Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Li Longji was born at the Tang dynasty eastern capital Luoyang in 685, during the first reign of his father Emperor Ruizong. His mother Consort Dou held a high rank within the bureaucracy, yet her life ended violently when Empress Dowager Wu Zetian accused her and Crown Princess Liu of using witchcraft against the empress regnant in 693. Neither woman's body was recovered after their deaths inside the palace. Li Longji spent years confined within the palace walls alongside his brothers and cousins until 699, when they were finally allowed to leave and take up residences outside. By summer 710, he cultivated relationships with imperial guard commanders while Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly, an event traditional historians believed resulted from poisoning by Empress Wei and her daughter Li Guo'er. The conspirators enacted their plan on the 21st of July 710, killing Wei Bo, Gao Song, and Empress Dowager Wei's cousin Wei Gui before attacking the palace. A guard beheaded Empress Dowager Wei as she fled to an imperial guard camp. Li Longji soon slaughtered officials in Empress Dowager Wei's faction and displayed her body on the street. He then conspired with Princess Taiping and low-level officials like Zhong Shaojing and Wang Chongye to seize control. In 712, Princess Taiping had astrologers warn Emperor Ruizong that the constellation Dizuo indicated a change in the emperor's position. Emperor Ruizson offered to pass the throne to Li Longji, who initially declined but eventually accepted under pressure. On the 8th of September 713, Emperor Xuanzong took the throne after convening a meeting with his brothers and associates including General Wang Maozhong and eunuch Gao Lishi. They executed several of Princess Taiping's allies, forcing Dou Huaizhen to commit suicide and ordering Xue Ji to take his own life. Princess Taiping fled into a temple in the mountains but appeared three days later. Emperor Ruizong asked for her pardon, which Emperor Xuanzong refused. The emperor ordered her to commit suicide at home and put to death her sons and associates except for Xue Chongjian.
Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era is usually viewed as one of the golden ages of Chinese history, marked by political stability and economic prosperity. Yao Yuanzhi changed his name to Yao Chong and served as chancellor alongside Lu Huaishen, reducing the number of chancellors from large groups to two or three for the rest of his reign. In 714, Emperor Xuanzong carried out political reprisals against cruel secret police officials of Wu Zetian's reign, exiling those still alive and barring their descendants from holding office. He commissioned General Xue Ne to attack the Khitan and Xi, suffering an 80, 90% casualty rate initially before successfully repelling Tibetan forces later that year. A major locust infestation struck central China around 716, prompting an extensive extermination campaign suggested by Yao Chong that reduced famine risks. Song Jing replaced Lu Huaishen after his death in 716, emphasizing integrity and rule of law while Su Ting assisted him. By 720, Emperor Xuanzong removed Song and Su due to popular resentment over coinage reforms and replaced them with Yuan Qianyao and Zhang Jiazhen. Zhang Yue promoted literary studies and commissioned chief imperial astronomer Nangong Shuo to conduct a major astronomical survey observing the sun and North Star across various empire points in 724. The emperor carried out a magnificent ceremony at Mount Tai in winter 725 to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth. Zhang Yue was accused of corruption on the 18th of May 726 but remained influential until his death in 736. In 722, Tang northern border defense forces totaling about 600,000 men were reduced by 200,000 to allow soldiers to return home. Zhang Jiazhen switched from conscription to a recruitment-based system where soldiers received salaries, replenishing Tang's soldier supply temporarily.
By 742, main Tang forces concentrated on nine different military circuits plus one special district called Lingnan, alongside three coast defense districts named Changle, Donglai, and Dongmou. Anxi Circuit headquartered in Qiuzi maintained 24,000 troops while Beiting stationed 20,000 near Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture. Hexi Circuit commanded 73,000 soldiers from Liang Prefecture to cut off communications between Tibetan Empire and Eastern Tujue. Shuofang held 64,700 defenders against Eastern Tujue from Ling Prefecture, while Hedong garrisoned 55,000 at Taiyuan Municipality. Fanyang Circuit deployed 91,400 troops to defend against the Xi and Khitan from You Prefecture. Pinglu maintained 37,500 soldiers defending Shiwei and Mohe tribes from Ying Prefecture. Longyou Circuit protected against Tibetan Empire with 75,000 men based at Shan Prefecture. Jiannan defended southern regions with 30,900 troops from Yi Prefecture. Emperor Xuanzong promoted non-Han generals like An Lushan, Geshu Han, and Gao Xianzhi to command these armies. Gao Xianzhi expanded Tang power westward into the Xiyu region before battling Abbasid forces at Talas in 751. The Battle of Talas resulted in a major defeat for Tang, ending western expansion and causing several tributaries to turn toward the emerging Abbasid Caliphate. In 751, Nanzhao king Geluofeng launched the Tianbao War after Zhang Qiantuo made false accusations of rebellion, capturing Yunnan Commandery. A failed attack by General Xianyu Zhongtong led to approximately 200,000 casualties among Tang troops. Meanwhile, Li Linfu encouraged promotion of non-Han generals believing they would be personally loyal to Emperor Xuanzong without clan entanglements.
