Chen Xuanli forced the death of his beloved woman. Even if Tang Xuanzong, as the emperor, did not have a tantrum at the time, he would definitely cause trouble for Chen Xuanli after the incident. However, Chen Xuanli remained unharmed and instead died at the hands of Tang Suzong. Why is this? Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you a historical story. Let’s take a look together!
（1） Ma Weiyi Mutiny
In 756 AD, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang went on a “western expedition” to Shu, and Chen Xuanli accompanied his entourage to escort them. When they arrived at the Mawei Post, there was a mutiny in the army, which was known as the “Six Armies Without Fire, There is No Way”. Chen Xuanli believed that it was Yang Guozhong’s misconduct that led to An Lushan’s rebellion. This was conveyed to the accompanying Crown Prince Li Heng by eunuch Li Fuguo, but Li Heng hesitated. At this time, the Tibetan envoy led more than 20 people to besiege Yang Guozhong. The furious soldiers shouted, “Yang Guozhong and the Hu people are plotting rebellion,” and waited for the opportunity to kill him. Afterwards, he touched Yang Guifei, the beloved woman of Emperor Xuanzong. Then, Chen Xuanli went over to verify the authenticity, took off his armor, and asked the deceased to apologize.
Afterwards, things became a bit strange. According to theory, Chen Xuanli was the core figure of the Forbidden Army at that time and the person who mainly killed the Noble Consort. However, even though Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was heartbroken and regretful afterwards, he did not take action against Chen Xuanli beside him and still led him into the Land of Abundance – Sichuan. As the Crown Prince at that time, Li Heng broke up with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and went north to deal with the defeated soldiers. Soon after, he proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu and wished Emperor Xuanzong the title of Grand Emperor from afar.
Speaking of Chen Xuanli, he had a close relationship with Emperor Xuanzong. In the fourth year of the Jinglong reign (710 AD), after Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Empress Wei and Princess Anle colluded internally and externally to control the court. Chen Xuanli helped Li Longji eliminate Empress Wei and Princess Anle. After Emperor Xuanzong ascended the throne, Chen Xuanli became a vassal of the Dragon and was appointed as the Grand General of the Forbidden Army, known as Emperor Xuanzong’s confidant. He was highly valued during Emperor Xuanzong’s 45 year reign.
（2） Emperor Suzong of Tang killed him
So, since Chen Xuanli was loyal to Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, why was he later killed by the enthroned Emperor Suzong of Tang? There is a saying that the truth behind the Ma Weiyi Mutiny at that time was that Crown Prince Li Heng was the mastermind, not entirely led by Chen Xuanli. At that time, Crown Prince Li Heng controlled the majority of Tang Xuanzong’s troops, all of whom were elite, and the real target of the Ma Weiyi Mutiny should be Tang Xuanzong. However, on the issue of eliminating Yang Guozhong and Yang Guifei, Chen Xuanli remained in agreement with Crown Prince Li Heng. However, at the final moment, Chen Xuanli refused to compromise and took the lead in expressing loyalty to Emperor Xuanzong, which completely foiled Crown Prince Li Heng’s ultimate goal of launching a rebellion.
Afterwards, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Crown Prince Li Heng went their separate ways, and historical records recorded the embarrassing situation at that time: ‘The horse’s mound covered the ground, and the Crown Prince dared not travel westward.’. The Crown Prince, who was traveling westward, had many battles along the way, with slight “grass rustling and wind blowing, panic and turmoil, and soul stirring and difficult to determine”. He went through countless hardships to reach Lingwu, which made Crown Prince Li Heng resentful of Chen Xuanli. He believed that if the purpose of the Ma Weiyi mutiny had been achieved at that time, he could have ascended to the throne earlier and not have suffered so many crimes for no reason. So, shortly after Tang Xuanzong returned to Chang’an, Tang Suzong superficially appointed Chen Xuanli as Duke of Cai, but soon retired him, but secretly sent someone to strangle him to death.
Of course, this statement also has a certain degree of rationality, after all, historical records can never be so clear, but in reality, the test of human nature has always existed. Li Heng may have had such thoughts when he was at Mawei Post.
