Speaking of the ancient emperor's death, the princes' imperial struggle for the throne. This is an age-old problem that every emperor racked his brains to avoid, but could never find the best solution. Human desire for power is infinite, and this is also a natural law written into genes. To appear in the Three Emperors and Five Emperors period of the Kind of Zen concession system, in the feudal society can be described as a fantasy.
Stories of the struggle for power between princes abound in the history of our country. Li Shimin launched the XuanwuMen Rebellion for the throne, and even his own brother Li Yuanji was able to destroy the gate, which showed that the means were decisive. There is also the Kowloon conquest in the last years of the Kangxi Dynasty, which is also a typical model for the crown prince to seize power.
Back in the Tang Dynasty, because Li Shimin did not make a good start, the subsequent succession to the throne of the Tang Dynasty was naturally bloody. The Tang Dynasty is the dynasty with the largest number of princes in China's history, with 32 princes, but only 19 really inherited the throne, and the proportion is staggering. It was also from the Tang Dynasty that the princes of successive dynasties began to have a sense of distress.
Today, I would like to tell you about a lucky and unfortunate prince of the Tang Dynasty. He said that he was lucky that he finally succeeded in following the primogeniture system and ascending to the throne. It is said that he is unfortunate, mainly because he is the prince, who has been the emperor for 26 years, while the emperor has only been in office for 8 months. What's going on? And listen to the author one by one.
This person was Tang Shunzong Li Shu, and his father was Tang Dezong Li Shi. As early as 779 AD, when Emperor Dezong Li Shi had just ascended the throne, he made the 19-year-old Li Shushu crown prince. This is equivalent to sending a signal to the other princes in advance, that is, to kill Li Shu, and everyone has the opportunity to become an emperor.
In the early years of Li Shi's reign, his efforts to govern were methodical, and he was also mentally strong, and the princes below naturally did not dare to make a mistake. However, once Li Shi was confused in his later years, the princes were eager to move one by one and began to play the abacus of Li Shu's position as prince.
Among them, the closest thing to success was when his brother Li Sheng denounced Li Sheng's mother-in-law, Princess Gao Guo, for plotting against him. Emperor Dezong was furious and not only liquidated all of Princess Gao's henchmen, but also killed Princess Gao's daughter, Li Shu's wife Xiao Shi. He even suspected that Li Shu was also involved, and he had the idea of abolishing Li Shu and establishing his nephew Li Yi instead. Fortunately, thanks to the courtier Li Qin's strong persuasion at that time, Tang Dezong dispelled his thoughts.
After suffering this disaster, Li Xuan's body and mind were greatly hit, and he even had a suspicious heart disease. From then on, he began to be cautious in the imperial court, guarding against his brothers and sisters everywhere, especially watching them fight for power. The huge mental pressure crushed Li Shu, and at the 20th year of Zhenyuan, Li Shu actually suffered a stroke and was paralyzed in bed and unable to walk.
Fortunately, Li Shu had a stroke, and all kinds of false accusations could not be placed on Li Xuan's head. However, this cannot stop the motivation of the princes to fight for the position of prince. Many princes even suggested to Emperor Dezong that the paralyzed Li Shu be abolished and another crown prince be created. In view of the fact that there was no particularly good reason, coupled with the fact that Emperor Dezong was old and did not bother to think about the candidate for the crown prince, this matter was shelved.
Finally, on February 25, 805, Emperor Dezong died. In the absence of a separate will, Li Xuan was the only prince. From 779 to 805, when he was almost deposed, Li Shu waited for 26 years and finally waited for the throne.
After learning the news of his father's death, Li Xuan's heart was sad and joyful. Paralyzed in bed for many years, he actually stood up, trembling and holding on to the enthronement ceremony. After all, no prince in history has ever attended this ceremony lying down.
Although he eventually ascended the throne, due to physical reasons, Li Xuan did not reign for long. Eight months later, Li Xuan, due to ill health, ceded the throne to his son Li Chun. On February 11 of the following year, Li Shi died, only 4 days before the death of his father Li Shi. Although it is out of the head, this result does not seem to be satisfactory.