Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang 唐玄宗 | |
---|---|
Family name: Li (李) | |
Era dates | |
| |
Regnal name | |
Emperor Kaiyuan Shengwen Shenwu (開元聖文神武皇帝) | |
Posthumous name | |
Short: Emperor Ming (明皇)[7] | |
Temple name | |
Xuanzong (玄宗) |
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang | ||
---|---|---|
Hanyu Pinyin Lǐ Sānláng | | |
Middle Chinese | ||
Middle Chinese | lɨX sam-lang |
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (
Background
Li Longji was born at the
During Wu Zetian's reign
In 690, Empress Dowager Wu had her son Emperor Ruizong yield the throne to her, and she took the throne as
During Emperor Zhongzong's second reign: under Empress Wei's shadow
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and Li Longji's uncle Li Xiǎn (note different person than the father of Li Guangshun, Li Shouli, and Li Shouyi), who was at that time crown prince (Li Dan having yielded that title to him in 698 and taken the title of Prince of Xiang), who had been briefly emperor prior to Li Dan, returned to the throne (as Emperor Zhongzong). Li Longji was made the deputy minister of military supplies (衛尉少卿, Weiwei Shaoqing). In 708, he was made the secretary general of Lu Prefecture (潞州, roughly modern Changzhi, Shanxi). In 710, he was recalled to the capital Chang'an to attend to Emperor Zhongzong when Emperor Zhongzong was sacrificing to heaven and earth. Meanwhile, sorcerers engaged by Emperor Zhongzong believed that there was an aura of an emperor at the area of Chang'an where the mansions Li Longji and his uncles were, and Emperor Zhongzong tried to fulfill the vision by visiting Li Longji's mansion and attending a feast there.[12] While Li Longji was back in Chang'an, he spent time to cultivate relationships with imperial guard commanders, as he believed that Emperor Zhongzong's powerful wife Empress Wei, who was in charge of government affairs, would bring harm to the Tang dynasty.[17]
Coup against Empress Dowager Wei
In summer 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly—a death that traditional historians believed to be a poisoning by Empress Wei and her daughter Li Guo'er the Princess Anle so that Empress Wei could become "emperor" like Wu Zetian and Li Guo'er could become crown princess. For the time being, Emperor Zhongzong's son by a concubine, Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen, was named emperor (as Emperor Shang), but Empress Wei retained actual power as empress dowager and regent. Originally, Empress Dowager Wei's clan members, along with Zong, Li Guo'er's husband Wu Yanxiu, and other officials Zhao Lüwen (趙履溫) and Ye Jingneng (葉靜能) were advising her to take the throne, like Wu Zetian did, and they also advised her to eliminate Li Dan and Princess Taiping. The official Cui Riyong leaked their plan to Li Longji. Li Longji responded by conspiring with Princess Taiping, Princess Taiping's son Xue Chongjian (薛崇簡), as well as several low-level officials close to him—Zhong Shaojing, Wang Chongye (王崇曄), Liu Youqiu, and Ma Sizong (麻嗣宗)—to act first. Meanwhile, Empress Wei's nephews Wei Bo (韋播) and Gao Song (高嵩), who had recently been put in command of imperial guards and who had tried to establish their authority by dealing with the guards harshly, had alienated the guards, and the guard officers Ge Fushun (葛福順), Chen Xuanli (陳玄禮), and Li Xianfu (李仙鳧) thereafter also joined the plot.[17]
Without first informing Li Dan, the conspirators enacted their plan on July 21, 710, first killing Wei Bo, Gao, and Empress Wei's cousin Wei Gui (韋璿). They then began their attack on the palace, causing Empress Dowager Wei to flee to an imperial guard camp, where a guard beheaded her. Li Guo'er, Wu Yanxiu, and Lady Helou were killed as well. Li Longji soon slaughtered a number of officials in Empress Dowager's faction as well as her clan, while displaying Empress Dowager Wei's body on the street. At the urging of Princess Taiping, Li Longji, and Li Longji's brother Li Chengqi, Li Dan soon took the throne from Li Chongmao and again became emperor (as Emperor Ruizong).[17]
During Emperor Ruizong's second reign: under Princess Taiping's shadow
Emperor Ruizong once again ascended to the throne, which is different from the first time he was a puppet. This time he truly mastered the power and quickly used it handily. Emperor Ruizong was immediately faced with the issue of whom to make crown prince—as Li Chengqi, as the oldest son overall and the oldest son of his wife, was the appropriate heir under
If the state were secure, then consideration should be first given to the oldest son of the wife. If the state were in danger, then consideration should be first given for achievement. If you did not follow this principle, the people of the entire empire will be disappointed. I would rather die than to be placed above the Prince of Ping [(i.e., Li Longji, whose title had been changed to Prince of Ping by this point)].
