Princess Anle facts for kids

Princess Anle (安樂公主; born around 684 – died July 21, 710), whose personal name was Li Guo'er (李裹兒), was a Chinese princess during the Tang dynasty. She was the youngest daughter of Emperor Zhongzong and his wife Empress Wei. Many stories say that her parents and older siblings loved her very much, which later made her want more power.

After Emperor Zhongzong passed away in 710, some historians believe it was due to poison given by Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. Soon after, a sudden change in power, called a coup, happened. This coup was led by Li Guo'er's cousin Li Longji and her aunt Princess Taiping. They overthrew and killed Empress Wei and Li Guo'er.

Early Life and Family

Li Guo'er was the youngest of four children born to Emperor Zhongzong (Li Zhe) and Empress Wei. She was born when her father, Li Zhe, had been removed from his position as emperor by his mother, Empress Dowager Wu. He was sent away to Fang Prefecture, which is in modern-day Shiyan, Hubei.

When she was born, her father, Li Zhe, used his own shirt to wrap her because they were in a difficult situation. Because of this, she was named Guo'er, which means "the child that was wrapped." Since she was born during tough times, her parents spoiled her. As she grew up, Empress Wei especially favored her because she was beautiful and good at speaking.

In 698, Wu Zetian, who had become empress herself, called Li Zhe back to the capital city. Li Guo'er later married Wu Chongxun (武崇訓), who was the son of Wu Zetian's nephew, Wu Sansi.

Life During Emperor Zhongzong's Second Reign

In 705, a group of officials led a coup that removed Wu Zetian from power and brought Emperor Zhongzong back to the throne. However, Wu Sansi, who was very close to Empress Wei, became a trusted advisor to Emperor Zhongzong. This meant the officials who led the coup soon lost their influence.

Princess Anle and Emperor Zhongzong's trusted helper, Consort Shangguan Wan'er, also became very powerful. Princess Anle, in particular, was favored by both Emperor Zhongzong and Empress Wei. People said she became very powerful, proud, and sometimes used her power unfairly.

Growing Influence and Wealth

In 706, Emperor Zhongzong made a special rule that allowed seven princesses to have their own official staff. Princess Anle had a very large staff. She also started selling government jobs to people, even those from lower social classes, as long as they paid her. These jobs were called "slanted-sealed officials" because their official papers were sealed in a special way, meaning they didn't need to be approved by the usual government office.

Princess Anle spent money without thinking, building many grand palaces, parks, and temples. These projects cost a huge amount of money and put a lot of pressure on the government's funds and the common people. Even though her father knew about these problems, he did not stop her. It was even said that she would sometimes write official orders for Emperor Zhongzong and then ask him to sign them without him reading them, and he would agree. Many officials also gave her gifts to get promoted or to get out of trouble. Her great power and wealth seemed to make her even more greedy and proud, all because of her father's love.

She even asked her father to make her the "crown princess," a title usually only for a male heir. Emperor Zhongzong, advised by a wise official named Wei Yuanzhong, said no. Princess Anle was disappointed and replied in a way that was not very respectful.

Despite her disrespectful words, Emperor Zhongzong did not scold her. However, he did make her half-brother, Li Chongjun, who was born to a different mother, the crown prince. Both Princess Anle and her husband, Wu Chongxun, looked down on Li Chongjun. They even called him "slave" sometimes. Emperor Zhongzong did nothing to stop his daughter from treating the crown prince badly.

Rebellion and Rivalries

In 707, Li Chongjun became very angry and started a rebellion with some generals. Li Chongjun killed Wu Sansi and Wu Chongxun. But his attack on the palace failed, and he was later killed while trying to escape.

Emperor Zhongzong gave Wu Sansi and Wu Chongxun very honorable burials. Princess Anle wanted Wu Chongxun to be buried with honors usually given to an emperor. Emperor Zhongzong almost agreed, but an official advised against it. Princess Anle was so angry that she had that official moved to a less important job.

Around 708, Princess Anle, her older sister Princess Changning, Empress Wei's sister, Consort Shangguan, and other powerful women became very influential and wealthy. Princess Anle was known for being especially powerful and proud. Many officials, including important advisors, got their jobs because she recommended them.

She and Princess Changning competed to build the most luxurious homes, even grander than the imperial palaces. At one point, she asked Emperor Zhongzong to give her the imperial Kunming Pond. Emperor Zhongzong said no because many common people used the pond to fish for food. In anger, Princess Anle took a lot of private land to create her own pond, called Dingkun Pond. This pond was meant to be even more amazing than Kunming Pond. She spent huge amounts of money making her private park beautiful. After her death in 710, the government turned her property into a public place. She also built many Buddhist temples, just like her mother and sister.

In late 708, Princess Anle remarried in a very grand ceremony. Her new husband was Wu Yanxiu (武延秀), a cousin of her first husband. The wedding party was held inside the palace, and when Princess Anle came out to greet the guests, everyone bowed to her. Her young son from her first marriage was made a duke. For his daughter's wedding, Emperor Zhongzong did something very rare: he announced a general pardon for the entire empire, invited all the nobles to a three-day celebration, and ordered that the empire would not have to pay taxes for several months.

Death

In the summer of 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly. Many historians believe he was poisoned by Empress Wei and Princess Anle. Princess Anle's reason for this was that she hoped Empress Wei would become the "emperor" like her grandmother Wu Zetian, and then she could become the crown princess.

After Emperor Zhongzong's death, Empress Wei placed his young son, Li Chongmao, on the throne. But Empress Wei kept the real power for herself as the empress dowager and regent. Less than a month later, imperial guards, encouraged by Li Dan's son Li Longji and Princess Taiping, attacked the palace.

During the attack, it is said that Princess Anle was looking in a mirror and putting on makeup when a soldier rushed in and killed her. Empress Dowager Wei and Wu Yanxiu were also killed. After this, many other people who supported the empress dowager and Princess Anle were also killed.

Later, Li Dan became emperor again. He officially removed Empress Wei from her royal rank and gave Princess Anle the unusual title of "rebellious commoner." However, he still buried her with honors usually given to a high-ranking official. Her first husband Wu Chongxun's grand tomb, however, was destroyed.