Li Chun

Also known as Tang Xianzong

Li Chun, Emperor Xianzong of Tang, changed the written character of his personal name when he became crown prince in 805; his father Shunzong abdicated to him that year, and he reigned as Yuanhe. In 806 he sent Gao Chongwen to crush Liu Pi in Xichuan and Yang Huilin in Xiasui, and in 807 he defeated Li Qi in Zhenhai. In 817, under Pei Du's overall command, Li Su took Caizhou in a night march through snow and captured Wu Yuanji of Huaixi; Wang Chengzong of Chengde then surrendered territory, and in 819 Li Shidao of Ziqing was killed by his own officer, bringing the provinces to heel for a time. That year he had the Buddha's finger bone brought to the palace and banished Han Yu, who protested, to Chaozhou. Increasingly irascible from elixirs, he died suddenly in 820, by common report murdered by the eunuch Chen Hongzhi. Han Yu's inscription on the Huaixi victory was later ground off and rewritten after Li Su's family complained.