Citizendia

Emperor Gaozong of Tang (唐高宗)

Birth and death: July 21, 628–Dec. Events By Place Europe Pippin of Landen becomes Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia. 27, 683
Family name: Li (李)
Birth name (小名): Zhinu (雉奴)
Given name (大名): Zhi (治)
Courtesy name (字): Weishan (為善)
Dates of reign: July 15, 649–Dec. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Personal Names in Chinese culture follow a number of conventions different from those of personal names in Western cultures. Chinese given names ( Chinese: 名字 Pinyin: míngzì are often made up of one or two characters Unlike Western personal names there is great variety Chinese given names ( Chinese: 名字 Pinyin: míngzì are often made up of one or two characters Unlike Western personal names there is great variety A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name ( zì) is a given name to be used later in life Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. 27, 683
Dynasty: Tang (唐)
Temple name: Gaozong (高宗)
Posthumous name:
(short)
 Great Emperor Tianhuang[1]
天皇大帝
Posthumous name:
(full)
 Emperor Tianhuang Dasheng
Dahong Xiao[2]
天皇大聖大弘孝皇帝

Emperor Gaozong of Tang (Chinese: 唐高宗; pinyin: Táng Gāozōng) (July 21, 628[3]-December 27, 683[4]), personal name Li Zhi (李治), was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683 (although after January 665 much of the governance was in the hands of his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian)). 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean ( Goryeo and Joseon periods and Vietnamese (such dynasties as A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty nobles and sometimes others in some cultures after the person's death A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty nobles and sometimes others in some cultures after the person's death Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Events By Place Europe Pippin of Landen becomes Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Events By Place Europe Swithelm is succeeded by Sighere and Sebbi as king(s of Essex. Wu Zetian ( (625 – December 16, 705 In 705 she was overthrown in a coup and Emperor Zhongzong was returned to the throne Emperor Gaozong was the son of Emperor Taizong (ninth) and Empress Zhangsun (third). Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后 personal name unknown ( 601 - July 28, 636) formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后 literally "the

Emperor Gaozong was aided in his rule by Empress Wu during the later years of his reign after a series of strokes left him incapacitated. Emperor Gaozong delegated all matters of state to his wife and after he died in 683, power fell completely into the hands of Empress Wu, who subsequently became the first and only reigning Empress of China. After his death, he was interred at the Qianling Mausoleum along with Wu Zetian. The Qianling Mausoleum ( is a Tang Dynasty (618&ndash907 tomb site located in Qian County, Shaanxi province China, and is 85 km (53 miles

Historians have generally viewed Emperor Gaozong as a weak ruler, inattentive to the business of the state and leaving such business to his powerful wife Empress Wu. During the first part of his reign, Tang territorial gains, which started with his father Emperor Taizong, continued, including the conquest of Baekje, Goguryeo, and Western Tujue, but throughout the 670s, much of those gains were lost to Tufan, Silla, Khitan, and Balhae. Baekje (18 BCE – 660 CE or Paekche, was a kingdom located in southwest Korea Goguryeo or Koguryo was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and The Western Turkic Khaganate was formed as a result of the internecine wars in the beginning of the 7th century ( 600 – 603 AD after the Göktürk Events and Trends 674–677 — Arab army first besieges Constantinople Zh-yue670年代 Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Alternate meaning Bohai Sea Balhae (698 - 926 ( Bohai in Chinese, Пархэ in Russian) was an Further, territory previously conquered that belonged to both Eastern and Western Tujue were subjected to repeated rebellions. Göktürks ( Turkish: Gök Türkler) were a Turkic people of ancient Central Asia.

Contents

Background and life as Prince of Jin

Li Zhi was born in 628. Events By Place Europe Pippin of Landen becomes Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia. He was the ninth son of his father, Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother, Emperor Taizong's wife Empress Zhangsun. Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后 personal name unknown ( 601 - July 28, 636) formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后 literally "the In 631, he was created the Prince of Jin. Events By Place Europe The Battle of Wogastisburg is fought between the Slavs led by Samo, and the Franks In 633, he was made commandant of Bing Prefecture (并州, roughly modern Taiyuan, Shanxi), but remained at the capital Chang'an rather than reporting to Bing Prefecture. Events By Place Europe Oswald of Bernicia becomes Bretwalda. Osric becomes king of Deira. Taiyuan ( lit "Great Plains" is a Prefecture-level city and the capital of Shanxi province China. ( Postal map spelling: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the People's Republic of China. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. When Empress Zhangsun died in 636, Emperor Taizong was particularly touched by the grief that Li Zhi displayed, and from that point on particularly favored him. Events By Place Byzantine Empire August 20 — Battle of Yarmuk: Khalid ibn al-Walid 's victory against the Sometime while he was the Prince of Jin, at the recommendation of his grand aunt Princess Tong'an, he married the grandniece of Princess Tong'an's husband Wang Yu (王裕) as his wife and princess. Empress Wang (王皇后 personal name unknown (d 655? was an Empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Li Zhi's two older brothers by Empress Zhangsun, Li Chengqian the Crown Prince and Li Tai the Prince of Wei, were locked in an intense rivalry, as Li Tai was favored by Emperor Taizong for his talent and was trying to displace Li Chengqian. Li Chéngqián (李承乾 (619?- January 5, 645) Courtesy name Gaoming (高明 formally Prince Min of Hengshan (恆山愍王 Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Li Tai (李泰 Pinyin: Lǐ Tài (618- December 15, 652) Courtesy name Huibao (惠褒 nickname Qingque (青雀 formally Li Chengqian, in fear, entered into a conspiracy with the general Hou Junji, his uncle Li Yuanchang (李元昌) the Prince of Han, the imperial guard commander Li Anyan (李安儼), and his brothers-in-law Zhao Jie (趙節, who was also his cousin) and Du He (杜荷) to overthrow Emperor Taizong. Hou Junji (侯君集 (d April 29, 643) was a major general and chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, particularly known The plot was discovered in 643, and Emperor Taizong deposed Li Chengqian. Events By Place Europe Rothari King of the Lombards, issues the Lombard law code He was initially going to make Li Tai the new crown prince, but later began to believe that Li Tai's machinations were responsible for Li Chengqian's downfall. The powerful chancellor Zhangsun Wuji -- Empress Zhangsun's brother -- suggested that he make Li Zhi crown prince, a possibility that Li Tai was apprehensive about. Zhangsun Wuji (長孫無忌 (d 659 Courtesy name Fuji (輔機 formally Duke of Zhao (趙公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Li Tai tried to intimidate Li Zhi, who had been friendly with Li Yuanchang, by pointing out to Li Zhi that Li Yuanchang had been part of the plot and that he should be concerned for himself. When Emperor Taizong noticed Li Zhi worrying about this and was told by Li Zhi of Li Tai's intimidation, Emperor Taizong's mind became set. He exiled Li Tai, and on April 30, 643,[5] he created Li Zhi the new crown prince. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule He made Zhangsun and two other senior chancellors, Fang Xuanling and Xiao Yu, senior advisors to Li Zhi, and made another chancellor, Li Shiji, the head of Li Zhi's household. Fang Xuanling (房玄齡 (579–648 formal name Fang Qiao (房喬 but went by the Courtesy name of Xuanling formally Duke Wenzhao of Liang (梁文昭公 Xiao Yu (蕭瑀 (574-647 Courtesy name Shiwen (時文 formally Duke Zhenbian of Song (宋貞褊公 was an imperial prince of the Chinese Li Shiji (李世勣 (594- December 31, 669) né Xu Shiji (徐世勣 later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji At the advice of another key official, Liu Ji, who pointed out that the crown prince needed to have a group of well-learned scholars that he was close to, Emperor Taizong appointed Liu, as well as Cen Wenben, Chu Suiliang, and Ma Zhou, to serve as Li Zhi's friends and advisors. Liu Ji (劉洎 (d January 18, 646) Courtesy name Sidao (思道 was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang Cen Wenben (岑文本 ( 595 - May 10, 645) Courtesy name Jingren (景仁 formally Viscount Xian of Jiangling (江陵憲子 Chu Suiliang (褚遂良 (597-658 Courtesy name Dengshan (登善 formally Duke of Henan (河南公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Ma Zhou (馬周 (601-648 Courtesy name Binwang (賓王 was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

