Yōuzhōu Jiédùshǐ (幽州), also known as Yōujì Jiédùshǐ (幽薊), Yānjì Jiédùshǐ (燕薊), Fànyáng Jiédùshǐ (范陽), and Lúlóng Jiédùshǐ (盧龍), was a military district during the Tang dynasty . It covered the area of Yānjì (燕薊) in what is now the Beijing and Hebei region. Youzhou was the base of operations for An Lushan as well as one of the revolting three garrisons of Hebei .
119-650: Tang Xuanzong created the Youzhou Jiedushi from the Sui dynasty 's Zhuo Commandery in the year 713 as a buffer against the Kumo Xi and Khitans . In the year 742 the jiedushi's name was changed to Fanyang Jiedushi. An Lushan and Shi Siming used the Fanyang , Hedong , and Pinglu regions as the base of their rebellion and in 756 the Great Yan dynasty was established. The dynasty
238-509: A Tang princess (Emperor Wuzong's aunt) who had married a prior khan, Chongde Khan . Wujie Khan fled, largely ending the Huigu threat. It was said that because Zhang was angry that Liu took the credit for the victory over the Huigu that Zhang and Liu subsequently developed a rivalry. Later in the year, when Liu was one of the generals ordered to attack the warlord Liu Zhen , who had seized Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi , Shanxi ),
357-404: A chancellor as well. 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
476-455: A close associate of Consort Wu, as a chancellor as well. 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. 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
595-538: A commander in the Lulong army. He served for only three months before dying of illness. His son Liu Ji succeeded him. Ji originally promised his brother, Yong, that he would succeed him, but then designated his son, Gun, as successor. In 792, Yong submitted to the Tang court and took his troops with him. In 800, another brother rebelled and was given a minor office in the Tang court. In 810, Ji attacked Chengde ( Shijiazhuang ). During
714-804: A friend of Li Huaixian's seeking revenge over his death. The Tang court appointed Wang Jin as military governor of Youzhou and sent him there. Xicai showed him respect but made it clear that real power remained in his hands. Wang Jin left after a few days and the Tang acknowledged Xicai as military governor in 768. It was said that Xicai was extravagant and arrogant, mistreating his soldiers. In 772, his secretary Li Huaiyuan killed him. Zhu Ci succeeded Xicai. In 774, Zhu Ci submitted to Tang authority while his brother, Tao, remained as acting jiedushi of Youzhou. Tao rebelled in 782 and declared himself Prince of Ji, resulting in Ci's removal from his post. Ci also rebelled. They were defeated by 785. The Zhus were succeeded by Liu Peng ,
833-492: 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. By summer 713, it was said that Princess Taiping, Dou, Cen, Xiao, Cui; along with other officials Xue Ji , Li Jin ( 李晉 ) the Prince of Xinxing (a grandson of Li Deliang ( 李德良 ), a cousin of Tang's founder Emperor Gaozu ), Li You ( 李猷 ), Jia Yingfu ( 賈膺福 ), Tang Jun ( 唐晙 );
952-419: A grudge against Hedong Circuit in general and might kill excessively, so Emperor Wuzong did not send Zhang. (Yang's mutiny was soon put down by Hedong soldiers under the command of the eunuch monitor of the army, Lü Yizhong ( 呂義忠 ).) After Liu Zhen was defeated, Emperor Wuzong again urged Zhang to wipe out the Huigu remnants, and apparently, Zhang repeatedly prevailed, causing Wujie Khan to flee further. As
1071-511: 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). Emperor Ruizong once again ascended to
1190-420: A meeting with his brothers Li Longfan the Prince of Qi and Li Longye the Prince of Xue (who had changed their names to Li Fan and Li Ye by this point to observe naming taboo for Emperor Xuanzong), Guo Yuanzhen , along with a number of his associates – the general Wang Maozhong ( 王毛仲 ), the officials Jiang Jiao ( 姜皎 ) and Li Lingwen ( 李令問 ), his brother-in-law Wang Shouyi ( 王守一 ), the eunuch Gao Lishi , and
1309-762: 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. Later in 712, in one of Princess Taiping's plans to oust him, at her request, Emperor Ruizong decreed that Emperor Xuanzong lead
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#17328737155871428-416: A petition accusing Song and Yao of alienating him from his brothers Li Chengqi and Li Shouli (who was actually a cousin but was raised with Emperor Ruizong's sons) and aunt Princess Taiping, asking that the two be put to death. Emperor Ruizong, in response, demoted Song and Yao and recalled Princess Taiping, Li Chengqi, and Li Shouli to the capital. In the aftermaths, Li Longji submitted another request to yield
