Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian: The Tragic Emperor Who Restored the Great Tang

Brief Introduction

Emperor Zhongzong Li Xian (656–710) was the seventh emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the eldest son of Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi and Wu Zetian. His reign (705–710) marked the end of the Wu Zhou regime and the formal restoration of the Tang Dynasty. Li Xian's life was full of drama; he ascended the throne twice but ultimately became a puppet of powerful ministers and the imperial harem, meeting a tragic end. He was a crucial transitional figure connecting the Wu Zhou period and the High Tang era. Although his rule was short, it had a profound impact on the political landscape of the Tang Dynasty.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Two Ascensions: When Li Xian first ascended the throne, he was deposed by Wu Zetian and demoted to the Prince of Luling because he attempted to promote his father-in-law. Twenty years later, he was restored to the throne via the "Shenlong Revolution."
2. Shenlong Revolution: In 705 AD, Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhi and others launched a coup, forcing Wu Zetian to abdicate and installing Li Xian as emperor. The era name was changed to "Shenlong," ending the Wu Zhou regime that had lasted fifteen years since Wu Zetian's coronation.
3. Power Held by Ministers: After his restoration, Li Xian's weak character led to the loss of real power, which fell into the hands of Empress Wei and Wu Sansi. Previously, in her later years, Wu Zetian had favored the brothers Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, which further exacerbated the chaos in court politics.
4. Tragic End: In the fourth year of Jinglong (710 AD), Li Xian was poisoned by Empress Wei. His posthumous name was "Emperor Xiaohe," and his temple name was "Zhongzong." His death triggered the subsequent "Tanglong Coup," leading to the accession of Li Longji.

Connection with "Zizhi Tongjian"

Sima Guang's records of Li Xian in the Zizhi Tongjian focus on the political maneuvering surrounding the "Shenlong Coup." The book details how Zhang Jianzhi and others advised Li Xian, as well as Li Xian's weak performance after his restoration.

Historical Evaluation: Although the Zizhi Tongjian does not offer direct commentary, it implies Li Xian's limitations through its narrative. The book records that after Li Xian's restoration, "power emanated from multiple quarters," with Empress Wei and Wu Sansi holding exclusive authority, leading to disorder in the court. Sima Guang used this to warn future generations that if a monarch lacks decisive power, even restoring the orthodox lineage cannot ensure the stability of the state. Li Xian's tragedy was not only a failure of personal character but also a microcosm of the struggle between imperial power and consort family forces in the mid-Tang Dynasty.

Through the lens of the Zizhi Tongjian, we can see a more three-dimensional Emperor Zhongzong: he was both a key figure in restoring the Li Tang orthodoxy and a witness to the political turmoil on the eve of the High Tang's decline. The book's records of Empress Wei's attempt to claim the throne after his death further reveal the fragility of the imperial succession system at that time, providing important historical material for understanding the political ecology of the mid-Tang Dynasty. Although Li Xian's rule was brief, it cleared the political obstacles left over from the Wu Zhou period, paving the way for the coming of the Kaiyuan Prosperity, holding a significant historical turning point meaning that cannot be ignored.