As Crown Prince

Late in 643, Emperor Taizong issued an edict to select beautiful women among good households to serve as Li Zhi's concubines. Concubinage is the state of a woman or youth in an ongoing quasi-matrimonial relationship with a man of higher social status However, after Li Zhi declined such treatment, Emperor Taizong cancelled the edict. However, during his years as crown prince, he was said to have favored his concubine Consort Xiao, having two daughters (the later Princesses Yiyang and Gao'an) and one son (Li Sujie) with her, much to the chagrin of his wife Crown Princess Wang, who was childless and jealous for Consort Xiao. Consort Xiao, imperial consort rank Shufei (蕭淑妃 personal name unknown (d Li Sujie (李素節 (646- June 24, 690) formally the Prince of Xu (許王 was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Three other concubines of his bore his other sons Li Zhong, Li Xiao (李孝), and Li Shangjin (李上金). Li Zhong (李忠 ( 643 - January 6, 665) Courtesy name Zhengben (正本 formally Prince of Yan (燕王 was a

Around the same time, however, he also became concerned that Li Zhi, who was considered kind but weak in character, would not be strong enough to be an emperor, and secretly discussed with Zhangsun Wuji the possibility of making another son by his concubine Consort Yang (daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui), Li Ke the Prince of Wu, crown prince. Background Yang Guang was born in 569 during the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. Li Ke (李恪 (d March 6, 653) posthumously known as the Prince of Yulin (鬱林王 often known by his greater title as the Prince of Wu Zhangsun repeatedly opposed the idea, and Emperor Taizong did not carry this out.

In 645, when Emperor Taizong launched a campaign against Goguryeo, he took Li Zhi with him to Ding Prefecture (定州, roughly modern Baoding, Hebei) and then left Li Zhi there to be in charge of logistics, before heading to the front himself. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines recapture Alexandria from the Arabs Asia Emperor Taizong of Tang (r 626 - 649) the second emperor of Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, asserting that a campaign against Baoding ( is a Prefecture-level city in Hebei province China. ( Postal map spelling: Hopeh) is a northern province of the People's Republic of China. He also left senior officials Gao Shilian, Liu Ji, Ma Zhou, Zhang Xingcheng, and Gao Jifu to assist Li Zhi. Gao Shilian (高士廉 ( 576 - February 14, 647) formal name Gao Jian (高儉 but went by the Courtesy name of Shilian formally Zhang Xingcheng (張行成 ( 587 - October 10, 653) Courtesy name Deli (德立 formally Duke Ding of Beiping (北平定公 Gao Jifu (高季輔 ( 596 - January 16, 654) formal name Gao Feng (高馮 but went by the Courtesy name of Jifu formally Duke After the campaign ended in failure later that year, as Emperor Taizong was leading the army back from the front, Li Zhi went to meet him at Linyu Pass (臨渝關, now Shanhai Pass). Shanhaiguan or Shanhai Pass ( literally "Mountain and Sea Pass" is a part of the city of Qinhuangdao, in Hebei province People's Republic Emperor Taizong suffered an injury during the campaign, and Li Zhi was said to have, as Emperor Taizong's conditions were getting worse, sucked the pus out of his wound, until Emperor Taizong recovered somewhat. In 646, with Emperor Taizong still recovering, he transferred some of the imperial authorities to Li Zhi. Events An edict of the Taika Reforms is promulgated in Japan Alexandria is recaptured by the Arabs after a Byzantine Li Zhi stayed at the imperial palace and attended to Emperor Taizong in his illness. That year, when Emperor Taizong was due to visit Ling Prefecture (靈州, roughly modern Yinchuan, Ningxia) to meet with a number of tribal chiefs who were formerly vassals of Xueyantuo -- which had collapsed under Tang and Huige attacks earlier that year -- he was set to take Li Zhi with him, but at Zhang's suggestion left Li Zhi in charge at Chang'an instead, to allow Li Zhi to become more familiar with the important affairs of state in his absence. Yinchuan ( is the Capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region People's Republic of China, and former capital of the Western Xia Empire of the Ningxia ( Postal map spelling: Ningsia full name Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region ( is a Hui autonomous region of the People's Republic Xueyantuo (薛延陀 or Syr-Tardush were an ancient Tiele people and Khanate in central/northern Asia who were at one point vassals of The Uyghur After Emperor Taizong returned from Ling Prefecture, he retained for himself the authorities over imperial worship, state guests, military, the commissioning of officers of higher than the fifth rank, and executions, and transferred all other authorities to Li Zhi.

In 647, a commoner named Duan Zhichong (段志沖) submitted a petition to Emperor Taizong, asking him to pass the throne to Li Zhi. For the Canadian area code see Area code 416/647. Events By Place Asia A stone tower Astronomical Li Zhi, concerned that Emperor Taizong might be offended, was worried and grieving, and Zhangsun suggested that Duan be executed. Emperor Taizong did not take offense and did not punish Duan or Li Zhi. Meanwhile, Li Zhi began to build a Buddhist temple named Daci'en Temple (大慈恩寺) in commemoration of his mother Empress Zhangsun, and the temple was completed in 648. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Events By Topic Religion Pope Theodore I excommunicates Patriarch Paul II of Constantinople

In 649, while at the summer palace Cuiwei Palace (翠微宮, in the Qinling Mountains), Emperor Taizong was gravely ill, and he, while impressed with Li Shiji's abilities, was concerned that Li Shiji was too able and would not submit to Li Zhi. Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. The Qinling Mountains ( are a major Mountain range located mainly in the Eastern province of Shaanxi, in China. He stated to Li Zhi:

Li Shiji is full of ability and wisdom, but you had done him no favors, and it may be difficult for him to be faithful to you. I am going to exile him now. If he leaves immediately, promote him to be Pushe [(僕射, head of the important examination bureau of the government)] and trust him after I die. If he hesitates, execute him.

He then demoted Li Shiji to the post of the commandant of Die Prefecture (疊州, roughly modern Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu). Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture ( Tibetan: -དཀར་ལྷོ་བོད་རིགས་རང་སྐྱོང་ཁུལ་ / Dkar-lho Bod-rigs rang-skyong-khul ( is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China. Li Shiji, realizing what was happening, after receiving the order, departed without hesitation.

As Emperor Taizong's illness was getting more serious, Li Zhi continuously attended to him and wept constantly, often going without food, which touched Emperor Taizong greatly. Emperor Taizong entrusted Li Zhi to Zhangsun and Chu Suiliang, and then died on July 10, 649. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia. [6] Initially, Li Zhi was so mournful that he could not carry out any actions other than holding onto the necks of Zhangsun and Chu. Zhangsun, while mourning himself, reminded Li Zhi that he was now in charge of the empire and must act accordingly. Zhangsun also ordered that Emperor Taizong's death not be announced for the time being, and then, the next day, accompanied Li Zhi back to Chang'an. Zhangsun issued several edicts in Emperor Taizong's name -- including making Yu Zhining, Zhang, and Gao Jifu chancellors. Yu Zhining (于志寧 (588-665 Courtesy name Zhongmi (仲謐 formally Duke Ding of Yan (燕定公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Two days later, Emperor Taizong's death was officially announced. On July 15,[7] Li Zhi took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong).

