Tang Dynasty
Crossing the years: 618-907
Overview 1
The Tang Dynasty is one of the important dynasties in Chinese history one. In terms of economy, politics, culture and Sino-foreign exchanges, China made brilliant achievements in the Tang Dynasty. The Li Tang Dynasty included Gaozu, Taizong, Gaozong, Zhongzong, Ruizong, Xuanzong, Suzong, Daizong, Dezong, Shunzong, Xianzong, Mu Zong, Jingzong, Wenzong, Wuzong, Xuanzong, Yizong, Xi Zong, Zhaozong and Emperor Ai* Among the twenty emperors, there was a short-lived Wuzhou regime during the reigns of Zhongzong and Ruizong. According to statistics from the Ministry of Household Affairs in the 28th year of Kaiyuan (740), there are 328 counties and prefectures and 1,573 counties in the country. The territory of the Tang Dynasty extended from Andong in the east to Anxi in the west, starting from Shanyufu in the north and ending at Rinan in the south. Its capital was Chang'an (now Xi'an, Shaanxi) in the west, and Luoyang (east of Luoyang in today's Henan) was the eastern capital, commonly known as the "two capitals". .
The establishment and early rule of the Tang Dynasty
Li Yuan was the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, peasant uprisings spread across the country. In the eleventh year of Daye (615), Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty appointed Li Yuan as the consolation ambassador to Hedong, Shanxi. Soon after, he asked Taiyuan to stay behind to prepare for the Turks in the north and suppress the Turks in what is now Shanxi Province. Peasants revolted. At that time, the Sui regime was on the verge of collapse. The ruling class had experienced major splits again and again. Landlord armed forces and rebels were scattered throughout the country. Li Yuan always had great ambitions. After moving to Taiyuan, he saw that the Sui Dynasty was about to be defeated, and he had the idea of ??replacing it. In the twelfth year of the Great Cause, the peasant uprising had taken over the country. The Sui Dynasty could no longer concentrate its forces to effectively attack various armed groups. In May of the following year, Li Yuan killed the deputy left-behind Wang Wei and Gao Junya in Taiyuan, officially announcing the uprising. . In July, Li Yuan, his eldest son Jiancheng and his second son Shimin sent their troops south, defeated Huoyi (now Huo County, Shanxi Province), crossed the Yellow River, and advanced to the southwest. In November, he invaded Chang'an. Soon after, it was announced that Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty would be honored as the Supreme Emperor, and Yang You, the grandson of Emperor Yang, would be elected as the emperor. He would change his name to Yining and become Emperor Gong of the Sui Dynasty. Li Yuan was appointed prime minister and promoted to king of Tang Dynasty. In March of the 14th year of Daye, Emperor Sui Yang was killed in Jiangdu. In May, Li Yuan forced Emperor Gong to abdicate and proclaimed himself emperor. The country was named Tang, and he was Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty. After changing the military ethics of Yuan Dynasty, the capital is still Chang'an. On the fourth day of June in the ninth year of Takeori, King Li Shimin of Qin ambushed Xuanwumen and launched a palace coup, killing his brother Prince Jiancheng and his fourth brother King Yuanji of Qi, forcing Gaozu to make himself the crown prince. Soon, Shimin ascended the throne as Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan abdicated and became the Supreme Emperor. The following year it was changed to Yuan Zhenguan. Not long after Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty came to the throne, in the second year of Zhenguan (628), he sent a large army to conquer the Liang division capital that occupied Xiazhou (now Baichengzi, Inner Mongolia). The division capital was killed by his subordinates. Xiazhou was owned by the Tang Dynasty, and the country was unified.
As an outstanding statesman and enlightened emperor, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty accepted the lessons of the Sui Dynasty and was frightened by the remaining power of the peasant uprising. It is called the rule of Zhenguan.