Li Chengqi wept and begged to yield for several days, and after further persuasion by the chancellor Liu Youqiu—who had been part of Li Longji's coup plans—Emperor Ruizong agreed and created Li Longji crown prince. Li Longji submitted a petition offering to yield to Li Chengqi, but Emperor Ruizong rejected it. After he came to the throne, whenever the chancellors and officials discussed political affairs with him, the first sentence he asked was: "Have you ever discussed with Princess Taiping? "If the answer is yes, he will continue to ask: "Have you ever discussed with Li Longji?" If both people have clear opinions, he will make a decision based on this, as a result, he relies heavily on Princess Taiping and Li Longji. Because of his achievements, having the crown prince title and the emperor's trust, Li Longji was active and powerful in the politics of Emperor Ruizong's reign, but, also, whenever Emperor Ruizong called a court meeting, Princess Taiping would listen to the courtiers' conversations with the emperor about the government behind a pearl curtain and had the government under her hands.[17]
Under her ample reputation in the previous reigns, her great achievements in two coups, the trust of Emperor Ruizong's, the vast privileges, attention, independence and wealth that Emperor Ruizong bestowed on her, and having countless allies, Princess Taiping has decision-making power on many serious events in the court and the country matters and was so powerful that she even surpassed Emperor Ruizong. She could often decide the promotion or demotion, deportation or summons of officials with a single sentence, and if the subject was undecided, it was changed or determined by a sentence from her, so most chancellors, forbidden troops, civil and military officials, regional warlords and senior servants of the Imperial palace were her associates. Initially, Princess Taiping agreed to Li Longji's ascension as crown prince despite the fact that Li Longji was not Emperor Ruizong's oldest son and was not born of Emperor Ruizong's wife Empress Liu (Li Chengqi was both—and therefore pursuant to Confucian principles of succession should have been crown prince) as she believed that Li Longji was young (25 at the time he was made crown prince) and would be easy to control. However, once she began to see that Li Longji was strong-willed and criticized her influences, she became apprehensive and often had officials close to her publicly opine that Li Longji was an improper crown prince. She even spread rumors throughout the empire and tried to cause discontent among the common people, saying: Li Longji is not the eldest son of the emperor, so he should not become the crown prince. She further often paid Li Longji's staff members to spy on him to try to find faults with him. She associated with a group of officials, including the chancellors Dou Huaizhen, Xiao Zhizhong, and Cen Xi, intending to find some way to remove Li Longji, but was unable to get two other chancellors—Wei Anshi and Song Jing—to join her group. When Princess Taiping tried to depose Li Longji in two actions, one with Emperor Ruizong himself and another time by summoning the chancellors at Xuanwu Gate and publicly accusing Li Longji of treason or incompetence, but it did not achieve the desired result.[18]
In 711, Song and another chancellor,
By winter 711 Princess Taiping had become even more powerful than before. Because of her recommendations, Emperor Ruizong carried out a major reorganization of his administration, relieving the chancellors Wei,
In 712, Princess Taiping had astrologers warn Emperor Ruizong that the constellation that symbolized the imperial throne, Dizuo (帝座), showed that there would be a change in the emperor's position—believing that Emperor Ruizong would suspect Li Longji of plotting a coup and that she could remove Li Longji this way. Instead, Emperor Ruizong, reasoning that the change in the emperor's position could be accounted by an orderly transition, offered to pass the throne to Li Longji. Princess Taiping fervently opposed it, and Li Longji initially declined, but at Emperor Ruizong's insistence finally accepted and took the throne on 8 September[2] (as Emperor Xuanzong). However, at Princess Taiping's suggestion, Emperor Ruizong retained much of the imperial power as Taishang Huang (retired emperor), and his edicts continued to carry greater force than Emperor Xuanzong's.[18]
As emperor
Xiantian era (712–713)
Emperor Xuanzong made his wife Crown Princess Wang empress. Meanwhile, Princess Taiping continued to be listening to politics with curtains in the court, highly extremely influential in governmental matters through Emperor Ruizong, the group of chancellors openly frequented her house and most chancellors, forbidden troops, officials and warlords were her associates. (Of the seven chancellors at the time, five – Dou Huaizhen, Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Xi, Cui Shi, and Lu Xiangxian – were made chancellors at her recommendation, although Lu was not considered a member of her party.) As a result, the war between her and him continued more seriously. Liu Youqiu and the general Zhang Wei (張暐), with Emperor Xuanzong's approval, planned to mobilize the imperial guards to kill several of those chancellors – Dou Huaizhen, Cui Shi and Cen Xi. However, after Zhang told the plan to the imperial censor Deng Guangbin (鄧光賓), the news was leaked. At the request of Princess Taiping's, Emperor Ruizong issued an order to arrested Liu, and initially set to be executed. But Emperor Xuanzong interceded on his behalf with Emperor Ruizong, and Liu, Zhang, and Deng were spared but exiled.[18]
Later in 712, in one of Princess Taiping's plans to oust him, at her request, Emperor Ruizong decreed that Emperor Xuanzong lead a group of soldiers to examine the northern border. However, the group of conscripted soldiers was disbanded in spring 713, and the plan was never carried out.[18]
By summer 713, it was said that Princess Taiping, Dou, Cen, Xiao, Cui; along with other officials
Kaiyuan era (713–741)
Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era is usually viewed as one of the golden ages of Chinese history – a period of political stability, peace in society, and economic prosperity, in addition to advances in education, literature, music, painting, sculpture, and religion.[21]
Early Kaiyuan era
Meanwhile, Zhang Yue and Liu Youqiu served as chancellors, but they were soon displaced by Yao Yuanzhi (who then changed his name to Yao Chong) and Lu Huaishen. Changing the system of having a large group of chancellors simultaneous, as had been the case throughout Tang, Emperor Xuanzong reduced the numbers to two (or sometimes three) for the rest of his reign.[22] Yao was considered a highly capable administrator, and with him ruling on most important matters and Lu assisting, the government was said to be highly efficient.[20]
In 714, Emperor Xuanzong carried out a series of political reprisals against the cruel secret police officials of Wu Zetian's reign, exiling the ones that were still alive and eventually barring their descendants from holding political offices. At the urging of Jiang Jiao's brother Jiang Hui (姜誨), he also exiled a number of chancellors – Wei Sili, Wei Anshi, Zhao Yanzhao, and Li Jiao – from Emperor Zhongzong's reign whom Jiang accused of being unable to curb Empress Wei's abuse of power.[20]
Also in 714, Emperor Xuanzong, wanting to punish the
Also in 714, Emperor Xuanzong created Li Siqian, his second son and the son of his then-favorite concubine Consort Zhao, crown prince. (Emperor Xuanzong's wife Empress Wang was sonless.)[20]
Meanwhile, the Tang relationship with
In and around 716, there was a major locust infestation in the central China region. At Yao's suggestion, Emperor Xuanzong ordered an extensive campaign of extermination, which was said to reduce the impact of the infestation and ward off a major famine. Later in 716, however, due a corruption scandal involving Yao's sons and his associate Zhao Hui (趙誨), Yao incurred displeasure from Emperor Xuanzong and offered to resign. He and Yuan Qianyao, who replaced Lu after Lu's death earlier in 716, were removed from their offices and replaced with Song Jing and Su Ting, with Song making more of the important decisions and Su assisting. Yao would not return to the chancellorship, but would remain influential as a key advisor for Emperor Xuanzong until Yao's death in 721. Contrary to the practical and flexible Yao, Song was more interested in emphasizing integrity and rule of law in governance, and it was said that while Yao's and Song's emphases were different, they were both regarded as instrumental in establishing the rule of Kaiyuan and that subsequent chancellors could not compare to them.[20]
Meanwhile, Song and Su had carried out a stern campaign against the use of coins that were not officially forged by the government, which brought popular resentment that Emperor Xuanzong found problematic. In 720, he removed Song and Su from chancellor offices and replaced them with Yuan and Zhang Jiazhen, and in 721 added Zhang Yue as a chancellor as well.[24]
Meanwhile, by 722, Empress Wang, who had contributed to Emperor Xuanzong's reign by providing suggestions, had begun to lose favor to Consort Wu, a great-grandniece of Emperor Xuanzong's grandmother Wu Zetian. Emperor Xuanzong secretly discussed with Jiang Jiao the possibility of deposing her, but Jiang Jiao careless leaked the discussion. At the urging of Zhang Jiazhen, who was friendly with Empress Wang's brother Wang Shouyi (王守一), advocated that Jiang Jiao be punished and exiled, and Jiang died in exile.
