Why is the Dragon Coup so easy to succeed?

Why is the Dragon Coup so easy to succeed?

In 690 AD, Wu Zetian officially ascended the throne and became a powerful female emperor. In 705 AD, Zhang Jian and others launched a "Dragon Coup", and Wu Zetian gave way to Li Xian, ending her rule.

During this period, Wu Zetian was in office 15 years. Supposedly, after 15 years, Wu Zetian's position as emperor has been stabilized, and at the same time she holds heavy power. Why did she lose to the dragon coup? Needless to say, during her reign 15 years, since Tang Gaozong, Wu Zetian's power has been increasing day by day. Why is the Dragon Coup so easy to succeed?

In fact, this matter is directly related to Wu Zetian. Although she has done well in political achievements, she dare not compliment her private life. Besides, the emperor has no private life, and her every move is related to the whole world.

In her later years, Wu Zetian preferred two brothers, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi. They intervened in state affairs, but Wu Zetian turned a blind eye. Therefore, the outbreak of the Dragon Coup is inseparable from what the two brothers did.

First of all, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi caused public outrage.

Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi, two brothers, not only intervened in state affairs, but also embezzled and perverted the law and framed Zhongliang, which can be described as evil. Originally, everyone wanted to eradicate the two brothers, which would harm others and themselves. However, Wu Zetian not only turned a blind eye, but also sheltered the two brothers, so he transferred his anger to Wu Zetian, thinking that what the Zhang Changzong brothers did was not inspired by Wu Zetian.

The more people Zhang Changzong brothers offended, the more people wanted to participate in the coup, thus laying the groundwork for the coup. At that time, due to the protection of Wu Zetian, everyone had no choice but to wait for the Zhang Changzong brothers. What are you waiting for? Wu Zetian was 67 years old when he ascended the throne. It will be very easy to seize power from Wu Zetian when everyone is waiting for her to get old and unable to do so.

Second, Zhang Jianzhi does a good job behind the scenes.

Although Wu Zetian is getting old day by day, we still can't treat her and the Zhang brothers lightly, and we need the cooperation of many people. As the initiator of the Shenlong coup, Zhang Jianzhi knew that if he wanted to seize power, he must have the support of three major forces.

The first is the support of the military attache. After all, what a coup needs most is the army. To this end, Zhang Jianzhi went to find the imperial leader general Li Duozuo. Zhang Jianzhi asked Li Duozuo who promoted him to his present position, and Li Duozuo said it was because of the kindness of the emperor. Hearing Li Duozuo say this, Zhang Jianzhi knew there was hope. Sure enough, under the persuasion of Zhang Jianzhi, Li Duozuo expressed his willingness to support the coup.

The second is to win the support of the royal family in Li Tang. Zhang Jianzhi is very clever. He found the children of Wu Zetian, Li Xian, Li Dan and Princess Taiping. Although Li Xian and Li Dan agreed to attend, they were still afraid of their mother in their hearts, and Princess Taiping expressed her firm support.

Because she originally wanted to imitate her mother, Wu Zetian didn't mean to pass on the throne to her at all. Later, with the Zhang brothers, Princess Taiping could not see any hope, so she very much hoped that her mother would fall out of favor. I have to say that Zhang Jian's ambition to woo Princess Taiping is extremely correct. After Princess Taiping agreed, she turned against many maids and made great contributions to the coup.

The third is to get the support of civil servants, because with them, more people can be persuaded to join the coup.

Third, the right time, the right place and the right people.

In 705 AD, the Dragon Coup officially broke out. At this time, Wu Zetian was in her early 80 s. Even if she wanted to resist, it was beyond her power. Zhang brothers were unable to protect her, so they had to let Zhang Jianzhi and others seize power. This is the wisdom of Zhang Jianzhi and others. Wu Zetian attacked when she was unable to resist, which gave her a "good opportunity".

The Dragon Coup took place in Wei Zicheng, the capital of the gods, which was the palace of the Tang Dynasty. This is "geographical location". Why do you say that? Because the military power at that time had been mastered by Zhang Jianzhi and others, the generals involved in the coup were General Jinghui of Zuo Yulin, Huan of You Yulin, General Li Duozuo of You Yulin and General Li Xingzong of Zuo Yulin.

Therefore, Wei Zicheng at that time became the site of the coup team, and it was easy to succeed. Of course, the coup can be easily successful, and the most important thing is to rely on "harmony between people."

These generals, together with Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Xuanyong and other civil servants, as well as Li Xian, Li Dan and other Li Tang royalty, completely crushed the forces around Wu Zetian, and the following soldiers and crabs would not be able to follow the coup.

When Zhang Jianzhi came to Xuanwu Gate with the team, he was stopped by the Shoujiang. When the Shoujiang saw that even the prince was in the team, he had to let them go. In addition, the palace has already been arranged by Princess Taiping, so this coup is easy to succeed.

In fact, there is no harm in this coup. Wu Zetian is old, even if she continues to be in power, she will not be in power for several years. In this way, she can retire and enjoy her old age, and her country is back in the hands of the Li family. Most importantly, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi were eliminated, which is the best thing for both.

Wu Zetian's achievements during her reign have always been affirmed by future generations, but her cruelty in her early years and her shielding of the Zhang brothers in her later years have also been criticized. At this time, the only way to save the situation is a coup.