Chinese traditional culture has a long and profound history! Today, the History Encyclopedia editor has compiled relevant content about Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Li Longji. May I help you expand your knowledge?
When it comes to the Tang Dynasty, the most prominent figure should be Wu Zetian, the first female emperor in Chinese history to ascend to the throne. She created endless glory and had a bumpy life. Now, Wu Zetian’s grandson Li Longji also has a similar past, but Li Longji is even more tragic, and is one of the relatively tragic emperors in history. Li Longji was born during a turbulent period in the palace. Wu Zetian deposed Tang Zhongzong as the Prince of Luling and allowed his father Li Dan to inherit the throne, becoming Emperor Ruizong. Despite being a nominal emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong still held great power and made decisions on military and political affairs.
During the Yongchang period, Empress Wu Zetian ordered Li Longji to adopt Li Hong as his son. When Li Longji was five years old, his biological father Li Dan was deposed by Empress Wu Zetian and moved to the Eastern Palace. When Li Longji was 7 years old, he began to step out of office, but was imprisoned due to Li Dan’s reception with the courtiers. After 7 years of confinement, Li Longji finally “saw the light of day” when he was 14 years old. As soon as he left, he witnessed the “Divine Dragon Coup”, which left a deep impression on him. In June of the first year of Tang Long, Li Longji staged a shocking “coup d ‘é tat” to seize power both domestically and internationally! Li Longji successfully ascended to the position of crown prince!
At this time, Princess Taiping had the same ambition as Empress Wu Zetian and often intervened in political affairs, while Li Longji was too shrewd and capable, always hindering Princess Taiping’s participation in politics. The two had different ideas in their hearts, and Li Longji’s goal was clear: to successfully ascend to the throne and depose Princess Taiping. Although Princess Taiping had many great military strategies, she could not become the second “Empress Wu”. In the second year of Xiantian’s reign, all of Princess Taiping’s followers were executed and she fled to a Buddhist temple. Three days later, she returned but still could not escape death, and the “Xiantian Coup” came to an end. Li Longji finally took full control of the imperial power and changed the reign title to “Kainian”, indicating his determination to work hard and create a prosperous Tang Dynasty again!
The “Kaiyuan Prosperous Era” was created by Li Longji himself. When Li Longji’s regime had just stabilized, serious locust plagues began to break out in the north and south of the Yellow River, which had a great impact on agricultural development. Therefore, Yao Chong was personally sent to provide disaster relief; After the country gradually entered the right track, Li Longji insisted on governing the country by law and reforming the prime minister’s institution politically; In addition to his intelligence and ability, Li Longji also had one thing in military affairs, such as the establishment of a conscription system. He had a keen eye for wise officials, knew how to appoint people well, and had clear rewards and punishments. It was under Li Longji’s careful governance that he was able to usher in the prosperous era of the Kaiyuan era. He was admirable in the first half of his life, but he was extremely miserable in the second half!
After the prosperous era of the Kaiyuan period, Li Longji gradually became satisfied with the status quo. His previous guidance on the country turned into indulgence in pleasure, and he even married Yang Yuhuan. This led to a situation where Li Longji had three thousand beauties in his harem, but only favored Yang Guifei. For a long time, Li Longji did not realize that danger was slowly approaching. Politically, corruption and darkness were gradually emerging, and officials were blindly seeking rewards and provoking wars recklessly. The famous “An Lushan Rebellion” finally arrived, and Li Longji’s life began to decline from the beginning of his extravagant lifestyle. When the rebels captured Chang’an, Li Longji fled hastily, resulting in a mutiny at Mawei Slope. Yang Guozhong was killed and Yang Yuhuan was forced to hang to death.
After escaping to Chengdu, Crown Prince Li Xiang succeeded to the throne, and Li Longji became the Supreme Emperor. However, he passed away in a tragic way. Although he was the longest reigning emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the most prosperous emperor of the Tang Dynasty, he was the emperor most eagerly awaiting his early death. His momentary greed for pleasure ultimately led to a tragic ending!