Meanwhile, at Zhang Yue's suggestion, the Tang northern border defense forces, which had about 600,000 men at that time, was reduced by 200,000 men to allow the soldiers to return home. Further, seeing that the Tang conscription system, due to abuses against the soldiers at the time, was near a collapse, as the soldiers were forced into long tours of duty but their families were not exempt from taxes, thus causing great numbers of desertions, Zhang suggested a switch to a recruitment-based system where soldiers were paid salaries. This allowed, for a time, Tang's soldier supply to be replenished. (Some later historians condemned Zhang for the abolition of the conscription system, believing the abolition to be the root of Tang's later fracturing, but some others, such as the modern historian Bo Yang, argued that Zhang's actions not only were necessary to restore the supply of soldiers but saved many lives.[30])
Middle Kaiyuan era
In 723, Zhang Jiazhen was demoted on account of a corruption scandal involving his brother Zhang Jiayou (張嘉祐). His position was filled by
Also in 724, it was discovered that Wang Shouyi had engaged sorcerers to make amulets for Empress Wang to wear, hoping that the use of magic would allow her to have a son. Empress Wang was deposed and reduced to commoner rank, while Wang Shouyi was exiled and subsequently ordered to commit suicide in exile. Empress Wang died later in the year, and it was said that the eunuchs and the ladies in waiting mourned her bitterly and Emperor Xuanzong much regretted his treatment of her.[24] Still, after Empress Wang's removal and death, Consort Wu became undisputed mistress of the palace and was treated inside the palace like an empress would be. Still, in 726, when Emperor Xuanzong considered creating her empress, he encountered oppositions from officials on two grounds – that her Wu clan was hated by the people and that as she had her own sons, the position of Li Siqian the Crown Prince (whose name had been changed to Li Hong by this point) would be threatened. As a result, Emperor Xuanzong never created her empress. But Consort Wu's was a chief favorite of the emperor and undisputed mistress of the palace until her death and had political power.[32]
In winter 725, Emperor Xuanzong, at Zhang Yue's urging, carried out a magnificent ceremony at Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.[24]
In 726, Zhang Yue was accused of corruption by several officials that he had blocked the advances of – Cui Yinfu (崔隱甫), Yuwen Rong, and Li Linfu – and was found to have committed corruption. At the intercession of Gao Lishi, however, Zhang Yue was removed only from his chancellor post and permitted to maintain his title and a number of other posts. He was replaced by Li Yuanhong, and subsequently, Du Xian was also added as a chancellor.[32]
In 727, at the suggestion of the general Wang Junchuo (王君㚟), Emperor Xuanzong commissioned Wang Junchuo to attack the Tibetan Empire, and after a Tibetan incursion in late 726, Wang counterattacked and inflicted losses on Tibetan forces commanded by the general Xinuoluogonglu (悉諾邏恭祿). Later in the year, though, Xinuoluogonglu and another general, Zhulongmangbuzhi (燭龍莽布支) attacked and captured Wang's home prefecture Gua Prefecture (瓜州, roughly modern Jiuquan, Gansu), taking Wang's father Wang Shou (王壽) captive. As a result, Wang Junchuo did not dare to counterattack, and subsequently blamed the defeat on a number of tribal chiefs in the area and had them exiles. In response, Yaoluoge Hushu (藥羅葛護輸), the nephew of one of the chiefs so exiled, Yaoluoge Chengzong (藥羅葛承宗), ambushed Wang Junchuo and killed him, and while Yaoluoge Hushu was forced to flee thereafter, for several years Tang did not engage in any offensive campaigns in the region.[32]
Around the same time, Emperor Xuanzong began to build a residential complex in the palace for imperial clan members, known as the Mansion of the Ten Princes (十王院), to centralize their residence. Thereafter, imperial princes, including the crown prince, would rarely live outside the palace complex.[32]
In 728, Emperor Xuanzong added the general Xiao Song as a chancellor. Subsequently, in 729, with Yuan, even though he was senior chancellor, unable to curb the disputes between Li Yuanhong and Du, Emperor Xuanzong removed all three from chancellor positions, promoting Yuwen and Pei Guangting to be chancellors in their stead – in Yuwen's case, for his abilities to find ways to add to the imperial treasury by imposing special taxes and levies. Later in the year, though, Yuwen made false accusations against the general Li Hui (李褘) the Prince of Xin'an (Emperor Xuanzong's second cousin) and was exiled, and subsequently died in exile. Still, it was said that it was starting from Yuwen's times that Emperor Xuanzong began to pay attention on taxes to replenish the imperial treasury, which traditional historians viewed as the start of his inflicting financial burdens on the people. Further, with Pei in charge of the civil service system, it was said that due to Pei's strict adherence to seniority, the Tang civil service system began to lose its ability to find talented people to serve in offices.[32]
In 730, the Khitan general Ketugan (可突干) killed the king Li Shaogu (李邵固) and took over the reign of the Khitan and the Xi personally, forcing the king of the Xi, Li Lusu (李魯蘇) to flee to Tang for protection. Tang sent an army to attack the Khitan, but meanwhile made peace with the Tibetan Empire. Initially, the campaign against the Khitan did not succeed, but in 732, with Li Hui in command, Tang forces dealt Ketugan a serious defeat and causing many of Ketugan's subordinates to defect and submit to Tang, although Ketugan was not captured.
