Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (9th century) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Emperor of the Tang dynasty | |||||||||
| Reign | 25 April 846 – 7 September 859 | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Emperor Wuzong | ||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Yizong | ||||||||
| Born | 27 July 810 Daming Palace, Chang'an, Tang China |
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| Died | 7 September 859 (aged 49) | ||||||||
| Burial | Zhen Mausoleum (貞陵) | ||||||||
| Consorts | Empress Yuanzhao | ||||||||
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| House | Li | ||||||||
| Dynasty | Tang | ||||||||
| Father | Emperor Xianzong | ||||||||
| Mother | Empress Xiaoming | ||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||
| Chinese | 唐宣宗 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | "Declared Ancestor of the Tang" | ||||||||
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| Li Yi | |||||||||
| Chinese | 李怡 | ||||||||
| Literal meaning | (personal name) | ||||||||
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Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (born 27 July 810, died 7 September 859) was an important emperor of China's Tang dynasty. He ruled from 25 April 846 until his death. His personal name was Li Yi, which was later changed to Li Chen. Before becoming emperor, he was known as the Prince of Guang. Many people consider him the last truly strong emperor of the Tang dynasty. After him, emperors were often too young or controlled by powerful eunuchs or warlords. Emperor Xuanzong was the 13th son of Emperor Xianzong and an uncle to the three emperors who ruled before him.
To avoid confusion, this Emperor Xuanzong is sometimes called "Xuanzong II" in Western books. This is because another famous emperor, Emperor Xuánzong (Li Longji), had a similar name. However, in Chinese, their names are written differently, so people don't get them mixed up.
Contents
Early Life of Emperor Xuanzong
Li Yi was born in 810 at the Daming Palace in Chang'an. He was the 13th of Emperor Xianzong's 20 known sons. His mother was Consort Zheng, who had been a servant to Emperor Xianzong's wife. After Emperor Xianzong passed away in 820, Li Yi's older brother became Emperor Muzong. In 821, Li Yi was given the title of Prince of Guang.
The Quiet Prince: Li Yi's Youth
When Li Yi was young, he was known for being very shy and not talking much. People often thought he wasn't very smart, but this was not true. During the reigns of his nephews, Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong, Li Yi tried to stay out of politics. He rarely spoke at all.
The emperors would sometimes visit the princes' homes. As a game, they would try to get Li Yi to speak. They even called him "Uncle Guang." Emperor Wuzong, who was very outgoing, especially seemed to look down on Li Yi.
How Li Yi Became Emperor
In early 846, Emperor Wuzong became very sick and couldn't speak. The palace eunuchs, who were powerful officials, decided that Li Yi should be the next emperor. They likely thought he was simple-minded and would be easy for them to control.
They issued an order in Emperor Wuzong's name. This order made Li Yi the crown prince and changed his name to Li Chen. It also gave him power over imperial matters. When Li Chen met with officials in his new role, everyone was surprised. The "simple" prince showed perfect manners and immediately understood the court's business. It turned out that Li Chen had only pretended to be simple-minded. This was a clever way to stay safe during the dangerous political struggles of earlier reigns. Soon after, Emperor Wuzong died, and Li Chen became Emperor Xuanzong.
Emperor Xuanzong's Reign
Emperor Xuanzong immediately honored his mother, Consort Zheng, as empress dowager. He then took action against the powerful chancellor Li Deyu. Li Deyu had held a lot of power during the previous emperor's reign. Emperor Xuanzong disliked how Li Deyu controlled everything.
Changes in Government
Emperor Xuanzong removed Li Deyu from his chancellor position. He sent him away from the capital city of Chang'an. Over the next few years, Emperor Xuanzong removed other officials who supported Li Deyu. Li Deyu was sent farther and farther away, eventually dying in exile. These actions helped to end the long-standing arguments between different groups of officials, which had caused problems for many years.
Emperor Xuanzong also reversed some policies from the previous reign. For example, he stopped the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution, which had been harsh on Buddhism. He brought in new chancellors, like Bai Minzhong, to help him govern.
Reclaiming Lost Lands
Emperor Xuanzong also focused on the Tibetan Empire, which was facing a civil war. Starting in 848, Tang forces began to take back areas that had been lost to the Tibetans since the An Lushan Rebellion. These areas included parts of modern eastern Gansu, southern Ningxia, and western Sichuan.
In 851, a Chinese leader named Zhang Yichao took control of the Hexi Corridor from the Tibetans. He then joined forces with Emperor Xuanzong. This meant that the Tang dynasty had largely won back the lands lost to the Tibetan Empire.
Emperor Xuanzong also faced rebellions from the Tanguts. He realized they were rebelling because Tang officials treated them badly. So, he changed policies and appointed kind and honest officials to those regions. This helped the Tanguts to largely submit peacefully in 851.
A Diligent and Frugal Emperor
Emperor Xuanzong was known for ruling very carefully and working hard. He studied how his famous ancestor, Emperor Taizong, ruled and tried to follow his example. He made an effort to learn about his officials' skills and the customs of different regions. This helped him choose the right people for the right jobs.
He also encouraged people to be simple and not spend too much. He showed this by reducing the costs for his favorite daughter Princess Wanshou's wedding. It was said that during his rule, all members of the imperial family followed the laws carefully.
The Grand Empress Dowager Guo
In 848, Grand Empress Dowager Guo, Emperor Muzong's mother, passed away. She had been the person Emperor Xuanzong's mother served long ago. Some historians believe that Emperor Xuanzong might have been involved in her death. It was said she was sad because Emperor Xuanzong disrespected her. He initially did not want her buried with Emperor Xianzong, but eventually allowed it.
