Wencheng Princess

Author: Tan Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: In the early 7th century, during the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong of Tang, the policy of "fostering culture over martial arts, light punishments and low taxes, and friendly relations with neighboring states" was promoted. Songtsen Gampo of Tibet sought to marry into the Tang dynasty and sent envoys to request a marriage alliance. When Songtsen Gampo's military request for marriage was again rejected by Emperor Taizong, he dispatched his trusted minister, Lhuntan Zangbo, to Chang'an to apologize and request the marriage. Li Xueyan, the daughter of Li Daozong, the Minister of Rites of the Tang dynasty and the Prince of Jiangxia, was a lively, intelligent, and outstanding noblewoman. Among the many princesses of the imperial family, Emperor Taizong chose Xueyan and enfeoffed her as the "Princess Wencheng" to marry into Tibet. The entourage of Princess Wencheng endured countless hardships, with a convoy carrying abundant dowry and a 12-year-old Sakyamuni statue heading towards Tibet. Upon arrival in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, Princess Wencheng was warmly welcomed by the people. At the grand wedding, the people competed to touch the princess's clothes with their foreheads, tearing them into pieces and revering them as sacred objects for peace. Tibet faced a severe drought, and Gung seized the opportunity to incite the famine-stricken people to riot, accusing Princess Wencheng of being a female demon. With his immense authority, Songtsen Gampo forced the magician to claim that a demon had possessed Princess Wencheng's attendant, Lhamo, who was then forced to leave Lhasa. Princess Wencheng prepared to search for Lhamo in the rural areas of Yalong. Before her departure, she requested Songtsen Gampo to open the granaries and distribute food to the disaster-stricken people. She cured the people's illnesses and was hailed as the "White Tara, Living Bodhisattva." Songtsen Gampo's army besieged the ancient fortress of Sumpi. Gung, realizing he could not defeat Songtsen Gampo, sacrificed his own head to save his lineage. Songtsen Gampo pardoned the lives of over a hundred clansmen of Gung. On the way back to Lhasa, Songtsen Gampo fell ill due to overexertion, and his condition worsened daily. He passed away at a young age, only 34. Princess Wencheng lived with him for ten years but had no children. After Songtsen Gampo's death, he was buried in his hometown of Yalong. Princess Wencheng continued to live in Yalong, and twenty years later, the Tang envoy Shangkai was sent to Tibet on the orders of Emperor Gaozong of Tang to request Princess Wencheng's return to Chang'an for her remaining years. Realizing that she had been sent to Tibet to foster a close alliance between the Tang and Tibet, Princess Wencheng understood that once she embarked on this long journey, she could only proceed with unwavering resolve. This novel depicts a moving and poignant love story that unfolded during the prosperous Zhenguan era of the Tang dynasty. The marriage between Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo created an immortal chapter in the friendship between the Han and Tibetan peoples. Their love story, with its captivating artistic charm and profound cultural significance, has taken root in the hearts of the Han and Tibetan people and has been passed down through the ages.