Li Mi was born in Jingzhao (now Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province). He was highly literate and clever from a young age, known as a child prodigy in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

In 728, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty summoned the seven-year-old into the imperial palace after hearing about his talents. Li arrived at the court, while the emperor was playing chess with Zhang Yue, the prime minister at that time. He was then asked to compose a poem on chess.

Li quickly finished a poem and linked chess to the philosophy of life, which reflected his extraordinary ambitions. People that were present were all shocked by his outstanding talents.

He was praised as a child prodigy and received rewards from the emperor. Since then, his title of child prodigy was widely spread in Jingzhao.

He was at the service of four emperors of the Tang Dynasty, with the highest position to the prime minister. He applied his remarkable talents to national affairs, contributing to the stable state.