Later Years of Emperor Xuanzong's Rule
One big concern later in Emperor Xuanzong's reign was that he did not choose a Crown Prince. This made the future of the empire uncertain. Chancellors repeatedly asked him to name an heir, but he refused. He seemed to prefer his third son, Li Zi, over his oldest son, Li Wen.
Fairness and Discipline
Emperor Xuanzong was very careful when promoting officials. He did not often give out the highest honors. He was also fair and did not unfairly favor people close to him. If someone close to him deserved punishment, he would punish them. To make sure local officials were good for their areas, he required them to meet him in Chang'an before going to their posts. He was also very strict, even with his chancellors.
Dealing with Eunuchs
Emperor Xuanzong wanted to reduce the power of the eunuchs, but he found it difficult. He once told an official that he was still afraid of them. He tried to promote eunuchs he trusted, hoping they would help him. However, he found that once they became powerful, they joined with other powerful eunuchs. At one point, he even discussed getting rid of all the eunuchs, but his chancellor advised against it.
The Emperor's Health Decline
Late in his reign, Emperor Xuanzong became interested in alchemists. These alchemists promised him that they could make him live forever. He regularly took pills made from cinnabar, which is a mercury-based substance. These pills were poisonous.
As a result of this poisoning, he became easily angered and worried. By 859, he developed a large sore on his back and became bedridden. He could no longer meet with his officials. He trusted his son Li Zi to three high-ranking eunuchs.
After Emperor Xuanzong died, these eunuchs did not immediately announce his death. Another powerful eunuch, Wang Zongshi, found out the emperor had died from the poisoning. He arrested the three eunuchs for lying and had them put to death. Wang Zongshi then brought Li Wen to the palace. An order was issued in Emperor Xuanzong's name, making Li Wen the crown prince and changing his name to Li Cui. The next day, Emperor Xuanzong's death was announced, and Li Cui became Emperor Yizong.
Relations with Muslim Traders
During Emperor Xuanzong's time, a Muslim merchant named Sulaiman al-Tajir visited Guangzhou. He wrote about how the Chinese used fingerprints to identify new foreign visitors. He also noted that the sea route to China was dangerous due to pirates and bad weather. He mentioned that the local Muslim community in Guangzhou had its own mosque and markets. They even had their own religious leader and judge, appointed by Emperor Xuanzong. Sulaiman also observed the making of porcelain and how the city was managed.
Emperor Xuanzong's Legacy
Because Emperor Xuanzong's reign was a time of peace and success, people remembered him fondly for many years. They even called him "Little Taizong," comparing him to the great Emperor Taizong. Historians praised him, though some noted that he lacked kindness.
During Emperor Xuanzong's reign, Chinese chemists also started experimenting with fireworks for the first time.
Chancellors During His Reign
- Li Deyu (846)
- Li Rangyi (846)
- Li Hui (846–847)
- Zheng Su (846)
- Bai Minzhong (846–851)
- Lu Shang (846–847)
- Cui Yuanshi (847–848)
- Wei Cong (847–848)
- Ma Zhi (848–849)
- Zhou Chi (848–849)
- Cui Xuan (849–855)
- Wei Fu (849–850)
- Cui Guicong (850–851)
- Linghu Tao (850–859)
- Wei Mo (851–857)
- Pei Xiu (852–856)
- Zheng Lang (856–857)
- Cui Shenyou (856–858)
- Xiao Ye (857–859)
- Liu Zhuan (858)
- Xiahou Zi (858–859)
- Jiang Shen (858–859)
Family of Emperor Xuanzong
Emperor Xuanzong had many consorts and children:
- Empress Yuanzhao, from the Chao clan
- Li Cui, who became Emperor Yizong (833–873), his first son.
- Princess Wanshou, his first daughter.
- She married Zheng Hao of Xingyang in 850 and had one son.
- Princess Guangde (died 880), his fourth daughter.
- She married Yu Cong of Henan in 858.
- Zhaoyi, from the Wu clan
- Li Zi, Prince Tong (844–863), his third son.
- Jieyu, from the Zhang clan
- Jieyu, from the Liu clan
- Li Rui, Prince Zhao, his eighth son.
- Cairen, from the Shi clan
- Li Yi, Prince Qing (844–860), his fourth son.
- Cairen, from the Qiu clan (828–851)
- Li Wen, Prince Kang (851–866), his ninth son.
- Lady, from the Chen clan
- Li Yong, Prince Guang (854–877), his 11th son.
- Children with unknown mothers:
- Li Mei, Crown Prince Jinghuai (836–852).
- Li Jing, Prince Ya (born 839), his second son.
- Li Ze, Prince Pu, his fifth son.
- Li Run, Prince E (died 876), his sixth son.
- Li Qia, Prince Huai, his seventh son.
- Li Guan, Prince Wei (died 860).
- Princess Yongfu, his second daughter.
- Princess Qigonghuai, his third daughter.
- She married Yan Qi.
- Princess Heyi, his fifth daughter.
- Princess Rao'an, his sixth daughter.
- Princess Shengtang, his seventh daughter.
- Princess Pingyuan (834–863), his 11th daughter.
- Princess Tangyang.
- Princess Xuchang Zhuangsu.
- She married Liu Zhi of Hedong.
- Princess Fengyang.
In Fiction
A fictional version of Emperor Xuanzong was played by Moses Chan in the 2009 Hong Kong TV series, Beyond the Realm of Conscience.
Images for kids
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Zhenling (貞陵), the tomb of Emperor Xuanzong, in Jingyang County, Shaanxi