Late Kaiyuan era
Meanwhile, Tang also began to have periodic conflicts with Balhae, and in 733 Emperor Xuanzong tried to commission Dae Mun-ye (大門藝), the brother of Balhae's King Mu, to attack Balhae, along with forces from Silla, but the attack was not successful.[32]
Also in 733, Pei Guangting died, and at the recommendation of Xiao Song, he was replaced with Han Xiu, but soon, Song and Han were in repeated conflicts, and late in 733, both were removed and replaced with Pei Yaoqing, who became known for improving the food distribution system, and Zhang Jiuling, known for his integrity.[32][33] In 734, Emperor Xuanzong added Li Linfu, a close associate of Consort Wu, as a chancellor as well.[33]
Around the new year 735, Ketuhan was killed in an internal Khitan power struggle, and Khitan became a vassal again, although it would not stay so permanently.[33]
By 736, Emperor Xuanzong was described as having been tired of important affairs of state and beginning to become wasteful and exuberant in his lifestyle. Zhang tried to curb his behavior but thus began to lose favor, while Li Linfu was gaining power due to his association with Consort Wu. Further, Zhang supported Li Hong (whose name had been changed to Li Ying by this point), while Li Linfu and Consort Wu supported her son Li Mao (李瑁) the Prince of Shou and tried to have Li Mao made crown prince. In 736, due to Li Linfu's machinations that made Emperor Xuanzong believed that Zhang and Pei Yaoqing were improperly engaging in factionalism, Zhang and Pei Yaoqing were removed and replaced by Niu Xianke, who closely followed Li Linfu's will, and thereafter, Li Linfu would dominate the imperial government almost to the end of Emperor Xuanzong's reign. Li Linfu did all he could to stay in power, and carried out many dirty tricks against actual or potential threats to his power. He also severely discouraged criticism, ending the relative freedom that officials had to make proposals to Emperor Xuanzong. This was often viewed by traditional historians as the turning point of Emperor Xuanzong's reign, which up to that point was considered a golden age in Chinese history, toward a path of degeneration. The Song dynasty historian Sima Guang, in his Zizhi Tongjian, for example, commented:[33]
Of the chancellors that the Emperor commissioned after he took the throne, Yao Chong emphasized flexibility, Song Jing emphasized the rule of law, Zhang Jiazhen emphasized administrative abilities, Zhang Shuo emphasized literary talent, Li Yuanhong and Du Xian emphasized frugality, and Han Xiu and Zhang Jiuling emphasized honesty. All of them had their different talents. After Zhang Jiuling was demoted, however, the officials were all concerned about keeping their positions, and honest words no longer had a place in government.
In 737, with Zhang no longer in the government to protect him, Li Ying was deposed and subsequently forced to commit suicide. However, with Consort Wu dying later in the year, Emperor Xuanzong did not immediately accept Li Linfu's proposal to have Li Mao made crown prince. Rather, he chose an older son, Li Yu the Prince of Zhong, in 738.
Tianbao era (742–756)
Historians said that Emperor Xuanzong forced tens of thousands of beautiful women to live in his palace to please him, more than many other Tang emperors.[34] And he did not allow many to be set free even when they were old.[35] As Emperor Xuanzong turned his attention to pleasure-seeking with his favorite concubine Yang Guifei and her family, he paid less and less attention to the running of his empire, and much of his power fell into the hands of the corrupt Li Linfu (who was succeeded by Lady Yang's dissolute cousin Yang Guozhong) and the eunuch Gao Lishi.
At the same time, 751 saw the loss of the Battle of Talas against the Abbasid Caliphate. As a consequence, the Tang dynasty temporarily lost some of its influence in Central Asia to the emerging Abbasid Caliphate, as several Tang tributaries turned to the Abbasids.
Meanwhile, the jiedushi (military governors), most of whom were non-
Early Tianbao era
Meanwhile, at Li Linfu's encouragement, Emperor Xuanzong began to promote non-
Name of circuit/district | Headquarters location | Responsibility | Garrison strength |
---|---|---|---|
Anxi (安西) | Qiuzi (龜茲, in modern Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang) | pacify the Western Regions (Xiyu) | 24,000 |
Beiting (北庭) | Beiting (in modern Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang) | defend against the Jiankun
|
20,000 |
Hexi (河西) | Liang Prefecture (涼州, roughly modern Wuwei, Gansu) | cut off communications between the Tibetan Empire and Eastern Tujue | 73,000 |
Shuofang (朔方)
|
Ling Prefecture (靈州, roughly modern Yinchuan, Ningxia) | defend against Eastern Tujue | 64,700 |
Hedong (河東) | Taiyuan Municipality | defend against Eastern Tujue | 55,000 |
Fanyang (范陽) | You Prefecture (幽州, roughly modern Beijing) | defend against the Xi and the Khitan | 91,400 |
Pinglu (平盧) | Ying Prefecture (營州, roughly modern Chaoyang, Liaoning) | defend against the Shiwei and the Mohe | 37,500 |
Longyou (隴右) | Shan Prefecture (鄯州, roughly modern Haidong, Qinghai) | defend against the Tibetan Empire | 75,000 |
Jiannan (劍南) | Yi Prefecture (益州, roughly modern Chengdu, Sichuan) | defend against the Tibetan Empire and tribes to the south | 30,900 |
Lingnan (嶺南) | Guang Prefecture (廣州, roughly modern Guangzhou, Guangdong) | pacify the non-Han tribes in the region | 15,400 |
Changle (長樂) | Fu Prefecture (福州, roughly modern Fuzhou, Fujian) | coast watch | 1,500 |
Donglai (東萊) | Lai Prefecture (萊州) | coast watch | 1,000 |
Dongmou (東牟) | Deng Prefecture (登州, in modern Yantai as well) | coast watch | 1,000 |
Meanwhile, it was said that Emperor Xuanzong had paid less attention to increasing revenues after Yuwen Rong's fall, but by 742 he was again interested in doing so, and such officials as Wei Jian (韋堅, a brother-in-law of Li Yu, whose name was changed by this point to Li Heng), Wang Hong (王鉷), and Yang Shenjin (楊慎矜) became favored, and often, matters having to do with finances were stripped out of other officials' responsibilities and given to them as special commissions.[36]