Reign

Yonghui era (650-656)

Emperor Gaozong's first move as emperor was to cancel a second campaign against Goguryeo that Emperor Taizong had planned for later 649. While Li Tai was disallowed from attending Emperor Taizong's funeral, Emperor Gaozong permitted him to again have a staff and be allowed to use wagons, clothes, and foods of high quality. Emperor Gaozong created his wife Crown Princess Wang empress and created her father Wang Renyou (王仁祐) the Duke of Wei. An emperor (from the Latin " Imperator " is a (male Monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an Empire or another type of It was said that early in Emperor Gaozong's reign, he greatly respected both his uncle Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang and followed their advice, and that therefore, during this part of his reign, the government was organized well and the people were comforted, much like during the reign of Emperor Taizong, although in winter 650, Chu was accused of forcibly purchasing private land and paying below-market price, and was demoted to be a prefectural prefect. Events By Place Asia The first Chinese Paper money is issued yet these banknotes will not become government-issued (Chu eventually returned to power in 653. Events Sigeberht II the Good succeeds Sigeberht I the Little as king of Essex. )

Also in 650, the general Gao Kan (高侃) -- whose army had been launched by Emperor Taizong against the newly reconstituted Eastern Tujue under Chebi Khan Ashina Hubo prior to Emperor Taizong's death -- captured Ashina Hubo and brought him back to Chang'an. Göktürks ( Turkish: Gök Türkler) were a Turkic people of ancient Central Asia. Chebi Khan (車鼻可汗 personal name Ashina Hubo (阿史那斛勃 full regal title Yizhuchebi Khan (乙注車鼻可汗 was a claimant of the title of Emperor Gaozong spared Ashina Hubo and made him a general, putting his people directly under Tang rule. Meanwhile, with two of the Xiyu states previously conquered by Tang and governed by Tang-installed kings, Qiuzi and Yanqi in disturbance, Emperor Taizong returned their previously-captured kings, Bai Helibushibi (白訶黎布失畢) and Long Tuqizhi (龍突騎支) respectively, to their thrones. The Western Regions or Xiyu ( was a historical name specified in the Chinese chronicles between the 3rd century BC to 8th century that referred to the regions west of Jade Kucha or Kuche (also Kuçar, Kuchar) Uyghur ( كۇچار) Chinese Simplified 库车; Traditional 庫車

In 651, the Western Tujue prince Ashina Helu, who had sought and received protection from Emperor Taizong, broke away from Tang and defeated Western Tujue's Yipishekui Khan, taking over Western Tujue himself and no longer subordinate under Tang. Events Europe Clovis II, king of Neustria and Burgundy, marries the future Saint Bathilde. The Western Turkic Khaganate was formed as a result of the internecine wars in the beginning of the 7th century ( 600 – 603 AD after the Göktürk Shabolüe Khan (沙缽略可汗 or Shaboluo Khan (沙缽羅可汗 (d In fall 651, Ashina Helu attacked Tang's Ting Prefecture (庭州, roughly modern Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang), and Emperor Gaozong responded by commissioning the generals Liang Jianfang (梁建方) and Qibi Heli (契苾何力) to attack Ashina Helu. Changji Hui prefecture ( سانجى خۇيزۇ ئاپتونوم ئوبلاستى|Sanji Xuizu Aptonom Oblasti|Sanji Huyzu Aptonom Oblasti is an Autonomous prefecture of Xinjiang ( Uyghur: شىنجاڭ Shinjang;; Postal map spelling: Sinkiang; Turkish: Sincan, Sincan Uygur Özerk Liang and Qibi achieved some victories against Ashina Helu's general Zhuxie Guzhu (朱邪孤注), but then withdrew without engaging Ashina Helu.

Meanwhile, as Empress Wang was sonless, her uncle, the chancellor Liu Shi, suggested to her that she ask Emperor Gaozong to create his oldest son Li Zhong, whose mother Consort Liu was of low birth and therefore she considered nonthreatening, crown prince so that Li Zhong would be grateful of her in the future. Liu Shi (柳奭 (d 659 Courtesy name Zishao (子邵 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Liu also persuaded Zhangsun to suggest the idea as well, and Emperor Gaozong. in fall 652, Emperor Gaozong created Li Zhong crown prince. Events By Place Europe Rodoald succeeds his father Rothari as king of the Lombards. By this point, however, Empress Wang was facing a major threat from another romantic rival. When Emperor Gaozong was crown prince, he had been attracted by the beauty of one of Emperor Taizong's concubines, Consort Wu. Wu Zetian ( (625 – December 16, 705 In 705 she was overthrown in a coup and Emperor Zhongzong was returned to the throne After Emperor Taizong's death, all of his concubines who did not bear sons were housed at Ganye Temple (感業寺) to be Buddhist nuns. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices In either 650 or 651,[8] when Emperor Taizong was visiting Ganye Temple to offer incense to Buddha, when he saw Consort Wu. Both of them wept. When Empress Wang heard this, she, wanting to divert Emperor Gaozong's favor from Consort Xiao, secretly instructed Consort Wu to grow her hair back, while suggesting to Emperor Gaozong that he take her as a concubine. Consort Wu was intelligent and full of machinations, and therefore, when she first returned to the palace, she acted humbly and flattered Empress Wang, who trusted her greatly and recommended her to Emperor Gaozong. Soon, Emperor Gaozong became enamored with Consort Wu.

Meanwhile, Emperor Gaozong's sister Princess Gaoyang and her husband Fang Yi'ai (房遺愛, Fang Xuanling's son), were implicated in 652 of conspiring with another brother-in-law Chai Lingwu (柴令武), the general Xue Wanche (薛萬徹) and Emperor Gaozong's uncle Li Yuanjing (李元景) the Prince of Jing to make Li Yuanjing emperor. Fang, knowing that Zhangsun had long been apprehensive of Li Ke, falsely implicated Li Ke in the plot as well, hoping to ingratiate Zhangsun sufficiently that he would be spared. nevertheless, in spring 653, at the suggestion of Zhangsun and Cui Dunli -- despite Emperor Gaozong's initial inclination to spare Li Yuanjing and Li Ke -- Emperor Gaozong ordered that Fang, Xue, and Chai be executed, and that Li Yuanjing, Li Ke, and the Princesses Gaoyang and Baling (Chai's wife) be forced to commit suicide. Cui Dunli (崔敦禮 ( 596 - August 29, 656) né Cui Yuanli (崔元禮 Courtesy name Anshang (安上 formally Duke Zhangsun took this opportunity to accuse several other officials friendly with Fang or hostile to him -- the chancellor Yuwen Jie, Li Daozong the Prince of Jiangxia, and the general Zhishi Sili (執失思力) -- of being friendly with Fang and had them exiled. Yuwen Jie (宇文節 Courtesy name Dali (大禮 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during Li Daozong (李道宗 (603?-656? Courtesy name Chengfan (承範 was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He also deposed and exiled Li Ke's mother Consort Yang and Consort Yang's other son Li Yin (李愔) the Prince of Shu, as well as Fang's brother Fang Yizhi (房遺直) and Xue's brother Xue Wanbei (薛萬備).

By 654, both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao had lost favor with Emperor Gaozong, and the former romantic rivals joined forces against Consort Wu, but to no avail, and as a sign of his love to Consort Wu, in 654 he conferred posthumous honors on her father Wu Shihuo (武士彠). Events By Place Europe Rhodes is invaded by an Arab force remains of the Colossus of Rhodes are sold off Later that year, after Consort Wu gave birth to a daughter, Empress Wang visited her -- and after Empress Wang left, Consort Wu killed her own daughter and then implicated Empress Wang in the killing. In anger, Emperor Gaozong considered deposing Empress Wang and replacing her with Consort Wu, but wanted to make sure that the chancellors would support this, and so visited Zhangsun's house with Consort Wu, awarding him with much treasure, but when he brought up the topic that Empress Wang was sonless (as an excuse for deposing her), Zhangsun repeatedly found ways to divert the conversation, and subsequent visits by Consort Wu's mother Lady Yang and the official Xu Jingzong, who was allied with Consort Wu, to seek support from Zhangsun were also to no avail. Xu Jingzong (許敬宗 ( 592 - September 20, 672) Courtesy name Yanzu (延族 formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang (高陽恭公

