Tang Xuanzong
(Tang Xuanzong's greatest sage and Mingxiao Emperor), surnamed Li, taboo Longji, also known as Tang Minghuang, the third son of Ruizhong Li Dan. He conspired with Princess Taiping to launch a coup, killed Empress Wei, and supported her father Ruizong on the throne and was established as the prince. In the first year of Yanhe (712), Shou Chan came to the throne and changed the Yuan Dynasty to Kaiyuan. During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the society was stable, the politics were clear and clear, and the economy was unprecedentedly prosperous. The Tang Dynasty entered its heyday, and later generations called this period the Kaiyuan era. In the later period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, he was greedy for pleasure, favored and reused Li Linfu and other treacherous ministers, which finally led to the Anshi Rebellion and the decline of the Tang Dynasty. He reigned from 712 to 756 AD and reigned for 44 years.
Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, known as Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty. Xuanzong was proficient in music and rhythm, and was good at poetry and calligraphy. He always advocated classics, abandoned glitz, and paid attention to reforming the style of study. After ascending to the throne, he relied on the power of the emperor to make political calls, which played a certain role in the formation of the simple style of writing in the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Li Longji was born when Wu Zetian was in charge of the government and wanted to be the queen, so he experienced complicated palace changes when he was a child, which may have contributed to his strong-willed character.
After the death of his grandmother Wu Zetian, Zhongzong was cowardly and incompetent. As a result, the power of the government fell into the hands of Queen Wei and Princess Anle. In 710 AD, Zhongzong finally died at the hands of Queen Wei and Princess Anle, who conspired to poison him.
Li Longji and his aunt Princess Taiping, who had been watching the changes, launched a mutiny first and led more than 10,000 imperial guardsmen to capture the palace and eliminate all Queen Wei's faction. Then, Ruizhong Li Dan ascended the throne again, and Li Longji was also established as the prince due to his meritorious service.
On July 3rd, 713 AD, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty Li Longji made the first decisive move and personally led his troops to eliminate Princess Taiping and dozens of her subordinates, and then moved towards Princess Taiping. All officials were dismissed from office. Tang Xuanzong finally grasped the power that the emperor should have.
Although Tang Xuanzong completely consolidated the imperial power after eliminating Princess Taiping, Tang Xuanzong still had a vision of Bole. For example, the famous prime ministers Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Zhang Jiuling were all prime ministers and famous ministers during the Xuanzong period of the Tang Dynasty.
Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty not only had a keen eye for identifying virtuous ministers, but also rectified the administration of officials to improve the efficiency of the bureaucracy. Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty knew people well and assigned them well, had clear rewards and punishments, and was capable and decisive in handling affairs. He not only effectively managed internal affairs, but also effectively managed the border areas, regaining the previously lost territory.
After creating a prosperous age, Tang Xuanzong gradually became satisfied and indulged in pleasure. There is no longer the spirit of hard work and frugality that characterized the reform. The upright prime minister Zhang Jiuling and others were dismissed from office one after another, and the villain Li Linfu climbed up to the throne. After Li Linfu died of illness, Yang Guozhong came to power again, making politics even darker.
After Li Linfu came to power, anyone who did not obey him or stand with him would be framed in every possible way. Li Linfu was jealous of talented people. What he said was pleasant, but his heart was sinister and vicious. Therefore, people secretly say that he has "honey in his mouth and a sword in his belly."
In 736 AD, Concubine Wu Hui, the favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, died of illness. Xuanzong was restless day and night. I heard people said that Yang, his son with Concubine Wu Hui, and concubine Yang of Shou Wang Li Hao, were extremely beautiful and gorgeous, so they recruited him into the palace regardless of etiquette. Concubine Yang knew music, was also very smart, and was good at singing and dancing. Xuanzong was happy.
Later, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty named Concubine Yang a noble concubine. This is the famous Concubine Yang in history. Xuanzong was extremely kind to her and praised her as his "flower of interpretation". Aiwujiwu, with the relationship between Yang Guifei, the Yang family began to flourish. In order to please the imperial concubine, Tang Xuanzong worked very hard. In order to cater to her love of clothing, more than 700 people specially made clothes for the imperial concubine. In order to let her eat the lychees she liked, Xuanzong also ordered the opening of a thousands-mile tribute road from Lingnan to Chang'an so that the lychees could be quickly transported to Chang'an by fast horses in time.
With Yang Guifei, Tang Xuanzong's extravagant style became more and more popular. In order to curry favor with the emperor, ministers, nobles, and clan members fell in love with the imperial concubine. As a result, everyone who made her happy was promoted. Stimulate more bureaucrats and nobles to please and offer delicious food and rare jewelry.
Under the influence of his sister's relationship, his brother Yang Guozhong also rose through the ranks and became the prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. Concubine Yang's sisters also received benefits, and her other brothers also received rewards and became high-ranking officials in the court.
Yang Guozhong's power is unmatched.
Under the dictatorship of Yang Guozhong, the entire Tang Dynasty began to fall into chaos. It can be said that although Tang Xuanzong was at fault for the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the Yang brothers and sisters, especially the elder brother Yang Guozhong, did not play a positive role. , his evil deeds did not bring good luck to his sister, but instead sent her to a point of no return.
The political chaos affected the country's economy. The land equalization system collapsed during this period, and tax revenue dropped sharply. However, the court's expenses gradually increased due to the extravagances of Xuanzong and Yang Guifei, and the state treasury could not make ends meet.
Xuanzong was not aware of the crisis in the Tang Dynasty at all, and instead launched a series of wars. The initial stability on the border was broken again, eventually leading to the Anshi Rebellion, which severely damaged the Tang Dynasty's vitality.