Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Tang emperor whose reign saw golden age then sharp decline.
Li Longji, posthumously known as Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, was born on 8 September 685 in Luoyang, the Tang dynasty’s eastern capital. He was the third son of Emperor Ruizong, though actual power at the time was held by Ruizong’s mother, Empress Dowager Wu (later Wu Zetian). His mother was Consort Dou, a high-ranking concubine. Described as handsome with a majestic and beautiful appearance, he was also talented in music. In 687, he was created the Prince of Chu. After Wu Zetian forced Ruizong to abdicate in 690 and established her own Zhou dynasty, she imposed her surname Wu on the family. In 693, Consort Dou and Ruizong’s wife, Crown Princess Liu, were killed inside the palace on false accusations of witchcraft, and their bodies were never recovered. Li Longji’s title was reduced to Prince of Linzi, and he and his brothers were confined to the palace, barred from outside contact until 699.
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown, and Li Longji’s uncle, Emperor Zhongzong, returned to the throne. Li Longji served as deputy minister of military supplies and later as secretary general of Lu Prefecture. While back in Chang’an in 710, he cultivated relationships with imperial guard commanders, suspecting that Zhongzong’s powerful wife, Empress Wei, would harm the dynasty. When Zhongzong died suddenly—traditionally believed poisoned by Empress Wei and her daughter—Empress Wei became regent for the young Emperor Shang. Li Longji conspired with Princess Taiping and others to act first. On 21 July 710, his co-conspirators killed Empress Wei’s nephews and then attacked the palace. Empress Wei fled to an imperial guard camp, where a guard beheaded her. Li Longji’s father, Ruizong, was subsequently restored to the throne, and Li Longji was made crown prince, later ascending the throne himself in 712. His 44-year reign became the longest of the Tang dynasty. Initially aided by capable chancellors such as Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Zhang Yue, the empire reached its turning point under his later trust in chancellors Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, and the general An Lushan. This led to sharp decline and near collapse, with the Tang golden age ending in the An Lushan rebellion.
- field
- Emperor of China
- nationality
- Tang dynasty, China
- known_for
- Longest reign in Tang dynasty; golden age followed by An Lushan rebellion
Quick Facts
- Father
- Emperor Ruizong
- Mother
- Empress Zhaocheng
- Birth Date
- 8 September 685
- Birth Place
- Luoyang, Tang dynasty
- Death Date
- 762 · 5 · 3 · 685 · 9 · 8 · df=y
- Death Place
- Chang'an, Tang dynasty
- Full Name
- Family name: Li (zh · 李) · Given name: Longji (zh · 隆基)
- Regnal Name
- Emperor Kaiyuan Shengwen Shenwu (zh · 開元聖文神武皇帝)
- Posthumous Name
- Emperor Zhidao Dasheng Daming Xiao (zh · 至道大聖大明孝皇帝)
- Succession
- Emperor of the Tang dynasty
- Successor
- Emperor Suzong
- Reign
- 8 September 712 – 12 August 756
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Li Longji, the third son of Emperor Ruizong, was born in 685 at the eastern capital Luoyang during his father's first reign, though real power lay with his grandmother, Empress Dowager Wu (later Wu Zetian). His mother was Consort Dou, a high-ranking concubine. Contemporary accounts describe him as handsome, with a "majestic and beautiful" appearance, and he was noted for his musical talent. In 687, he was created Prince of Chu. After Wu Zetian took the throne in 690, his family was forced to adopt her surname Wu, and in 693 his mother Consort Dou and his father's wife Crown Princess Liu were executed inside the palace on false witchcraft accusations; their bodies were never recovered. Li Longji's title was reduced to Prince of Linzi, and he and his brothers were confined to the palace, forbidden outside contact until 699. Following Wu Zetian's overthrow in 705, his uncle Emperor Zhongzong returned to power. Li Longji served as deputy minister of military supplies and later as secretary general of Lu Prefecture. While in Chang'an in 710, he cultivated ties with imperial guard commanders, fearing that Emperor Zhongzong's wife, Empress Wei, would harm the dynasty. After Emperor Zhongzong's sudden death—suspected to be poisoning by Empress Wei and her daughter—Empress Wei became regent for the young Emperor Shang. Li Longji conspired with Princess Taiping and low-level officials, including Zhong Shaojing and Liu Youqiu, to act first. On 21 July 710, they killed Empress Wei's nephews and cousins, then attacked the palace; Empress Wei fled to a guard camp, where she was beheaded. Her daughter and son-in-law were also killed.
Reader's Guide
He initially benefited from capable chancellors like Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Zhang Yue, who were already serving before his ascension. However, his later over-trusting of chancellors Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and general An Lushan led to the An Lushan rebellion, which ended Tang's golden age and brought the empire to near collapse. His seizure of the throne through two palace coups—first against Empress Wei and later consolidating power under his father—demonstrates the turbulent politics of the era. His legacy is thus a turning point: from a golden age to sharp decline, marking a critical transition in Tang history.
Did You Know?
- His reign of 44 years was the longest during the Tang dynasty.
- He seized the throne through two palace coups—first against Empress Wei and later consolidating power under his father Emperor Ruizong.
- He was said to be handsome, with an appearance that was 'majestic and beautiful', and was talented in music.
- His older brother Li Chengqi declined consideration for crown prince, stating that in times of danger, achievement should be considered first.
- His over-trusting of chancellors Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, and general An Lushan led to the An Lushan rebellion, which ended Tang's golden age.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's reign so notable?
His rule captured the absolute peak of Tang cultural and political power before sliding into severe crisis, largely because he became dangerously dependent on courtiers such as Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong. That over-concentration of trust in a handful of advisors ultimately paved the way for the catastrophic An Lushan rebellion.
Why is Emperor Xuanzong of Tang important in Tang history?
He embodies the exact turning point at which the Tang dynasty shifted from its zenith into prolonged instability and near-collapse. His misjudgments in court appointments and military oversight transformed a flourishing empire into a fractured one, making his reign the defining hinge of Tang history.
What were Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's key missteps as ruler?
His most damaging errors were granting sweeping authority to chancellors Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong while simultaneously trusting the general An Lushan with enormous military command. These overlapping concentrations of power created the fragile conditions that the rebellion exploited to shatter the dynasty's golden age.
More in Ancient Empires Rulers 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record