Late in 742, Niu Xianke died and was replaced by Li Shizhi.[36]
In 744, Eastern Tujue, after a series of internal turmoil and rebellions from its vassals, finally collapsed. Its vassal
Meanwhile, after Consort Wu's death, Emperor Xuanzong had been depressed. When he saw his son Prince of Shou Li Mao's wife (his daughter-in-law) Yang Yuhuan (Princess of Shou, by virtue of marriage), he was infatuated with her, and he had her become a
Meanwhile, Li Linfu was beginning to conflict with Li Shizhi and Wei Jian, who were allies. Li Linfu, who engaged a group of secret police officials to investigate and manufacture evidence against political enemies, was able to get Wei and Li Shizhi demoted and exiled in 746. (Li Shizhi was replaced by Chen Xilie, who gained favor from Emperor Xuanzong for his knowledge in Taoism and sorcery.) In 747, Li Linfu further carried out a campaign of terror against exiled officials, and among the officials executed were Wei, Li Yong (李邕) and Pei Dunfu (裴敦復). Li Shizhi and Wang Ju, who had been instrumental in Emperor Xuanzong's initial actions against Princess Taiping, committed suicide.[36]
Meanwhile, in 747, Emperor Xuanzong wanted to expand the government's talent pool, and so issued an edict ordering that the people who had unusual talents to come to Chang'an to be examined by himself. Li Linfu, fearing that these examinees might accuse him of improprieties when they get to meet the emperor, suggested that these examinees go through two levels of preliminary examinations – by the local governments, and then by the executive bureau. As a result, no one passed the first two levels of preliminary examinations, and Li Linfu subsequently submitted a note to Emperor Xuanzong congratulating him that no talent has been overlooked by the imperial administration.[36]
Meanwhile, also as of 747, An Lushan had become greatly favored by Emperor Xuanzong due to his military achievements and his willingness to flatter Emperor Xuanzong, Consort Yang, and her family members. Further, Li Linfu, apprehensive about the general
By 748, Consort Yang's cousins Yang Guozhong, Yang Xian (楊銛) and Yang Qi (楊錡), as well as her three sisters (who were created the Ladies of Han, Guo, and Qin), had become exceedingly wealthy and powerful due to the favors that Emperor Xuanzong showed them. It was said that their wealth topped all households in Chang'an. It was also said that by 749, the empire was so wealthy that Emperor Xuanzong viewed treasures as expendable and so awarded them without limit.[42]
Late Tianbao era
Meanwhile, Li Linfu had a tight grip on power and favors from Emperor Xuanzong throughout the years, but as of 750, Yang Guozhong and Chen Xilie had allied with each other and were finding ways to eliminate Li Linfu's allies from government.[42]
As of 751, Tang was also facing defeats on two different external fronts – as
In 752, Wang Hong's brother Wang Han (王銲) was accused of treason after his associates rose in a failed coup at Chang'an. In the aftermaths, Wang Hong was forced to commit suicide, and Yang Guozhong, Chen, and Geshu Han further tried to implicate Li Linfu in the plot as well. After Li Linfu died in winter 752, Yang Guozhong succeeded him, and almost immediately accused Li Linfu of having been complicit in the rebellion of another general, Li Xianzhong (李獻忠). Li Linfu was posthumously disgraced, and his family was exiled.[42]
A rivalry soon developed between Yang Guozhong and An Lushan, and Yang Guozhong began to repeatedly warn Emperor Xuanzong that An was plotting rebellion. Emperor Xuanzong ignored the warnings. In 754, Yang Guozhong suggested that if An were summoned to the capital, he would surely refuse, and Emperor Xuanzong decided to try An – and An arrived in Chang'an immediately after being summoned. After this incident, Emperor Xuanzong no longer believed that An was plotting rebellion. Nevertheless, because of Yang Guozhong's opposition, he did not make An chancellor, as he was planning. Also in 754, with Yang Guozhong also trying to squeeze Chen out of the government, Chen resigned and was replaced by Wei Jiansu.[43]
In 755, Yang Guozhong further provoked An, who was then back at his post in Fanyang, by surrounding An's mansion at Chang'an and arresting and executing An's staff members. An, in fear and anger, rebelled in winter 755, and quickly reached and captured Luoyang after defeating
From now on, my edicts (敕, chi) shall be referred to as gao (誥), and submissions to me shall address me as Taishang Huang. All matters relating to the military or the state throughout the realm shall first be submitted to the Emperor before being submitted to me. After the capital is recaptured, I will no longer oversee the affairs of state.
However, perhaps to avoid the impression that he was keeping a rival government to Emperor Suzong, he sent the several chancellors that he had retained or created while on the journey to or after he arrived in Chengdu – Wei, Fang Guan, and Cui Huan – to Lingwu to formally invest imperial power on Emperor Suzong and to serve under Emperor Suzong.[46]
As retired emperor
Emperor Xuanzong, after becoming retired emperor, largely allowed Emperor Suzong to coordinate the campaign against Yan, but at times nevertheless stepped in to make decisions. For example, in spring 757, apparently without first consulting Emperor Suzong, he named Li Lin chancellor, although he subsequently sent both Li Lin and another chancellor, Cui Yuan, whom he had not sent to Emperor Suzong previously, to Emperor Suzong. He also posthumously honored Emperor Suzong's mother Consort Yang (not Yang Yuhuan) as an empress. Meanwhile, remembering Zhang Jiuling had previously warned about An Lushan, Emperor Xuanzong sent messengers to Zhang's tomb to offer sacrifices to him.[47]
