Tang: Sunset in the 9th century

Author: Zhao Yi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: After the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty gradually declined, with the empire's foundation shaken by increasingly severe separatist warlords, corrupt officials, and eunuchs. Salvation and decline became the theme of the ninth century in history. This book, with its grand scale and vivid historical facts, recreates the history of the Tang Dynasty's decline over more than 150 years, from Emperor Daizong, Dezong, Shunzong, Xuanzong, Muzong, Jingzong, Wuzong, Wuzong, Xuanzong, Yizong, Xizong, Zhaozong, and the final Emperor Xuan, making the imperial city of Chang'an in the autumn wind stand out clearly against the dark backdrop of history. The apathy, determination to revitalize, and helplessness of the emperors; the diligence, intrigue, and factionalism of the court officials; the manipulation of state affairs, rebellion against their masters, and massacre of loyal officials by eunuchs; and the dominance of regional warlords, division of territory, and disdain for the central government—all are vividly portrayed, giving a sense of solemn and tragic melancholy, as if "The autumn wind blows across the Wei River, with fallen leaves descending upon Chang'an."
Prologue:
Entering the ninth century in youth, plagued by adversity, two decades yet to be peaceful;
Far from the capital in distant provinces, tigers and leopards fill the western capital;
Above, the emperor laments like a loyal dog, below, kinship binds with deep affection;
Where to return? Tears suddenly wet the tassel.
—Wei Yingwu (AD 737–792)
This was an era that moved from light to darkness. On a day in May of the fourteenth year of the Dali era (AD 779), at dusk. The early summer sun, shaking in the haze of flying sand, cast its last rays of light onto the towering rooftops of Chang'an City. Looking northeast from the imperial city, the distant, magnificent Daming Palace with its red walls and green tiles seemed like a solitary giant, draped in a radiant glow, lost in silent contemplation amidst its final brilliance. The empire's important officials were anxiously waiting in the imperial city. Three days ago, the emperor had become too ill to attend court, and there were no signs of improvement in recent days. Just moments ago, news had spread that the emperor had issued an edict appointing the crown prince to govern in his stead. Everything seemed to indicate that the time of the emperor's passing was at hand.
As night fell, with the flickering candlelight and faint smoke, the memories of the past seventeen years of the current emperor's reign rose in the hearts of each duty officer. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, a thrilling event occurred in the Central Plains, known in history as the "An Lushan Rebellion." This great battle between the central government and the rebel forces lasted for seven years, but in reality, its repercussions and the ensuing turmoil far exceeded seven years. After Emperor Xuanzong came Emperor Shaozong, and after Shaozong came Daizong. The reality between Shaozong and Daizong was a constant struggle against the consequences of this conflict. It was a time of waking from a nightmare yet unable to escape its fears, an era of sorrow and helplessness. Reflecting on the past, it seemed as if yesterday, how could it not evoke endless!
At this moment, the Daming Palace's Zichen Hall suddenly lit up with bright lights, and a chorus of wails shattered the night's silence: Emperor Daizong, the Wise, Filial, and Martial Li Yu, had stopped breathing at the age of fifty-eight. In the chaos, it seemed only the crown prince remained composed, still kneeling quietly before his father's bed, his expression unusually solemn and grave. He stared straight ahead with unwavering determination, his gaze piercing through all obstacles.
Eight days later, the crown prince Li Shou ascended the throne, becoming the twelfth emperor of the Tang Dynasty, known as Emperor Dezong. This was June 18, AD 779, still twenty-one years before the end of the eighth century and the beginning of the ninth. Any political struggle begins with one emperor and ends with another. As long as there is a high-ranking emperor above, this cycle of rise and fall will never end.