Li Kui (legalist)

Chinese politician, 455–395 BC

Li Kui (, 455–395 BC) was a Chinese hydraulic engineer, philosopher, and politician. He served as government minister and court advisor to Marquis Wen (r. 403–387 BC) in the state of Wei. In 407 BC, he wrote the Book of Law (Fajing, 法经). Said to have been main a been a main influence on Shang Yang, it served the basis for the codified laws of the Qin and Han dynasties. His political agendas, as well as the Book of Law, had a deep influence on later thinkers such as Han Feizi and Shang Yang, who would later develop the philosophy of Legalism based on Li Kui's reforms.

The direct result of these pioneering reform measures was the dominance of Wei in the early decades of the Warring States era. Leveraging its improved economy, Wei achieved considerable military successes under Marquis Wen, including victories against the states of Qin between 413 and 409 BC, Qi in 404 BC, and joint expeditions against Chu with Zhao and Han as its allies. At the same time, the main tenets of Li Kui's reforms supporting law over ritual, agrarian production, meritocratic and bureaucratic government and an active role of the state in economic and social affairs proved an inspiration for later generations of reform minded thinkers. When Shang Yang sought service in Qin, three decades after Li Kui's death, he brought with him a copy of the Book of Law, which was eventually adapted and became the legal code of Qin. Along with his contemporary Ximen Bao, he was given oversight in construction of canal and irrigation projects in the State of Wei.