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Emperor Wenzong of Tang (Li Ang)

Type Figure Region Tang dynasty China Time c. 809–840 Also known as Li Ang、Li Han、Wenzong

Emperor Wenzong of Tang (Li Ang), the 14th Tang emperor, reigned from 827 and sought to curb eunuch power, but the Sweet Dew Incident failed and eunu…

Timeline

  1. c. 809–827Chang'an · Tang dynastyLi Ang was the second son of Emperor Muzong of Tang, initially enfeoffed as Prince of Jiang. In 826 his elder brother Jingzong was murdered, and eunuchs including Wang Chengcheng raised him to the throne; the following year the era was changed to Dahe, and he became Emperor Wenzong of Tang.
  2. 829–835Chang'an · Tang dynastyWenzong was dissatisfied with eunuch dominance and conspired with chancellors Li Xun and Zheng Zhu to eliminate the eunuchs. The Sweet Dew Incident of 835 failed; eunuch Qiu Shiliang led troops into the palace, killing Li Xun, Zheng Zhu, and over a thousand court officials. Wenzong was placed under house arrest, and eunuch power grew even stronger.
  3. 835–840Chang'an · Tang dynastyAfter the Sweet Dew Incident Wenzong was effectively a puppet and died in depression. During his reign the Niu-Li factional strife was fierce, regional military governors remained semi-independent, and the state continued to decline; he died in 840 and was buried at Zhangling.

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