Chapter 47 The great Tang Dynasty finally collapsed
The general trend of the world is that if it divides for a long time, it will unite, and if it unites for a long time, it will divide. As the saying goes, "things will turn to extremes, and prosperity will decline." This is the principle of heaven and earth, even if it is as powerful as the Tang Dynasty.
The late reign of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty was brutal and cruel. The great peasant uprising broke out in the late Sui Dynasty. In May of the thirteenth year of Daye (617), Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang Dynasty who stayed behind in Taiyuan, raised troops in Jinyang. In November, he occupied Chang'an and proclaimed Yang You, the grandson of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, as emperor. He changed his name to Yining and became Emperor Gong of the Sui Dynasty. Li Yuan was appointed prime minister and promoted to king of Tang Dynasty. In March of the second year of Yining (618), Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was hanged to death in Jiangdu by his minister Yu Wenhuaji. This is just a mortal record. In fact, Li Yuan was supported by Buddhist forces led by Zen Buddhism. He also inherited the destiny of heaven and earth that changed dynasties and had the aura of an emperor. Only then did he have the strength to sweep away the heroes and conquer the world. .
In May of the same year, Li Yuan usurped the Sui Dynasty and proclaimed himself emperor, named the country Tang, deposed Yang You as the Duke of Xi, and lived in Chang'an. He was killed in May of the following year. The Sui Dynasty fell and the country was founded for thirty-eight years. Li Yuan is Tang Gaozu. After changing Wude in the Yuan Dynasty, the capital was still in Chang'an. Later, the eldest son Li Jiancheng was named the prince, the second son Li Shimin was the king of Qin, the third son Li Xuanba died young, and the fourth son Li Yuanji was the king of Qi. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan sent Li Shimin to conquer all directions and wipe out the heroes from all directions. However, during Li Yuan's reign, he killed many former ministers and surrendered opponents. In addition to the forces in the Central Plains, he also relied on the help of foreign forces in the grasslands. These barbarians killed a large number of civilians in the Central Plains, thus damaging themselves. As well as the fate of the Tang Dynasty, it was destined to be invaded by foreign invaders in the future.
On the fourth day of June in the ninth year of Takeori, Li Shimin, who had made great achievements in the four-party campaign, launched the Xuanwumen Incident, and Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were killed. Li Yuan abdicated to become the Supreme Emperor. Li Shimin ascended the throne, and Li Shimin became Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. The following year, he was changed to Yuan Zhenguan (627-649).
During the Taizong period, the Mongolian plateau dominated by the Turks was included in the sphere of influence. The ethnic groups in the north of the Tang Dynasty specifically called Li Shimin the Khan of Heaven. In terms of internal affairs, he inherited the prime minister system, developed, perfected and established the three provinces and six ministries and the imperial examination system used in later generations. He also implemented the land equalization system and the rent-to-yong system. Regardless of his origin, he recruited a large number of capable ministers, regardless of whether they were demoted to generals or established. He also reused all his old ministers. For example, Wei Zheng was a minister of the former crown prince Jiancheng. After Taizong ascended the throne, he ignored his past grudges and followed Wei Zheng's advice in everything. During this period, the social order was stable and the economy was prosperous. It was called the "Reign of Zhenguan" in history. The summary of his political achievements, "Zhenguan Zhengyao", became the emperor's textbook in Japan and Korea, and also the object of imitation and study by later monarchs.
In his later years, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was troubled by the issue of the crown prince. Prince Li Chengqian and Wei King Li Tai fought internally. As a result, Emperor Taizong deposed them both, and finally appointed the benevolent but incompetent ninth son Jin King Li Zhi as the crown prince. In 753, Jianzhen and Yun Canghai crossed to Japan and opened up overseas businesses.
