Why did Wu Zetian’s four sons have vastly different endings

Why did Wu Zetian’s four sons have vastly different endings? Below, the editor of the History Encyclopedia will bring you a detailed interpretation. Let’s continue reading~

Wu Zetian was a queen of a generation, and she was a very cruel person. We all know that she loved power, but perhaps no one expected that she would be able to get rid of her own son for the sake of power. Wu Zetian had four sons, namely Li Hong, Li Xian, Li Xian, and Li Dan. The first two sons died at her hands, and the latter two sons were also greatly troubled by him.
So why did Wu Zetian have to die for the first two and leave the last two unharmed?
There are actually two main reasons for this issue, the first of which is the power struggle. The second reason is the issue of time.

Before Wu Zetian became the empress, Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, selected his eldest son Li Zhong as his successor. But since Wu Zetian became the empress, her son also turned over, and her eldest son Li Hong became the crown prince.
Li Zhi really likes Li Hong and often lets him supervise the country, in other words, he is getting him into the role in advance. Objectively speaking, Li Hong did a good job. He is known for his benevolence and has a good reputation in the court.
During this process, it was also the time when Wu Zetian gradually stepped onto the forefront. Li Zhi, due to poor health, was unable to handle national affairs, so he asked Wu Zetian to handle court affairs. In August of the first year of the Shangyuan era (674 AD), Li Zhi was proclaimed Emperor and Wu Zetian was proclaimed Empress, officially beginning the period of the Two Saints in Court. But there is also Li Hong. If Li Zhi’s health is not good, it is entirely possible to let Li Hong supervise the country. However, it is strange that in 675 AD, Li Hong suddenly passed away.
This time point is very suspicious. Wu Zetian was just called Tianhou and began to preside over the court. Li Hong passed away not long after. So many people believe that Li Hong was harmed by Wu Zetian. It has to be said that Li Hong’s health is indeed not good. Sometimes he is unable to supervise the country and needs the help of officials from the Eastern Palace, but it is unknown whether he has reached an incurable stage.
It is worth confirming that Li Hong and Wu Zetian have different political views, which is certain because they have different personalities and governance philosophies. Li Hongren was virtuous, while Wu Zetian was too ruthless. Especially Wu Zetian’s methods of dealing with political enemies and Empress Wang and others shocked Li Hong greatly.
After Li Hong’s death, his second son Li Xian became the crown prince. Even if Wu Zetian likes power, there still needs to be someone in the position of crown prince. Li Xian is the most benevolent person. During this period, he supervised the country three times and was praised by Emperor Gaozong of Tang and supported by the court and the public. But it also made Wu Zetian suspicious, and their relationship was not good. Li Xian was framed by Wu Zetian and was deposed under her insistence, and eventually forced to commit suicide.
It can be said that after removing these two most capable sons, the position of the crown prince will still be her son, the third son Li Xian. But at this point, Wu Zetian no longer worried because she had already prepared everything.
That is to say, in terms of time, Wu Zetian no longer worries about her power, and even if she wants to further become an emperor, there are no obstacles. On the other hand, as her own son, she knew very well about Li Xian and Li Dan, knowing that both of them were incompetent and not enough to pose a threat to her.
So Wu Zetian didn’t kill them mainly because they no longer posed a threat.