Late in 757, Emperor Suzong, with aid from Huige, recaptured Chang'an from Yan, then ruled by An Lushan's son
After Emperor Xuanzong was back in Chang'an, he largely stayed out of policy decisions, although he at times still exerted his influence on Emperor Suzong. For example, Emperor Suzong had wanted to spare Zhang Shuo's sons Zhang Jun (張均) and Zhang Ji (張垍), who had previously submitted to An Lushan, because of Zhang Shuo's contributions and Zhang Jun's and Zhang Ji's prior efforts to protect him from Li Linfu's machinations, but Emperor Xuanzong deeply hated them for having surrendered to An, and at Emperor Xuanzong's insistence, Zhang Jun was executed, and Zhang Ji was exiled to Lingnan.[48]
Meanwhile, after a while, Emperor Xuanzong settled into a routine at Xingqing Palace, with Chen Xuanli and Gao Lishi attending to him. Also often attending to him were his daughter Li Chiying (李持盈), the Princess Yuzhen, the lady in waiting Ru Xianyuan (如仙媛), and the eunuchs Wang Cheng'en (王承恩) and Wei Yue (魏悅). The imperial musicians often played for him, and he often climbed up Changqing Tower (長慶樓) to receive well wishes from the populace. He also often held feasts for generals and people from Jiannan, with Li Chiying and Ru serving as hostesses. Meanwhile, though, Emperor Xuanzong's attendants looked down at the powerful eunuch
After Emperor Xuanzong was forcibly moved back to the main palace, Emperor Suzong tried to please him by offering him the best of all of the tributes of the land first, but Emperor Xuanzong became depressed and rarely ate meat, and quickly became ill. Emperor Suzong had his daughters Princesses Wan'an and Xianyi attend to their grandfather, and initially frequently personally visited Emperor Xuanzong, but after some time became ill himself and could not visit Emperor Xuanzong. He began to regret forcibly moving Emperor Xuanzong and considered killing Li Fuguo, but as Li Fuguo wielded command of the imperial guards at this time, he did not dare to try to do so.[51] Emperor Xuanzong died, in that depressed state, on 3 May 762.[6][52]
Emperor Xuanzong was deeply criticized by later historians for his wastefulness and for his appointing of Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and An to prominent offices.[53] The strength that Xuanzong had allowed the military governors to have, which was perpetuated after Tang had defeated Yan, led to a period of increasing conflict and instability which set the stage for the decline of the Tang dynasty and the ensuing Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.[54]
Poetry
Xuanzong had one poem collected in the famous poetry anthology
Chancellors during reign
- Cen Xi (712–713)[55]
- Liu Youqiu (712, 713)[56]
- Cui Shi (712–713)[57]
- Lu Xiangxian (712–713)[58]
- Wei Zhigu (712–713)[59]
- Dou Huaizhen (712–713)[60]
- Xiao Zhizhong (713)[61]
- Guo Yuanzhen (713)[62]
- Zhang Yue (713, 721–726)[63]
- Yao Chong (713–716)[64]
- Lu Huaishen (713–716)[65]
- Xue Na (713)[66]
- Yuan Qianyao (716, 720–729)[67]
- Song Jing (716–720)[68]
- Su Ting (716–720)[69]
- Zhang Jiazhen (720–723)[70]
- Wang Jun (723)[71]
- Li Yuanhong (726–729)[72]
- Du Xian (726–729)[73]
- Xiao Song (728–733)[74]
- Pei Guangting (729–733)[75]
- Yuwen Rong (729)[76]
- Han Xiu (733)[77]
- Pei Yaoqing (733–736)[78]
- Zhang Jiuling (733–736)[79]
- Li Linfu (734–752)[80]
- Niu Xianke (736–742)[81]
- Li Shizhi (742–746)[82]
- Chen Xilie (746–754)[83]
- Yang Guozhong (752–756)[84]
- Wei Jiansu (754–756)[85]
- Cui Yuan (756)[86]
- Fang Guan (756)[87]
Family
Consorts and issue:
- Empress, of the Wang clan of Taiyuan (皇后 太原王氏; d. 724)
- Empress Zhenshun, of the Wu clan (貞順皇后 武氏/贞顺皇后 武氏; 699–737), third cousin
- Li Yi, Prince Dao of Xia (夏悼王 李一; 716–717), ninth son
- Princess Shangxian (上仙公主)
- Li Min, Prince Ai of Huai (懷哀王 李敏/怀哀王 李敏; 719–720), 15th son
- Li Mao, Prince Shou (壽王 李瑁/寿王 李瑁; 720–775), 18th son
- Li Qi, Prince Sheng (盛王 李琦; d. 764), 21st son
- Princess Xianyi (咸宜公主; 722–784)
- Married Yang Hui of Hongnong (弘農 楊洄/弘农 杨洄; d. 761) in 735, and had issue (one son)
- Married Cui Song of Boling (博陵 崔嵩) in 761
- Princess Taihua (太華公主/太华公主), 21st daughter
- Married Yang Qi of Hongnong (弘農 楊錡/弘农 杨锜) in 745
- Empress Yuanxian, of the Yang clan of Hongnong (元獻皇后 弘農楊氏/元献皇后 弘农杨氏; 699–729)
- Noble Consort Yang, of the Yang clan of Hongnong(貴妃 弘農楊氏/贵妃 弘农杨氏; 719–756)
- Noble Consort, of the Dong clan (貴妃 董氏/贵妃 董氏)
- Noble Consort, of the Xiang clan (貴妃 項氏/贵妃 项氏)
- Unnamed daughter
- Pure Consort, of the Huangfu clan of Anding (淑妃 安定皇甫氏; 694–735)
- Li Yao, Prince E (鄂王 李瑤; d. 737), fifth son
- Princess Linjin (臨晉公主/临晋公主; d. 773), second daughter
- Married Zheng Qianyao of Xingyang (滎陽 鄭潛曜/荥阳 郑潜曜) in 740
- Virtuous Consort, of the Qian clan (德妃 錢氏/钱氏)
- Li Yan, Prince Di (棣王 李琰; d. 752), fourth son
- Elegant Consort, of the Zhao clan (麗妃 趙氏/丽妃 赵氏; 693–726)
- Li Ying, Crown Prince (皇太子 李瑛; d. 737), second son
- Splendid Consort, of the Liu clan (華妃 劉氏/华妃 刘氏)
- Li Cong, Emperor Fengtian (奉天皇帝 李琮; d. 752), first son
- Li Wan, Crown Prince Jinggong (靖恭皇太子 李琬; d. 755), sixth son
- Li Sui, Prince Yi (儀王 李璲/仪王 李璲; d. 765), 12th son
- Imperial Concubine of the First Rank, of the Lin clan (昭儀/昭仪 林氏)
- Princess Yichun (宜春公主)
- Imperial Concubine of the Fourth Rank, of the Guo clan (順儀/顺仪 郭氏)
- Imperial Concubine of the Third Rank, of the Wu clan (賢儀/贤仪 武氏), third cousin
- Li Xuan, Prince Liang (涼王 李璿; d. 774), 29th son
- Li Jing, Prince Ai of Bian (汴哀王 李璥; d. 736), 30th son
- Imperial Concubine of the Sixth Rank, of the Dong clan (芳儀/芳仪 董氏)
- Princess Guangning (廣寧公主/广宁公主)
- Married Cheng Changyin (程昌胤; 725–784)
- Married Su Kezhen (蘇克貞/苏克贞)
- Princess Guangning (廣寧公主/广宁公主)
- Fairness Lady, of the Liu clan of Hedong (婕妤 河東柳氏/婕妤 河东柳氏)
- Princess Qi (齊公主), first daughter
- Married Wang Yao of Langya, Duke Langya (琊瑯 王繇/瑯琊公 王徭) in 723, and had issue (one son)
- Li Bin, Prince Yan (延王 李玢; d. 784), 20th son
- Princess Qi (齊公主), first daughter
- Fairness Lady of the Gao clan (婕妤 高氏; 694–739)
- Li Jiao, Prince Ying (潁王 李璬/颍王 李璬; 718–783), 13th son