Overview 2
The development of the Tang Dynasty
In the 23rd year of Zhenguan (649), Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty passed away and the ninth son Li Zhi came to the throne. . During the reign of Tang Gaozong and Li Zhi, Empress Wu Zetian gradually stepped onto the political stage and became the only female emperor in Chinese history. She was the daughter of the warrior Yu, who entered the palace at the age of fourteen and became a talented person of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. After Taizong's death, she entered Ganye Temple as a nun. After Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty came to the throne, he called her into the palace and named her Zhaoyi. In the sixth year of Yonghui (655), Emperor Gaozong, with the support of Li Ji, Xu Jingzong and others, announced that he would depose Queen Wang and make her queen instead. Starting from Xianqing (656-661), political power gradually came into the hands of Empress Wu, and the emperor and Empress Wu were called the "Two Saints" in the world. After the death of Gaozong in the first year of Hongdao (683), Wu Zetian established Prince Li Xian as emperor, who was Zhongzong. Soon after, Zhongzong was deposed and another son, Li Dan, was made emperor, which was Ruizong. In the first year of Tianshou (690), Wu Zetian finally deposed Ruizong and proclaimed himself emperor, and changed the name of the country to Zhou. The Wuzhou regime lasted for fifteen years (690-705).
Wu Zetian controlled the country for nearly half a century. In the first year of Shenlong (705), prime ministers Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan, Yuan Shuji and others instigated the Yulin Army Li Chen, Li Duozuo and others to launch a coup. He killed Wu Zetian's cronies Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi's brothers, supported the restoration of Zhongzong Li Xian, and reestablished the Li dynasty.
After Zhongzong's restoration, he was still a puppet emperor, and power fell into the hands of Queen Weishi, his daughter Princess Anle, and Empress Wu's remnant Wu Sansi. Zhongzong died in the fourth year of Jinglong (710). Empress Wei made Li Chongmao, the king of Wen, the young emperor, and wanted to harm Li Dan, the prime minister. Li Danzi Longji then launched a coup, killed Empress Wei, Princess Anle and the remaining forces of the Wu family, and supported Li Dan to the throne as Ruizong. Afterwards, Princess Taiping, Ruizong's sister, gained great power due to her support, and a power struggle broke out between her and Li Longji. Ruizong gave way to Prince Longji in the first year of Yanhe (712) and became Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. The following year, Princess Taiping was sentenced to death, and her party members were either killed or expelled, and the chaotic political situation ended. In the same year, Tang Xuanzong changed the Yuan Dynasty to Kaiyuan.
After Tang Xuanzong came to the throne, he worked hard to govern and strive to make a difference. Therefore, during the Kaiyuan period, a situation of political clarity and prosperity for the people was formed, which is known as the Kaiyuan rule in history. This was the second heyday in Chinese history after the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. During the Tianbao reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, amidst the prosperity of singing and dancing, he gradually transformed into an emperor who was greedy for pleasure. In the 22nd year of Kaiyuan (734), Li Linfu, who was "sweet in speech and sword in belly", became prime minister and held the position for nineteen years. Li Linfu was insidious and vicious, and rejected the virtuous. The next powerful official, Yang Guozhong, was Yang Guifei's cousin and served as an envoy for more than 40 years. Xuanzong trusted him blindly and could not see anything wrong, and the officials were dumbfounded. From the Xuanzong Dynasty, the situation of eunuchs intervening in politics began to appear. Gao Lishi was so favored that he often had to submit the writings from all directions before he could enter the imperial court. In short, by the end of Tang Xuanzong's reign, a serious crisis had emerged behind the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.
