Yaozu intended to separate her from Wei Tu during harvest season; later, the Li Family attempts to retain leverage over Wei Tu through her indenture. 9 41
• Cai Xia — Head maidservant. Her account alerts Wei Tu to Li Yaozu's suspected intentions toward Xinghua; later, Li Yaozu and Madam Li compromise with her to prevent further damage to the family's reputation. 9 41
• Martial Graduate Dan — Li Yaozu's acquaintance in Sanyuan Township. Li Yaozu writes Wei Tu a letter of recommendation to become Dan's long-term laborer and potentially learn martial arts. 12

Story Role / Major Arcs

Wei Tu's Redemption

Li Yaozu's proposal that Wei Tu serve Li Xingye becomes the immediate catalyst for Wei Tu's decision to buy his freedom. His suspected designs concerning Xinghua intensify Wei Tu's fear that remaining at the Li Residence will endanger both of them. 9 10

Li Yaozu participates in setting the redemption price and eventually allows Wei Tu to leave as a free man. He subsequently gives Wei Tu a recommendation to Martial Graduate Dan, an action that materially advances Wei Tu's martial career. 11 12

Changing Status

Li Yaozu hosts Wei Tu during the martial examinations and attempts to preserve a benefactor-beneficiary relationship. His attitude becomes notably more deferential once Wei Tu's Huang Family connection and martial success are visible. 24 31

By the time Wei Tu is confirmed as a second-class Martial Scholar, Li Yaozu recognizes that the former servant now possesses official status beyond the Li Family's reach. 43

Cai Xia Dispute

When Cai Xia seeks her freedom after being punished, Li Yaozu and Madam Li attempt to resolve the situation without damaging the Li Family's standing. Cai Xia's decision to use her compensation to redeem Xinghua undermines the household's remaining leverage over Wei Tu. 41

Li Xingye's Rebellion and Death

Li Yaozu's efforts to preserve the Li Family's relationship with Wei Tu ultimately fail to restrain Li Xingye's resentment and ambition. During the Guangyuan Prefecture rebellion, Li Xingye convinces Mingzhou King to attack the Prefectural City's west gate in hopes of gaining credit and strengthening his position. 78

Mingzhou King's scheme to employ the Li Family as leverage against Wei Tu brings Li Xingye into direct conflict with Wei Tu. Wei Tu kills Li Xingye alongside Mingzhou King and Miao Dashi, ending the elder Li's line of influence over his former servant through his eldest son. 79