1547-410: A petition on his behalf, accusing Zhang Jiang of cruelty and requesting imperial permission to attack Zhang Jiang. When Wu arrived at Chang'an, Emperor Wuzong had the chancellors question Wu further on the situation at Lulong. Wu, under Li Deyu's questioning, argued that because neither Chen nor Zhang Jiang was from the Lulong army, the Lulong soldiers did not completely support either, while Zhang Zhongwu
1666-625: A plan that they believed would end her plotting and influence. They proposed that the two princes who arguably had superior claims on the throne than Li Longji—Li Chengqi and Li Shouli (whose father Li Xian (note different character than Emperor Zhongzong) was an older brother to both Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong)—be sent out of the capital Chang'an to serve as prefectural prefects, while Princess Taiping and Wu Youji be sent to live in Luoyang. They also proposed that Li Longji be put in charge of most affairs of state. Emperor Ruizong initially agreed and made
1785-426: 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
1904-498: A result, Zhang requested that a monument be erected to commemorate the victories over the Huigu. Emperor Wuzong agreed, and had Li Deyu author the text. In 845, Emperor Wuzong, a devout Taoist , ordered a general suppression of Buddhism and several other religions. Many Mount Wutai Buddhist monks fled to You Prefecture. Li Deyu, who encouraged Emperor Wuzong to suppress Buddhism, summoned Zhang's emissary at Chang'an and informed him that it would merely damage his relationship with
2023-470: 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. Zhang Zhongwu Zhang Zhongwu ( Chinese : 張仲武 ) (died 849 ), formally Prince Zhuang of Lanling ( 蘭陵莊王 ) (per the Old Book of Tang ) or Duke Zhuang of Lanling ( 蘭陵莊公 ) (per
2142-462: A single military general. Eventually, the establishment of jiedushi would be extended to other parts of the empire. 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.) Meanwhile, the Tang relationship with Qapaghan Qaghan of the Göktürks had fluctuated during
2261-456: 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
2380-580: A three-way tug of war for influence in the Xiyu (i.e., modern Xinjiang and former Soviet Central Asia ) region. In 715, for example, when the king of Bahanna ( 拔汗那 ) was expelled by a new king supported by the Tibetan Empire and the Umayyad Caliphate, Tang forces commanded by the general Zhang Xiaosong [ zh ] ( 張孝嵩 ) attacked the new king and restored the old king. General Tang Jiahui led
2499-520: The New Book of Tang ), was a Chinese military general and politician of the Tang dynasty who governed Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing ) as its military governor ( Jiedushi ) in de facto independence from the imperial government, but who followed imperial orders in campaigns against Huigu Khanate remnants, as well as Khitan , Xi , and Shiwei tribes. It is not known when Zhang Zhongwu
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#17328737155872618-463: The An Lushan rebellion . Li Longji was born at the Tang dynasty eastern capital Luoyang in 685, during the first reign of his father Emperor Ruizong (Li Dan) – but at that time, Emperor Ruizong's mother Empress Dowager Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), not Emperor Ruizong, was in actual control of power as empress dowager and regent . Li Longji was the third son of Emperor Ruizong, and his mother
2737-660: The Khitan and the Xi for having defeated Tang forces during Emperor Zhongzong's reign, commissioned the general Xue Ne to attack them, but Xue suffered another devastating loss to them, at the casualty rate of 80–90%. However, later in the year, when the Tibetan Empire attacked, Emperor Xuanzong again commissioned Xue to defend against the attack, and Xue was able to repel the Tibetan forces. Subsequently, though, although both sides tried to invoke
2856-498: The Abbasids. Meanwhile, the jiedushi (military governors), most of whom were non- Han took more and more regional power into their own hands. Some successful generals included Geshu Han , known for victories over the Tibetan Empire ; Gao Xianzhi , who conquered city states of the Xiyu region, eventually battling the Abbasids at Talas; and An Lushan who defeated and once again vassalized
2975-654: The Chinese to defeat the following Arab-Tibetan attack in the Battle of Aksu (717) . The attack on Aksu was joined by Turgesh Khan Suluk . Both Uch Turfan and Aksu were attacked by the Turgesh, Arab, and Tibetan force on 15 August 717. Qarluqs serving under Chinese command, under Arsila Xian, a Western Turkic Qaghan serving under the Chinese Assistant Grand Protector General Tang Jiahui defeated
