Today, the History Encyclopedia editor brings you the story of the Ma Weipo Mutiny. Interested readers can follow the History Encyclopedia editor to take a look together. Was the Tang Dynasty’s Ma Weipo Mutiny aimed at killing Yang Guozhong and Yang Guifei?
There is a very realistic saying, which is: ‘Ruthless is the most imperial family’. You think the emperor can do whatever he wants, but sometimes the emperor is also beyond his control. Is the main purpose of the Ma Weipo Mutiny to force Yang Guifei to death? No, Yang Guifei is just a sacrifice of politics and power. Let’s take a look at what happened during the Mawei Slope Incident and what was the motivation behind it?
Chen Xuanli, the initiator of the Ma Wei Rebellion on the surface –
Chen Xuanli, the commander of the Longwu Army, was responsible for protecting Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Li Longji from withdrawing from Chang’an to Chengdu, Sichuan. And the military commander of this mutiny was him, so the soldiers under his command must not have killed Yang Guozhong and demanded to kill Yang Yuhuan spontaneously and with righteous indignation, as described in the Old Book of Tang. They did not have the courage, so they must have been instructed.
So what motivation does Chen Xuanli have to do such a thing?
For the lower, only the higher command follows!
So since Chen Xuanli did not receive instructions from Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, how could he dare to launch a mutiny?
At this point, the answer is already within reach. For the lower, only the higher command follows! What if this’ up ‘needs to be replaced? That’s all for Chen Xuanli’s analysis. Next, let’s continue analyzing another important figure.
The contact between Crown Prince Li Heng and Chen Xuanli
Li Jingzhong was an eunuch serving the Crown Prince. At that time, Chen Xuanli contacted the Crown Prince Li Heng through Li Jingzhong and wanted to kill Yang Guozhong. The Crown Prince hesitated. Of course, this is written in historical books, because if the Crown Prince hesitates, it means that Chen Xuanli is the mastermind and launched the rebellion without authorization, thus fulfilling the Crown Prince’s filial piety.
But although history books write it this way, we don’t necessarily have to think like that. Looking at it from a different perspective, would a general of the Dragon Martial Army really dare to mutiny? Do you really dare to make unauthorized claims? Obviously, it is unlikely, so everyone should have a clear idea that the mastermind should not be Chen Xuanli, but rather Chen Xuanli’s next loyal emperor – Crown Prince Li Heng.
Looking at the main purpose of the Ma Wei Incident again
Overall, it is highly likely that the Crown Prince will take the lead and instruct Chen Xuanli to operate. The meaning of the Crown Prince’s actions is equivalent to a showdown. Although killing Yang Guozhong seems to be the main purpose, because Sichuan is Yang Guozhong’s territory, if Tang Xuanzong and his group really go to Chengdu, Sichuan, then the Crown Prince’s situation will be very passive. But killing Yang Guozhong is just a side event, and killing Yang Guifei is no exception. The main purpose was for Crown Prince Li Heng to express his position in this way, which was to replace him, revive the national agenda, and clean up the remnants of his father’s reign.
So after the Ma Wei Incident, the Crown Prince went to Lingwu to succeed to the throne, while Emperor Xuanzong still went to Chengdu, Sichuan. The two parted ways, and the next dynasty belonging to Emperor Suzong of Tang, Li Heng, began. Emperor Xuanzong’s glory came to an end with the death of Yang Guifei.
