The Tang Dynasty lasted for over three hundred years and produced a total of twenty-eight emperors. Among these twenty-eight emperors, Emperor Ruizong Li Dan can be considered the most unique one. Throughout the 5000 year history of China, Li Dan was crowned as a prince at birth, ascended to the throne twice as emperor, and was once suggested as the younger brother of the emperor. Only Li Dan was able to achieve a good end in the end. Below, the history encyclopedia editor will bring you a detailed introduction. Let’s take a look together!
As the son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Empress Wu Zetian, it was very difficult to become the emperor in the political environment of the Tang Dynasty because he was not the eldest son.
Later, because Wu Zetian wanted to become emperor herself, she had the opportunity to have Li Dan ascend to the throne and become emperor. Although he served as emperor twice, the total duration of his reign was only eight years. However, during Li Dan’s reign as emperor, he was unable to wield real power.
Historical evaluation: Li Dan is humble, filial, eager to learn, and diligent in writing. This is actually a very neat evaluation of Li Dan. Because Li Dan abdicated twice, the first time to his mother Wu Zetian, and the second time to his brother Li Xian, and the second time also saved his brother Li Xian’s life.
Throughout Li Dan’s life, he was very eager to learn. Not only did he read extensively, but he also excelled in calligraphy. The inscription on Wu Zetian’s tombstone was personally written and carved by Li Dan.
The reason why Li Dan was able to rise and fall during the political turmoil of the Tang Dynasty and ultimately have a good ending is mainly because of his extraordinary spirit. When he was not the emperor, Li Dan’s life was not peaceful either. He was surrounded by swords and knives, but Li Dan was able to face them calmly.
As the fifth emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong Li Dan ascended to the throne twice. The first time was because Empress Wu Zetian wanted to become emperor, while Li Dan’s brother Li Xian was difficult to control. Therefore, Wu Zetian deposed Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian and enthroned the 22-year-old Li Dan as emperor. When Li Dan ascended to the throne, his age was exactly the same as that of his father, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi.
Although only 22 years old, Li Dan is already very mature in politics. Even if you are the emperor, Li Dan knows that the government is still under the the final say of his mother, so during the first term of the emperor, Li Dan was very careful. Later, Wu Zetian felt that the political timing was ripe, so she forced Li Dan to abdicate and abdicate, and she ascended to the throne herself.
Li Dan ascended to the throne for the second time due to the rebellion of Empress Wei, the queen of his brother Li Xian. Because Empress Wei wanted to emulate Wu Zetian as her own emperor, she imitated Wu Zetian everywhere, which ultimately sparked internal strife. At this time, Li Dan’s sister Princess Taiping and Li Dan’s third son Li Longji contacted the Forbidden Army, killed Wei Hou, and supported a young emperor. Many ministers wanted Li Dan to ascend to the throne as emperor, but Li Dan repeatedly declined. Finally, he accepted the requests of the ministers and ascended to the throne for the second time as emperor.
Before this coronation, Wu Zetian once wanted Li Xian to ascend to the throne as emperor, but in order to demonstrate her authority, she also allowed Li Dan to ascend to the throne as emperor. But Li Dan knew very well that his mother did not want him to ascend to the throne as emperor, and if he competed with his brother Li Xian for the throne, it would also pose a great threat to his brother Li Xian’s life. Therefore, Li Dan gave up this opportunity to ascend the throne and gave way to his brother Li Xian.