In summer 655, Consort Wu accused Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu of using witchcraft. Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the In response, Emperor Gaozong barred Lady Liu from the palace and demoted Liu Shi. Meanwhile, a faction of officials began to form around Consort Wu, including Li Yifu, Xu, Cui Yixuan (崔義玄), and Yuan Gongyu (袁公瑜). Li Yifu (李義府 (614-666 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. On an occasion in fall 655, Emperor Gaozong summoned the chancellors Zhangsun, Li Shiji (who by now was using the name Li Ji to observe naming taboo for Emperor Taizong's name Li Shimin), Yu Zhining, and Chu to the palace -- which Chu deduced to be regarding the matter of changing the empress. Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere Yu Zhining (于志寧 (588-665 Courtesy name Zhongmi (仲謐 formally Duke Ding of Yan (燕定公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Li Ji claimed an illness and refused to attend. At the meeting, Chu vehemently opposed deposing Empress Wang, while Zhangsun and Yu showed their disapproval by silence. Meanwhile, other chancellors Han Yuan and Lai Ji also opposed the move, but when Emperor Gaozong asked Li Ji again, Li Ji's response was, "This is your family matter, Your Imperial Majesty. Han Yuan (韓瑗 (606-659 Courtesy name Boyu (伯玉 formally Duke of Yingchuan (潁川公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Lai Ji (來濟 (610-662 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. Why ask anyone else?" Emperor Gaozong therefore became resolved. He demoted Chu to be a commandant at Tan Prefecture (潭州, roughly modern Changsha, Hunan), and then deposed both Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, putting them under arrest and creating Consort Wu empress instead to replace Empress Wang. Changsha ( is the Capital city of Hunan, a province of south-central China, located on the lower reaches of Xiang river a branch of the ( is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning (Later that year, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were killed on orders by the new Empress Wu after Emperor Gaozong showed signs of considering to release them. ) Then, at Xu's suggestion, in spring 656, Emperor Gaozong demoted LI Zhong to be the Prince of Liang and created Empress Wu's oldest son Li Hong the Prince of Dai crown prince instead. Events By Place Europe Oswiu of Northumbria annexes Mercia Asia The Battle of Li Hong (李弘 ( 652 - May 25, 675) formally Emperor Xiaojing (孝敬皇帝 literally "the filial and alert emperor" with the

In 655 as well, Emperor Gaozong commissioned the general Cheng Zhijie (程知節) to attack Ashina Helu, but while the campaign saw some victories over Western Tujue's substituent tribes Geluolu (歌邏祿) and Chuyue (處月), was plagued by Cheng's inability to reign in his assistant Wang Wendu (王文度) from pillaging and inappropriately halting the army, end after the campaign ended in early 657, both Cheng and Wang were deposed from their offices. Events By Place Asia The Chinese Tang Dynasty under Emperor Gaozong of Tang defeats a Turkish army

Xianqing era (656-661)

In 657, Emperor Gaozong commissioned the general Su Dingfang, who had served under Cheng Zhijie in the earlier failed campaign, to attack Ashina Helu, assisted by Ren Yaxiang and Xiao Siye (蕭嗣業). Su Dingfang ( 591-667 formal name Su Lie (蘇烈 but went by the Courtesy name of Dingfang formally Duke Zhuang of Xing (邢莊公 was a general Ren Yaxiang (任雅相 (d March 9, 662) was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor They were joined by the Western Tujue chieftains Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen, who had submitted to Tang during Emperor Taizong's reign. The campaign caught Ashina Helu by surprise, and Su defeated him in several battles, causing him to flee to the kingdom Shi (石國, centering modern Tashkent, Uzbekistan), which arrested him and delivered him to Su, thus largely ending Western Tujue as an organized state. Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Uzbek: O‘zbekiston Respublikasi or Ўзбекистон Республикаси is a doubly (Emperor Gaozong would try to continue Western Tujue's existence as a vassal stage by dividing it in half and creating Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen as khans of the two halves. )

Meanwhile, Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu, aligned with Empress Wu, began to carry out a campaign of reprisal on her behalf. In 657, they accused Han Yuan and Lai Ji of plotting treason with Chu Suiliang, who was then serving as the commandant at Gui Prefecture (桂州, roughly modern Guilin, Guangxi). Guilin ( Pinyin: Guìlín) is a city in China, situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Guangxi (or Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region;) is a Zhuang autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. Emperor Gaozong demoted Han and Lai to be prefects of distant prefectures, and demoted Chu and Liu Shi to even more distant prefectures -- in Chu's case, to the extremely distant Ai Prefecture (愛州, roughly modern Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam), and Chu's subsequent petition, sent from Ai Prefecture, pleading with Emperor Gaozong, fell on deaf ears. Thanh Hóa ( Hán tự: 清[[wikt 化|化]] is a province in the North Central Coast of Vietnam. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially

Empress Wu's reprisals did not end there. In 659, Zhangsun Wuji became the next target. This article is about a year Events By Place Europe Ealdormen in Mercia rebel against Northumbrian rule and At that time, two low level officials, Wei Jifang (韋季方) and Li Chao (李巢) had been accused of improper associations, and when Emperor Gaozong put Xu and Xin Maojiang of investigating, Xu falsely accused Wei and Li to be part of a treasonous plot by Zhangsun. Xin Maojiang (辛茂將 (d January 3, 660) was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor Emperor Gaozong, without meeting with Zhangsun, believed Xu, and put Zhangsun under house arrest in exile at Qian Prefecture (黔州, roughly modern southeastern Chongqing). Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Xu further implicated Chu, Liu, Han, and Yu Zhining in the plot as well. Yu was removed from his post. Chu, who had died in 658, was posthumously stripped of all titles, and his sons Chu Yanfu (褚彥甫) and Chu Yanchong (褚彥沖) were executed. Events By place Europe The Union of Slavic Tribes falls apart after King Samo 's death Orders were also issued to execute Liu and Han, although Han died before the execution order reached his location. Meanwhile, Zhangsun, once he reached his place of exile, was forced to commit suicide. It was said that after Han's and Lai's deaths, no official dared to criticize the emperor any further.

Also in 659, a vassal of Western Tujue, Duman (都曼), the commander of the Sijie Tribe (思結), rebelled against Tang suzerainty, along with Western Tujue's subject kingdoms Shule (疏勒), Zhujupo (朱俱波), and Yebantuo (謁般陀) (all in modern Kashgar, Xinjiang). Suzerainty (ˈsjuːzərənti RP or /ˈsjuːzəreɪnti/ RP) (/ˈsuːzərənti/ GA) is a situation in which a Region or people is a Kashgar or Kashi (officially transliterated as Kaxgar in Uyghur; قەشقەر/K̡ǝxk̡ǝr, is an Oasis Xinjiang ( Uyghur: شىنجاڭ Shinjang;; Postal map spelling: Sinkiang; Turkish: Sincan, Sincan Uygur Özerk The joint forces commanded by Duman quickly defeated the Tang vassal Yutian (于田, in modern Hotan, Xinjiang). Xinjiang ( Uyghur: شىنجاڭ Shinjang;; Postal map spelling: Sinkiang; Turkish: Sincan, Sincan Uygur Özerk In winter 659, Emperor Gaozong sent Su Dingfang against Duman, and once he arrived in the vicinity of Duman's army, he selected 10,000 infantry soldiers and 3,000 cavalry soldiers and made a surprise attack on Duman. When he arrived at Duman's headquarters, Duman was surprised, and after Su initially defeated Duman, Duman was forced to withdraw within the city. Su put the city under siege, and Duman surrendered. In spring 660, Su took Duman back to the eastern capital Luoyang, where Emperor Gaozong was at the time, to present Duman to him. Events By Place Europe Slavic principality of Carantania is first mentioned in historical sources Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Some officials requested that Duman be executed, but Su made a plea on Duman's behalf -- that he had promised Duman life before Duman surrendered -- and Emperor Gaozong stated that while under the law, Duman should die, he would honor Su's promise, and so he spared Duman.

On the other end of the Tang atmosphere of influence, on the Korean Peninsula, Baekje had been attacking the Tang vassal Silla. Physical geography See also Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea Mountains cover 70 percent of the Korean Peninsula and arable plains are Baekje (18 BCE – 660 CE or Paekche, was a kingdom located in southwest Korea Silla (57 BC – 935 AD was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Once Su returned from the Sijie campaign, Emperor Gaozong commissioned him to head over the sea to attack Baekje, in conjunction with Silla. Su quickly captured the Baekje capital Sabi, forcing Baekje's King Uija and his crown prince Buyeo Yung to surrender. Sabi was the capital of the Korean kingdom of Baekje from AD 538 until Baekje's fall to Silla in 660. King Uija of Baekje (백제 의자왕/ ? - 660? r 641 - 660 was the 31st and final ruler of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Buyeo Yung ( 615 - 682) was one of the sons of King Uija, the last king of Baekje. Emperor Gaozong ordered that Baekje be annexed as Tang territory. Emperor Gaozong then followed up by commissioning Su, along with Qibi Heli, Liu Boying (劉伯英), and Cheng Mingzhen (程名振), to attack Goguryeo.

