The Red Dust Concubine laughed, no one knew it was lychee coming
In the long river of history, many wise rulers have emerged, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang is one of the more controversial ones. In the early stage of his reign, he was diligent in political affairs, actively took various measures to consolidate and develop the political power, worked hard to govern, and ultimately created a prosperous era of Kaiyuan.
However, in his later years, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang began to indulge in women’s beauty, seek pleasure, ignore political affairs, favor treacherous ministers such as Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, and favor An Lushan, ultimately leading to the eight year An Lushan Rebellion. From then on, the Tang Dynasty began to decline from prosperity to decline.
Before ascending to the throne, Li Longji was in a turbulent period of the Tang Dynasty, experiencing four coups and witnessing too much turmoil. So after becoming emperor, he worked hard to govern and created the prosperous era of Kaiyuan, which led to the development of various aspects of the Tang Dynasty to a very high level.
But after the prosperity of the Kaiyuan era, Li Longji gradually became satisfied with the status quo, indulged in pleasure, valued treacherous ministers, and even listened to slander and demoted his three sons to commoners. After getting to know Yang Guifei, she became even more foolish.
Yang Guifei’s original name was Yang Yuhuan. She was originally Li Longji’s daughter-in-law, also known as Li Mao’s queen, but in the end, she became Li Longji’s Noble Consort. Due to her outstanding appearance, she was known as one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient times, and her appearance also influenced the historical trajectory of the Li Tang Dynasty.
Due to Emperor Xuanzong’s obsession with women and his peaceful singing and dancing in his later years, he eventually gave An Lushan and others an opportunity to launch the An Lushan Rebellion. Caught off guard, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang fled with Yang Guifei and other ministers in a panic. They mutinied at the Mawei Post, killed Yang Guozhong and others, and executed Yang Guifei.
Many people say that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang used Yang Guifei as a scapegoat and executed her to protect himself. So how did Emperor Xuanzong live in his later years after Yang Guifei was executed? You may not believe it if you say it.
In fact, all of this is closely related to Yang Guozhong, the brother of Yang Guifei. Yang Guozhong, whose real name is Yang Zhao, was originally a shameless scoundrel, but he was very cunning. Not only did he flatter Yang Guifei, but he was also very good at pleasing the powerful in the court. In addition, due to Yang Guifei’s influence, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang highly favored him, so his official fortune was prosperous and he soon held a high position.
Yang Guozhong began to gradually expose his true colors, living a luxurious and decadent life, engaging in corruption and bribery, and causing chaos in the court. His rapid promotion also caused strong dissatisfaction from one person, who was An Lushan.
Later, the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, and the banner at that time was “Punish the loyalty of the country and side with the Qing ruler”. Tang Xuanzong quickly organized resistance upon seeing the situation, but due to Yang Guozhong’s incompetence, Luoyang was lost.
Later, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang believed Yang Guozhong’s slanderous words and ordered Ge Shuhan to launch an attack, but suffered a great defeat and lost Chang’an in pain. Helpless, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang could only flee in haste, and then the famous Mawei Slope Incident occurred.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang eventually fled to Chengdu, while Crown Prince Li Heng fled to Shuofang. After quelling the An Lushan Rebellion, Li Heng took over Chang’an. Li Longji knew that his situation was hopeless, so he decided to abdicate and proclaimed himself the Grand Emperor, giving the throne to Li Heng.
After Yang Guifei’s death, Tang Xuanzong’s life was not easy. He became listless and lacked energy, and many ministers and even his son looked down on him.
Due to his boredom, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang would often entertain guests, but one occasion made Emperor Suzong suspicious of him. Because the person he invited was General Guo Yingyi of the Yulin Army.
This made Tang Suzong suspicious, so he asked Li Fuguo to take Li Longji to the Ganlu Hall. Not only that, Empress Zhang at that time was ambitious and intervened in the government, even wanting to become the second Empress Wu Zetian.
She was very worried about Tang Xuanzong’s threat, so she sent people to monitor day and night. Several close aides of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang were also brutally plundered, and in the end, only he was left hanging in person, very miserable.
It can be said that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang did not anticipate his later life, and coupled with his longing for Yang Guifei, he soon passed away from this world. The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, who once created the prosperous era of the Kaiyuan era, ended up in such a fate. Many people probably can’t believe it.