The Anshi Rebellion
An Lushan and Shi Siming were both miscellaneous people in the Northeast. An Lushan concurrently served as the Jiedushi of Pinglu (today's Chaoyang, Liaoning), Fanyang (today's Beijing), and Hedong (today's southwest of Taiyuan, Shanxi), and also served as the interview and handling envoy of Hebei Province, specializing in dealing with the Xi, Khitan and other ethnic groups. Shi Siming also served as an official and knew the military affairs of Hirado. After years of planning and preparation, An Lushan finally launched a rebellion in Fan Yang in November of the 14th year of Tianbao (755). An Lushan soon captured Luoyang, proclaimed himself emperor, and named his country Yan. After the fall of Tongguan, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty fled in panic to Chengdu. Prince Li Heng ascended the throne in Lingwu as Suzong. During the war, internal strife broke out repeatedly within the Anshi Group. First, An Lushan was killed by his son Qingxu, then An Qingxu was killed by Shi Siming, and finally Siming was also killed by his son Chaoyi. The internal struggle greatly weakened the strength of the Anshi Army. What is especially important is that they launched a war that was unpopular and suffered attacks from the masses everywhere. In this case, the Tang army gradually turned defeat into victory. In the first year of Baoying (762), Suzong died, and Prince Li Yu ascended the throne and became the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He appointed King Yong Li Shi as the marshal of the world's soldiers and horses, and joined the Taoist and Uighur armies to launch a counterattack. Finally, in the first month of the following year, he defeated the rebels and Shi Chaoyi committed suicide. The Anshi Rebellion that lasted for more than seven years ended.
Although the Anshi Rebellion was put down, the situation of separatist vassal towns was formed. In the late Tang Dynasty, three large-scale wars broke out between the central government and the feudal towns. For the first time, Tang Dezong tried to pacify the vassals, which caused the "Two Emperors and Four Kings" rebellion; for the second time, Tang Xianzong used troops on a large scale and pacified many vassal towns; for the third time, Tang Wuzong pacified Zelu.
Overview 3
The Tang Dynasty is heading towards its demise
In the late Tang Dynasty, the central government’s finances mainly relied on granting funds to the southeastern provinces, and local farmers suffered particularly severely. As a result, in the thirteenth year of Emperor Xuanzong's reign (859), the peasant uprising in eastern Zhejiang led by Qiu Fu finally broke out. In the summer of the first year of Xiantong (860), Emperor Yizong of the Tang Dynasty, Qiu Fu was besieged in Shan County. He was outnumbered and his uprising failed.
Yizong died in the 14th year of Xiantong (873), and Prince Li Yan came to the throne. He was named Xizong and was renamed Zhang. Xizong spent the whole day hunting and playing, and the government was in turmoil. Natural disasters were severe in the middle reaches of the Yellow River. Many farmers sold their wives and children and had no way to make a living. Peasants revolted all over the country, and conditions were finally ripe for a major uprising. In the second year of Qianfu of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty (875), Huang Chao, a native of Yuanju (today's northwest of Caoxian County, Shandong Province), revolted with thousands of people in the same year. Huang Chao was praised by the public as the "General Soaring to the Sky" and the "Wang Ba" in Jianyuan. Huang Chao called himself "the commander of the rebel army". On December 13th of the first year of Guangming Dynasty (January 16th, 881), Huang Chao ascended the throne in Hanyuan Hall. The country's name was "Daqi" and the name of the country was changed to "Jin Tong".
In the spring of the third year of Zhonghe (883), the rebel army was defeated at Liangtianbei (now southwest of Huaxian County, Shaanxi Province). Huang Chao finally retreated to Langhu Valley (today's southwest of Laiwu, Shandong) with dozens of relatives and friends, and died heroically. The Peasants' War, which lasted for more than nine years, ended. This great uprising effectively dealt a blow to the Tang regime, and for the first time put forward the demand for "equal" wealth. It hit the landlord economy to a certain extent and was of great significance in the history of peasant wars in ancient China.
