Today, the History Encyclopedia editor brings you the story of Tang Shunzong. Interested readers can follow the editor to take a look together.
Emperor Xianzong of Tang, Li Chun, was the twelfth emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
In the early stage of his reign, he appointed virtuous people, worked hard to govern, and eliminated corrupt policies, which is known as the “Yuanhe Zhongxing” in history.
In his later years, Emperor Xianzong was arrogant, extravagant, and indulged in debauchery, taking elixirs. He had a hot temper and was known for his “revival”.
In the fifteenth year of Yuanhe (820 AD), eunuch Chen Hongzhi murdered Li Chun at the age of forty-three and reigned for fifteen years.
The mother of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, Li Chun, was Wang Shi, posthumously known as “Empress Zhuangxian”. She was a woman who experienced hardships and hardships. Shortly after her birth, her father, Prince Yan, passed away and was raised by her grandfather, Wang Jiaqing.
In the second year of Baoying (763 AD), Wang Jijian died in the army, and at the age of thirteen, Wang entered the palace as a talented Tang Dynasty scholar due to his grandfather’s military achievements.
Due to the significant age difference, Emperor Tang bestowed the Wang family upon the grandson of the emperor, Li Song, and named him Ruren. He later gave birth to his son, Li Chun.
Emperor Tang passed away due to illness, and Crown Prince Li Shi ascended to the throne, known as Emperor Dezong of Tang. Li Song was appointed as the Crown Prince, and the Wang family was granted the title of Prince Liangdi.
At that time, the Crown Princess was from the Xiao family, who was the daughter of Princess Chang of Gao and her husband Xiao Sheng. Her status was much more noble than that of the Wang family.
Princess Gao was executed for her debauchery, and Crown Princess Xiao was implicated and executed. Wang became the de facto wife of Crown Prince Li Song.
In the 21st year of the Zhenyuan era (804), Emperor Dezong of Tang passed away, and Li Song, who had been the crown prince for 26 years, ascended to the throne with the temple name Tang Shunzong. Li Chun, the son of the Wang family, was appointed as the crown prince.
Emperor Shunzong of Tang Dynasty employed ministers such as Wang Shuwen to vigorously eliminate corrupt policies, known as the “Yongzhen Reform” in history, which lasted only 146 days. The reform was declared a failure under the obstruction of eunuch forces.
The eunuch forces launched a crazy counterattack, and eunuchs such as Ju Wenzhen and Liu Guangqi colluded with local military governors to force Tang Shunzong to abdicate. Tang Shunzong, who had been in power for less than 200 days, had no choice but to call himself the Grand Emperor and move to Xingqing Palace, where he abdicated as Crown Prince Li Chun, also known as Tang Xianzong.
On the nineteenth day of the first lunar month in the first year of Yuanhe (806 AD), Emperor Shunzong of Tang, Li Song, died of a sudden illness.
It is doubtful that on the 18th day of the first lunar month, Emperor Xianzong of Tang announced to the public that the “Old Illness of the Supreme Emperor [qi ā n]
He “means that an old illness has not been cured, and a new illness has emerged. It is extremely rare in feudal times for the emperor to announce the illness before he dies.
Some people in later generations speculate that the Empress Dowager had already died abnormally, but the news of his death was officially announced on the 19th to cover up the truth of his death.
Tang Xianzong felt guilty as a thief, which is why he made a low-level mistake and announced his father’s illness on the 18th.
Apart from the mysterious cause of death of his father Tang Shunzong, there is another thing worth pondering about Tang Xianzong.
After the death of Tang Shunzong, Tang Xianzong, under pressure from eunuchs, had his mother Wang stay in Xingqing Palace in the southeast of Chang’an City.
When Emperor Shunzong of Tang passed away, Wang was deeply saddened and depressed, becoming ill. He passed away in the eleventh year of Yuanhe (816).
In the ten years prior to this, Emperor Xianzong of Tang did not visit his biological mother.
A middle-aged man or an emperor who has no power to keep his mother by his side?
Even if you don’t have the ability to keep your mother, is it okay to go and see her?
Obviously, historians deliberately downplayed Tang Xianzong’s disobedience and unfilial behavior in order to show respect.
How did Shunzong die? Why did he die so suddenly?
If according to historical records, it was due to illness and death, it would somewhat raise doubts.
But if it was killed, there seems to be some inexplicable explanation.
So, the cause of Tang Shunzong’s death remains an unsolved mystery.
It is undeniable that among the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Shunzong of Tang, Li Song, was a prominent figure.
The longest tenure as crown prince (25 years); Whether as emperor (186 days) or as emperor (5 months), the time is very short; The reign title of ‘Yongzhen’ was changed in the name of the Supreme Emperor after his abdication; Among the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, only he left behind the complete “Annals of Emperor Shunzong”; The first posthumous title added has the highest number of words: Emperor Zhide, Great Sage, Great Safety, and Filial Piety.
