In the long history of the mainland, Tang Xuanzong Li Longji (September 8, 685 – May 3, 762) was a legendary emperor. During his reign, the Tang Dynasty reached its heyday and was known as the "Kaiyuan Dynasty". However, his reign also saw the Tang Dynasty go from prosperity to decline. This article will discuss the life, political achievements, cultural and artistic contributions, and the decline of Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty in order to show the demeanor of this great emperor.
1. Life deeds
Tang Xuanzong Li Longji, the grandson of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, and the third son of Tang Ruizong Li Dan. Born in Luoyang, the eastern capital, he is wise, decisive and versatile. On the Gengzi Day of June in the first year of Tang Long (710), Li Longji and Princess Taiping joined forces to launch a coup d'état in Tang Long and kill Empress Wei's forces. In the first year of Xiantian (712), Li Danchan was located in Li Longji, and Li Longji ascended the throne as emperor based on Chang'an Taiji Palace. In the early period of his reign, he paid attention to putting things right, appointing virtuous ministers, and making great efforts. However, in the later period of his reign, he gradually neglected the government and favored the traitorous ministers Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, which led to the Anshi Rebellion that lasted for eight years, laying the groundwork for the Tang Dynasty to turn from prosperity to decline.
2. Political achievements
In the early period of the reign of Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, he was committed to putting things in order and putting the Tang Dynasty back on the right track. He straightened out the administration of officials, improved the quality of the bureaucracy, and strengthened the centralization of power. At the same time, he implemented the Kaiyuan New Deal, implemented a series of reform measures such as the equalization of land system and the regulation of rents, and promoted agricultural production and social and economic development. In addition, Tang Xuanzong also strengthened the governance of the border areas and consolidated the unity of the country. Under his rule, the Tang Dynasty reached its peak with a vast territory and a strong national power.
3. Cultural and artistic contributions
Tang Xuanzong was not only an outstanding politician, but also an emperor who loved culture and art. He advocated cultural prosperity and promoted the flourishing of poetry, music, painting and other arts. With his support, the poetry of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak, and a large number of outstanding poets such as Li Bai and Du Fu emerged. At the same time, Tang Xuanzong was also good at music, and personally created masterpieces such as "Ni Dress and Feather Dance". He also had a strong interest in painting, which contributed to the flourishing of painting art in the Tang Dynasty. These cultural and artistic achievements not only enriched the cultural heritage of the Tang Dynasty, but also had a profound impact on later generations.
4. The decay of the later years of the reign
However, in the later years of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, he began to be satisfied with his achievements and gradually indulged in pleasures. He favored traitors Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong and others, which led to corruption in the government and the people's misery. These traitors formed a party for personal gain, rejecting the virtuous, and made the politics of the Tang Dynasty increasingly dark. In addition, Tang Xuanzong's governance of the frontier areas was gradually relaxed, which led to the outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion. This eight-year war greatly damaged the vitality of the Tang Dynasty, and since then it has turned from prosperity to decline.
5. Evaluation of future generations
Tang Xuanzong's life was full of glory and downfall. In the early period of his reign, he was politically clear and created a prosperous era of the Kaiyuan Dynasty; In the later part of his reign, he indulged in pleasures, which led to the corruption of the government and led to the Anshi Rebellion. His reign became a turning point in the Tang Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline. However, even in the midst of decline, Tang Xuanzong still maintained his love and pursuit of culture and art, leaving a strong mark on the cultural prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Therefore, later generations have mixed evaluations of Tang Xuanzong, not only affirming his political and cultural contributions, but also criticizing his later absurdity and misleading the country.
In general, Tang Xuanzong Li Longji is a very legendary emperor in the history of the mainland. During his reign, he witnessed the glory and fall of the Tang Dynasty, which not only created the incomparable glory of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, but also endured the profound disasters brought about by the Anshi Rebellion. His life was full of dramatic ups and downs, and he became an important historical figure for future generations to study and discuss.