Longshuo and Linde eras (661-666)

Meanwhile, just after Su Dingfang left Baekje territory to attack Goguryeo, the Buddhist monk Dochim/Daochen (道琛) and the former Baekje general Buyeo Boksin rose to try to revive Baekje. Gwisil Boksin (?-663 was a military leader of the Korean kingdom of Baekje. They welcomed the Baekje prince Buyeo Pung back from Japan to serve as king, with Juryu/Zhouliu (주류/周留, in modern Seocheon County, South Chungcheong) as their headquarters. Buyeo Pung, known as in Japan was one of the sons of King Uija of Baekje. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Seocheon County ( Seocheon-gun) is a county in South Chungcheong Province South Korea. Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong is a province in the west of South Korea. They put the Tang general Liu Renyuan (劉仁願) under siege in Sabi. Emperor Gaozong sent the general Liu Rengui, who had previously been demoted to commoner rank for offending Li Yifu, with a relief force, and Liu Rengui and Liu Renyuan were able to fight off the Baekje resistance forces' attacks, but were themselves not strong enough to quell the rebellion, and so for some time the armies were in stalemate. Liu Rengui (劉仁軌 ( 602 - March 2, 685) Courtesy name Zhengze (正則 formally Duke Wenxian of Lecheng (樂城文獻公

Meanwhile, Su advanced on the Goguryeo capital Pyongyang and put it under siege, but was unable to capture it quickly. Pyongyang (pʰjʌŋjaŋ is the Capital and largest City of North Korea, located on the Taedong River, at. In spring 662, after the general Pang Xiaotai (龐孝泰) was defeated by Goguryeo forces at Salsu/She River (蛇水, probably Chongchon River) and was killed along with his 13 sons, Su ran into harsh snowstorms and withdrew. Events The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of the Lombards, driving Perctarit into exile and killing Godepert. The Ch'ŏngch'ŏn River is a river of North Korea having its source in the Rangrim Mountains of Chagang Province and emptying into the Yellow Sea

Around the same time, after the death of the Huige chief Yaoluoge Porun (藥羅葛婆閏), who had been obedient to Tang, Yaoluoge Porun's nephew Yaoluoge Bisudu (藥羅葛比粟毒) rose in rebellion with the Tongluo (同羅) and Pugu (僕固) tribes in conjunction with other Tiele Confederation tribes. The Dingling (丁零 or Gaoche (高車 Chile (敕勒, Tiele (鐵勒 were an ancient Siberian people Emperor Gaozong sent the general Zheng Rentai (鄭仁泰) to attack the Tiele, but while Zheng was initially victorious, his officers became bogged down in pillaging and eventually suffered great losses after being caught in poor weather. Emperor Gaozong instead sent Qibi, who was ethnically Tiele, assisted by Jiang Ke, to Tiele to try to persuade them to surrender. Jiang Ke (姜恪 (d March 21, 672) formally the Duke of Yong'an (永安公 was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Qibi was able to do so, and rebel leaders were arrested and turned over to Tang. Qibi executed them and ended the rebellion.

Meanwhile, for reasons unknown, also in 662 Emperor Gaozong sent the general Su Haizheng (蘇海政) to attack Qiuzi and ordered Ashina Mishe and Ashina Buzhen to assist him. Ashina Buzhen, who had a rivalry with Ashina Mishe, falsely informed Su that Ashina Mishe was set to rebel and would attack the Tang army, and Su responded by ambushing Ashina Mishe, killing him and his chief assistants. The Western Tujue tribes, angry over Ashina Mishe's death, largely turned away from Tang and submitted to Tufan instead, and when Ashina Buzhen died later that year, Tang influence in the region was greatly reduced. Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European

During these years, Li Yifu had been, due to favors from Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu, exceedingly powerful, and he grew particularly corrupt. In 663, after reports of Li Yifu's corruption were made to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Gaozong had Liu Xiangdao and Li Ji investigate, finding Li Yifu guilty. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Byzantine Emperor Constans II invades south Italy. Liu Xiangdao (劉祥道 (596-666 Courtesy name Tongshou (同壽 formally Duke Xuan of Guangping (廣平宣公 was an official of the Chinese Li Yifu was removed from his post and exiled, and would never return to Chang'an.

During the years, Empress Wu had repeatedly, in her dreams, seen Empress Wang and Consort Xiao, in the states they were after their terrible deaths, and she came to believe that their spirits were after her. For that reason, Emperor Gaozong started remodeling a secondary palace, Daming Palace (大明宮), into Penglai Palace (蓬萊宮), and when Penglai Palace's main hall, Hanyuan Hall (含元殿), was completed in 663, Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu moved to the newly remodeled palace (which was itself later renamed to Hanyuan Palace). (However, Empress Wang and Consort Xiao continued to appear in her dreams even after this, and therefore, late in Emperor Gaozong's reign, he and Empress Wu were often at the eastern capital Luoyang, not at Chang'an. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. )

Also in 663, Tufan attacked the Tang vassal Tuyuhun. Tuyuhun's Ledou Khan Murong Nuohebo, unable to withstand the Tufan attack, took his people and fled into Tang territory to seek protection, thus ending Tuyuhun's existence as a state. Murong Nuohebo (慕容諾曷鉢 (d 688 regal title Wudiyebaledou Khan (烏地也拔勒豆可汗 or in short Ledou Khan (勒豆可汗 Tang Dynasty

Meanwhile, also in 663, Liu Rengui and Liu Renyuan, in conjunction with Silla's King Munmu and the former Baekje crown prince Buyeo Yung, defeated Buyeo Pung and Japanese forces sent to assist him, at the Battle of Baekgang. Munmu of Silla (reigned 661 &ndash 681) was the thirtieth king of the Korean kingdom of Silla. Buyeo Yung ( 615 - 682) was one of the sons of King Uija, the last king of Baekje. The Battle of Baekgang, also known as Battle of Baekgang-gu or by the Japanese name Battle of Hakusukinoe (白村江の戦い Hakusuki-no-e no Buyeo Pung fled to Goguryeo, ending the Baekje resistance movement. Emperor Gaozong recalled Liu Renyuan, leading Liu Rengui in charge of former Baekje territory, but in 664 sent Liu Renyuan back to Baekje and tried to recall Liu Rengui. Events By Place Asia Arab armies conquer Kabul. Kuo Wu Tsung of Tang comes to Japan Liu Rengui petitioned to remain to prepare for another attack on Goguryeo, and Emperor Gaozong agreed to let him remain.

By 664, Empress Wu, who felt that her power was well-established, was extending her influence further in the political arena, and when the eunuch Wang Fusheng (王伏勝) reported to Emperor Gaozong that she had engaged the sorcerer Guo Xingzhen (郭行真) -- an act that was strictly forbidden -- Emperor Gaozong, in anger, summoned the chancellor Shangguan Yi to consult Shangguan. Shangguan Yi (上官儀 (d January 4, 665) Courtesy name Youshao (游韶 formally Duke of Chu (楚公 was an official of the Shangguan suggested that he depose Empress Wu. He agreed, and had Shangguan draft an edict to that effect. However, Empress Wu had received information that that was happening, and she emerged to defend herself. Emperor Gaozong could not carry out the removal, and instead blamed Shangguan. As both Shangguan and Wang had previously served the former crown prince Li Zhong, Empress Wu had Xu Jingzong falsely accuse Shangguan, Wang, and Li Zhong of conspiring against Emperor Gaozong's life. Around the new year 665, Shangguan and Wang were executed, and Li Zhong was forced to commit suicide. Events By Place Europe Swithelm is succeeded by Sighere and Sebbi as king(s of Essex. From this point on, whenever Emperor Gaozong presided over imperial meetings, Empress Wu would sit behind a pearl screen behind him to hear the reports as well, and political power largely fell into her hands. She and Emperor Gaozong were thereafter referred to as the "Two Saints. "

