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, "the extremes of things must reverse, and the extremes of prosperity must lead to decline." This is the principle of heaven and earth, and it is the same even if it is as powerful as the Tang Dynasty.
In the late period of the reign of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty, he was brutal and cruel. A great peasant uprising broke out in the late Sui Dynasty. In May of the thirteenth year of the Sui Dynasty (617), Taiyuan stayed behind. Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang Dynasty, raised troops in Jinyang. In November, he occupied Chang'an and supported the Sui Dynasty.
Yang You, the grandson of Emperor Yang, became emperor and changed his name to Yining, which was Emperor Gong of the Sui Dynasty. Li Yuan was appointed as the prime minister and was granted the title of 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 possessed the aura of an emperor. Only then did he have the strength to sweep away the heroes and compete for hegemony in the world.
.
In May of the same year, Li Yuan usurped the Sui Dynasty and proclaimed himself emperor, naming the country Tang. He deposed Yang You as 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 a total of thirty-eight years. Li Yuan was the emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
Wude, the capital was still set 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 early, 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
, wipe out all the heroes from all sides. However, during Li Yuan's reign, he killed many old ministers of the former dynasty and surrendered opponents. In addition to the forces in the Central Plains, he also relied on the help of foreign forces in the grassland. These barbarians killed a large number of Li people during the campaign in the Central Plains.
, thus damaging his own destiny and that of the Tang Dynasty, and dooming him to be invaded by foreign nations in the future.
On the fourth day of the sixth lunar month in the ninth year of Taketoku, 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 and became 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 Zhenguan (627-649).
.
During the Taizong period, the Mongolian plateau dominated by the Turks was incorporated into the sphere of influence. The ethnic groups in the north of the Tang Dynasty specifically called Li Shimin Tiankhan. In terms of internal affairs, the prime minister system was inherited, and the three provinces and six ministries and the imperial examination selection system used by later generations were developed, improved and established.
He also implemented the land equalization system and implemented the rent-to-yong system. Regardless of their background, he recruited a large number of capable ministers. Regardless of whether he surrendered generals or established old ministers, he also reused them one by one. For example, Wei Zheng was a minister of the former crown prince Jiancheng when Taizong ascended the throne.
Later, he ignored the 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.
It is an object of imitation and learning for future generations of monarchs.
In his later years, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was troubled by the issue of the crown prince. Prince Li Chengqian and King Li Tai of Wei fought internally. As a result, Emperor Taizong deposed them both, and finally appointed the benevolent but incompetent ninth son King Jin Li Zhi as crown prince. In 753, Jianzhen and Yun Canghai
Traveled eastward 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 period of Emperor Gaozong, he accepted the invitation of Silla and finally destroyed Goguryeo and Baekje and defeated the Japanese reinforcements, allowing Silla to unify the Korean Peninsula. In the later years of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty
Taizong's talented man Wu, Wu Zetian, had an affair for a long time, which was a great act of unfilial piety. After Taizong's death, Wu went to Ganye Temple to become a nun. At that time, Gaozong's Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu had an internal fight.
After Wu entered the palace, he asked Gaozong to depose Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu. Under the opposition of ministers, Gaozong made Wu his queen.
Gaozong was in poor health, and many political affairs were left to the Queen Wu to handle. Shortly after Gaozong's death, Queen Wu made Prince Li Xian the emperor, which was Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. Soon after, Zhongzong was deposed as King of Luling and replaced with another
His son Li Dan became the emperor, for Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty. After putting down the rebellion led by Xu Jingye, in the first year of Tianshou (690), Queen Wu abolished the title of Ruizong and proclaimed herself emperor, and changed the country's name from "Tang" to "Zhou".
The capital was Luoyang, and she was called the Holy Emperor. Empress Wu also became the only woman in the history of the Chinese dynasty who claimed to be emperor. She was in power for more than 50 years and was given the posthumous name Wu Zetian.
During Wu Zhou's fifteen-year reign, in order to combat the power of the aristocratic families since Emperor Gaozong, Empress Wu vigorously promoted officials who had entered official careers through imperial examinations. Di Renjie was one of the representatives. She also arranged for her nephew Wu Sansi and his party members
Wu Chengsi and others were responsible for important aircraft maintenance.
