Before he died, he was killed as an improper emperor, and after his death, he was forcibly honored as an emperor, and he was the only one in ancient and modern China and abroad
Friends who have little involvement in history know that the emperor after Tang Ruizong Li Dan is Tang Xuanzong Li Longji, but in fact, among them, there is also an "emperor", "let the emperor" Li Xian. Li Xian did not reign for a day before his death, but was posthumously honored by Tang Xuanzong.
Li Xian, also known as Li Chengqi, was made crown prince as early as the age of six, when Wu Zetian was in power, the heir of the emperor changed rapidly, Tang Ruizong Li Dan was deposed by Wu Zetian within a few years of becoming emperor, and later Li Longji launched a coup d'état, killed the ambitious Empress Wei, and supported his father Li Dan to become emperor again.
At that time, the question of who would be the crown prince became a difficult problem. Obviously, Li Xian was the most legitimate heir in name only, both concubine and long- and long-lived, and his name had been fixed as early as when Wu Zetian was in power. The problem is that Li Longji was the first hero of Tang Ruizong's return to the throne, and his reputation was well-known all over the world.
In the first year of Jingyun (710 AD), Emperor Ruizong of Tang li dan was about to make a prince, and because Li Chengqi, the king of Song, was the eldest son of Concubine, and Li Longji, the king of Ping, had great merits, he hesitated and could not decide. Li Chengqi retorted: "When the country is in danger, it is the first to make meritorious contributions, and when the country is in danger, it is the first to establish the eldest son, and when the country is in crisis, it is the first to make meritorious contributions." This sentence is particularly noteworthy and very reasonable, if Tang Gaozu had used this method, there might not have been a 'change in Xuanwumen'). If it goes against the times, it will disappoint the people of the world, and the subjects will not dare to be above the king of Ping. ”
Li Chengqi tearfully insisted on requesting that the position of crown prince be ceded to Li Longji for many days.
Most of the ministers also said that King Pinggong should be made crown prince.
Liu Youqiu said, "The minister has heard that those who have eliminated the scourges of the world should enjoy the blessings of the world." King Ping's salvation of the society and the difficulties of the monarchy, on the merits of no greater than him, on virtue is also the most virtuous, there is no doubt about making him a prince. ”
Emperor Ruizong of Tang accepted it, and Li Longji the Prince of Liping was made crown prince. Li Longji gave it to Li Chengqi again, but Tang Ruizong disagreed. Emperor Ruizong of Tang appointed Li Chengqi as the Pastor of Yongzhou, the Governor of Yangzhou, and the Crown Prince.
Li Xian's concession not only solved the problem of the empire's successor, but also gave way to a "Kaiyuan prosperous world". So, what kind of person is Li Xian? Although there are few records of the deeds of this former prince in the main history, we can still feel the true side of this prince who judged the hour and the situation and protected himself from the Tang notes.
During the Wu Zetian period, Li Xianchang heard from an early age the cruelty of political struggle, benevolent nature, because of his good education, for painting and music has a very high talent, Li Xian's life of fame and fortune is very light, every time he is added to the official to the knighthood will repeatedly politely refuse. Moreover, Li Chengqi was particularly respectful and cautious, never talked about current affairs, and never made friends with people, and Tang Xuanzong trusted and respected him even more, so no one dared to say anything that slandered and alienated.
In 716, Li Chengqi, the King of Song, changed his name to Li Xian.
In 719, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang renamed Li Xian the Prince of Song as the King of Ning.
In 741, Li Xian, the Prince of Ning, died. Tang Xuanzong was particularly sorry and sorry, he said: "The world, originally the brother's world; the brother insisted on giving it to me, and the ordinary name was not enough to reflect him." So he gave the title "Emperor Jean".
Li Xian's son, The King of Ruyang, recounted his father's wishes and did not dare to accept the imperial title, but Tang Xuanzong did not agree. On the day of his burial, Tang Xuanzong took out the emperor's costume and put it on Li Xian, and wrote a handwritten letter to Li Xian, calling it "Confession of Li Longji", also known as Li Xian's tomb as Huiling, and posthumously Li Xian's concubine Yuan Shi as "Empress Gong", and buried them together.
Li Chengqi (Li Xian) was highly respected by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang for the following reasons:
First, Li Chengqi, as an elder brother, ceded the position of prince to His younger brother Li Longji, who was still King Ping at the time;
Second, Li Chengqi was respectful and cautious, feared the emperor, did not talk about current politics, and did not make friends with courtiers;
Third, Li Chengqi was also very knowledgeable, so that Tang Xuanzong did not kill people indiscriminately.
Of these three reasons, especially the first one, Tang Xuanzong had great respect for Li Chengqi (Li Xian). Because, a person can be unmoved in front of the beautiful woman, can be unmoved in front of hundreds of millions of dollars, and can even be unmoved in front of the power of the prime minister, but there are few ancient people who are not moved in front of the emperor's throne.
Therefore, a person who can retreat and become a person with merit and moral integrity will certainly win the respect of others. Coupled with having a heart of awe, it is even more reassuring.