3094-600: The Göktürks, while remaining an important regional power, posed much less of a threat to China, although at times still capable of dealing serious defeats to Tang forces, as was the case in 720 when the Göktürk general Tonyukuk defeated the Tang garrison at Liang Prefecture (涼州, roughly modern Wuwei , Gansu ) and the Tang vassal Basmyl . Meanwhile, Tang, the Tibetan Empire, and the Umayyad Caliphate were constantly engaging in
3213-460: The Huigu noble Li Sizhong , who had submitted to Tang and become a Tang general, at Hedong's capital Taiyuan, to further plan a major attack against the Huigu remnants led by Wujie Khan. Both Zhang and Liu opined that an attack should not be made in the winter, however, and so this attack never took place. In 843, Liu made a surprise attack, led by his officer Shi Xiong , against Wujie Khan, crushing Wujie Khan's forces and rescuing Princess Taihe ,
3332-575: The Huigu. Later in the year, he had a great victory over the Xi. By that point, Wujie Khan's brother and successor E'nian Khan had been dependent on the Xi chieftain Shi Shelang ( 石捨朗 ) for support, and after Zhang's victory over the Xi he could no longer do so, and so was forced to flee further to the Shiwei. In 848, apparently to try to appease Tang, E'nian Khan sent an emissary to pay homage to Emperor Xuānzong. When
3451-499: 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. Meanwhile, Tang also began to have periodic conflicts with Balhae , and in 733 Emperor Xuanzong tried to commission Dae Mun-ye ( 大門藝 ),
3570-752: The Khitan. Eventually, in 755, An Lushan started the Anshi Rebellion at Fanyang . The rebels quickly seized the eastern capital Luoyang , and then the imperial capital Chang'an six months later. Emperor Xuanzong fled to Sichuan during the war and abdicated the throne to Li Yu (whose name had been changed to Li Heng at that point) (as Emperor Suzong). Meanwhile, at Li Linfu's encouragement, Emperor Xuanzong began to promote non- Han generals to command large border armies, believing Li Linfu's assertion that non-Han generals were more likely to be personally loyal to Emperor Xuanzong himself and would not have clan entanglements, even though Li Linfu's own personal motivation
3689-435: 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
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3808-412: 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
3927-412: The Prince of Yong'an (the sons of their uncle Li Xián , formerly crown prince but who had been forced by Wu Zetian to commit suicide in 684), were kept inside the palace and not allowed to have contact with outsiders until 699, when they were allowed to leave the palace and take up residences outside. In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and Li Longji's uncle Li Xiǎn (note different person than
4046-409: The Prince of Zhong, in 738. 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. And he did not allow many to be set free even when they were old. 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
4165-425: The Shiwei requested to ransom the hostages, Zhang refused their payments — and stated that he would return the hostages as soon as the Shiwei also killed Huigu emissaries to them. (It is not clear how the Shiwei responded at the time.) Later in the year, Emperor Wuzong ordered Zhang Zhongwu to rendezvous with Liu Mian ( 劉沔 ) the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan , Shanxi ) and
4284-437: The Tang against Pang Xun but was declined. Yunshen sent a tribute of salt and rice to supply Tang soldiers instead. It was said that throughout his term as military governor, Yunshen was diligent and frugal. In 872, Yunshen suffered a stroke and died. He was succeeded by his son, Zhang Jianhui . Jianhui did not believe he could challenge the authority of one of his father's subordinates, Zhang Gongsu , and fled. In 875, Gongsu
4403-534: The Tang and surrendered. Due to the volatile situation in Hebei, the court decided to appease the Yan dynasty's former allies and appointed Li Huaixian as the jiedushi of Youzhou-Lulong with semi-autonomous authority. Li Huaixian was assassinated 768 by his subordinates Zhu Xicai , Zhu Ci , and Zhu Tao . Zhu Xicai subsequently took over command and solidified his rule over the region after defeating an army sent by Li Baochen ,
4522-417: 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
4641-446: 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. ) 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 Wang Jun , who was soon himself demoted over suspicions, never proven, that he
