Li Mao, son of Li Longji (Li Mao is the Crown Prince)

For Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, there have always been mixed opinions in later generations. He not only created the prosperous scene of the “Kaiyuan Prosperous Era”, but also led to the outbreak of the “An Lushan Rebellion”. However, in terms of ability and intelligence, Li Longji is definitely very powerful. We can see this from his choice of heir.
Li Longji’s queen, Queen Wang, was Li Longji’s original wife. However, Queen Wang did not have a son. So, as the eldest son, Li Cong should have become the crown prince. However, Li Longji still appointed his second son Li Ying as the crown prince. The reason why Li Cong was not appointed as the crown prince is that the official statement is that Li Cong was disfigured by wild beasts while hunting in his childhood.
So, the second son Li Ying became the crown prince. However, Li Ying’s journey as a crown prince did not go smoothly. Because Li Longji doted on Empress Wu Huifei, although she was not registered as empress, his son, Prince Shou Li Mao, was deeply loved by Li Longji. In order to make her son the crown prince, Empress Wu Huifei launched a fierce attack.
Firstly, eliminate Queen Wang. However, due to Wu Huifei’s status as a member of the Wu family, she was not established as the empress. If he cannot become the empress, his son Li Mao cannot rightfully become the crown prince. So, the second step plan was implemented. The three princes, including the crown prince, were framed and succeeded. However, Li Longji still did not appoint Li Mao as the crown prince.
In fact, for Li Longji, he must have considered appointing Li Mao as the crown prince. Firstly, Consort Wu Huifei often spoke up for her son by Li Longji’s side. Although Empress Wu Huifei also died soon after the Crown Prince’s death. However, after all, she is still Li Longji’s beloved concubine. And he also likes Li Mao very much. And many powerful officials, including Li Linfu, also strongly recommended Li Mao as the crown prince.
The reason why Li Longji did not appoint Li Mao as the crown prince is because he considered various factors.
Firstly, the reason why Empress Wu Huifei was not appointed as empress was because she was a member of Empress Wu Zetian’s family. So, as the son of Empress Wu Huifei and the nephew of the Wu family, Li Longji must also be somewhat worried.
Secondly, Li Mao grew up by the side of his elder brother Li Longji since childhood. It should be noted that the Crown Prince at that time was Li Longji’s elder brother, Prince Ning. Due to Li Longji’s great influence at that time, Prince Ning followed the situation and gave up the position of Crown Prince to Li Longji. However, this does not mean that Li Longji was unprepared for Prince Ning. So, when it comes to appointing a crown prince, Li Longji cannot help but consider it.
Thirdly, although Li Longji killed his three sons, including the Crown Prince, it was mainly due to the framing of Empress Wu Huifei and the involvement of Li Linfu and others behind the scenes. After the Crown Prince was killed, Li Longji couldn’t help but reflect on this matter. When he realized that the death of the Crown Prince was originally related to the struggle for the throne, he couldn’t help but reconsider his favorite son, Li Mao.
Fourthly, after the Crown Prince was deposed, Li Linfu strongly recommended Li Mao. Li Longji was worried that Li Linfu had already become a member of Li Mao’s party, after all, Li Longji was already old at that time. If Li Mao becomes the Crown Prince, he might be coerced by the Crown Prince.
Fifthly, after the death of Empress Wu Huifei, Li Longji was very sad. In the same year, under the arrangement of Gao Lishi, he met Yang Yuhuan. This meeting made Li Longji determined to marry this daughter-in-law. Therefore, based on this consideration, he cannot appoint Yang Yuhuan’s former husband as the crown prince.
So, after careful consideration. Li Longji resolutely chose his third son Li Heng as the crown prince, but he did not expect that Li Heng, who appeared simple and honest without much political influence, would lead his army in the An Lushan Rebellion and become the Grand Emperor.