Li Yan, originally named Li Yu, was the fifth son of Emperor Muzong of Tang, Li Heng. His mother was Empress Xuan Yi, Lady Wei. Li Yan was originally an ordinary prince, but due to a chance encounter with a songstress, he was elevated to the throne and became the 15th emperor of the Tang Dynasty, known as Emperor Wu of Tang. Below, the history encyclopedia editor will bring you a detailed introduction. Let’s take a look together!
Before the age of 27, Prince Ying Li Yan had been a peaceful and leisurely prince, spending his days riding horses, enjoying the mountains and rivers, or pursuing the art of immortality – alchemy. During a trip, Li Yan accidentally met a singer surnamed Wang, who was beautiful in appearance and had excellent singing and dancing skills. She captivated Li Yan’s heart.
The secular concept of marriage in the Tang Dynasty was relatively open, and it was not a big deal to take a songstress as a concubine. Li Yan immediately redeemed her and brought her back to his own mansion to hide her beauty. After marriage, the two have always had a good relationship, and Li Yan gradually discovered that Wang not only has stunning appearance, but also extraordinary courage.
Li Yan and Wang are still playing the qin and se together, and the battle to seize the throne in court has entered a white hot stage. After the failure of the “Ganlu Incident” launched by Emperor Wenzong of Tang, Li Ang, to eliminate eunuchs, Emperor Wenzong was imprisoned in the palace by a group of servants led by Qiu Shiliang and Yu Hongzhi. Li Ang refused to fail and insisted on appointing his son Li Yong as the crown prince. Qiu Shiliang, Yu Hongzhi, and others appeared helpless on the surface, but soon Li Yong fell ill and died, and the imperial physician could not even find the cause.
Emperor Wenzong Li Ang attempted to appoint Prince Chen Li Chengmei as his crown prince, but was stopped by Qiu Shiliang, Yu Hongzhi, and others. Emperor Wenzong was furious and fell ill. Qiu Shiliang forged Emperor Wenzong’s decree, appointing Prince An Li Rong as the younger brother of the emperor, and sent the Shence Army to the residence of the Sixteen Princes to invite Prince An to succeed to the throne. At that time, both Prince An and Li Yan lived in the residence of the Sixteen Princes. The Shence Army sent out by Qiu Shiliang was a group of rough people who didn’t understand which prince to welcome. Wang seized the opportunity and brought Li Yan to the front of the Shence Army, escorting him into the palace.
Qiu Shiliang saw that Li Yan was being escorted into the palace and wished he could hit his head against the wall. However, he could only make the mistake and enthroned Prince Ying Li Yan as the younger brother of the emperor. A few days later, Emperor Wenzong of Tang passed away, and Li Yan succeeded to the throne and became known as Emperor Wuzong of Tang.