4760-591: The accounting to be complete. Emperor Ruizong moved to a secondary palace, Baifu Hall ( 百福殿 ) and would remain there until his death in 716. 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. 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
4879-470: The advice of his sister, Princess Taiping. 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, Guo Yuanzhen , Dou, Li Rizhi , and Zhang Yue of their chancellor positions, instead commissioning a number of chancellors that she recommended — Liu Youqiu , Wei Zhigu , Cui Shi , and Lu Xiangxian . (Cui
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4998-756: The attack. Al-Yashkuri, the Arab commander and his army fled to Tashkent after they were defeated. 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
5117-498: The brother of Balhae's King Mu , to attack Balhae, along with forces from Silla , but the attack was not successful. 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. In 734, Emperor Xuanzong added Li Linfu ,
5236-443: The campaign ended in disaster. Fearing retaliation for the failure, Keju's officer Li Quanzhong attacked Keju upon his return. Li Keju committed suicide. Quanzhong was succeeded by his son Li Kuangwei the next year. Kuangwei was overthrown by his brother Li Kuangchou in 893. Li Keyong attacked Youzhou in 894 and forced Li Kuangchou to flee to Yichang (modern Cangzhou ). Yichang's governor Lu Yanwei killed Li Kuangchou. Lulong
5355-600: The campaign, Ji was poisoned by one of his sons, Liu Zong , and died. Zong then had Gun caned to death, taking control of Youzhou. Zong aided the Tang in their campaign against Chengde in 816. After killing his father and brother, Zong had difficulty sleeping, often dreaming of his dead family members. He resigned from his post in 821 and became a monk. He died in Dingzhou ( Baoding ). After Liu Zong's resignation, Yingzhou and Mozhou (both in Cangzhou ), were split off from Youzhou, which
5474-664: 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 (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. Emperor Xuanzong made his wife Crown Princess Wang empress. Meanwhile, Princess Taiping continued to be listening to politics with curtains in
5593-436: The commander of Xiongwu Base (雄武軍, in modern Chengde , Hebei ). In 841, during the reign of Emperor Wuzong , the military governor of Lulong, Shi Yuanzhong , was killed in a mutiny. The soldiers initially supported the officer Chen Xingtai ( 陳行泰 ) as Shi's replacement, and Chen sent messengers to the imperial capital Chang'an to request commission as military governor. The lead chancellor Li Deyu believed that part of
5712-416: 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
5831-670: The crown prince position to Li Chengqi, but Emperor Ruizong declined it. Also in 711, Emperor Ruizong posthumously honored both Empress Liu and Li Longji's mother Consort Dou as empresses and built a temple for them to be worshipped, but was unable to locate their bodies for reburial, and therefore had to give them a ceremonial reburial without the bodies. But this posthumous honor for Li Longji's mother further displeased Princess Taiping. Emperor Ruizong also ordered that all minor matters be decided by Li Longji, and with this, Emperor Ruizong established Li Longji as his sole successor, but diverted his participation in important matters and focused more on
5950-441: 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. Under her ample reputation in the previous reigns, her great achievements in two coups,
6069-478: 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. Also in 714, Emperor Xuanzong, wanting to punish
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#17328737155876188-470: 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
6307-538: The first few years of the Kaiyuan era, as minor hostilities occurred at the borders as well as contests over vassals' loyalty for the two states, but they were also at times friendly to each other, with Qapaghan requesting at times to marry a Tang princess and Emperor Xuanzong agreeing to the proposal. In 716, however, Qapaghan was killed in battle against the Bayegu ( 拔野古 ), and from that point on, lacking his efficient leadership,
6426-513: The generals Chang Yuankai ( 常元楷 ), Li Ci ( 李慈 ), and Li Qin ( 李欽 ); and the monk Huifan, were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was further said that they discussed, with the lady-in-waiting Lady Yuan, to poison the gastrodia elata that Emperor Xuanzong routinely took as an aphrodisiac. When this alleged plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong by Wei Zhigu , Emperor Xuanzong, who had already received advice from Wang Ju ( 王琚 ), Zhang Shuo , and Cui Riyong to act first, did so. He convened
