Li Yu, Prince of De facts for kids

Li Yu was a prince of the Tang dynasty in China. He was also known as Li You and Li Zhen at different times in his life. He was the oldest son of Emperor Zhaozong and Empress He.

Li Yu was the crown prince (the next in line to be emperor) from 897 to 900. In 900, a powerful court official named Liu Jishu forced Emperor Zhaozong to step down. For a short time, Li Yu became emperor. But soon, his father was put back on the throne. Li Yu then lost his title as crown prince, but his father still loved him.

Later, a strong military leader named Zhu Quanzhong killed Emperor Zhaozong in 904. Zhu was worried about Li Yu, so he chose Li Yu's younger brother, Emperor Ai, to be the next emperor instead. In 905, Zhu had Li Yu and eight of his younger brothers killed. Because Li Yu's short time as emperor was forced by others, he is not usually seen as a true emperor of the Tang dynasty.

Early Life

We don't know exactly when Li You was born. He was the oldest son of Emperor Zhaozong and Empress He. His younger brother, Li Zuo, was born in 892. This means Li You was born before that year.

In 891, Emperor Zhaozong gave Li You the special title of Prince of De.

Becoming Crown Prince

In 896, Emperor Zhaozong and his court had to leave the capital city of Chang'an. They fled to Hua Prefecture (a city in modern Weinan, Shaanxi) after an attack by a military leader named Li Maozhen. There, Emperor Zhaozong was under the control of another military leader, Han Jian.

Han Jian was worried about the new soldiers Emperor Zhaozong had brought with him. These soldiers were led by other imperial princes. Han Jian pressured the emperor to make these princes give up their commands. He also put them under house arrest.

To make Emperor Zhaozong happy, Han Jian suggested that Li You be made crown prince. In the spring of 897, Emperor Zhaozong agreed. He also changed Li You's name to Li Yu. Soon after, Li Yu's mother, Consort He, became the empress.

A Short Time as Emperor

Emperor Zhaozong returned to Chang'an in 899. After all the difficulties, he became sad and often drank too much. His moods were hard to predict.

Powerful court officials called eunuchs started thinking about removing him from power. These eunuchs included Liu Jishu and Wang Zhongxian.

In late 900, Emperor Zhaozong killed some eunuchs and palace staff. Liu Jishu then took action. He entered the palace with soldiers and forced Emperor Zhaozong to give up his power. The emperor was put under house arrest.

Liu Jishu brought Li Yu to the palace. He announced that Emperor Zhaozong was giving the throne to Li Yu. Li Yu was declared emperor, and his name was changed to Li Zhen. Emperor Zhaozong was given the title of "Retired Emperor," but he was still kept under guard.

Less than two months later, some soldiers loyal to Emperor Zhaozong killed Liu Jishu and Wang Zhongxian. They put Emperor Zhaozong back on the throne. Emperor Zhaozong said that Li Yu was not to blame because he was young. He sent Li Yu back to the prince's palace. However, Li Yu was no longer the crown prince and became the Prince of De again.

After His Father Returned to Power

We don't know much about what Li Yu did after he became the Prince of De again. When his father, Emperor Zhaozong, was later taken by other eunuchs to Fengxiang in 901, Li Yu likely went with him.

A powerful military leader named Zhu Quanzhong then attacked Fengxiang. He forced Li Maozhen to give the emperor back to him. Zhu Quanzhong took the emperor and his family back to Chang'an.

Li Yu was growing up and was said to be handsome. Zhu Quanzhong wanted to become emperor himself. He was worried about Li Yu because Li Yu had been emperor before. Zhu Quanzhong hinted that Li Yu should not be allowed to live.

Emperor Zhaozong was very upset when he heard this. He was afraid Zhu Quanzhong wanted to kill Li Yu. He even asked Zhu's assistant, "The Prince of De is our beloved son. Why does Quanzhong want him dead so badly?"

Zhu Quanzhong became even more worried. In 904, he had his adopted son and another officer kill Emperor Zhaozong. Even though Li Yu was the oldest son, Zhu chose Li Yu's younger brother, Li Zuo, to be the next emperor. Li Zuo became Emperor Ai.

In the spring of 905, Zhu Quanzhong invited Li Yu and eight of his younger brothers to a feast. At the feast, Zhu had his soldiers seize the princes and kill them. Their bodies were thrown into a pond.