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 under the influence of Queen Wei
, under the influence of her daughter Princess Anle and Empress Wu's old accomplices Wu Sansi and others, Zhang Jianzhi, Jing Hui and others were all exiled or executed. Empress Wei intended to become the second Empress Wu, and Princess Anle asked to be established as the crown prince.
Daughter. In the fourth year of Jinglong (710), Queen Wei and Princess Anle conspired to poison Zhongzong. Queen Wei made King Wen Li Chongmao the emperor, as the young emperor, and wanted to harm the Prime Minister Li Dan. Li Dan's son was in Linzi at that time.
The king's Li Longji 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, Ruizhong's sister, Princess Taiping, had a power struggle with Li Longji. In the first year of Yanhe (712), Ruizong gave way to the prince Li Longji, who became Tang Xuanzong, also known as Tang Minghuang. In 713, Tang Xuanzong sentenced Princess Taiping to death.
, the party members were killed or expelled, ending this period of chaotic political situation known as "Queen Wei's Rebellion" in history. In the same year, the Yuan Dynasty was changed to Kaiyuan. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty reigned for 44 years. In the early period (Kaiyuan Year), the politics were relatively clear and the economy developed rapidly. The Tang Dynasty entered
The heyday is known as the "Kaiyuan Heyday" in history. 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 converting Yuan Tianbao to Yuan Tianbao, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was so satisfied that he decided to indulge in pleasure and never bothered about state affairs. After accepting Yang Yuhuan as his concubine, he indulged in wine and sex even more. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty appointed Li Linfu, who was notorious for his "sweet talk and sword", as the prime minister for eighteen years, which made him
The government was corrupted. After Li Linfu's death, Yang Guozhong was appointed as the prime minister. During this period, eunuchs began to interfere in politics. Gao Lishi's power was extremely popular. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was very happy about his achievements, so border generals often provoked wars against foreign tribes in order to invite military exploits. And
Since 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, and a situation emerged where border generals specialized in the army. Among them, An Lushan, a Hu man, was the most famous. An Lushan controlled a large number of troops and was in Tianbao.
In November of the 14th year (755), taking advantage of the political corruption and military emptiness of the Tang Dynasty, he and Shi Siming launched a rebellion, which was known as the "Anshi Rebellion" in history. Tang Xuanzong fled to Chengdu, and Prince Li Heng proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu, as Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty.
Xuanzong was regarded 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 greatly weakened, and it turned from prosperity to decline. At this time, the land equalization system had gradually collapsed, land annexation had become increasingly serious, and rent-to-yong regulation could not be implemented. The situation of separatist feudal towns had been formed.
During the reign of Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, Liu Yan reformed the salt law and improved the country's financial situation. Tang Dezong appointed Yang Yan as prime minister. In the first year of Jianzhong (780), the two tax laws were implemented, dividing the year into summer and autumn according to land taxation. Tang Dezong
It also tried to pacify the vassal, but it 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 and Li Xilie were defeated and died, the Tang Dynasty compromised with the other vassal towns on the condition that they cancel the vassal.
Wang Hao, the imperial court recognized their local dominance. From then on, the separatist situation further deepened. These wars produced a large number of refugees. Yun Canghai took the opportunity to send a large number of fleets to bring them to Japan, and the national integration of the two places further deepened.
From then on, the Tang Dynasty had foreign invasions such as Tubo, Uighur, and Nanzhao, and eunuchs were in power internally. The power of the imperial army and even the emperor's dismissal and establishment were decided by the eunuchs. Jiedu envoys had independent management rights over the local areas independent of the central government. After Tang Dezong's death,
After the transitional stage of Shunzong, Tang Xianzong, who was supported by the eunuchs and supported by Yongzhen's inner Zen, came to the throne. Relying on the strength of the imperial army, all the vassal towns in the country were at least nominally submitted to the Tang Dynasty, which was known as "Yuanhe Zhongxing" in history.
In the last years of Xianzong's reign, the clique disputes between the ministers headed by Niu Sengru and Li Deyu also intensified, which made the eunuchs more powerful. The Niu Party and the Li Party came to power one after another, which was known in history as "Niu and Li Party Struggles".