6545-402: 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
6664-488: 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. 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
6783-445: 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
6902-493: The imperial government if he accepted the Mount Wutai monks. In response, Zhang sent two swords to his commander at Juyong Pass , ordering the commander to behead every monk who came through the pass. In 847, by which time Emperor Wuzong had died and been succeeded by his uncle Emperor Xuānzong , Zhang was given the honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi ( 同中書門下平章事 ) to reward him for his victories over
7021-430: 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
7140-427: The marriage between Li Shouli's daughter Princess Jincheng and Me Agtsom , emperor of the Tibetan Empire, in seeking peace, the two sides could not reach an agreement and remained in border conflict yearly. In response, Emperor Xuanzong established the office of jiedushi (military governor) of Longyou Circuit ( 隴右 , headquartered in what is now Haidong , Qinghai ), with a centralized command of 12 prefectures under
7259-424: The military officer Li Shoude ( 李守德 ) – and decided to act first. On 29 July, Emperor Xuanzong had Wang Maozhong take 300 soldiers to the imperial guard camp to behead Chang and Li Ci. Then, Jia, Li You, Xiao, and Cen were arrested and executed as well. Dou fled into a canyon and committed suicide by hanging. Xue Ji was forced to commit suicide. When Emperor Ruizong heard about this, he quickly ascended
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#17328737155877378-417: The mountains, only appearing three days later. Emperor Ruizong asked Emperor Xuanzong for her pardon, but he refused. Emperor Xuanzong ordered her to commit suicide at home, and put to death her sons and associates, except for Xue Chongjian. Princess Taiping's assets were confiscated, and it was said that there was so much treasure, livestock, and real estate that it took several years: more than thirty years for
7497-457: The orders as Song and Yao suggested, except that he believed that Luoyang was too far and therefore sent Princess Taiping and Wu Youji only to Pu Prefecture (蒲州, roughly modern Yuncheng , Shanxi ). After Princess Taiping found out that the plan was conceived by Song and Yao, however, she was incensed and let Li Longji know her anger, and she mobilized her group to attack Song and Yao and oppose Emperor Ruizong's decision. In fear, Li Longji submitted
7616-469: The other circuits around Zhaoyi were also commissioned, but Emperor Wuzong did not request Zhang to launch his troops as well, stating instead that Zhang should watch the border for possible further Huigu attacks. Still, Emperor Wuzong was worried that the rivalry between Zhang Zhongwu and Liu Mian would interfere with the Zhaoyi campaign, and therefore (after the imperial emissary Li Hui was unable to moderate
7735-429: The palace after Wu Zetian's lady-in-waiting Wei Tuan'er ( 韋團兒 ) falsely accused them of using witchcraft against Wu Zetian – and not even their bodies were recovered. Subsequently, all of Li Dan's sons were reduced in title, and Li Longji's title was reduced to Prince of Linzi. He and his brothers, along with their cousins Li Guangshun ( 李光順 ) the Prince of Yifeng, Li Shouli the Prince of Yong, and Li Shouyi ( 李守義 )
7854-522: 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
7973-474: The palace as "the Lady" and treated like an empress (as was consort Wu until her death). He abducted more than 40000 women in his palace. Some were not set free even after they were over 60 years old. 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,
8092-399: The petition, in his 50s, but Wu did not state which year Zhang Zhongwu was born. ) Li Deyu opined that, whereas Chen and Zhang Jiang were supported by the soldiers and then requested imperial commission, and Zhang Zhongwu requested imperial commission first, it would be proper to commission Zhang Zhongwu. Emperor Wuzong agreed, and commissioned Zhang Zhongwu as the acting governor. Zhang Zhongwu
8211-479: The reason why the three de facto independent circuits north of the Yellow River (Lulong, Chengde (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang , Hebei ), and Weibo (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan , Hebei )) had been so disobedient to the imperial government was that the imperial government had, in the past, been too quick to confirm their military governors, and thus suggested that Emperor Wuzong wait and observe