An Lushan became greatly favored by Emperor Xuanzong due to military achievements and willingness to flatter the emperor and Consort Yang's family members. By 747, he commanded Fanyang and Pinglu Circuits while also receiving Hedong Circuit, placing him in charge of the empire's most elite troops. In 755, Yang Guozhong provoked An Lushan by surrounding his mansion at Chang'an and executing staff members. An rebelled in winter 755, quickly reaching and capturing Luoyang after defeating Feng Changqing's undersupplied army. He declared himself emperor of a new state called Yan at Luoyang. Geshu Han defended Tong Pass from An's advances but was defeated by forward commander Cui Qianyou after being ordered to attack despite warnings. Tong Pass fell, allowing An's forces to advance on Chang'an. On the 14th of July 756, Emperor Xuanzong abandoned Chang'an and fled with Gao Lishi, Yang Guozhong, Wei, Li Heng, Consort Yang, and her family. The following day, imperial guards rose against Yang Guozhong, killing him and forcing Emperor Xuanzong to kill Consort Yang as well. Subsequently, Li Heng went to Lingwu where he was declared emperor as Emperor Suzong on the 12th of August. Without knowing about this ascension, Emperor Xuanzong issued an edict giving sons various responsibilities under Li Heng's command until news reached Chengdu on the 10th of September. When the news arrived, Emperor Xuanzong recognized Emperor Suzong as the new emperor and took the title Taishang Huang. Late in 757, Emperor Suzong recaptured Chang'an from Yan ruled by An Lushan's son An Qingxu who had killed his father earlier that year.
Emperor Xuanzong became depressed after Consort Yang Yuhuan died during the flight from Chang'an. He attempted to dig up her body for reburial but found it decomposed; only a fragrance bag remained. He carried the bag back to Chang'an and visited it daily as if she were still alive. On the 17th of January 758, he arrived at Chang'an in a grand ceremony where Emperor Suzong offered the throne back again. Emperor Xuanzong declined formally putting the yellow robe symbolizing imperial status on Emperor Suzong, stating he had been Son of Heaven for fifty years without considering it great honor. Now he felt truly honored to be father to the Son of Heaven. He took residence at Xingqing Palace remodeled from his former prince residence. Chen Xuanli and Gao Lishi attended him regularly while Princess Yuzhen and lady Ru Xianyuan also served. Imperial musicians played for him frequently, and he climbed Changqing Tower to receive well wishes from the populace. Feasts held for generals included Li Chiying and Ru serving as hostesses. However, powerful eunuch Li Fuguo began trying to convince Emperor Suzong that Emperor Xuanzong plotted to seize power back. In 760, Li Fuguo intercepted Emperor Xuanzong during an outing and forced him to move back to the main palace. Even then, Gao Lishi yelled at Li Fuguo to force him off his horse and escort the emperor on foot. Soon after, Li Fuguo forced Chen to retire, sent Li Chiying back to her temple, and exiled Gao, Wang, Wei, and Ru.
After being forcibly moved back to the main palace, Emperor Suzong tried to please Emperor Xuanzong by offering best tributes first. Emperor Xuanzong became depressed, rarely ate meat, and quickly fell ill. Emperor Suzong had daughters Princesses Wan'an and Xianyi attend to their grandfather but eventually became ill himself and could not visit regularly. He regretted moving Emperor Xuanzong and considered killing Li Fuguo but dared not attempt it since Li controlled imperial guards. Emperor Xuanzong died in that depressed state on the 3rd of May 762. Later historians deeply criticized him for wastefulness and appointing Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and An to prominent offices. The strength allowed military governors created increasing conflict setting stage for Tang dynasty decline and Five Dynasties period. One poem collected in Three Hundred Tang Poems expressed sadness for what was past beyond recall reflecting transience of mortal existence. Zhang Jiuling previously warned about An Lushan, prompting Emperor Xuanzong to send messengers to his tomb to offer sacrifices after his death. Chen Xilie gained favor from Emperor Xuanzong for knowledge in Taoism and sorcery while Wei Jian and Wang Hong were demoted and exiled in 746. In 751, Tang faced defeats on two fronts: Yunnan and Central Asia. Nanzhao king Geluofeng launched Tianbao War capturing Yunnan Commandery leading to total casualties around 200,000 among Tang troops.
Common questions
When was Emperor Xuanzong of Tang born and where did he spend his early years?
Li Longji, known as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, was born in 685 at the eastern capital Luoyang. He spent years confined within palace walls alongside his brothers and cousins until 699 when they were allowed to leave.
How did Emperor Xuanzong of Tang seize power from Princess Taiping in 713?
Emperor Xuanzong took the throne on the 8th of September 713 after convening a meeting with General Wang Maozhong and eunuch Gao Lishi. They executed several allies of Princess Taiping, forcing Dou Huaizhen to commit suicide and ordering Xue Ji to take his own life before Emperor Xuanzong ordered her to commit suicide at home.
What military reforms did Emperor Xuanzong implement during the Kaiyuan era?
Zhang Jiazhen switched from conscription to a recruitment-based system where soldiers received salaries while Tang northern border defense forces totaled about 600,000 men reduced by 200,000 in 722. By 742 main Tang forces concentrated on nine different military circuits plus one special district called Lingnan alongside three coast defense districts named Changle, Donglai, and Dongmou.
Why did the Battle of Talas end western expansion for Emperor Xuanzong of Tang?
Gao Xianzhi expanded Tang power westward into the Xiyu region before battling Abbasid forces at Talas in 751 resulting in a major defeat for Tang. This battle ended western expansion and caused several tributaries to turn toward the emerging Abbasid Caliphate.
How did the An Lushan Rebellion begin and when did Emperor Xuanzong abandon Chang'an?
An rebelled in winter 755 after Yang Guozhong provoked him by surrounding his mansion at Chang'an and executing staff members. On the 14th of July 756 Emperor Xuanzong abandoned Chang'an and fled with Gao Lishi, Yang Guozhong, Wei, Li Heng, Consort Yang, and her family.
When did Emperor Xuanzong of Tang die and what was the cause of his death?
Emperor Xuanzong died on the 3rd of May 762 while living in a depressed state after being forcibly moved back to the main palace. He became depressed, rarely ate meat, quickly fell ill, and died without ever regaining full control over imperial affairs.