Preface
Why did he suffer this fate? The inside story of the tragic case in which the legendary prime minister Lee Tak-yu was demoted to death
History is always full of drama. A young man born in a poor family, with his outstanding political skills and ambitions, he was trusted and supported by three generations of emperors and became the first celebrity in the court. However, after the new monarch came to power, he quickly fell out of favor and died on the shores of the distant South China Sea.
His name is Lee Deyu. In the ups and downs of this magnificent officialdom, what kind of ups and downs did he go through in his life? And in what kind of mood did he use to meet the final verdict? As one of the most outstanding politicians in the Tang Dynasty, the trajectory of his fate is vividly visible, which makes future generations sigh.
Is it the new monarch's eagerness to purge the past forces, or the revenge of the party's political enemies? Or is it the arrangement of tragic life fate? Let us solve all kinds of mysteries that have been coiling in our hearts for a long time.
1. Tomorrow's star who is exceptionally promoted
In 804 AD, Li Shi, who reigned for 17 years, died, and his son Li Chun succeeded him, which was later Tang Shunzong. At that time, Li Deyu was just a young official who had just joined the office, and his talents and ambitions were not well known to the world. However, in the midst of this magnificent court strife, a rising political star destined to be different has gradually emerged.
Li Shunzong died of illness after only 6 years of reign, and was succeeded by his younger brother Li Gang as Tang Xianzong. During his reign of 9 years, Xianzong tried to alleviate party disputes and redress unjust cases, so that the development of education in the Tang Dynasty reached a peak, and it was known as Yuan and Zhongxing in history. However, the good times did not last long, and he also died of illness in 810, and the government and the opposition made waves again. The death of the crown prince Li Yue the day before Xianzong's death made the question of the heir particularly difficult. Under the operation of powerful eunuchs, Li Sa, who was only 14 years old, finally ascended to the throne, which was known to later generations as Tang Muzong.
As a young and simple monarch, Mu Zong first ascended the throne, and most of the court affairs were presided over by the prime minister Han Tai and other courtiers. It was Hankook who noticed Lee Deok-yu's peculiar talent and promoted him to serve in Hanlin. Li Deyu was diligent and studious, and soon became one of the prime ministers with his profound knowledge and political acumen. Since 827, when Mu Zong came into power, he has become his right-hand man to assist him in governing the country. It can be said that Li Deyu, who jumped to the top from a nobody, has received the most favored favor from the goddess of fate.
The confidant of the second and third generations of emperors
However, the good times were short-lived, and Muzon, who was only 27 years old, died suddenly in 833. His eldest son, Li Yong, ascended the throne and was Tang Wenzong. As a prince who had been in real power for many years, Wenzong was seriously inexperienced in court politics. At the beginning of his accession to the throne, the party disputes between the DPRK and China continued, and the two major groups of Niu and Li turned against each other, but Li Deyu quickly stabilized the situation, pacified the party disputes, and enabled Moon Jong to come to power smoothly. Wenzong also continued to trust and rely on Li Deyu and made him his confidant.
In 840, Wenzong, who had reigned for only eight years, also died, and his son Tang Wuzong Li Yan ascended the throne. As a heroic martial master who loves merit and rejoices in great achievements, Wuzong has an increasingly close relationship with the knowledgeable Li Deyu. With the vigorous assistance of Li Deyu, Wuzong pacified border troubles and civil strife several times, and his martial arts were impressive, creating the so-called "Huichang Zhongxing" situation. As a hero, Li Deyu also received the full trust and support of Wuzong and became the number one celebrity in the DPRK.
3. Unseemly loyalty
At the same time, Li Chen, the son of Tang Xianzong, has been in charge of the relocation and burial of the coffin in Chang'an. He has a strong personality and is skilled in martial arts, and he is also appreciated by Wu Zong. However, he also witnessed the situation of frequent political disputes between the government and the opposition and border troubles, and was worried about the future survival of the Tang Dynasty.
