The Tang Dynasty is a very important dynasty in Chinese history. It took nearly three centuries from the establishment of the first year of Wude (618) to the demise of Tianyou (907) and lasted nearly three centuries, only shorter than the eight hundred years of the Zhou Dynasty and the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty. However, the Tang Dynasty did not have a distinction between east and west, which gave people a more complete feeling. In addition, the dazzling periods such as "Zhenguan Governance" and "Kaiyuan Prosperity", it is easy to intuitively believe that these three centuries were a magnificent and unified prosperity, and the "Anshi Rebellion" was just a short-term twists and turns in the process. However, is this really the case? After reexamining the history of the Tang Dynasty, we have to question the long-term nature of the dynasty and the political unity of the political continuation.
Ten Dao Pictures of the Tang Dynasty
"Anshi Rebellion" was the most important event in the history of the Tang Dynasty. In the 14th year of Tianbao (755), Tang Xuanzong fled in a hurry. His son ascended the throne and regarded him as the Supreme Emperor, but in fact he forcibly deprived him of the throne. This huge political change took a lot of time and energy to calm down, and caused serious consequences, namely, the Jiedushi took real power, the formation of the situation of separatist hindering , the sphere of influence of the military men became larger and the politics became increasingly unstable, which eventually led to the rapid replacement of " Five Dynasties " and the division and division of " Ten Kingdoms ". In other words, the unified Tang was not as long as I imagined.
Different stages
Tang Dynasty has had a profound impact on Chinese culture. Until now, children have still started to come into contact with traditional Chinese culture from Tang poetry. From a historical perspective, Tang poetry is divided into clear stages: Wang Bo and Luo Binwang in the early Tang Dynasty; Li Bai, Du Fu , Wang Wei , Meng Haoran; Middle Tang , Li He , Bai Juyi, Yuan Zhen ; Du Mu , Li Shangyin, Wen Tingyun in the late Tang Dynasty.
Li Bai's portrait
The Tang poems in the fourth issue are very different in terms of form, content and style. That is to say, the society, life and culture of the Tang Dynasty experienced four different periods, which had different influences on the poets of each period, thus forming their own styles. Combined with the dynasty's rule, economic development and social activities, the Tang Dynasty can be roughly divided into four stages.
The early Tang Dynasty started from the first year of Wude (618) and lasted until the end of the first year of Shenlong (705) Wu Zetian meter system, which lasted for nearly ninety years; the prosperous Tang Dynasty was the most famous, with many talents and economic and cultural prosperity, but in fact the shortest time, from the first year of Shenlong (705) to the 14th year of Tianbao (755) of the "Anshi Rebellion", only 50 years ago; after Suzong ascended the throne, he entered the mid-Tang Dynasty, until the fifteenth year of Yuanhe (820), Xianzong died at the hands of eunuchs, and then entered the more turbulent late Tang Dynasty.
Du Fu portrait
From the lineage list of the Tang Dynasty, it can be seen that from Emperor Gaozu to Emperor Xianzong, except for Wu Zetian, the rules of one generation and one emperor were basically maintained. Emperor Gaozu passed down to Emperor Taizong, Emperor Taizong passed down to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Gaozong passed down to Emperor Zhongzong, Zhongzong passed down to Ruizong passed down to Xuanzong , Emperor Ruizong passed down to Emperor Xuanzong, Emperor Suzong passed down to Emperor Suzong, Emperor Suzong passed down to Emperor Shunzong, and Emperor Shunzong passed down to Emperor Xianzong, which is the same lineage. Zhongzong and Ruizong were brothers one after another, and there were no two emperors of the same generation. The succession of father and son was maintained so strictly, which was the first time in Chinese history.
However, the situation has been different since Xianzong. After Emperor Xianzong passed away, Muzong ascended the throne. After Emperor Muzong was the same generation of Jingzong, Wenzong, and Wuzong. Then the Xuanzong generation was higher than that of Emperor Wuzong. It belonged to the generation of Muzong. After Emperor Xuanzong, he was the same generation of Yizong , followed by the next generation of Emperor Xizong and Zhaozong, and then to the last Emperor Ai.
