Li Jiqian

Li Jiqian (Chinese: 李繼遷) (963–1004) resisted the Song empire and organized a rebellion in 984. He created a successful alliance with the Liao empire for military support. Li Jiqian arranged a peace agreement with the Song emperor, but violated the treaty himself. To avoid costly military campaigns, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song dynasty granted Li Jiqian the jiedushi position over Dingnan, and recognized Li Jiqian's new empire of  Xia. He supported the construction of irrigation canals that were crucial for the development of agriculture in the arid areas of Xia, especially around the capital Xingqing 興慶 (modern Yinchuan 銀川).

Li Jiqian was father of Li Deming (Chinese: 李德明), and grandfather of Li Yuanhao (Chinese: 李元昊), the first emperor of the Western Xia Empire, and so was posthumously recognized as 'grand ancestor' (taizu 太祖) of the Western Xia royal family.