The Tang Dynasty fell apart under the heavy blow of Huang Chao's uprising and existed in name only. In the process of suppressing the peasant uprising, a new group of Jiedushi envoys emerged. Among them, the most powerful in the Yellow River Basin were Hedong Jiedushi Li Keyong, Bian Song Jiedushi Zhu Quanzhong (Zhu Wen was named Quanzhong after he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty) and Fengxiang Jiedu made three people, Li Maozhen. After Xizong returned to Beijing, the Tang Dynasty could only control dozens of states in Hexi, Shannan, Jiannan, and Lingnan. Li Maozhen and Zhu Quanzhong each had the intention of coercing the emperor to order the princes. Later, a war broke out between the two sides, and Tang Zhaozong was kidnapped by the eunuchs and Li Maozhong to Fengxiang. Zhu Quanzhong had the military advantage and surrounded Fengxiang. Li Maozhen couldn't bear it and finally gave in and made peace. In the third year of Tianfu (903), Zhu Quanzhong supported Zhaozong in returning to the capital. He used his military strength to kill hundreds of eunuchs who served in the province. Completely eradicated. The following year, Zhu Quanzhong forced Tang Zhaozong to move the capital to Luoyang. Later, Zhu Quanzhong ordered people to kill Zhaozong and make Li Zhi the crown prince. Li Wei soon ascended the throne as Emperor Ai. In the second year of Tianyou (905), Zhu Quanzhong demoted and expelled court officials, and then killed Cui Shu and more than 30 demoted court officials in Baima Post and threw their bodies into the river. This incident is known as the "Baima Post Disaster" in history. ". All political resistance had been eliminated, and Zhu Quanzhong forced Emperor Ai of the Tang Dynasty to abdicate in the fourth year of Tianyou's reign. He changed the name of the country to Liang (historically known as Houliang), which was Taizu of Liang (soon to be renamed Huang), and changed the name to Kaiping and Kaifeng. The Tang Dynasty fell.
Tang Dynasty Emperor Genealogy
Gaozu Li Yuan (566-635) proclaimed himself emperor in 618, reigned for 9 years, and gave way to Li Shimin in 626
Gaozu Li Yuan , a native of Shaanxi, hereditary as Tang Gong. In 617, he was appointed as the left-behind officer in Taiyuan. When the peasants revolted in the late Sui Dynasty, he took the opportunity to raise troops to invade Chang'an and establish the Tang Dynasty. Li Yuan is a drunkard and a womanizer, without any great talent or strategy. After abdicating the throne, he died in 635 at the age of 70.
Taizong Li Shimin (598-649) ascended the throne in 626 and reigned for 24 years.
Li Shimin was one of the few well-known emperors in Chinese history who could conquer and govern the world. He was the military commander who played a decisive role in the series of wars that led to the unification of the country in the Tang Dynasty. After taking the throne, he implemented a series of reform measures to achieve the famous "Government of Zhenguan" in history.
Gaozong Li Zhi (628-683) ascended the throne in 649 and reigned for 34 years. Gaozong Li Zhi, the ninth son of Li Shimin. Politically, he did nothing, and in the later period, Wu Zetian controlled the government. He died of illness in 683 at the age of 56.
Zhongzong Li Xian (656-710) (683-684; 705-710) reigned for 6 years
Zhongzong Li Xian, the sixth son of Li Zhi, Li Zhi ascended the throne after his death, but was deposed by Empress Wu only in February. In 705, Empress Wu abdicated to Li Xian and did nothing, and was poisoned by Empress Weishi at the age of 55.
Ruizong Li Dan (662-716) (684-690; 710-712) reigned for 8 years
Ruizhong Li Dan, the eighth son of Emperor Gaozong. In 684, he was proclaimed emperor by Empress Wu and was deposed in 690. In 710, his son Li Longji destroyed Queen Wei and supported Li Dan as emperor. In 712, he abdicated the throne to Li Longji and died in 716 at the age of 55.
Xuanzong Li Longji (685-761) (712-756) reigned for 43 years
Li Longji, the third son of Ruizong. In the early days of his reign, he was an emperor who worked hard to govern, making the treasury abundant and the people happy. However, in the later period, Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, etc. were reused, which led to political corruption. The "Anshi Rebellion" almost ruined the Tang Dynasty. In 756, he abdicated in favor of his son Li Heng, and died in 761, at the age of 77.
Suzong Li Heng (711-762) ascended the throne in 756 and reigned for 7 years.
Suzong Li Heng was the third son of Xuanzong. He was proclaimed emperor during the "An-Shi Rebellion". Died in 762 at the age of 52.
Daizong Li Yu (726-779) ascended the throne in 762 and reigned for 17 years.