Tang Ping'an Shi Rebellion Schematic diagram
This is the turbulent late Tang Dynasty. From the fifteenth year of Yuanhe (820) to the fourth year of Tianyou (907), nine emperors were replaced for more than 80 years. The division of these four periods is certainly not absolute, but this division can more clearly show the changes of the Tang Dynasty and the different situations of each period.
core of the early Tang Dynasty
There are two aspects of the development of the early Tang Dynasty. One is that it inherited the systems of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi , Northern Zhou , and Sui Dynasty.The Sui Dynasty has a new "Sui Dynasty". The Tang Dynasty used this as a basis to expand and improve the "Tang Dynasty". The Sui Dynasty had "Sui Dynasty" and the Tang Dynasty also had "Tang Dynasty" and stipulated corresponding rituals. The canals and Chang'an City and Tang Dynasty also continued to improve, but the most important thing was the equal-field system.
Rental and Mechanical Modification Schematic
Implementing the equal-field system requires accurate household registration investigation and registration, so as to solve the problem of large-scale labor conscription at the end of the Sui Dynasty leading to the demise of the country. The Sui Dynasty implemented the equal-field system, which rapidly increased the available labor force, and major projects were launched, including the three strife of Goguryeo and Emperor Yang of Sui's southern tour, resulting in a large number of agricultural population being deprived, grain output declined, and small farmers were fragmented, and the equal-field system could hardly be maintained.
The Tang Dynasty learned experience and the most urgent task was to restore the equal-field system, which required reforms to the original " renting and tuning " system. Renting and regulating is a tax paid by farmers to the court. Among them, the word "Yong" is particularly important, that is, "using money instead of service". Unlike the Sui Dynasty, the policy of the early Tang Dynasty was to implement "rest with the people" to restore agricultural production. The focus was to leave farmers on the land, hand over the labor income to the court in a "Yong" way, and let the court hire the manpower they needed.
"Zhenguan Zheng Yao"
Therefore, the early Tang Dynasty can be linked to the "Zhenguan Zong Yao". Due to the classic political guide book "Zhenguan Zheng Yao" and the legendary deeds of Wei Zheng and others, the Taizong period was traditionally considered one of the most important "prosperous times" in the Tang Dynasty and even Chinese history. But according to the previous statement, the Taizong Dynasty was not in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, but in the early Tang Dynasty. It seems unfair not to include the Taizong Dynasty in the prosperous Tang Dynasty. However, if you deeply understand the characteristics of this period, you will find that the "Zhenguan Governance" is the core of the early Tang Dynasty.
The core of the "Zhenguan Governance" is: to enable the people to live and work in peace and to recover from the excessive mobilization of the Sui Dynasty. The greatest achievement of Wei Zheng and other wise ministers was nothing more than suppressing Taizong's ambitions, asking him to understand the sufferings of the people and not to exert too much force. Only by slowing down can we gradually have the foundation of equal field system and government military system during the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, and we can achieve all aspects of the subsequent prosperous Tang Dynasty.
The darkness of Zhenguan
Compared with the short Sui Dynasty, the development of the Tang Dynasty was much slower. Emperor Wen of Sui and Emperor Yang of Sui made many major breakthroughs and construction. Since the Tang Dynasty, both breakthroughs and construction have become very slow. Without enough patience and perseverance, it is impossible to develop smoothly from the early Tang Dynasty to the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Portrait of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty Li Shimin
But another reason why the early Tang Dynasty lasted for so long was that there was a problem with the transfer of power in the Li family, or because of " Xuanwu Gate Change ". " Zizhi Tongjian " uses "Zizhi" as the criterion for judgment. When it comes to "governing the world" in China, "Zhenguan" will inevitably mention "Zhenguan". However, under the glory of "Zhenguan", there is darkness hidden. Unlike " Chengkang's governance " and "Wenjing's governance", Li Shimin's means of obtaining the throne are not glorious.
