Weihuanghou
ConsortsZhongzong's wife in need intervened in government affairs after his restoration and formed a party with Wu Sansi. After Zhongzong died, he established Li Zhongmao and ruled as regent. He was killed in the Tang Long coup.
Dynasties of ChinaTang dynastyTang dynasty lineage
ZhongzongLi Xian
Sisheng and others · Reign 684 / 705—710
He became emperor twice, was deposed and lived in seclusion for fourteen years. After his restoration, he allowed Empress Wei and An Legongzhu to interfere in politics, and finally collapsed.
IBiography
- Reign
- 5 years
- Reign era
- Sisheng and others
- Order of accession
- Ruler #4 · Tang dynasty lineage
- Life dates
- 656—710
- Titles
- Temple name: Zhongzong · Posthumous title: Emperor Dahedashengdazhaoxiao · Buried at Dingling Mausoleum
Li Xian, whose first name was Li Zhe, was the seventh son of Gaozong and the third son of Wu Zetian. In 680, his elder brother Li Xian was deposed and made Crown Prince. He ascended the throne in early 684. Within two months, he wanted to appoint his father-in-law Wei Xuanzhen as the minister, but was deposed as King of Luling by Empress Dowager Wu. He was imprisoned in Junzhou and Fangzhou for fourteen years, and he and his wife Wei Shi lived together. He was recalled to Luoyang in 698 and re-established as Crown Prince. After the Shenlong coup in 705, he was restored to the throne and restored the title of Tang Dynasty.
After his restoration, he was merciful but cowardly, favoring Weihuanghou, An Legongzhu and Shangguan Waner. Wu Sansi took the opportunity to collude with Queen Wei and exclude the Five Shenlong Kings. Princesses and concubines openly sold their official positions, and thousands of officials were awarded with "inclined ink edicts". In 707, Crown Prince Li Chongjun raised an army to kill Wu Sansi, but was defeated and killed. In June 710, Zhongzong collapsed in the Shenlong Palace. One theory is that Queen Wei and An Legongzhu poisoned him.
IITimeline
First reign · 684
PoliticsThe throne was abolished
After Gaozong's death, Empress Dowager Wu came to the throne. He wanted to appoint his father-in-law Wei Xuanzhen as his minister, but was dissuaded by chief minister Pei Yan, who said angrily, "Why can't I do the same with Wei Xuanzhen for the sake of the world?" In February, Empress Dowager Wu summoned all officials and announced that she would be deposed as King of Luling.
Between reigns
PeopleYouli Fangzhou
After being deposed in 684, he was placed under house arrest in Junzhou and Fangzhou successively. Whenever he heard the arrival of imperial envoys, he would be frightened and wanted to commit suicide. Concubine Wei comforted him, "Misfortunes and blessings are impermanent, so why is this so?" He vowed that if he saw the light of day again one day, he would let him do whatever he wanted.
Second reign · 705—710
PoliticsReset and restore Tang Dynasty
After the Shenlong coup in the first month, he was restored to power. In February, the title of Tang Dynasty was restored. Suburban temples, government officials, flags, official names, etc. were all restored to the old system of Gaozong. The capital was returned to Chang'an the following year.
PoliticsThe five kings were demoted
Wu Sansi colluded with Empress Wei to deprive Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan and other five divine dragon kings of their real power by means of overt promotion and covert surrender, and framed them for rebellion. The five people were deported one after another, died on the way, or were killed.
PoliticsJinglong coup
Crown Prince Li Chongjun was not born to Queen Wei, and was repeatedly bullied by An Legongzhu and his wife. In July, he sent an imperial edict to kill Wu Sansi and his son, and advanced to the palace gate. Zhongzong personally went to the Xuanwu Gate Tower to persuade the soldiers to surrender. The rebels defected, and Li Chongjun fled and was killed.
CultureBuild the Small Wild Goose Pagoda
A brick pagoda with dense eaves was built in Dajianfu Temple in Chang'an, which was later called the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The eminent monk Yijing returned from a sea trip to India to seek Dharma. He translated Buddhist scriptures at Jianfu Temple and wrote the "Nanhai Jigui Neifu Biography".
Lasting legacyThe Small Wild Goose Pagoda was listed as a World Heritage Site as a Silk Road heritage site in 2014. The tower has survived many earthquakes and still stands today.
MilitaryBuild Sanshoujiang City
Zhang Renyuan, the general manager of Shuofang Road, took advantage of the opportunity of the Eastern Turks' silent Khan's western expedition and built three surrender cities in the east, middle and west north of the Yellow River, expanding the land for more than 300 miles. After that, the Turks did not dare to cross the Yinshan Mountains and go south to graze their cattle.
CultureXiuwenkan Singing Harmony
There was a bachelor's degree and a bachelor's degree in the Xiuwen Hall, and scholars such as Li Qiao, Song Zhiwen, and Shen Quanqi were called to accompany them on banquets and compose poems, and they were judged by Shangguan Waner. The Shen and Song Dynasties emphasized the contrast between sound and rhythm, which promoted the finalization of the rhythm of the five or seven character rhymed poems.
DiplomacyPrincess Jincheng enters Tibet
In the first month of the first month, Princess Jincheng, the daughter of the clan, was married to Tubo's Zanpu Chide Zuzan. Zhongzong personally sent her to Shiping and gave her brocade silk, craftsmen and musicians. From then on, they were referred to as "uncle and nephew" in the Tang and Tibetan state books.
PoliticsCollapse of the Dragon Palace
In June Zhongzong died suddenly in the Dragon Palace. Empress Wei secretly did not announce her mourning, but instead established King Wen Li Zhongmao as emperor and ruled as regent, trying to imitate Wu Zetian. Most historians believe that Zhongzong was poisoned by Empress Wei and An Legongzhu, or that he died of illness.
IIIPeople of this reign
An Legongzhu
PoliticsBorn to Empress Wei, she was arrogant and extravagant. She sold her official position and gained titles. She once sought to be crowned the crown princess, but was killed in the Tang Long coup.
Shangguan Waner
LiteratureAt the time of Zhongzong, he was granted the title of Zhaorong, in charge of edicts, presided over the Xiuwen Hall to sing and comment on poems and essays. He was killed by Li Longji in the Tang Long coup.
Wu Sansi
PoliticsAfter Zhongzong was restored to power, he colluded with Empress Wei to overthrow the Five Dragon Kings and gain power in the government. In 707, he was killed by Crown Prince Li Chongjun.
Zhang Renyuan
MilitaryHe built Sanshou surrender city and consolidated the northern border defense. Later he went to court to worship the prime minister and was famous for his strict military management.