Daizong Li Yu was the eldest son of Emperor Suzong. In 762, he was proclaimed emperor by the eunuchs. To quell chaos and maintain success, he is the master of talents. Died in 779 at the age of 54.
Dezong Li Shi (742-805) ascended the throne in 779 and reigned for 25 years
Dezong Li Shi, the eldest son of Emperor Daizong, was jealous and harsh, used traitors and sycophants, and contributed to the demise of the Tang Dynasty The root of disaster was laid. Died in 805 at the age of 64.
Shunzong Li Song (761-806) ascended the throne in 805 and reigned for eight months
Shunzong Li Song was the eldest son of Dezong. After reigning for less than a year, he abdicated to Li Chun and died in 806 at the age of 46.
Xianzong Li Chun (778-820) ascended the throne in 805 and reigned for 15 years
Li Chun, the eldest son of Shunzong. Xianzong relied on some good ministers and achieved some achievements in the unification war. The situation of segregation of vassal towns since the Anshi Rebellion was basically over during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. However, he relied heavily on eunuchs and was eventually killed by them. He was 43 years old.
Mu Zong Li Heng (795-824) ascended the throne in 820 and reigned for 25 years.
Mu Zong Li Heng was the third son of Emperor Xianzong. Mu Zong was a dissolute emperor who indulged in sexual activities as soon as he came to the throne. He sought immortality and died of an overdose at the age of 30.
Jingzong Li Zhan (809-826) ascended the throne in 824 and reigned for 3 years
Jingzong Li Zhan, the eldest son of Mu Zong. He was killed by eunuchs in December 826. He was 18 years old.
Wenzong Li Ang (809-840) ascended the throne in 827 and reigned for 14 years.
Wenzong was the second son of Mu Zong. When he was in power, the eunuchs had exclusive power, and Wenzong became the eunuch's puppet. He died in 840 at the age of 32.
Wuzong Li Yan (814-846) ascended the throne in 840 and reigned for 6 years
Wuzong Li Yan, the fifth son of Mu Zong. When Wu Zong was in power, social conflicts were alleviated to a certain extent, but he believed in Taoism and died after taking elixirs at the age of 33.
Xuanzong Li Chen (810-859) ascended the throne in 846 and reigned for 13 years
Xuanzong Li Chen, the thirteenth son of Xianzong, was the uncle of Emperor Wuzong, and was also famous for taking elixirs. He died of drug poisoning at the age of 50.
Yizong Li Wen (833-873) ascended the throne in 859 and reigned for 14 years.
Yizong, the eldest son of Xuanzong. His life was very dissolute, with political corruption and sharp social conflicts. Died in 873 at the age of 41.
Xizong Li Xuan (862-888) ascended the throne in 873 and reigned for 15 years
Xizong, the fifth son of Yizong. During his reign, a peasant uprising led by Huang Chao occurred and Chang'an was occupied for a time. Xizong died in 888 at the age of 27.
Zhaozong Li Ye (867-904) ascended the throne in 888 and reigned for 15 years.
Zhaozong Li Ye was the seventh son of Yizong. He was killed by Zhu Wen (the Taizu of Later Liang) at the age of 38.
Ai Emperor Li Yu (892-908) ascended the throne in 904 and abdicated after 4 years of reign
Ai Emperor was the ninth son of Zhaozong. He abdicated the throne to Zhu Wen in 907 and was replaced by Zhu Wen in 908. Killed by Zhu Wen when he was 17 years old.
Emperor Zetian (624-705) ascended the throne in 690 and reigned for 15 years
Wu Zetian was made empress by Gao Zong in 655 and began to participate in government affairs. In 690, she proclaimed herself emperor. He was named "Zhou". Although he had been emperor for more than ten years, he actually ruled for more than fifty years. During Wu Zetian's reign, society developed rapidly and the national treasury was abundant. She pays attention to selecting talents according to their ability and application. She abdicated the throne to Li Xian in 705 and died of illness in the same year at the age of 82. She is the only female emperor in Chinese history.