Why didn’t Xue Chongjian be executed after Li Longji ascended the throne? Interested readers and history encyclopedia editors, let’s take a look together!
Xue Chongjian was the son of Princess Taiping. After Li Longji took the initiative to eliminate Princess Taiping’s followers, Xue Chongjian was not executed. Instead, he was granted special permission by Emperor Xuanzong to continue in his original position and given the surname Li. In fact, the main reason why Li Longji did this was that Xue Chongjian opposed the rebellion of Princess Taiping, and he had different political views from his own mother. So in Li Longji’s view, he did not belong to the followers of Princess Taiping.
Xue Chongjian was the grandson of Wu Zetian and had a close relationship with Li Longji since childhood. After Tang Zhongzong ascended to power for the second time, he suddenly died, and it is rumored that he was killed by Empress Wei and Princess Anle. Empress Wei also had great ambitions and was determined to become the second Empress Wu Zetian. However, at this critical moment, Li Longji launched a coup and killed Empress Wei’s followers, increasing the prestige of Prime Minister Li Dan. With the help of Princess Taiping of Zhengguo, he eventually succeeded to the throne and became Emperor Ruizong of Tang.
And Xue Chongjian made great contributions in this coup, so now he is even more angry with Li Longji. Strictly speaking, this was also one of the reasons why Li Longji did not execute him later.
Princess Taiping liked this son the most, but often whipped him due to political differences. Mainly because Xue Chongjian didn’t like her mother being so dominant, especially in the power struggle within the court. In fact, he also knew that his mother was determined to become the second Empress Wu Zetian.
So he is very opposed, so the relationship between the mother and son is not very good.
After Li Dan ascended to the throne, the relationship between Li Longji and Princess Taiping, a pair of nephews and uncles, deteriorated greatly, turning from allies to enemies. Of course, the most crucial factor in this is the ambition of Princess Taiping. She relied on the favor and trust of her brother Li Dan, and was almost in control of the court. All the civil and military officials in the court, from the prime minister down to the prime minister, were promoted or demoted by her words.
This made Li Longji, as the Crown Prince, feel a huge threat, and Princess Taiping believed that her nephew was still young and did not take him seriously. However, she later felt threatened and initially attempted to have Li Dan depose Li Longji, but failed.
Seeing that Li Dan couldn’t balance out, he gave way to Li Longji. Princess Taiping saw no chance left and even had plans to eliminate Li Longji, which forced Li Longji to take the initiative.
In the end, Princess Taiping failed, and Li Dan also sought love, but was refused. Li Longji was not moved by his father’s plea for mercy and ordered the execution of his mother, Princess Taiping of Zhenguo. Not only that, Li Longji didn’t even spare his deceased uncle and dug up his body to seek revenge. Except for Xue Chongjian, who was given the surname Li, all other cousins were executed.
So, it is not difficult to see that the reason why Li Longji did not execute Xue Chongjian is simple. On the one hand, he once helped Li Longji and was considered a meritorious minister. On the other hand, he opposed Princess Taiping’s rebellion, so he was on the same side as Li Longji.