8330-555: The region. 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. On 6 December 728, Emperor Xuanzong added the general Xiao Song as a chancellor. Subsequently, in 729, with Yuan, even though he
8449-423: The rule of Kaiyuan and that subsequent chancellors could not compare to them. 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
8568-616: 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
8687-439: The situation further, to further create uncertainty within the Lulong army. Emperor Wuzong agreed. Soon thereafter, Chen was killed in another mutiny, and the soldiers supported Zhang Jiang ( 張絳 ) as his replacement. Zhang Jiang also sought an imperial commission, and Emperor Wuzong again failed to act, in accordance with Li Deyu's suggestion. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhongwu sent his subordinate Wu Zhongshu ( 吳仲舒 ) to Chang'an to submit
8806-441: The strain between Zhang and Liu) soon transferred Liu to Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang , Henan ). The former chancellor Li Shi was made the military governor of Hedong, but soon, a mutiny led by Yang Bian ( 楊弁 ) expelled Li Shi. In the aftermaths of the mutiny against Li Shi, Emperor Wuzong considered sending Zhang to attack Yang, but Li Deyu pointed out that, due to Zhang's and Liu's rivalry, Zhang might bear
8925-629: The support of the Tang court. Zhang Zhongwu defeated a group of Uyghurs fleeing south after the collapse of the Uyghur Khaganate in 840. He also attempted to compel the Shiwei , Khitans , and Kumo Xi to kill the Uyghurs. In 847, Zhongwu defeated the Kumo Xi and forced Enian Qaghan to flee. Zhongwu died the next year and was succeeded by his son Zhang Zhifang . Zhifang immediately alienated his soldiers and
9044-457: The surrender of some 7,000 tents of people, who were subsequently distributed to the various circuits. Najiachuo fled, but was captured and killed by the leader of another Huigu group, Wujie Khan . Meanwhile, Zhang also sent his officer Shi Gongxu ( 石公緒 ) to the Khitan and Xi tribes to kill the Huigu emissaries to those tribes. Further, when he defeated Najiachuo, he took, as hostages, a group of Shiwei chieftains and their family members. When
9163-438: 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. 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. In 714, Emperor Xuanzong carried out a series of political reprisals against
9282-482: The threat of Huigu raiders, who had headed south in the aftermaths of the Huigu Khanate's collapse due to Xiajiasi attacks. The Huigu splintered into many groups, and in 842, the noble Najiachuo ( 那頡啜 ) advanced on Xiongwu Base, threatening You Prefecture. Zhang Zhongwu sent his brother Zhang Zhongzhi ( 張仲至 ) with 30,000 soldiers to engage Najiachuo. Zhang Zhongzhi defeated Najiachuo, killed many Huigu, and accepted
9401-489: The throne to her, and she took the throne as empress regnant of a new Zhou dynasty , interrupting Tang. She imposed upon Ruizong and his family the surname Wu ( 武 ) to match hers. In 692, Li Longji and his brothers were allowed to have residences outside the palace and were given staffs at their mansions. In 693, both his mother Consort Dou and Li Dan's wife Crown Princess Liu (Li Dan's having been reduced to crown prince rank at that point) were killed by Wu Zetian inside
9520-436: 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
9639-437: 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 Confucian principles of succession, but Li Longji had been the one whose accomplishments had allowed him to retake
9758-423: The throne. He hesitated. Li Chengqi declined consideration to be crown prince—stating to his father: 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
9877-979: 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
9996-423: 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
10115-405: The tower at Chengtian Gate ( 承天門 ) to ascertain what was happening. Guo reported to him Emperor Xuanzong's intentions, and Emperor Ruizong felt compelled to affirm Emperor Xuanzong's actions in an edict. The next day, on July 30, Emperor Ruizong issued an edict transferring all authorities to Emperor Xuanzong. Meanwhile, Princess Taiping, hearing what happened to her associates, fled into a temple in
10234-409: 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
10353-451: 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. Still, after Empress Wang's removal and death, Consort Wu became undisputed mistress of
