Emperor Shang of Tang facts for kids

Emperor Shang of Tang (born 695 or 698, died 5 September 714), also known as Emperor Shao, was a young emperor of the Tang dynasty in China. His personal name was Li Chongmao. He ruled for a very short time in 710.

Li Chongmao was the youngest son of Emperor Zhongzong. His mother was one of Emperor Zhongzong's concubines. In 710, his stepmother, Empress Wei, and her daughter, Princess Anle, were very powerful. Empress Wei wanted to rule like her mother-in-law, Wu Zetian. Many historians believe Empress Wei and Princess Anle caused Emperor Zhongzong's death in July 710. After his death, Empress Wei made Li Chongmao, who was then the Prince of Wen, the new emperor. She hoped to control him as the Empress Dowager and regent.

However, Empress Dowager Wei's plans did not work out. Emperor Zhongzong's sister, Princess Taiping, and his nephew, Li Longji, started a rebellion. This happened less than a month after Emperor Shang became emperor. Empress Wei and Princess Anle were killed during this rebellion. On July 25, the young Emperor Shang was forced to give up his throne. The throne went to Li Longji's father, Li Dan, who had been emperor before.

Li Chongmao had been emperor for only 17 days. He was given back his old title as a prince and sent away from the capital city, Chang'an. He died four years later without returning to the capital. After his death, Li Longji, who had become Emperor Xuanzong, gave Li Chongmao the special title of Emperor Shang. This title means "emperor who died young." He is also known as Emperor Shao, meaning "the young emperor." Some historians do not count him as a true Tang dynasty emperor, but many modern historians do.

Early Life and Family

Li Chongmao was born in either 695 or 698. His father, Li Xian, was an emperor who had been removed from power in 694. At the time of Li Chongmao's birth, his father was in exile. Later, his grandmother, Wu Zetian, who was ruling China, called his father back to the capital.

Li Chongmao's mother was one of his father's concubines. Not much is known about her in historical records. In the year 700, Wu Zetian gave Li Chongmao the title of Prince of Beihai.

Life as a Prince

In 705, Wu Zetian was removed from power. Li Xian, Li Chongmao's father, became emperor again. He gave Li Chongmao a more important title: Prince of Wen.

Li Chongmao was also given honorary military titles. He was named a commanding general of the imperial guards. He was also made the commandant of Bing Prefecture, a region in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi. However, he did not actually go to Bing Prefecture. He stayed in the palace. During his time as Prince of Wen, he married a woman named Lady Lu. She became his princess wife.

Emperor for a Short Time

In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly. Many historians believe his powerful wife, Empress Wei, and their daughter, Princess Anle, caused his death. They wanted Empress Wei to become the ruler, like Wu Zetian. They also wanted Princess Anle to become the crown princess.

Empress Wei then named Li Chongmao as the new emperor, known as Emperor Shang. But she kept the real power for herself as the Empress Dowager and regent. His wife, Princess Lu, was made empress.

The Coup and Change of Power

Less than a month later, a major event happened. Emperor Zhongzong's sister, Princess Taiping, and his nephew, Li Longji, believed Empress Dowager Wei would try to harm them. So, they started a rebellion. They killed Empress Dowager Wei and Princess Anle.

After the rebellion, Li Longji's father, Li Dan, who had been emperor before, became the regent. Many people wanted Li Dan to become emperor again. Some important officials and members of the royal family convinced Li Dan to take the throne.

Several days later, Li Dan agreed. He took the throne, replacing Emperor Shang. During the ceremony, Princess Taiping even pulled the young Emperor Shang from the throne. Li Chongmao was then given his old title of Prince of Wen again.

Life After Being Emperor

After Li Chongmao was removed from the throne, he was kept inside the palace. This was to prevent anyone from using him to start another rebellion. In 711, he was given the title of Prince of Xiang. He was also made the prefect of Ji Prefecture, an area in modern Bazhong, Sichuan. About 500 imperial guards were sent with him to watch over him.

In 714, Li Chongmao died. By this time, Li Longji had become the emperor, known as Emperor Xuanzong. Emperor Xuanzong gave Li Chongmao back his imperial status. He also gave him the special title of Shang, which means "died at an early age." Emperor Xuanzong observed a three-day mourning period for him. This was not the usual three years of mourning for an emperor, but it showed respect. It seems Li Chongmao did not have any children.

Important Officials During His Reign

Even though his reign was very short, several important officials served as chancellors during Emperor Shang's time on the throne. These included:

• Wei Anshi (710)
• Tang Xiujing (710)
• Wei Juyuan (710)
• Li Jiao (710)
• Su Gui (710)
• Zong Chuke (710)
• Ji Chuna (710)
• Xiao Zhizhong (710)
• Zhang Renyuan (710)
• Wei Sili (710)
• Zhao Yanzhao (710)
• Wei Wen (710)
• Zhang Xi (710)
• Pei Tan (710)
• Cui Shi (710)
• Cen Xi (710)
• Zhang Jiafu (710)
• Li Dan (710)
• Liu Youqiu (710)
• Zhong Shaojing (710)
• Li Longji (710)
• Li Rizhi (710)

Family

Consorts:

• Princess consort, of the Lu clan (王妃 陸氏)

See also

• Chinese emperors family tree (middle)