- Princess Changle (昌樂公主/昌乐公主)
- Married Dou E of Henan (河南 竇鍔/河南 窦锷) in 737
- Beauty, of the Zhong clan (美人 鍾氏/钟氏)
- Li Huan, Prince Ji (濟王 李環/济王 李环; d. 768), 22nd son
- Beauty, of the Lu clan (美人 盧氏/卢氏)
- Li Huang, Prince Xin (信王 李瑝; 725–774), 23rd son
- Beauty, of the Wang clan (美人 王氏)
- Li Gui, Prince Chen (陳王 李珪/陈王 李珪; 725–784), 25th son
- Beauty, of the Du clan (美人 杜氏)
- Princess Wanchun (萬春公主/万春公主; 732–770)
- Married Yang Fei of Hongnong (弘農 楊朏/弘农 杨朏; d. 756), a son of Yang Guozhong, in 754
- Married Yang Qi of Hongnong (弘農 楊錡/弘农 杨锜) in 756
- Princess Wanchun (萬春公主/万春公主; 732–770)
- Talented Lady, of the Liu clan (才人 劉氏/刘 氏)
- Li Ju, Prince Guang (光王 李琚; d. 737), eighth son
- Talented Lady, of the Yan clan (才人 閻氏/阎氏)
- Princess Xincheng (信成公主)
- Married Dugu Ming of Henan (河南 獨孤明/独孤明) in 737, and had issue (one daughter)
- Li Ci, Prince Yi (義王 李玼/义王 李玼; 725–784), 24th son
- Princess Xincheng (信成公主)
- Talented Lady, of the Chen clan (才人 陳氏/陈氏)
- Li Gong, Prince Feng (豐王 李珙/丰王 李珙; d. 763), 26th son
- Talented Lady, of the Zheng clan (才人 鄭氏/郑氏)
- Li Tian, Prince Heng (恆王 李瑱/恒王 李瑱), 27th son
- Talented Lady, of the Zhao clan (才人 趙氏/赵氏)
- Princess Shouguang (壽光公主/寿光公主; 726–750), 22nd daughter
- Married Guo Ye of Jingzhao (京兆 郭液) in 746, and had issue (one son)
- Princess Shouguang (壽光公主/寿光公主; 726–750), 22nd daughter
- Talented Lady, of the Chang clan (才人 常氏)
- Princess Xinping (新平公主; d. 775)
- Married Pei Jian of Hedong (河東 裴玪/河东 裴玪), and had issue (one son)
- Married Jiang Qingchu of Tianshui, Duke Chu (天水 姜慶初/姜庆初; d. 767) in 751
- Princess Xinping (新平公主; d. 775)
- Lady, of the Caoyena clan (曹野那氏)
- Princess Shou'an (壽安公主/寿安公主), personal name Chongniang (蟲娘/虫娘)
- Married Su Fa (蘇發/苏发)
- Princess Shou'an (壽安公主/寿安公主), personal name Chongniang (蟲娘/虫娘)
- Unknown
- Li Xun, Prince An (安王 李洵)
- Princess Changfen (常芬公主), second daughter
- Married Zhang Qushe, Count Fanyang (張去奢/张去奢; 688–747) in 731
- Princess Xiaochang (孝昌公主), third daughter
- Princess Tangchang (唐昌公主), fourth daughter
- Married Xue Xiu of Hedong (河東 薛銹/河东 薛锈; d. 737) in 728
- Princess Lingchang (靈昌公主/灵昌公主), fifth daughter
- Princess Changshan (常山公主), sixth daughter
- Married Xue Tan of Hedong (河東 薛譚/河东 薛谭; d. 728) in 728
- Married Dou Ze of Henan (河南 竇澤/窦泽) in 728
- Princess Wan'an (萬安公主/万安公主)
- Princess Huaisi (懷思公主/怀思公主)
- Princess Jin (晉公主/晋公主), 11th daughter
- Married Cui Huitong of Qinghe (清河 崔惠童) in 737
- Princess Xinchang (新昌公主)
- Married Xiao Heng of Lanling (蘭陵 蕭衡/兰陵 箫衡; d. 747), a son of Xiao Song, and had issue (five sons, one daughter)
- Princess Wei (衛公主/卫公主)
- Married Doulu Jian of Changli, Duke Rui (昌黎 豆盧建/昌黎 豆卢建; 706–744) in 737
- Married Yang Shuo of Hongnong (弘農 楊說/弘农 杨说) in 744
- Princess Zhenyang (真陽公主/真阳公主)
- Married Yuan Qing of Henan (河南 源清) in 740
- Married Su Zhen, Duke Qi (蘇震/苏震)
- Princess Chu (楚公主)
- Married Wu Chengjiang, Duke Puyang (吳澄江), and had issue (one son)
- Princess Yongning (永寧公主/永宁公主), 17th daughter
- Married Pei Qiqiu of Hedong (河東 裴齊丘/河东 裴齐丘) in 738
- Princess Song (宋公主), 19th daughter
- Married Wen Xihua (溫西華/温西华) in 747
- Married Yang Hui (楊徽/杨徽)
- Princess Lecheng (樂城公主/乐城公主), 23rd daughter
- Married Xue Lüqian of Hedong (河東 薛履謙/河东 薛履谦; d. 761) in 746
Ancestry
Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566–635) | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Taizong of Tang (598–649) | |||||||||||||||||||
Empress Taimu (569–613) | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Gaozong of Tang (628–683) | |||||||||||||||||||
Zhangsun Sheng (552–609) | |||||||||||||||||||
Empress Wende (601–636) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Gao of Bohai | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Ruizong of Tang (662–716) | |||||||||||||||||||
Wu Hua | |||||||||||||||||||
Wu Shiyue (577–635) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Zhao | |||||||||||||||||||
Empress Zetian (624–705) | |||||||||||||||||||
Yang Da (548–612) | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Yang of Hongnong (579–670) | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (685–762) | |||||||||||||||||||
Dou Kang (d. 621) | |||||||||||||||||||
Dou Dan (580–648) | |||||||||||||||||||
Dou Xiaochen (d. 693) | |||||||||||||||||||
Emperor Gaozu of Tang (566–635) | |||||||||||||||||||
Princess Xiangyang | |||||||||||||||||||
Empress Zhaocheng (d. 693) | |||||||||||||||||||
Pang Qingyun (594–628) | |||||||||||||||||||
Pang Tongshan | |||||||||||||||||||
Lady Pang | |||||||||||||||||||
Religious views
Xuanzong "ordered his four brothers to worship in the Chang'an Nestorian church", but also asked that paintings of him and the four previous emperors be kept in the church there.[89]
In popular culture
- Portrayed by Masayuki Mori in Princess Yang Kwei Fei. (1955)
- Portrayed by Kwong Wa in The Legend of Lady Yang. (2000)
- Portrayed by Benny Chan in Whatever it Takes. (2001)
- Portrayed by Leon Lai in Lady of the Dynasty. (2015)
- Portrayed by Chin Han in The Glory of Tang Dynasty. (2017)
- Portrayed by Steven Ma in Deep in the Realm of Conscience. (2018)
See also
- Chinese emperors family tree (middle)
References
- ^ He ascended the throne following the abdication of his father Emperor Ruizong in 712, who received the title Taishang Huang (retired emperor) but continued to wield actual imperial power until 713.
- ^ a b Volume 210 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Tang Ruizong (by then the Taishang Huang) released an edict, declaring that Emperor Xuanzong was to be solely in charge of the empire's affairs. This edict was released on the yichou day of the 7th month of the 1st year of the Kaiyuan era of Tang Xuanzong's reign. This date corresponds to 30 Jul 713 in the Gregorian calendar. Three days later, on the wuchen day of the same month, which corresponds to 2 August 713 on the Gregorian calendar, Princess Taiping was forced to commit suicide. With the death of Princess Taiping, the last major obstacle to Xuanzong's control was removed. [(开元元年七月)乙丑,上皇诰:...太平公主逃入山寺,三日乃出,赐死于家,...]