In 665, Emperor Gaozong went to Luoyang and began preparation in earnest to make sacrifices to heaven and earth at Mount Tai -- a traditional ceremony for emperors that were rarely carried out in history due to the large expenses associated with them. Mount Tai ( is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong Province, China. At Empress Wu's request -- as she reasoned that the sacrifice to earth also included sacrifices to past empresses (Emperor Gaozong's mother Empress Zhangsun and grandmother Duchess Dou, posthumously honored as an empress), she believed that it would be more appropriate to have females offer the sacrifices rather than male officials, as had been tradition in the past. Emperor Gaozong decreed that the male ministers would offer sacrifices first, but Empress Wu would next offer sacrifices, followed by Princess Dowager Yan, the mother of Emperor Gaozong's younger brother Li Zhen the Prince of Yue. Li Zhen (李貞 (d 688 formally Prince Jing of Yue (越敬王 posthumously known during Wu Zetian 's reign as Hui Zhen (虺貞 was an imperial prince In winter 665, Emperor Gaozong departed Luoyang and headed for Mount Tai. On the lunar new year (February 10, 666[9]), he initiated the sacrifices to heaven, which were not completed until the next day. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Number of the Beast if you were looking for the On February 12, sacrifices were made to earth. He gave general promotions to the imperial officials, and it was said that starting from this time, promotions of imperial officials, which were strict and slow during the reigns of Emperors Gaozu and Taizong, began to become more relaxed and often excessive. He also declared a general pardon, except for long-term exiles.

Qianfeng and Zhongzhang eras (666-670)

In summer 666, Yeon Gaesomun died and was initially succeeded as Mangniji by his oldest son Yeon Namsaeng. Yeon Namsaeng (연남생 淵男生 (634-679 was the eldest son of the Goguryeo Dae Mangniji (대막리지 大莫離支 Yeon Gaesomun (603?-665 As Yeon Namsaeng subsequently carried out a tour of Goguryeo territory, however, rumors began to spread both that Yeon Namsaeng was going to kill his younger brothers Yeon Namgeon and Yeon Namsan, whom he had left in charge at Pyongyang, and that Yeon Namgeon and Yeon Namsan were planning to rebel against Yeon Namsaeng. Yeon Namgeon (淵男建 연남건 (dates unknown was the second son of the Goguryeo military leader and dictator Yeon Gaesomun (Unknown-665 and third Dae Magniji Yeon Namsan (淵男産 연남산 (639-701 was the third son of the Goguryeo military leader and dictator Yeon Gaesomun (603?-665 When Yeon Namsaeng subsequently sent officials close to him back to Pyongyang to try to spy on the situation, Yeon Namgeon arrested them and declared himself Mangniji, attacking his brother. Yeon Namsaeng sent his son (later known as Quan Xiancheng (泉獻誠), as Yeon Namsaeng changed his family name from Yeon (淵) to observe naming taboo for Emperor Gaozu, whose personal name was the same character) to Tang to seek aid. Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere Emperor Gaozong saw this as the opportunity to destroy Goguryeo, and he initially commissioned Qibi Heli to aid Yeon Namsaeng, and also sent the generals Pang Tongshan (龐同善) and Gao Kan (高侃) to attack Goguryeo.

Meanwhile, Empress Wu's sister, the Lady of Han (who had married the low-level official Helan Yueshi (賀蘭越石)), and her daughter Lady Helan had both been frequently visiting the palace and were said to be "favored" by Emperor Gaozong. When Lady of Han died in 666, Emperor Gaozong created Lady Helan the Lady of Wei, and wanted to let her live in the palace, but hesitated because he thought Empress Wu would be jealous. When Empress Wu heard this, she was indeed jealous, and therefore she poisoned meat offered by her nephews Wu Weiliang (武惟良) and Wu Huaiyun (武懷運), who had been on poor relations with her and whose grandmother were not her mother Lady Yang; she then gave the poisonous meat to Lady Helan, who ate it and died. Empress Wu then implicated Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun in Lady Helan's death and executed them.

Around the new year 667, Emperor Gaozong further commissioned Li Ji to be the overall commander of the attack on Goguryeo, assisted by Hao Chujun. Hao Chujun (郝處俊 (607-681 formally Duke of Zengshan (甑山公 was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as In fall 667, Li Ji crossed the Liao River and captured Xincheng (新城, in modern Fushun, Liaoning). The Liao He (遼河 Liao River is the principal River in southern Manchuria (1345 km Fushun ( is a city in Liaoning, China, about 45 km from Shenyang, with a population about 1 ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. The Tang forces thereafter fought off counterattacks by Yeon Namgeon and joined forces with Yeon Namsaeng, although they were initially unable to cross the Yalu River. The Yalu River ( Chinese) or the Amnok River ( Korean) is a River on the border between China and North Korea. In spring 668, Li Ji turned his attention to Goguryeo's northern cities, capturing the important city Buyeo/Fuyu (扶餘, in modern Siping, Jilin). Events By Place Europe Childeric II succeeds Clotaire III as King of the Franks. Siping is a process of cutting thin slits across a Rubber surface to improve Traction in wet or icy conditions ( Postal map spelling: Kirin; Manchu: Girin ula is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northeastern In fall 668, he crossed the Yalu and put Pyongyang under siege. Yeon Namsan and King Bojang surrendered, and while Yeon Namgeon continued to resist in the inner city, his general, the Buddhist monk Sinseong/Xincheng (信誠) turned against him and surrendered the inner city to Tang forces. King Bojang of Goguryeo (?-682 r 642-668 was the 28th and last king of Goguryeo the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Yeon Namgeon tried to commit suicide, but was seized and treated. This was the end of Goguryeo, and Tang annexed Goguryeo into its territory, with Xue Rengui being put initially in charge of former Goguryeo territory as protector general. Xue Rengui ( 614-683 formal name Xue Li (薛禮 but went by the Courtesy name of Rengui was one of the most famous Chinese generals during the early Tang The Protectorate-General to Pacify the East was a Military government established at Pyongyang by Tang Dynasty China in 668. However, there was much resistance to Tang rule (fanned by Silla, which was displeased that Tang did not give the Goguryeo territory to it), and in 669, following Emperor Gaozong’s order, a part of the Goguryeo people were forced to move to the region between the Yangtze River and the Huai River, as well as the regions south of the Qinling Mountains and west of Chang'an, only leaving old and weak inhabitants in the original land. For the special unit of the Israel Defense Forces see Unit 669. The Huai River ( is a major river in China. The Huai River is located about mid-way between the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the two largest rivers

Xianheng era (670-674)

In summer 670, Tufan captured the 18 prefectures that Tang had established over the Xiyu region, and Emperor Gaozong, in response, commissioned Xue Rengui, assisted by Ashina Daozhen (阿史那道真) and Guo Daifeng (郭待封), to attack the Qinghai Lake area, to try to open a second front against Tufan as well as to try to restore the territory previously held by Tuyuhun. Events By Place Europe On the death of his brother Clotaire Childeric II becomes king of all of the Frankish kingdoms ( Austrasia The Western Regions or Xiyu ( was a historical name specified in the Chinese chronicles between the 3rd century BC to 8th century that referred to the regions west of Jade Qinghai Lake ( Hanyu Pinyin: Qīnghăi hú) historically known as Kokonor (from the Mongolian name is a Salt lake situated in However, Guo, who felt himself to be Xue's equal as a general, was displeased at serving as an assistant, and their discord eventually led to a major defeat by Tufan's prime minister Lun Qinling (論欽陵). For the time being, the Xiyu territory was lost. By 672, Emperor Gaozong gave up the hopes of reestablishing Tuyuhun and moved Murong Nuohebo and his people deep into Tang territory. Events By Place Europe Wamba succeeds Reccaswinth as king of the Visigoths.

By 674, Emperor Gaozong was displeased at Silla's King Munmu's encouragement of Goguryeo revival movements who continued to resist Tang rule over the region and he stripped King Munmu of all Tang-bestowed titles, including the title of King of Silla, and conferred them on King Munmu's brother Kim Immun/Jin Renwen (金仁問) instead, commissioning Liu Rengui, assisted by Li Bi (李弼, Li Ji's brother) and the ethnically Mohe general Li Jinxing (李謹行), to escort Kim Immun back to Silla territory. Events By Place Europe Dagobert II and Theuderic I succeed Childeric II as king(s of the Franks The Goguryeo revival movements were started in 668, upon the fall of Pyeongyang Fortress to the Silla-Tang alliance The Mohe (or Malgal, Mogher) were a Tungusic people in ancient Manchuria.