10472-668: Was Emperor Ruizong's concubine Consort Dou, who was highly ranked in the bureaucracy. In 687, as the emperor's son, he was created the Prince of Chu. It was said that he was handsome, with an appearance that was "majestic and beautiful", and was talented in music. He had two older brothers – Li Chengqi , born of Emperor Ruizong's wife Empress Liu , and Li Chengyi ( 李成義 ), as well as three younger brothers – Li Longfan ( 李隆範 ), Li Longye ( 李隆業 ), and Li Longti ( 李隆悌 ). He had two full younger sisters, Princess Jinxian ( 金仙公主 ) and Princess Yuzhen ( 玉真公主 ), who later became Taoist nuns. In 690, Empress Dowager Wu had her son Emperor Ruizong yield
10591-432: Was a chief favorite of the emperor and undisputed mistress of the palace until her death and had political power. 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. On 11 May 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
10710-438: Was a lover of Princess Taiping, and when she offered to recommend him as chancellor, because he admired Lu, he requested to be made chancellor along with Lu, even though Lu was not an associate of Princess Taiping. It was said that Emperor Ruizong, however, was initially unwilling to make Cui chancellor, but relented after Princess Taiping begged in tears, although the account may be somewhat discountable in that neither Liu nor Wei
10829-648: 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. Meanwhile, in 747, Emperor Xuanzong wanted to expand
10948-477: Was also killed in another mutiny led by the officer Li Zaiyi . Zaiyi participated in a Tang campaign against Li Tongjie in 827. In 830 he repelled a Kumo Xi invasion. The next year he was forced to flee from Youzhou due to a mutiny led by his officer, Yang Zhicheng . Yang was removed in a mutiny in 834 and replaced by Shi Yuanzhong . He was killed in a disturbance in 841, after which two more men followed in quick succession before Zhang Zhongwu took control with
11067-454: Was an associate of Princess Taiping either, and both were close associates of Li Longji.) 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
11186-491: 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
11305-625: 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. 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
11424-522: Was born, but it is known that his family was from Fanyang , the capital of Lulong Circuit, which was then in de facto independence from the imperial government. His father Zhang Guangchao ( 張光朝 ) was an officer of the Lulong army. It was said that in his youth, he studied the Zuo Zhuan version of the Spring and Autumn Annals , but at some point abandoned his studies and joined the military, eventually becoming
11543-619: 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: 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
11662-652: Was defeated by a Uyghur officer, Li Maoxun of the Abusi clan, who took over the Jiedushi title. Li Maoxun retired a year later and his son, Li Keju , took over. In 878, Keju was called to aid the Tang against the rebellion of Li Keyong in Datong . Keju defeated Li Keyong twice and forced him to flee to the Tatar tribes. Li Keyong returned to Datong in 882 and defeated Keju, but was repelled by Zheng Congdang . In 885, Keju attacked Li Keyong but
11781-452: 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
11900-467: Was extinguished in 763 with the death of Shi Siming's son, Shi Chaoyi , who was the last person to claim the title as Yan's emperor. After the Anshi Rebellion had ended the military district was renamed Youzhou Jiedushi. However, due to the prominence of the Lulong Army and its association with the place, it came to be known as Lulong Jiedushi. In 763 Lǐ Huáixiān (李懷仙) presented Shi Chaoyi's head to
12019-447: Was forced to flee to the Tang court. He was replaced by Zhou Lin . Zhifang was given an honorary office and a salary at court, but his violent and cruel disposition caused him to be demoted to census officer in 852. In 880, he led Tang officials to surrender to Huang Chao but then plotted to kill him. This was discovered and he was executed. Zhou Lin died in 850 and was replaced by Zhang Yunshen . In 869, Yunshen offered military aid to
12138-433: Was found to have committed corruption. At the intercession of Gao Lishi , however, Zhang Yue was removed only from his chancellor post on 18 May and permitted to maintain his title and a number of other posts. He was replaced by Li Yuanhong on 15 May, and subsequently, Du Xian was also added as a chancellor. In 727, at the suggestion of the general Wang Junchuo (王君㚟), Emperor Xuanzong commissioned Wang Junchuo to attack
12257-414: 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
12376-559: 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
