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Emperor Shunzong of Tang

Eldest son of Emperor Dezong of Tang, who backed the Yongzhen reforms in 805 and was forced to yield the throne that year

Also known as Li Song · Tang Shunzong Li Song · Emperor Shunzong · Zhide Dasheng Da'an Xiao Huangdi

Emperor Shunzong of Tang, Li Song, the eldest son of Emperor Dezong, was born in 761. He took the throne early in 805, already unable to speak after a stroke. He backed Wang Shuwen, Wang Pi, Liu Zongyuan, Liu Yuxi and others in the Yongzhen reforms, which abolished palace purchasing and the five hunting offices, stopped the monthly salt and iron payments and local tribute, and tried to take the Shence army from eunuch control. In the eighth month the eunuch Ju Wenzhen and others forced him to yield to the crown prince, Li Chun (Xianzong), and the era was renamed Yongzhen. He died in 806.

Life and times

  1. 761BornTang
  2. 805Yongzhen ReformIn powerAfter Emperor Shunzong took the throne in 805, Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi abolished the palace market and the Five Workshops' bird-catchers and sought to take the Shence Army from the eunuchs, but eunuch and regional opposition ended the reform with Shunzong's abdication that August.
    1. Eunuch Palace Market Seizures in Chang'anc. 785Under Emperor Dezong in the Zhenyuan era, eunuchs used the palace market to force cheap purchases in Chang'an until Emperor Shunzong abolished it in 805.
    2. Two Wangs, Eight Adjutants BanishedAfter the reform of 805 failed, Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi were banished and eight officials, including Liu Zongyuan to Yongzhou and Liu Yuxi to Langzhou, were demoted to adjutants of remote prefectures.
    3. Emperor Shunzong Abdicates to Li ChunIn the eighth month of 805 the ailing Emperor Shunzong handed the throne to Crown Prince Li Chun, who became Emperor Xianzong, an event known as the Yongzhen abdication.
  3. 806Died

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Father
    Emperor Shunzong of Tang