Emperor Zhaozong of Tang

Emperor Tang Zhaozong (唐昭宗李晔 867–904), born Li Ye, was the 19th emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 889 to 904. Zhaozong was the seventh son of Emperor Yizong of Tang and younger brother of emperor Emperor Xizong of Tang.

During Zhaozong's reign, the Tang dynasty fell into total disarray and rebellions broke out throughout the country while the Tang dynasty existed all but in name. In the midst of all this, Zhaozong have been credited with trying to salvage the dying dynasty however any positive results came too little too late. Zhaozong's two main tasks were trying to eliminate internal corrupt officials and pacifying warlords from over powering the central government. At best, Zhaozong was only able to extend the demise of the dynasty by no more than a few years.

Ever since rebellions broke out in 859, a series of successive rebellions followed and the Tang dynasty endured over 25 years of non-stop violence ending with the Huang Chao rebellion in 884 when Zhu Wen sided with the Tang. Although successful is subduing the rebellions, its negative impact on the dynasty was irreversible. Corruption and civil unrest paralyzed the central government while corrupt officials like Zhu Wen seized control of the government and in 904 saw the opportunity to take control of the empire by murdering Zhaozong. Zhu Wen then replaced Zhaozong's 13 year old son as a puppet emperor whilst Zhu Wen became the de facto ruler.

Zhaozong's reign lasted almost 16 years and he was buried in He Ling. He was 37.

Notes and references

* 任士英 (2005) "正說唐朝二十一帝" Taipei (台北): 聯經. ISBN 978-957-08-2943-3