In the ninth year of Taihe (835), Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty launched the Manna Rebellion with Li Xun, Zheng Zhu and others, and failed in their plot to kill the eunuchs. After the Manna Rebellion, the eunuchs united as one; the officials could only use the military power of the vassal town to resist the power of the eunuchs, and buried the eunuchs.
During the Tang Dynasty, there was a direct conflict between the vassal town and the eunuchs.
After Wenzong's death, Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded to the throne and established Huichang. Wu Zong succeeded to the throne after factional struggles with the support of the eunuch Qiu Shiliang. Since Qiu Shiliang, the eunuch who supported Wuzong, had no choice but to let Wuzong handle the government affairs personally in view of the many factions in the court, Wuzong reused him.
Li Deyu, the leader of the Li Party, reduced Qiu Shiliang's power. Wu Zong made a series of achievements in revitalizing the imperial court, which was called Huichang Zhongxing in history. Wu Zong attached great importance to Taoism and banned Buddhism other than Taoism, Nestorianism, etc. Therefore, he is listed as one of the three Wus who destroyed Buddhism in the history of Buddhism.
The monarch with the title of Wu is also known as Huichang to destroy the Buddha. Yun Canghai and Jianzhen had already calculated this result, so they instructed the Daming Temple to donate a large amount of land and gold and silver to the court (the incense and donations received over the years
A large number), and sent an elder to sneak into the palace late at night, and asked Wu Zong in a dream, saying that the monks had no intention of participating in trivial matters in the world, and just wanted to practice with peace of mind. Two bottles of elixirs were revealed, one can enhance the essence, and the other can remove it.
Poison, invulnerable to all poisons, as a reward, I just ask Wuzong not to 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 went in and out of the palace as if they were nothing. How could it be so easy to assassinate me? Therefore, he did not dare to go too far to destroy the Buddha.
This also minimized the losses to Buddhism. Later, when the incident spread, cultivators from various sects praised Daming Temple for its kindheartedness, and the reputation of Daming Temple further increased.
After the death of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded to the throne with the help of the eunuchs. Before he took the throne, Xuanzong was on the surface a monarch who was easily exploited by the eunuchs. But after he took the throne, he worked hard to govern. Due to the support he received from Buddhism, led by Daming Temple, he changed his mind.
Tang Wuzong's policy of banning Buddhism made him respect 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 thirteenth year of Emperor Xuanzong's reign (859), the late Tang Dynasty broke out
After the Peasant War, Huang Chao's attack, the rule of the Tang Dynasty 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 Huang Chao Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty
Xizong died in the turmoil at the end of the Tang Dynasty and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty.
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 and executed 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 purebred 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 people and the
The Japanese have achieved integration.
The next year, the Emperor sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty, claiming to be the country of overseas immigrants. He 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 openness, boldness and inclusiveness of the Tang Dynasty.
After sending people to verify, the Japanese citizens are actually the descendants of people from China, and annexing overseas vassals can be regarded as expanding the territory, so Zhu Quanzhong agreed to this thing that could increase his reputation, and finally accepted it
He accepted the surrender of Japan, changed the name of Japan to Kaishu, and granted the emperor the title of Kaishu County King for generations to come, and forever maintained his authority overseas.
After completing this matter, most of the merits 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, recognized its ancestors, and realized
National integration has become a member of the big family of the Chinese nation. From then on, the confrontation between the two countries and mutual harm will basically not happen. At most, it will be internal conflicts. This has avoided many killings in the future to a considerable extent, so Tian
Merits were awarded to those who contributed to this. Yun Canghai and Jianzhen were the main promoters, so they accounted for seven points. The emperor was the nominal highest decision-maker, so they accounted for one point. The rest shared the rest.
Two points.
In the second year of Tianyou (905), Zhu Quanzhong demoted and expelled all the officials, killed them all in Baima Post, and threw their bodies into the river. This is known as the Baima Post Disaster in history. Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty was poisoned by Zhu Wen. In the fourth year of Tianyou (907)
, Zhu Quanzhong forced Emperor Ai of the Tang Dynasty, 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 a total of 290 years.
The great Tang Dynasty, praised by all generations, has just become the dust of history.