In the ancient history of China, court coups were a common way for the change of imperial power. The "Shenlong Coup" during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang was a typical example. This coup led to the rise of a group of heroes, but their endings were surprisingly tragic. This article will explore why the heroes of the Shenlong Coup had such endings and analyze the key figures they offended.

I. Background and Process of the Shenlong Coup

In the first year of Shenlong (705), after Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian, was deposed by Wu Zetian, a group of officials and royal family members dissatisfied with Wu's rule united and launched the Shenlong Coup. This coup successfully overthrew Wu Zetian's rule and restored Emperor Zhongzong to the throne. The main heroes involved in the coup included Zhang Jianzhi, Cui Yuanwei, and others.

II. The Brief Glory of the Heroes of the Shenlong Coup

After the success of the coup, the heroes received high trust and generous rewards from Emperor Zhongzong. They enjoyed extremely high political status and became powerful figures in the court. However, this glory did not last for too long.

III. The Tragic Endings of the Heroes

Soon after, the heroes' power began to weaken. They gradually lost Emperor Zhongzong's trust and even suffered exclusion and suppression. In the end, these former powerful officials were dismissed, exiled, or even executed. Their families and supporters were also implicated.

IV. The Key Figure They Offended: Wu Sansi

The main reason for the tragic endings of the heroes was that they offended an important figure - Wu Sansi. Wu Sansi was Wu Zetian's nephew and also Emperor Zhongzong's favorite official. After the Shenlong Coup, the heroes tried to weaken Wu Sansi's influence, which directly affected his interests. With his own wisdom and political skills, Wu Sansi gradually discredited the heroes in front of Emperor Zhongzong, ultimately leading to their loss of favor.

V. Reflection on the Endings of the Heroes

Although the heroes of the Shenlong Coup once held great power, they relied too much on Emperor Zhongzong's favor and ignored the power balance within the court. They did not realize that once they lost the emperor's support, their fate would be precarious. In addition, they failed to effectively deal with the threat of Wu Sansi, ultimately leading to their own failure.

Conclusion:

The rise and fall of the heroes of the Shenlong Coup tells us that even heroes may suffer tragic fates for offending key figures in the power games of ancient courts. Their stories remind us that in complex political struggles, it is not only necessary to have the ability to acquire power, but also the wisdom to maintain and use it. Only by doing so can one maintain a long-term foothold in the ever-changing court struggles.

　　Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from the internet and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement of your original copyright, please inform us and we will delete the relevant content as soon as possible.