In the history of the Tang Dynasty, Li Xian was a special emperor who was deposed by his mother Wu Zetian after only 55 days of reign. What kind of intrigue and family disputes lay behind this event? This article will take you to understand this little-known history.

I. Background of Li Xian's Ascension

In the year 684 AD, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi died, and his son Li Xian succeeded him as the Zhongzong Emperor. However, the political power was actually held by Wu Zetian at that time. During Li Xian's reign, Wu Zetian listened to politics behind the curtain, effectively controlling the court.

II. The Contradiction between Li Xian and Wu Zetian

During his reign, Li Xian gradually showed dissatisfaction with his mother. He hoped to personally grasp the political power and free himself from Wu Zetian's control. However, Wu Zetian was concerned that her son would threaten her position and decided to take action.

III. The Reasons for Wu Zetian's Deposition of Li Xian

1. Political Reason: Wu Zetian had already grasped the actual power during her reign, and she did not want Li Xian to become her opponent. To consolidate her position, she chose to depose Li Xian.

2. Family Reason: Li Xian was Wu Zetian's eldest son, but he was not the most favorite son in the family. Wu Zetian's second son Li Dan (later Tang Ruizong) was more favored. Therefore, Wu Zetian's deposition of Li Xian also had the consideration of supporting her preferred son to take power.

IV. The Process of Li Xian's Deposition

In the year 690 AD, Wu Zetian deposed Li Xian on the pretext of "conspiracy" and demoted him to the title of Lu Ling Wang. Subsequently, Wu Zetian installed her son Li Dan as emperor, known as Tang Ruizong. After being deposed, Li Xian was forced to leave Chang'an and was exiled to Lu Ling (now Ji'an, Jiangxi).

V. Conclusion

Li Xian's 55-day reign as emperor became a brief episode in the history of the Tang Dynasty. This event reflected the power struggle and conflicts among the royal families at that time. In the end, Wu Zetian successfully consolidated her position with her wisdom and means, becoming the only female emperor in Chinese history.

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