"The Xuanwu Gate Incident" violates China's most fundamental human ethics, beliefs and social culture. Li Shimin killed the emperor's brother Li Jiancheng and his younger brother Li Yuanji , and forced his father Li Yuan to pass the throne to him. Li Yuan seemed willing to be the emperor, but in fact he had to do it due to the situation. Interested friends can read the previous article: Tai Chi Palace Xuanwu Gate Recovery Picture
Of course, Li Shimin must also pay a heavy price, one of which is that his rule will always face the challenge of legitimacy. He made a wise decision to push Wei Zheng forward so that everyone knew what Wei Zheng did and said.Wei Zheng's actions were almost always against Li Shimin, and he often spoke rudely, even ordinary people might not be able to bear it. However, Li Shimin has always tolerated that he could have used imperial power to punish Wei Zheng and even removed him from the center of power, but he never did this because Wei Zheng was originally the right-hand man of Prince Li Jiancheng. Li Shimin not only valued Wei Zheng, but also treated Wei Zheng differently, which shows that he attached great importance to justice and hoped to convey a concept: "The Change of Xuanwu Gate" was not a traitor, but for the future of the Li dynasty and the safety of the people.
Tang Taizong accepted advice
Sima Guang analyzed the serious consequences of the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" in "Zizhi Tongjian", which is the endless contradiction between the emperor and the prince. Li Shimin could take away the power from his father in this way. Now that he has become the emperor, how can he ensure that his son will not let him become a Supreme Emperor without real power? At the same time, it also made the later princes worried, fearing that their brothers would seize their positions by force.
The Queen's Sorrow
The Emperor is afraid of being forced to abdicate by the prince, and the prince is afraid of his brothers' resentment. These psychology affect the politics of the early Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin made Li Chengqian the crown prince, but his younger brother, King Wei, Li Tai, was not willing to accept such an arrangement, but continued to develop his own power and suppress Li Chengqian. Li Chengqian was afraid that his father would be influenced by Li Tai and deposed his position as crown prince, so he used various conspiracies to get rid of Li Tai, but none of them succeeded and was eventually demoted to a commoner. As the conflict between the two became increasingly greater, Li Shimin had to let Empress Changsun’s third son, Li Zhi, be the crown prince, that is, Emperor Gaozong of Tang .
Portrait of Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Gaozong first established Li Zhong and then made Li Xian the crown prince, but they were all deposed. The crown prince established by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang Li Chongjun and the crown prince established by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Li Ying were all killed. From these examples, it can be seen that there were very serious inheritance problems within the dynasty in the early Tang Dynasty, and large-scale construction could not be carried out like the Sui Dynasty did.
The historical focus of the early Tang Dynasty was, on the one hand, to expand the system of Northern Dynasties to the south to make it more perfect; on the other hand, it was various disputes caused by the inheritance of power. In the Taizong Dynasty, a fierce political struggle between Li Chengqian and Li Tai occurred, and finally Li Zhi ascended the throne. Then, Wu Zetian's turmoil occurred in the Gaozong Dynasty.
Wu Zhao was originally an unpopular talent, but Li Zhi favored her very much. According to tradition, after Emperor Taizong's death, all the women who served him had to become monks, while Wu Zhao was taken back to the palace by Li Zhi. Li Zhi's favor for her caused greater turmoil to the politics of the early Tang Dynasty.
Wu Zetian's portrait
Li Chengqian and Li Tai fought hard, and Taizong still only made Empress Changsun's son the crown prince, so that the queen's status would be more stable, and the system of establishing the legitimate was maintained. However, by Emperor Gaozong everything changed, the queen was deposed, and the era was changed many times, changing " Yonghui " to "Xianqing" was to show the importance of restructuring and establishing Empress Wu.
Wu Zetian was not only the queen, but also assisted Emperor Gaozong in handling the government affairs, and finally ruled the world with Emperor Gaozong. She has great power, not only can she decide the candidate for the prince, but also can depose and establish the emperor. After Emperor Gaozong passed away, Zhongzong Li Xian ascended the throne, and was soon deposed by Wu Zetian and changed to the Ruizong. Shortly after Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne, he was deposed again. In the first year of the first year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of the 1st year of
Wu Zetian became the first female emperor in China's history and founded the " Wuzhou " dynasty. From this point of view, her actions are very similar to those of Wang Mang . She ended the previous dynasty and established a new dynasty. Later, the imperial power was taken back, but Wu Zetian gathered a group of famous officials, Di Renjie and Zhang Jianzhi , which are more famous than all the officials in Wang Mang's dynasty.