Shangyuan and Yifeng eras (674-679)

In 675, Liu Rengui reached Silla territory, achieving victories over Silla forces, in conjunction with Mohe forces that submitted to Tang. Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey However, after King Munmu apologized and offered tribute, Emperor Gaozong ordered a withdrawal and recalled Kim Immun.

Meanwhile, by this time, Emperor Gaozong was continuously suffering from a persistent headache, and he considered making Empress Wu regent. A regent, from the Latin regens "who reigns" is a person selected to act as Head of state (ruling or not because the ruler is a minor Both Hao Chujun and Li Yiyan objected strenuously, and Emperor Gaozong did not make her regent. Li Yiyan (李義琰 (d 688 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong (The modern Chinese historian Bo Yang suggested that Emperor Gaozong's illnesses may be the result of long-term poisoning by Empress Wu,[10] but did not provide evidence. Bo Yang ( 7 March 1920 – 29 April 2008) also sometimes called Bai Yang, was a Chinese language writer based in ) However, this did not prevent Empress Wu from engaging a number of mid-level officials, including Yuan Wanqing (元萬頃) and Liu Yizhi, known as the "North Gate Scholars" (北門學士, as the palace sat north of the imperial government) to serve as her advisors and to divert the powers of the chancellors. Liu Yizhi (劉禕之 ( 631 - June 22, 687) Courtesy name Ximei (希美 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang

Also in 675, Li Hong the Crown Prince died suddenly -- with traditional historians largely attributing his death to poisoning by Empress Wu, due to her anger that he tried to curb her power grab and had shown sympathy to his two older sisters born of Consort Xiao -- Princesses Yiyang and Gao'an. Emperor Gaozong, in grief, posthumously honored Li Hong as an emperor, and he created Empress Wu's second son, Li Xian the Prince of Yong, crown prince. Li Xian (李賢 (653&ndash684 Courtesy name Mingyun (明允 formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (章懷太子 named Li De (李德 from 672

Along with the war with Silla, some resistance of Goguryeo people continued to plague Tang rule there. In 676, Emperor Gaozong withdrew Tang forces from the Korean Peninsula entirely and moved the Protectorate General to Pacify the East to Liaodong (遼東, in modern Liaoyang, Liaoning) and the commandant of Xiongjin (熊津), who governed the former Baekje territory at Sabi, to Jian'an (建安, in modern Yingkou, Liaoning), allowing Silla to unite the Korean Peninsula. Events By Place Europe Æthelred invades Kent. Asia In Japan Emperor Temmu Physical geography See also Geography of North Korea, Geography of South Korea Mountains cover 70 percent of the Korean Peninsula and arable plains are Liaoyang ( is a city in China Liaoning province located in the middle of the heavily polluted Liaodong Peninsula. ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Yingkou ( is a Prefecture-level city of Liaoning province in northeastern China. ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. In 677, he bestowed on Goguryeo's former King Bojang, Go Jang, the titles of Prince of Chaoxian and commandant of Liaodong, giving him the forcibly removed Goguryeo people. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Battle of Syllaeum: An Arab fleet is destroyed by the Byzantines. He also bestowed on Buyeo Yung the title of Prince of Daifang and commandant of Xiongjin -- with the intent of letting Go Jang and Buyeo Yung to rebuild Goguryeo and Baekje as loyal vassals to counteract Silla. Daifang Commandery was one of the remnants of the Four Commanderies of Han China in the Korean peninsula. To accommodate these movements, the Protectorate General was further moved to Xincheng. (Buyeo Yung was not able to make any headway in leading his people back to Baekje territory, while Go Jang tried to break away from Tang rule in alliance with the Mohe; when this was discovered, Emperor Gaozong recalled him to Chang'an and exiled him to Qiong Prefecture (邛州, part of modern Chengdu, Sichuan). ( located in southwest People's Republic of China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a Sub-provincial city. ( Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in western China with its capital in Chengdu. )

Meanwhile, Tang had to endure multiple attacks from Tufan, and in 677, he commissioned Liu Rengui, then a chancellor, to take up defense position at Taohe Base (洮河軍, in modern Haidong Prefecture, Qinghai), to prepare a counterattack against Tufan. See Haedong for disambiguation Haidong ( Simplified Chinese: 海东 Traditional Chinese: 海東 Pinyin: Hǎidōng (青海 qīnghǎi is a province of the People's Republic of China, named after Qinghai Lake. However, Liu's proposals were repeatedly blocked by another chancellor, Li Jingxuan. Li Jingxuan (李敬玄 (615-682 formally Duke Wenxian of Zhao (趙文憲公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor In order to retaliate against Li Jingxuan, even though Liu knew that Li Jingxuan was not capable in military matters, he nevertheless recommended that Li Jingxuan take over for himself, and despite Li Jingxuan's attempt to decline, Emperor Gaozong commissioned Li Jingxuan to command the army against Tufan. In fall 678, Li Jingxuan's forces engaged Tufan forces commanded by Lun Qinling, and was soundly defeated, with Li Jingxuan's assistant Liu Shenli (劉審禮) captured by Tufan. Li Jingxuan was only able to escape after being protected by the ethnically Baekje general Heichi Changzhi. Heukchi Sangji ( Hangul: 흑치상지 Hanja: 黑齒常之 Pinyin Heichi Changzhi) (630-689 was a Baekje general who became a leader

Tiaolu, Yonglong, Kaiyao, Yongchun, and Hongdao eras (679-683)

Meanwhile, the Western Tujue chieftain Ashina Duzhi had claimed the title of Shixing Khan and was allied with another chieftain, Li Zhefu (李遮匐), and they pillaged Anxi (i. e. , Suyab). Suyab ( also known as Ordukent, modern-day Ak-Beshim) was an ancient Silk Road city located some 60 km north east from Bishkek, and 6 km southeast Emperor Gaozong was ready to commission an army against Ashina Duzhi and Li Zhefu, but the official Pei Jingxian (裴行儉), who had previously served as secretary general at Xi Prefecture (西州, roughly modern Turfan Prefecture, Xinjiang), opposed -- instead proposing that a small detachment be announced to escort the Persian prince Narsieh back to Persia to contend for regal title. Turfan Prefecture ( simplified Chinese: 吐鲁番地区 Pinyin: Tulufán Dìqū تۇرپان ۋىلايىتى|Turpan Wilayiti|Turpan Vilayiti is located in Xinjiang ( Uyghur: شىنجاڭ Shinjang;; Postal map spelling: Sinkiang; Turkish: Sincan, Sincan Uygur Özerk Narsieh or Narseh ( Persian: نرسﻴﻪ Narsieh) (泥涅师 was a Persian-Chinese general stationed in the Tang military garrison Emperor Gaozong agreed and put Pei in charge of the detachment. When Pei arrived at Xi Prefecture, he, under the guise of a hunting party, summoned a number of tribal chiefs loyal to Tang in the area, and once they arrived, launched a surprise attack on Ashina Duzhi, who, caught by surprise, was forced to surrender; Li Zhefu then surrendered as well. (Narsieh, having been used in this manner, was left in the region to fend for himself. )

Meanwhile, though, another trouble was flaring up for Tang. The former Eastern Tujue territory, over which Tang had established 24 prefectures with the tribal chiefs serving as prefects, rebelled, and, under the leadership of Ashide Wenfu (阿史德溫傅) and Ashide Fengzhi (阿史德奉職), supported Ashina Nishoufu as khan. Emperor Gaozong sent Xiao Siye to attack Ashina Nishoufu, but after Xiao achieved a few victories, he became careless, and a counterattack by Ashina Nishoufu crushed him, advancing as far as Ding Prefecture. Ashina Nishoufu also encouraged the Xi (奚) and the Khitan to attack Ying Prefecture (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang, Liaoning), although those attacks were fought off. Chaoyang may refer to Chaoyang Liaoning, city in Liaoning China Chaoyang County, county in Chaoyang Liaoning Chaoyang ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Around the new year 680, after Pei returned from the Western Tujue front, Emperor Gaozong commissioned him to attack the Eastern Tujue. Events By Place Europe The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria. Pei defeated and captured Ashide Fengzhi, and Ashina Nishoufu's subordinates killed him and surrendered, ending the rebellion.