In March 846, Wuzong was critically ill, and Li Chen was ordered to enter the palace to guard. Suddenly, the eunuch group set up Li Chen as the emperor, and Li Chen succeeded to the throne, which was later Tang Xuanzong. Li Deyu, who has been an auxiliary politician for many years, had to stand up again to preside over the political situation and support the enthronement ceremony of Xuanzong. However, he did not know that his loyal actions had fallen into the trap set by his old enemies.
Fourth, the new monarch is anxious to purge political opponents
The suspicious Xuanzong realized that Li Deyu had a very close relationship with past generations of monarchs. The origin of his throne is doubtful, and if Li Deyu helps the heirs of Wuzong to restore in the future, his country will be in jeopardy. So, on the second day after he ascended the throne, he couldn't wait to issue an edict to remove Li Deyu from the post of prime minister.
The ministers were in an uproar and talked about it one after another. Li Deyu has made outstanding achievements and has a high position and power, so how can he be dismissed from his post casually? However, Xuanzong turned a deaf ear and not only became more and more stern in tone, but also further revoked Li Deyu's remaining official powers a few months later. All kinds of signs show that Li Deyu has become a big problem in his heart, and he must cut through the chaos quickly.
Fifth, the revenge of political opponents step by step
The forces of all parties, who originally held a grudge against Li Deyu, also took the opportunity to slander Xuanzong and joined the crusade. Among them are not only the losing side of the Niu and Li party struggles, but also the eunuch group that was suppressed by Li Deyu in the past. They joined forces to besiege him, which made Xuanzong even more determined to eliminate Li Deyu. Li Deyu's fate has gradually lost control.
Soon after, Li Deyu was demoted from the capital city of Luoyang. In January 850, he was finally sent to the remote and inhospitable state of Linhai Yazhou. The former chief minister, who was reduced to a censored prisoner in this small wasteland town, spent his last years in depression and happiness, and finally died with hatred.
6. A tragic life of ill-fated fate
Li Deyu was originally a lowly born commoner, but because of his extraordinary skills and political ambitions, he was promoted and reused by three generations of Ming Jun, and he can almost be called proud of life. If you were lucky, you could have waited for the day and helped Xuanzong create a prosperous world. How do you know that the new monarch has become a political enemy when he ascends the throne, forcing him to die in the last years.
Li Deyu is loyal, but he is also suspicious because of this. He spoke outright about the government, which eventually made Xuanzong wary. For a time, he was unable to exchange for the tolerance of the new master, but was treated as a great trouble. Obviously, Xuanzong is known as "Little Taizong", but in the end, it is difficult to escape the clear mark of the tyrant. Li Deyu's life was full of ups and downs, and finally ended in loneliness. The scenery of the past is gone, only a sigh behind him.
Was Li Deyu's death a triumph of power and art, or a defeat of human nature? History has long been judged. However, looking back at his ill-fated fate, who can not sigh about it? The old scene is difficult to recover. This is a portrayal of a tragic life, warning future generations to learn lessons, but also making people sigh.
epilogue
Li Deyu's life is a portrayal of the rise and fall of power, and it is also a glorious combination of human nature.
He started as a nameless official and eventually became the prime minister in power, which shows the infinite charm of human perseverance. He was also promoted and trusted by the three Ming Jun, which proves his extraordinary talent and glorious character.
However, because of his outstanding talent and profound knowledge, he became a thorn in the heart of the new monarch. Xuanzong suspected that he would help the old master to restore, so he designed to frame him, and finally he was alienated and demoted to death. This is the norm of power stories, new kings and old ministers, you live and die.
But more importantly, it is a reflection of the ruler's blind spots. Xuanzong could have opened up a new situation, but because of his suspicion and cruelty, he lost his confidants and talents, and also lost good opportunities. Li Deyu was loyal, but Xuanzong lost his generosity and courage to accommodate people.
The rise and fall of the destiny of heaven, the change of dynasties has become a historical certainty. But the success or failure of an individual ultimately lies in the choice of human nature. Li Deyu's death is both a tragedy and a test of human nature. It warns future generations that they should not be suspicious and cruel in government, and it also teaches people that a generous mind is the real strong and a statesman.