- ^ Following the rebellion of An Lushan, Xuanzong's son Emperor Suzong was proclaimed emperor by the army on 12 August 756, but Emperor Xuanzong and his retinue, who had escaped to Sichuan, only heard the news on 10 September 756, that date marking the end of Xuanzong's reign in practice. Until Emperor Xuanzong received the news of Emperor Suzong's ascension, he continued to issue imperial edicts as emperor.
- ^ a b According to Tang Suzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he assumed the throne at Lingwu on the jiazi day in the 7th month of the 15th year of the Tianbao era of Tang Xuanzong's reign. This date corresponds to 12 August 756 in the Gregorian calendar.(「(天宝十五载七月)是月甲子,上即皇帝位于灵武。」) Old Book of Tang, vol. 10.
- ^ a b According to Xuanzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he was born on the wuyin day in the 8th month of the 1st year of the Chuigong era of Tang Ruizong's reign. This date corresponds to 8 Sep 685 in the Julian calendar. 「(垂拱元年秋八月戊寅,生于东都。」 Old Book of Tang, vol. 8
- ^ a b c According to Xuanzong's biography in volume 9 of Old Book of Tang, he died, aged 78 (by East Asian reckoning), on the jiayin day of the 4th month of the 2nd year of the Shangyuan era of Tang Suzong's reign. This date corresponds to 3 May 762 on the Julian calendar. (上元二年四月甲寅,崩于神龙殿,时年七十八)
- ^ This is the name under which Emperor Xuanzong is most known in the Chinese-speaking world. See, e.g., this article Archived 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine from Wen Wei Po.
- ^ "Xuan Zong". Collins English Dictionary.
- ^ General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar.
- ^ ISBN 9622316670.
- ^ See, e.g., Bo Yang Edition of the Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 52, preface.
- ^ a b c d Old Book of Tang, vol. 8.
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol. 81.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 205.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 204,
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 206.
- ^ a b c d Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 209.
- ^ a b c d e f Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 210.
- ^ According to Xuanzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, the Xiantian Coup took place on the 3rd day of the 7th month of the 2nd year of the Xiantian era of his reign. This date corresponds to 29 Jul 713 on the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 211.
- ^ See, e.g., Bo Yang Edition of the Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 51, Preface.
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol. 62.
- ^ Bo Yang, Outlines of the History of the Chinese (中國人史綱), vol. 2, pp. 544–546.
- ^ a b c d e Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 212.
- ISBN 978-1-78671-699-6.
- ISBN 978-0-8135-1304-1.
aksu 717.
- ISBN 978-0-19-999627-8.
- ISBN 0-691-02469-3.
- ISBN 978-0-595-22134-9.
- ^ See, e.g., Bo Yang Edition of the Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 51, 722.
- ^ Old Book of Tang, vol. 93.
- ^ a b c d e f g Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 213.
- ^ a b c d e Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 214.
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol.132
- ^ Dao Fu. 上陽白髮人
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 215.
- ^ Old Book of Tang, vol. 184
- ^ 元稹, 行宮
- ^ 白居易, 上陽白髮人
- ^ 从"花鸟使"说起(325)_慧心_新浪博客
- ^ "女性.帝王.賦家: 唐「美麗」賦之書寫類型及其文化意蘊" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2014-12-30.
- ^ a b c d e Zizhi Tongjian, 216.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 217.
- ^ According to Xuanzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he abandoned Chang'an in the early hours of the yiwei day in the 6th month of the 15th year of the Tianbao era of his reign. This date corresponds to 14 Jul 756 in the Gregorian calendar.(「(天宝十五载六月)乙未,凌晨自延秋门出,...」) Old Book of Tang, vol. 9.
- ^ According to Xuanzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, the envoy from Lingwu reached him on the guisi day in the 8th month of the 15th year of the Tianbao era of his reign. This date corresponds to 10 Sep 756 in the Gregorian calendar.(「(天宝十五载八月)癸巳,灵武使至,始知皇太子即位。」) Old Book of Tang, vol. 9.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 218.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 219.
- ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 220.
- ^ Old Book of Tang, vol. 51.
- ^ According to Xuanzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he reached Chang'an on the dingwei day in the 12th month of the year after the 15th year of the Tianbao era of his reign. This date corresponds to 17 Jan 758 in the Gregorian calendar.(「(天宝十五载明年十二月)丁未,至京师...」) Old Book of Tang, vol. 9.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 221.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 222.
- ^ E.g., see Old Book of Tang, vol. 9.
- ^ E.g., Bo Yang, Outlines of the History of the Chinese, vol. 2, pp. 550–552.
- ^ New Book of Tang, 102:3968
- ^ New Book of Tang, 121:4328
- ^ New Book of Tang, 99:3922
- ^ New Book of Tang, 116:4236
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4414
- ^ New Book of Tang, 109:4100
- ^ New Book of Tang, 123:4372
- ^ New Book of Tang, 122:4365
- ^ New Book of Tang, 125:4406–7
- ^ New Book of Tang, 124:4382
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4417
- ^ New Book of Tang, 111:4144
- ^ New Book of Tang, 127:4450–1
- ^ New Book of Tang, 124:4393
- ^ New Book of Tang, 125:4399
- ^ New Book of Tang, 127:4442
- ^ New Book of Tang, 111:4156
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4419
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4421
- ^ New Book of Tang, 101:3953
- ^ New Book of Tang, 108:4090
- ^ New Book of Tang, 134:4557
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4432
- ^ New Book of Tang, 127:4453
- ^ New Book of Tang, 126:4428
- ^ Old Book of Tang, 106:3236
- ^ New Book of Tang, 133:4555
- ^ New Book of Tang, 131:4504
- ^ Old Book of Tang, 97:3059
- ^ Old Book of Tang, 106:3244
- ^ New Book of Tang, 118:4268
- ^ New Book of Tang, 140:4641
- ^ New Book of Tang, 139:4625
- .
- ^ Li, Dun J. (1965). The Ageless Chinese: A History. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. p. 373.
- Liu Xu et al., eds. 舊唐書 (Old Book of Tang), 945. Shanghai: Zhonghua Publishing, 1975. 16 vols. Vol. 8, vol. 9
- Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi, et al., eds. 新唐書 (New Book of Tang), 1060. Shanghai: Zhonghua Publishing, 1975. 20 vols. Vol. 5.
- Sima Guang, ed. (1956) [1084]. 資治通鑑 [Zizhi Tongjian]. Beijing: Zhonghua Publishing. Vols. 204, 205, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222.
External links
- Works by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)