After the death of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Zhi ascended the throne as Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty. During the Emperor Gojong's reign, he accepted Silla's invitation and finally destroyed Goguryeo and Baekje and defeated the Japanese reinforcements. Unify Silla on the Korean Peninsula. In the later years of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty had an affair with Wu Zetian, a talented person of the Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. This was a great act of unfilial piety. After Taizong's death, Wu entered Ganye Temple as a nun. At that time, Gaozong's Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu were fighting internally. In order to compete with Concubine Xiao Shu for favor, Queen Wang took the initiative to allow Gaozong to take Wu back to the palace. After Wu entered the palace, he ordered Gaozong to depose Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu. Under the opposition of ministers, Gaozong made Wu his queen.
Gaozong's health was not good, and many political affairs were left to Queen Wu to handle. Shortly after Gaozong's death, Empress Wu established Prince Li Xian as emperor, who was named Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. Soon after, Zhongzong was deposed as King of Luling, and another son, Li Dan, was made emperor instead, named Ruizong of Tang Dynasty. After quelling the rebellion led by Xu Jingye, in the first year of Tianshou (690), Empress Wu abolished the title of Ruizong and proclaimed herself emperor, changed the country's name from "Tang" to "Zhou", made Luoyang the capital, and proclaimed herself Emperor Shengshen. Empress Wu also became the only woman in the history of the Chinese dynasty to call herself emperor. She was in power for more than 50 years and was given the posthumous title Wu Zetian.
During Wu Zhou's fifteen-year reign, in order to combat the power of aristocratic families since Emperor Gaozong, Empress Wu vigorously promoted officials who had entered official careers through imperial examinations. Di Renjie is one of the representatives. She also arranged for her nephews Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi to serve as important aircraft personnel.
In the first year of Shenlong (705), Jing Hui, Prime Minister Zhang Jianzhi and others launched a coup, supported the restoration of Zhongzong Li Xian, and restored the power of the Tang Dynasty. Li Dan was established as the Prime Minister. However, Zhongzong has always been influenced by Empress Wei, his daughter Princess Anle, and Empress Wu's old party members Wu Sansi and others. Zhang Jianzhi, Jing Hui and others were all exiled or executed. Empress Wei intended to become the second Empress Wu, while Princess Anle asked to be made the crown princess. In the fourth year of Jinglong (710), Queen Wei and Princess Anle conspired to poison Zhongzong. Queen Wei appointed King Wen Li Chongmao as the emperor, as the young emperor, and wanted to harm the Prime Minister Li Dan. Li Dan's son Li Longji, who was the King of Linzi at the time, launched a coup with the assistance of his aunt Princess Taiping, killed Queen Wei, Princess Anle and the remaining forces of the Wu family, and supported Li Dan's restoration.
Later, Ruizong's sister Princess Taiping had a power struggle with Li Longji. In the first year of Yanhe (712), Ruizong gave way to the crown prince Li Longji, who became Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty. In 713, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty ordered Princess Taiping to die, and her party members either killed or expelled her, ending the chaotic political situation known as the "Empress Wei Rebellion" in history. In the same year, it was changed to Kaiyuan. Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty reigned for 44 years. In the early period (Kaiyuan period), the politics were relatively clear and the economy developed rapidly. The Tang Dynasty entered its heyday, known in history as the "Kaiyuan Heyday". This period is considered to be the second heyday in Chinese history after the period of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. The capital city of Chang'an became the largest city in the world at that time.
After Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty changed Yuan Tianbao, he was satisfied with his ambition and decided to indulge in pleasure and never bothered about state affairs. After accepting Yang Yuhuan as a concubine, she indulged in wine and sex even more. Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty appointed Li Linfu, who was notorious for his "sweet talk and sword", as prime minister for eighteen years, which caused the corruption of the government. After Li Linfu's death, Yang Guozhong was appointed as the prime minister. During this period, eunuchs began to interfere in politics, and Gao Lishi's power was extremely popular. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was very fond of military achievements, so border generals often provoked wars against foreign tribes in order to gain military exploits. In addition, because the military system at that time was changed from the government military system to the recruitment system, the Jiedushi envoys were combined with the soldiers in the military town, resulting in the situation of border generals and dedicated troops. Among them, An Lushan, a Hu man, is the most famous. An Lushan controlled a large number of troops. In November of the 14th year of Tianbao (755), he took advantage of the political corruption and military emptiness of the Tang Dynasty and launched a rebellion with Shi Siming, which was known as the "Anshi Rebellion" in history. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty fled to Chengdu, and Prince Li Heng proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu as Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty, with Xuanzong as the Supreme Emperor. An Lushan claimed to be the Emperor of Dayan, with the reign title Shengwu. It took eight years for the rebellion to be put down.