12495-419: Was given to Liu Rengong . Rengong ruled until 907 when he was overthrown by his son Liu Shouguang . Shouguang's short lived state of Yan was conquered by Li Cunxu in 913. Tang Xuanzong Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ( [ɕwàn.tsʊ́ŋ] ; 8 September 685 – 3 May 762 ), personal name Li Longji , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 44 years
12614-604: Was given to the court appointed Zhang Hongjing . Unlike previous military governors, Hongjing was far removed from the common people and his subordinates mistreated the soldiers. He had the caskets of An Lushan and Shi Siming , who were revered in Youzhou, exhumed. The soldiers rebelled and removed Hongjing from power, putting control in Zhu Kerong 's hands. In 826, the soldiers mutinied once again, killing Kerong, in favor of his son Zhu Yansi . Yansi lasted less than four months before he
12733-421: Was infatuated with her, and he had her become a Taoist nun and gave Li Mao the wife of the general Wei Zhaoxun ( 韋昭訓 ) as his new wife and princess. Meanwhile, he secretly took the nun, Yang, into the palace. She became his senior-ranking concubine ( guifei ) , known as Yang Guifei, and soon became so powerful that officials were bribing her family members to get preferential treatment. She was referred to inside
12852-462: 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
12971-532: Was plotting treason. With Zhang Yue thus effectively being the senior chancellor, Zhang Yue promoted literary studies, which Emperor Xuanzong also favored. In 724, he also commissioned the chief imperial astronomer Nangong Shuo ( 南宮說 ) to carry out a major astronomical survey to observe the sun and the North Star at various points of the empire. Also in 724, it was discovered that Wang Shouyi had engaged sorcerers to make amulets for Empress Wang to wear, hoping that
13090-428: 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. While Li Longji
13209-460: Was replaced by Li Shizhi . In 744, Eastern Tujue, after a series of internal turmoil and rebellions from its vassals, finally collapsed. Its vassal Huige rose and became the dominant power of the region, but formally submitted to Tang as a 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
13328-503: 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. Late in 742, Niu Xianke died and
13447-406: 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. 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
13566-468: 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 )
13685-567: Was soon able to capture You Prefecture and take over the circuit. Emperor Wuzong had his granduncle Li Hong ( 李紘 ) the Prince of Fu nominally named the military governor of Lulong and commissioned Zhang Zhongwu as the deputy military governor, and created Zhang Zhongwu the Prince of Lanling or the Duke of Lanling. In spring 842, Emperor Wuzong made Zhang Zhongwu the military governor. At the time that Zhang Zhongwu took over Lulong Circuit, Lulong, along with other circuits on Tang's northern border, facing
13804-598: Was the longest during the Tang dynasty. Through two palace coups, he seized the throne and inherited an empire still in its golden age. He was initially assisted by capable chancellors like Yao Chong , Song Jing and Zhang Yue who were already serving as government officials before Xuanzong ascended the throne. However, under Emperor Xuanzong, the empire reached its turning point and went into sharp decline and near collapse, due to numerous political missteps throughout his long reign, such as over-trusting Li Linfu , Yang Guozhong and An Lushan , with Tang's golden age ending in
13923-471: Was to prevent Han officials from going through the border command route to become chancellors, thus threatening him. Such generals who rose in ranks included An Lushan , An Sishun , Geshu Han , and Gao Xianzhi . By 742, the main Tang forces were all concentrated on the border, at nine different military circuits and one special military district (Lingnan), as well as three special coast defense districts ( Changle , Donglai , and Dongmou): Meanwhile, it
14042-451: 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. In 711, Song and another chancellor, Yao Yuanzhi , tried to persuade Emperor Ruizong to carry out
14161-503: Was well-supported by the Lulong soldiers due to his father's long-standing career in the Lulong army. Wu opined that when Zhang attacked Fanyang, he would be quickly able to capture it due to the soldiers' support — and even if he failed to do so, because the food supplies for You Prefecture (幽州, i.e., Fanyang) came from the prefectures and bases to its north, Zhang Zhongwu could starve You Prefecture into submission by cutting off its supply lines. (According to Wu, Zhang Zhongwu was, at time of
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