Meanwhile, Li Xian's relationship with Empress Wu was deteriorating, as Li Xian heard rumors that he was not born of Empress Wu but her sister Lady of Han, and was fearful. Meanwhile, earlier, Ming Chongyan (明崇儼), a sorcerer trusted by Empress Wu and Emperor Gaozong, had repeatedly stated that he believed Li Xian did not have the abilities to be emperor, that his younger brother Li Zhe the Prince of Ying had an appearance like Emperor Taizong, and that another younger brother, Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, had the most honored appearance of all. Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian Knowing that Li Xian was fearful of her, Empress Wu had the North Gate Scholars author teachings on filial piety to give to Li Xian, and also personally rebuked him, further causing him to be alarmed. When Ming was assassinated in 679, Empress Wu suspected Li Xian of carrying out the assassination. She had a report made to Emperor Gaozong that accused Li Xian of assassinating Ming. When the officials Xue Yuanchao, Pei Yan, and Gao Zhizhou were put in charge of investigations, they discovered a number of armors in Li Xian's palace. Xue Yuanchao (薛元超 (622-683 formal name Xue Zhen (薛振 but went by the Courtesy name of Yuanchao formally Baron of Fenyin (汾陰男 was an Pei Yan (裴炎 (d November 30, 684) Courtesy name Zilong (子隆 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty Gao Zhizhou (高智周 (602-683 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong Empress Wu thus accused Li Xian of treason, and while Emperor Gaozong initially wanted to take no actions against Li Xian, at Empress Wu's insistence he relented. In fall 680, he reduced Li Xian to commoner rank, and created Li Zhe as the new crown prince.

In 681, the Eastern Tujue territory flared up again, as the chieftain Ashina Fu'nian claimed khan title and allied with Ashide Wenfu to attack Chinese territory. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Bulgars win the war with the Byzantine Empire; the latter signs a peace treaty which Emperor Gaozong again commissioned Pei to attack Eastern Tujue forces. Pei's assistant Cao Huaishun (曹懷舜) was initially defeated by Ashina Fu'nian, but after Pei sent spies to spread rumors, the rumors led to discord between Ashina Fu'nian and Ashide Wenfu. When Pei's forces approached Ashina Fu'nian's position, Ashina Fu'nian arrested Ashide Wenfu and surrendered. (Against Pei's recommendation to spare Ashina Fu'nian, Emperor Gaozong executed him. )

In 682, the Western Tujue chieftain Ashina Chebo (阿史那車薄) rebelled against Tang rule, and Emperor Gaozong initially was to commission Pei again, but before the army could depart, Pei died. Events By Place Europe The first entry is made in the Welsh chronicle Brut y Tywysogion. However, the commandant at Anxi, Wang Fangyi (王方翼, Empress Wang's cousin) was able to defeat Ashina Chebo and crush the rebellion.

Also in 682, the Eastern Tujue chief Ashina Gudulu rose, in alliance with Ashide Yuanzhen (阿史德元珍), to claim khan title. Ilteris Sad, personal name Ashina Gudulu (阿史那骨篤祿 (d This, unlike the several earlier rebellions, actually saw the Eastern Tujue khanate being permanently reestablished to Tang's north and persisting for decades, and would plague the last two years of Emperor Gaozong's reign as well as the reigns of his successors.

Late in 683, Emperor Gaozong was seriously ill, and he, who was then at Luoyang, summoned Li Zhe, then in charge of Chang'an, to Luoyang to attend to him. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque On December 27, 683, he died. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Li Zhe succeeded him (as Emperor Zhongzong), but actual power would be in the hands of Empress Wu, who became empress dowager. Empress Dowager ( Chinese: 皇太后 Chinese, Korean Pronunciation: Hwang Tae Hu Japanese Pronunciation: Kōtaigō Vietnamese Pronunciation

References in Islamic sources

Known by Islamic sources as Yung Wei, which was in fact the name of the first era in his reign (Yonghui era from February 650 to February 656; see era name), Islamic sources credit him with building the first mosque, a mosque that still stands in Guangzhou. Events By Place Asia The first Chinese Paper money is issued yet these banknotes will not become government-issued Events By Place Europe Oswiu of Northumbria annexes Mercia Asia The Battle of A Chinese era name ( is the Era name, reign period or regnal title used when traditionally numbering years in an emperor's reign and naming certain Chinese A "mosque" in English refers to all types of buildings dedicated for Islamic worship although there is a distinction in Arabic between the smaller privately owned mosque and the larger Guangzhou ( Jyutping: Gwong²zau¹; Yale: Gwóngjàu) is the Capital and a Sub-provincial city According to those records, Islam was introduced to China and Emperor Gaozong by the visit of Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, a companion of Muhammad, in the year 650. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Sa`ad ibn Abī Waqqās ( was an early convert to Islam and one of the important companions of Muhammad. IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ##### For all questions relating to the addition of (pbuh peace be upon him or other honorifics Events By Place Asia The first Chinese Paper money is issued yet these banknotes will not become government-issued According to these sources, Emperor Gaozong is said to have respected the teachings of Islam greatly, feeling the teachings were compatible with Confucianism, and offered the building of the mosque as a sign of admiration. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Confucianism ( is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system originally developed from the teachings of the fifth century B The emperor himself did not convert as he felt Islam was too restrictive for his own preferences, but according to those sources, did not stop him from allowing Sa`d and his company to spread the teachings throughout the region. These sources, however, were not corroborated by Chinese records.

Era names

Chancellors during reign

Personal information

Notes and references

  1. ^ Given in 684. Events The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of the Lombards, driving Perctarit into exile and killing Godepert. For the special unit of the Israel Defense Forces see Unit 669. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The First Arab siege of Constantinople (674-678 ends Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. Alternate meanings Area code 705; Project 705; Life 705 Events By Place Asia February 20 Events The regent Grimuald usurps the kingship of the Lombards, driving Perctarit into exile and killing Godepert. Number of the Beast if you were looking for the For the special unit of the Israel Defense Forces see Unit 669. Events By Place Europe Æthelred succeeds his brother Wulfhere as king of Mercia Frithuwold of Surrey Events By Place Byzantine Empire The First Arab siege of Constantinople (674-678 ends Background Li Xulun was born in 662 as the youngest son of Emperor Gaozong and his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by Events By Place Asia Wu Zetian 's Zhou Dynasty begins in China (she was China's first and only female emperor ruling on her own Events By Place Byzantine Empire Tiberius III deposes Leontius and becomes Byzantine Emperor. For the area code see Area code 710. For the Los Angeles-area freeway see Interstate 710. Princess Taiping ( personal name unknown (d August 2, 713) was a princess of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty and her mother Wu Zetian ---- Events By Place Byzantine Empire Byzantine Emperor Philippicus is deposed Anastasius II is made emperor Events By Place Asia Wu Ze Tian takes power in China The Ummayad caliph Muawiya II is succeeded by
  2. ^ Given in 754. Events By Place Asia Al-Mansur, the second Abbasid Caliph, starts to rule
  3. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  4. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  5. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  6. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  7. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  8. ^ The modern historian Bo Yang, based on the fact that Empress Wu's oldest son Li Hong was born in 652, fixed the date of this incident as 650, but 651 is also a possibility. Bo Yang ( 7 March 1920 – 29 April 2008) also sometimes called Bai Yang, was a Chinese language writer based in Li Hong (李弘 ( 652 - May 25, 675) formally Emperor Xiaojing (孝敬皇帝 literally "the filial and alert emperor" with the See Bo Yang Edition of Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 47.
  9. ^ 兩千年中西曆轉換
  10. ^ Bo Yang Edition of the Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 48.
Preceded by
Emperor Taizong of Tang		 Emperor of Tang Dynasty
649–683		 Succeeded by
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the This is a list of emperors from the Tang Dynasty ( 618 - 907) of China. Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. 683 is a prime number Events By Place Americas The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of Maya state of Palenque Background Li Xiǎn was born in 656 as the seventh son of his father Emperor Gaozong and the third son of his mother Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu
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