The vitality of the Tang Dynasty was severely damaged, and it turned from prosperity to decline. At this time, the land equalization system has gradually collapsed, land annexation has become increasingly serious, and rent-for-payment modulation cannot be implemented. The situation of feudal separatism has taken shape.
During the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Yan reformed the salt law and improved the country's financial situation. Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty appointed Yang Yan as prime minister. In the first year of Jianzhong (780), the two tax laws were implemented, with land taxes divided into summer and autumn. Tang Dezong also tried to pacify the vassal state, but this caused Zhu Tao, Li Xilie, and Zhu Si to rebel. As a result, the Fengtian disaster occurred. The war lasted for 5 years. In the end, although Zhu Si, Li Xilie and others were defeated and killed, the Tang Dynasty compromised with the other vassal towns on the condition that the king's title be cancelled, and the court recognized their local rule. Since then, the situation of separatism has further deepened. These wars produced a large number of refugees, and Yun Canghai took the opportunity to send a large fleet to bring them to Japan, further deepening the national integration of the two places.
From then on, the Tang Dynasty had foreign invasions such as Tubo, Uighur, and Nanzhao, and internal eunuchs were in charge. The eunuchs determined the power of the imperial army and even the emperor's dethronement. Jiedushi had administrative power over local areas independent of the central government. After the death of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty, there was a transitional stage between Shunzong and Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty. Then Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Dynasty ascended the throne due to Yongzhen's inner Zen and was supported by the eunuchs. He relied on the power of the Forbidden Army to make all the vassal towns in the country submit to the Tang Dynasty at least in name. This was known in history as "Yuanhe Zhongxing" ".
In the last years of Xianzong's reign, the clique disputes between ministers headed by Niu Sengru and Li Deyu also intensified, making the eunuchs even more powerful. The Niu Party and the Li Party came to power one after another, which was known as the "Niu and Li Party Struggle" in history.
In the ninth year of Taihe (835), Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Xun, Zheng Zhu and others launched the Manlu Rebellion and failed in their plot to kill the eunuchs. After the Ganlu Incident, the eunuchs were united; the officials could only use the military power of the vassal town to resist the power of the eunuchs, which laid the foundation for the direct conflict between the vassal town and the eunuchs in the remaining years of the Tang Dynasty.
After Wenzong's death, Tang Wuzong succeeded to the throne and established Huichang. Wu Zong succeeded to the throne after factional struggles with the support of the eunuch Qiu Shiliang. Because Qiu Shiliang, the eunuch who supported Wu Zong, had no choice but to let Wu Zong handle the government affairs personally in view of the many factions in the court, Wu Zong reused Li Deyu, the leader of the Li Party, to reduce Qiu Shiliang's power. Wu Zong's series of political achievements to revitalize the imperial court were known as the Huichang Zhongxing in history. Wuzong attached great importance to Taoism and prohibited Buddhism and Nestorianism other than Taoism. Therefore, in the history of Buddhism, he is listed as one of the three warriors who destroyed the Buddha. Also known as Huichang destroying the Buddha. Yun Canghai and Jian Zhen had already calculated this result, so they instructed Daming Temple to donate a large amount of land and gold and silver to the imperial court (the amount of incense and donations they received over the years was quite large), and sent an elder to sneak into the palace late at night , entrusted a dream to Wu Zong, saying that monks have no intention to participate in trivial matters in the world, but only want to practice with peace of mind, and two bottles of elixirs appeared, one can enhance the essence, and the other can remove toxins, and are immune to all poisons. As a reward, I only ask Wu Zong Don't embarrass Buddhism in the world.