The most important difference between the two is that Wu Zetian is a woman, so her rule must be temporary. Even the minister she trusts most will not think that Wu Zetian can rule this country forever! In the first year of Shenlong (705), Empress Wu, who was in her 80s, was forced by Zhang Jianzhi to pass the throne to his son Zhongzong, which restored the Tang Dynasty to its former glory. This was a plan that Di Renjie had already formulated before his death and was completed by Zhang Jianzhi.
Portrait of Cambodian
This is Wu Zetian's sorrow. The two men she trusted the most have never truly loyal to her, so she can only trust those unreliable men, otherwise she will not be able to exercise the right to rule.
The end of civil strife
In the world of men, it is not an easy thing for a woman to become an emperor, such as the issue of arranging her heirs is very difficult.
The easiest way is to establish a throne. Wu Zetian wanted to become a crown prince, so he naturally chose his own son first. However, before she became emperor, his two sons were both emperors of the Tang Dynasty and their surname was Li. If the throne was passed to them, wouldn’t it be the Tang Dynasty and the Wu Zhou abolished? In fact, this is also the idea of Di Renjie and Zhang Jianzhi. Although Wu Zetian was the emperor of Wu Zhou, after she passed away, she let her son ascend the throne and "reset the Tang Dynasty".
Wu Zetian excavated the Longmen Grottoes Lushe, the big Buddha
If it is not passed to the son, but to the daughter? Under the patriarchy, the situation is even worse because the daughter is not surnamed Wu, and the daughter's surname depends on who her mother marrys, so the daughter cannot expect her inheritance. If the Wu family had to inherit it, they could only choose from the sons of their brothers. However, Empress Wu's confidants disagreed. It is still impossible to guarantee how his son would treat his mother after he ascended the throne. So how much security can the nephew and his aunt bring to her?
Wu Zetian could only make the deposed King Luling the crown prince in the end, which was a huge blow to the forces of "restoring the Tang Dynasty". Instead of risking fighting against Empress Wu, it would be better to wait for her to die and the throne would naturally return to the hands of the Li family. However, before Empress Wu died, the court officials expressed their loyalty to Li Tang and forced Empress Wu to pass the throne to Zhongzong, which allowed the Li Tang Dynasty to continue.
Di Renjie's portrait
However, the distribution of power in the palace has not been properly resolved. After Zhongzong ascended the throne, the legitimate son of Empress Wei was supposed to be the crown prince, but her son offended the most unprovoked person since childhood, that is, the grandmother Empress Wu, and was ordered to be executed. Therefore, Empress Wei has never had a son, so the relationship between the prince and Empress Wei is becoming increasingly tense.
The conflict between Empress Wei and the prince is getting bigger and bigger, which eventually leads the prince to lead the army to rebel. Zhongzong stopped this coup at the last moment, but Empress Wei's sense of crisis reached its peak, so she joined forces with Princess Anle to kill Zhongzong and secretly stop the funeral, preparing to let Emperor Shang ascend the throne. The word "shang" means that the emperor's life span was not long. He was only twenty years old when he died and abdicated less than a month after he ascended the throne. The son of Ruizong Li Longji and Princess Taiping led their troops into the palace, killed Empress Wei and Princess Anle, and pushed Ruizong to the throne.
Portrait of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
The biggest feature of the early Tang Dynasty was the chaos in inheritance. Zhongzong first ascended the throne, and then abdicated as the crown prince. Zhongzong and Ruizong both became emperors twice, which is rare in history. When Ruizong ascended the throne for the second time, the situation was still unstable. The conflict between Princess Taiping and Li Longji's aunt and nephew is getting bigger and bigger, so she tried every means to make her brother Ruizong depose Prince Li Longji. This is obviously a problem left over from the Taizong period. Female members of the royal family have great political influence, while important princes have no institutional protection. The dispute between Princess Taiping and Li Longji lasted until the first year of Kaiyuan (713) after Li Longji became Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, he sentenced Princess Taiping to death, and finally calmed down the civil strife of the Li family since the "Xuanwu Gate Incident".
This kind of civil strife caused the system and construction of the Tang Dynasty to be far less rapid than the Sui Dynasty. It not only established the ruling system of the Northern Dynasties, but also inherited the chaotic order of the Northern Dynasties. These two paths were parallel, but the latter caused great obstacles to the former, which was a unique historical feature of the early Tang Dynasty.
To write this today, let’s continue to talk about the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the middle Tang Dynasty and the late Tang Dynasty next time.
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