Li Longji 685-762

Better known as Tang Emperor Xuanzong, or Ming Huang [Bright Emperor], reigned from 712 till 756. Though the Tang achieved unprecedented prestige and prosperity in the early years of his reign, it went into decline because of political disunity and power struggle, which eventually culminated in the An Lushan rebellion in 755. During his flight to Chengdu, Xuanzong was forced to have his favourite concubine Yang Yuhuan killed and to abdicate in favour of his son. Li possessed considerable talent for music, calligraphy and poetry. His poems appear in most Tang anthologies.

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