After Wu Zong woke up, he saw the two bottles of elixirs on the bedside. He broke out in a cold sweat and thought to himself: These monks seem to have nothing when entering and leaving the palace. Wouldn't it be easy to assassinate me? Therefore, we did not dare to go too far in destroying Buddhism, and the losses to Buddhism were minimized. Later, when the incident spread, cultivators from various sects praised Daming Temple for their benevolence, and the reputation of Daming Temple further increased.
After Tang Wuzong died, Tang Xuanzong succeeded to the throne with the help of eunuchs. Before he ascended the throne, Xuanzong seemed to be a monarch who could easily be exploited by eunuchs. But after taking the throne, he worked hard to govern. Due to the support received from Buddhism led by Daming Temple, they changed Tang Wuzong's policy of banning Buddhism and respected Buddhism again.
After Xuanzong, Tang Yizong and Tang Xizong were famously incompetent kings, which caused the Tang Dynasty's national power to decline. In the late Tang Dynasty, wars continued and the economy and politics declined. In the 13th year of Tang Xuanzong's reign (859), the Peasant War broke out in the late Tang Dynasty. After Huang Chao's attack, the Tang Dynasty's rule existed in name only. After the Huang Chao Uprising, the foundation of the Tang Dynasty was broken. The imperial army managed by the eunuchs also suffered heavy losses, so the prime minister and the eunuchs continued to fight for power. After the Huangchao Rebellion, Tang Xizong died in the turmoil of the late Tang Dynasty and was succeeded by his younger brother Tang Zhaozong.
Zhu Wen and Li Keyong became influential figures in the late Tang Dynasty. They established various factions in the court. With the support of Zhu Quanzhong, the prime minister faction won, and Zhu Quanzhong entered the palace to execute all the eunuchs.
In 895, Japan used the power of the whole country and secretly relied on the power of Onmyoji and the Vinaya Sect to conduct a census. It was verified that Japan had a population of 14,536,784. Moreover, there is no longer a single pure-bred Japanese, and the food customs, cultural etiquette are almost exactly the same as those of the Chinese people. At this point, the national integration strategy set by Yun Canghai many years ago has been a complete success, and the Chinese and the Chinese people have The Japanese have achieved integration.
The next year, the emperor sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, claiming to be a country of overseas immigrants. It has been wandering abroad for hundreds of years and prays for surrender today. Although the Tang Dynasty is weak today, it still maintains a bit of the open, bold and inclusive style of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. After sending people to verify, Japanese citizens are actually descendants of people from China, and the annexation of overseas vassal states can be regarded as In order to expand the territory, Zhu Quanzhong agreed to this thing that could increase his reputation. He finally accepted Japan's surrender, changed Japan to Haizhou, and granted the emperor the title of Haizhou County King for generations, and forever controlled overseas.
After completing this matter, most of the blessings from heaven fell on Yun Canghai and Jianzhen, and the rest fell on the people involved in the matter from the two countries. Because Japan merged with China and recognized its ancestors, it was realized After the national integration, they became a member of the big family of the Chinese nation. From then on, when the two countries confront each other, mutual harm will basically not happen. At most, it will be internal conflicts. This prevented many killings in the future to a considerable extent, so God sent merit to reward those who contributed to this. Yun Canghai and Jian Zhen were the main promoters, so they accounted for seven points. The Emperor was the nominal highest decision-maker, so he accounted for one point. The others shared the remaining two points.
In the second year of Tianyou (905), Zhu Quanzhong demoted and expelled court officials, killed all of them in Baimayi, and threw their bodies into the river. This is known as the Baimayi Disaster in history. Tang Zhaozong was poisoned to death by Zhu Wen. In the fourth year of Tianyou (907), Zhu Quanzhong forced Tang Ai Emperor Li Zhu to abdicate, changed the country's name to Liang, which was Liang Taizu, changed the Yuan Dynasty to Kaiping, and established the capital in Kaifeng. The Tang Dynasty fell and the country was founded for 290 years.
The great Tang Dynasty, praised by all generations, has become the dust of history.
