Who is Li Xian described by Wu Zetian?

Li Xian is the third son of Wu Zetian.

In December of the first year of Hongdao (683), Li died, and he succeeded to the throne on Jiazi Day in the same month.

In the first year of Heisheng (684), the name of Heisheng was changed. Because Li Xianyong was weak, that is, after she ascended the throne of the emperor, Wu Zetian was honored as the Empress Dowager. Pei Yan is supported by a testamentary edict, and politics depends on Wu Zetian.

Li Xian tried to form his own group by reusing Wei Hou's relatives. His father, Wei, was promoted to Yuzhou Secretariat and wanted to promote him as prime minister. Pei Yan immediately disagreed. Angry, he said, "I can give the world to Wei, but it doesn't matter." Do you have any extra servants? " After hearing this, Pei Yan reported to Wu Zetian, who was greatly annoyed by the behavior of Zhong Zong. In February, Li Xian, who reigned for only 55 days, was deposed as King of Luling by Wu Zetian and was expelled from Chang 'an.

In March of the first year of the Gregorian calendar (698), Wu Zetian used Li Xian's illness as an excuse to go to Luoyang for treatment, and sent Foreign Minister Xu Yanbo to secretly recall Li Xian and his family. Li Xian ended his exile and returned to Luoyang. In September, Wu Zetian re-established Li Xian as the Crown Prince. After becoming a prince again, he attached great importance to the relationship with his mother Wu. To this end, he decided to marry Wu.

In this way, his daughter Princess Yongtai married Wu Yanji, the nephew of Wu Zetian, and became the daughter-in-law of Wang. Princess Anle married Wu Chongxun, another nephew of Wu Zetian, and became the daughter-in-law of Wu Sansi, the king of Liang. There is no doubt that the reason why Zhongzong married the Wu family is to stabilize his position through nepotism.

In the first year of Shenlong (705), 82-year-old Wu Zetian was seriously ill. In the first month, Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhi, General Li Duozuo of Right Feather Forest, General Xue Sixing of Left Wei and others launched a dragon coup, and suddenly led more than 500 people to enter Wei Zicheng from Xuanwu Gate, killing Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong in Yingxian Palace. On this day, Prime Minister Li Dan also led the South Asian Imperial Army to strengthen its alert and cooperate with the action. Wu Zetian was helpless, and the shilling prince supervised the country. The next day, he passed the letter. Every other day, Li Xian ascended the throne in Tiantong Palace, and granted amnesty to the whole world.

Extended data

The exiles in Li Xian are different from many exiles in history. He still wears the crown of "king" on his head, instead of losing the monarch or prisoner of the country. At the same time, this period was the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, with national security and prosperity, rapid economic development, and a leading position in comprehensive national strength and civilization. In addition, Wu Zetian didn't "restrict Li Xian very urgently", so Li Xian's material life in Fangling was a "farewell palace" style, which can be seen from the words of Wang Kuiru of Gong Sheng included in Fangxian Annals.

When Li Xian was demoted, he was accompanied by more than 300 people, not only concubines and children, but also modern ministers and attendants, including many literati and skilled craftsmen. These people have lived in the palace atmosphere for a long time and are familiar with and master the palace lifestyle. They represent the highest court culture. After coming to Fangling, they promoted the palace culture through communication with the common people. On the other hand, the people imitate court life and etiquette and accept court culture in yearning, thus realizing the integration of court culture and folk culture.

Li Xianfeng's return to Luoyang was secret. Only his family accompanied him without ostentation and extravagance. His secret was so great that Premier Renjie was surprised when he saw Li in the palace. Most of the ministers and entourage who came to Fangling with Li Xian stayed in Fangling, and many even became permanent residents of Fangling. These people became the inheritors of court culture and the promoters of the integration and unification of court culture and folk culture.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Li Xian (Tang Zhongzong)