Li Shi

Also known as Emperor Dezong of Tang

Li Shi, Emperor Dezong of Tang, was the eldest son of Emperor Daizong; he led the final campaign against Shi Chaoyi in 762 and took the throne in 779, reigning under the titles Jianzhong, Xingyuan and Zhenyuan. In 780, on Yang Yan's advice, he replaced the old per-head levies with the twice-yearly tax assessed on property. His attempt to break the power of the Hebei and Ziqing governors set off a chain of revolts, and in 783 troops from Jingyuan mutinied as they passed through Chang'an, forcing him to flee to Fengtian while the rebels made Zhu Ci emperor. In 784 he issued an edict blaming himself, drafted by Lu Zhi, and Li Sheng retook the capital that year; afterwards he handled the governors cautiously. In the Zhenyuan years he gave eunuchs command of the Shence palace armies and trusted revenue-raisers like Pei Yanling. He died early in 805. The Old Book of Tang (Jiu Tangshu) says even hardened soldiers wept when Lu Zhi's edict reached them.