Today, the History Encyclopedia editor brings you an article by Li Xian, hoping to be helpful to everyone.
Wu Zetian was originally the empress of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi. After Gaozong’s death, she seized power and declared herself emperor. Before she became an emperor, she had appointed her son Li Xian as the crown prince. However, soon after, Li Xian was demoted to a commoner on charges of rebellion and exiled to the far away Bazhou area from the capital city. Li Xian was killed shortly after arriving in Bazhou.
Who killed Li Xian? Some historians believe that Li Xian was killed by someone sent by Empress Wu Zetian. Because Wu Zetian had always wanted to become an emperor herself, she was willing to kill her own son in order to eliminate obstacles. Some people also say that Li Xian is not Wu Zetian’s biological son, but the son of his sister. At that time, Wu Zetian seized power with other imperial concubines and took her sister’s child as a replacement. After Li Xian became the crown prince, this belief spread widely in the palace, which was unfavorable to Wu Zetian. Therefore, he took the opportunity to eliminate Li Xian. Some people say that Li Xian was not killed by Wu Zetian, but by Pei Yan, the imperial censor who wanted to seize power. There are various opinions, what is the truth of history?
