Emperor Wenzong

Image Source: Public Domain

About Emperor Wenzong

Reign Years:827 – 840 A.D

Given Name: Li Ang

Reign Name:Emperor Wenzong

Emperor Wenzong – Tang Dynasty

Emperor Wenzong was born as Li Ang in 809. He became the 15th Tang Dynasty emperor and ruled from 827 to 840 in China.

He was the second son of Emperor Muzong and the younger sibling of Jingzong, who also became Tang’s ruler.

Quite interestingly, his rule was a rare occurrence in the history of China. Wenzong of Tang, together with his brothers Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wuzong, ruled in succession.

Although unsuccessful, Emperor Wenzong tried freeing the court from any influence of the imperial eunuchs. That’s because they usurped most of the imperial power. All his carefully and adequately-laid out plots against them misfired, resulting in the 835 incident called the Sweet Dew Incident.

Here, three of the emperor’s chief ministers and a couple of other officials were slain. From there, the power that the eunuchs had was further enhanced. They even dared to kill an heir apparent they didn’t approve of.

Days before His Rule

Li Han was born in 809 during his grandfather Emperor Xianzong’s rule. He was Emperor Muzong’s second son and was born a couple of months after his brother Li Zhan.

In 827, imperial guards and eunuchs led by Liu Keming killed Emperor Jingzong. Initially, Liu attempted to have Muzong’s younger brother, Li Wu, the Prince of Jiang, become the emperor. However, a few powerful eunuchs counterattacked the conspirators and launched forces to have them slaughtered.

During this event, Li Wu was also assassinated.

Other eunuchs, together with Wang, subsequently had orders issued, which made Li Han Emperor Wenzong. The order was in the name of Consort Guo, who was then the grand empress dowager. During this time, his name was also changed to Li Ang.

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The Reign of Emperor Wenzong

It was stated that at the beginning of his rule, Emperor Wenzong aimed to govern diligently, conserve, and frequently meet with his officials. This was after he observed the wastefulness that both his father and brother displayed during their rule.

Because of this, the people assumed that a peaceful time would approach the empire. However, it was also noted that Wenzong of Tang, despite being humble and open to suggestions, was quite indecisive. He often changed his mind immediately after agreeing to suggestions of chancellors.

One of the main moves that Emperor Wenzong made was somehow related to war. At the end of Jingzong’s rule, and after the death of Li Quanlue, military governor of Henghai Circuit, changes occurred.

There, Li Tongjie, the son of Li Quanlue, took over the circuit without any imperial sanctions. He did this in hopes of succeeding his father.

The Niu Li Factional Struggles

In 830, factionalism began and was called the Niu Li Factional Struggles. The succeeding chancellors, namely Niu Sengru and Li Zongmin, were known to be factional figures. They ejected the allies of Li Deyu from the government.

Since Emperor Wenzong grew tired of the eunuch’s influence over his control of the empire, he secretly planned something. Together with the official Song Shenxi, he found ways to disarm the eunuchs, especially Wang Shoucheng.

To further boost his plans, the emperor made Song as chancellor. Yet when Wang, together with the strategist, Zheng Zhu, heard of the plot, they countered their actions. They falsely accused Song of wanting to overthrow Wenzong and replace him.

They even stated that Song wanted Li Cou, Prince of Zhang, to become the Tang Dynasty emperor. This resulted in the exile of both Song and Li Cou.

In 833 of the new year, Wenzong of Tang suffered a stroke. And since Zheng Zhu was considered a talented physician, he was recommended by Wang Shoucheng to the emperor.

After he successfully treated Emperor Wenzong, the ruler eventually became close to Zheng. Yet from there, the Tang Dynasty emperor’s spirit began to dwindle and appeared weaker.

Culture

Emperor Wenzong issued a decree. It stated that Li Bai’s poetry, Pei Min’s swordplay, and Zhang Xu’s calligraphy were the “Three Wonders of the Tang”.

In 837, Wenzong of Tang commissioned a special project. It’s to have commentaries and texts from Confucian classics to be carved on stone tablets that would be publicly displayed. This project was finished at the imperial university for nobles.

Foreign Relations

The emperor then drafted a letter for Japan’s emperor, which he sent with the help of Japanese ambassadors. They were people who traveled from Heian Kyo, which was part of a diplomatic mission.

Upon returning in 839, the Japanese ambassadors presented Emperor Wenzong’s letter to Emperor Nimyo.

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Death of Emperor Wenzong

By 840, the Tang Dynasty emperor fell seriously ill. There, he had his most trusted eunuchs summon the chancellors Yang Sifu and Li Jue to the palace. His intention was to entrust Li Chengmei, the new crown prince, to them.

Shortly, Wenzong of Tang died. After his death, Chou urged Li Chan to have Li Chengmei, Li Rong, and Consort Yang commit suicide. There, Li Chan ascended the throne as Emperor Wuzong.