Emperor Daizong

Emperor Daizong – Tang Dynasty

Emperor Daizong, who was born as Li Chu, became the emperor of China’s Tang Dynasty. Daizong of Tang was Emperor Suzong’s eldest son.

During the Anshi Rebellion, where Suzong’s whole rule was entirely dedicated to, Daizong functioned as general. Specifically, he served for the joint operations of Huige and Tang. This was when they recaptured the Chang’an capital and Luoyang from the Yan rebels.

Emperor Daizong was credited for dismissing Li Fuguo, the corrupt eunuch who placed him on the throne. Despite this, the rest of the Tang Dynasty emperor’s rule was also dominated by such eunuchs. These were Cheng Yuanzhen, Yu Chao’en, and a chancellor named Yuan Zai.

Life before Ruling as Emperor

Li Chu’s father was Li Jun, the Prince of Zhong during Emperor Xuanzong reign. His mother was Consort Wu, Li Jun’s concubine, and he was the eldest among Emperor Xuanzong’s more than 100 grandsons. In 740, when Li Jun had the title of crown prince, Li Chu was made the Prince of Guanping.

After Suzong took the imperial title, he made Li Chu the supreme commander of the empire. Both he and Li Tan, his brother, were trusted with the make-shift palace’s keys. There, one of them would always be available for receiving any vital military reports.

In 757, Suzong decided to make Li Chu the crown prince. However, Li Chu and Li Mi claimed that doing so was inappropriate before recapturing Chang’an.

The reason was due to the internal struggles that Emperor Suzong’s court was facing. There, Li Fugau cooperated with Consort Zhang, who was Emperor Suzong’s most favored concubine. They teamed up to oppose Li Mi, Li Chu, and Li Tan.

Early in 757, Li Tan and Li Fuguo both accused each other of various concerns like corruption and attempted assassination. Angered by their actions, and believing that Li Tan planned to kill Li Chu, Emperor Suzong ordered Li Tan to commit suicide.

Out of fear, Li Chu considered killing Consort Zhang and Li Fuguo. But after speaking with Li Mi, he halted his plans of doing so.

Reign of Emperor Daizong

At some point, Li Fuguo controlled and took over the imperial government of the Tang. He even went as far as informing Daizong of Tang.

Secretly, Emperor Daizong was greatly displeased, but to pacify Li Fuguo, he offered him the title of Shangfu. Not only that, but he made Li Fuguo a Sikong and Zhongshu Ling. The previous was one of the Three Excellencies, while the latter was head of the government’s legislative bureau.

From there, Li Fuguo gave a primary portion of command tasks to Cheng Yuanzhen.

However, Li Fuguo didn’t expect that Emperor Daizong and Cheng would go against him. So in 762, at the suggestion of Cheng, Daizong of Tang issued an edict, stripping Li Fuguo of all the titles he had. To put it simply, he was stripped off of his command on the military.

Not only that, but the Tang Dynasty emperor also ordered Li Fuguo to leave the empire’s palace and reside outside. Despite doing so, he still gave Li Fuguo the title of Prince of Bolu.

Recovery of Chang’an

During Emperor Daizong’s rule, the official Liu Yan led a project to reopen the Bian River. This canal connected the Huai River and Yellow River, which was crucial for transporting food supplies before the Anshi Rebellion. However, this had become silted due to the conflicts and battles that took place in the area.

When the project was completed, Chang’an had adequate food supplies once again. This allowed the region to start recovering from the war.

Buddhist Influence

Daizong of Tang previously favored Taoism but eventually became a devoted Buddhist. He was influenced by his chancellors Yuan Zai, Du Hongjian, and Wang Jin. Yuan specifically advocated his belief that Buddha’s blessings allowed him to survive in the Anshi and Pugu rebellions.

With that, the Tang Dynasty emperor’s policies became heavily influenced by Buddhist principles. He highly honored the Buddhist monk named Bukong and made him a duke.

The temples at Chang’an also became wealthy. Plus, the Tang Dynasty emperor ordered monks and nuns not to undergo physical penalty.

Since the emperor and the chancellors followed Buddhism, it became the leading influence in the empire during Daizong’s reign. Traditional historians associate his regime’s poor governance and the justice system with this strong Buddhist influence.

Death of the Biansong Circuit

In 776, the acting military governor of the Biansong Circuit, Tian Shenyu, died. With that, officer Li Lingyao seized the circuit.

Daizong of Tang ordered a campaign by the surrounding circuits to attack Biansong. Li Lingyao was immediately defeated.

The imperial government received little benefit due to Biansong’s five prefectures being taken. These prefectures were merged into the Pinglu Circuit, as requested by its governor, Li Zhenghi. He then moved his headquarters to one of the Biansong prefectures he seized.

Death and Succession

Emperor Daizong became ill in 779 during summer and eventually passed away. His first son, Li Kuo, succeeded the throne of the Tang Dynasty emperor. He was known as Emperor Dezong.