Shi Le

Emperor Ming of Later Zhao 後趙明帝
Ming dynasty depiction of Shi Le from "Shi Le Reverencing a Buddhist Monk" (石勒問道圖), formerly attributed to Qian Xuan.
Emperor of Later Zhao
Reign	330–333
Successor	Shi Hong
Born	274
Died	333 (aged 59)
Burial	Gaoping Mausoleum (高平陵)
Spouse	Empress Liu Consort Cheng
Issue	Shi Xing Shi Hong Shi Hong Shi Hui
Names Family name: Shí (石) Given name: Lè (勒) Courtesy name: Shìlóng (世龍) Era dates Tàihé (太和): 328–330 Jiànpíng (建平): 330–333 Regnal name Grand General, Grand Chanyu, Governor of Ji Province, Prince of Zhao (大將軍 大單于 領冀州牧 趙王, 319–330) Heavenly King of Great Zhao (大趙天王, 330) Emperor (since 330) Posthumous name Emperor Ming (明皇帝) Temple name Gāozǔ (高祖)
House	Shi
Dynasty	Later Zhao
Father	Zhouhezhu
Mother	Lady Wang

Shi Le (Chinese: 石勒; 274–17 August 333), courtesy name Shilong, also known by his posthumous name as the Emperor Ming of Later Zhao, was the founding emperor of the Jie-led Later Zhao dynasty of China.^[1] He was initially sold as a slave by Western Jin officials, but after attaining freedom, he helped start a rebellion and eventually became a powerful general for the Xiongnu-led Han-Zhao dynasty, conquering most of northern China in Han-Zhao's name but holding the territory under his own control. In 319, after a dispute with the Han-Zhao emperor Liu Yao, he broke away from Han and formed his own state, Later Zhao (named as such due to Liu Yao changing his state's name from Han to Zhao, which is distinguished as the Former Zhao). In 321, he defeated Duan Pidi, the last remaining Jin power in northern China besides Murong Hui, and in 329 he captured Liu Yao and conquered the Han-Zhao, adding western China to his empire as well. For the next 21 years, the Later Zhao would dominate northern China.

Shi Le was known as a brilliant general, but was criticized by historians for excessive cruelty during his campaigns. He also put too much power in the hands of his ambitious and even more ferocious nephew Shi Hu who, after Shi Le's death, seized power from Shi Le's son Shi Hong. Additionally, Shi Le was an important figure in the rise of Buddhism in 4th-century China, as he allowed the Kuchan monk, Fotudeng to wield considerable influence in his court.