The Tumultuous Beginnings of Emperor Gaozong’s Reign

In January 656, Emperor Gaozong of Tang (Li Zhi) made a decisive move that would alter the course of the Tang Dynasty: he deposed Crown Prince Li Zhong, the son of his first wife Empress Wang, and replaced him with Li Hong, the eldest son of his ambitious consort Wu Zetian. This was no mere dynastic reshuffling—it was the culmination of years of political warfare between the young emperor and his powerful uncle, Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji.

Gaozong had ascended the throne in 649 at just 21 years old, inheriting an empire stabilized by his father, the legendary Emperor Taizong. However, his early reign was overshadowed by the domineering influence of Zhangsun Wuji, Taizong’s brother-in-law and chief advisor. The “Yonghui era” (650-656), named after Gaozong’s first reign period, was marked not by peace but by the emperor’s struggle to assert authority against his uncle’s faction.

The Power Play: From Puppet Emperor to Ruthless Strategist

The deposition of Li Zhong was Gaozong’s bold declaration of independence. The new reign title “Xianqing” (显庆, “Manifest Celebration”) was a thinly veiled jab at his opponents—this was no longer the era of Zhangsun’s dominance.

Key events unfolded rapidly:
– February 656: Gaozong appointed new tutors for Crown Prince Li Hong, testing Zhangsun’s reaction.
– Exile of Chu Suiliang: The emperor banished Zhangsun’s ally, the influential official Chu Suiliang, to remote provinces despite impassioned pleas from Zhangsun’s faction.
– The Capital Shift: In a masterstroke, Gaozong moved his court from Chang’an (Zhangsun’s power base) to Luoyang, establishing a new administrative center beyond his uncle’s reach.

The Fall of Zhangsun Wuji: A Political Earthquake

By 659, Gaozong’s campaign reached its climax. Using accusations of conspiracy orchestrated by his ministers Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu, the emperor:
1. Stripped Zhangsun of his titles
2. Exiled him to Qianzhou under armed guard
3. Purged his network—descendants, allies, and even distant relatives were banished or executed

The once-mighty chancellor, who had helped build the Tang Empire, died in exile, possibly forced to suicide. Gaozong’s victory was complete but came at a cost—the brutal methods would stain his legacy.

Cultural and Legal Transformations

Beyond the power struggle, Gaozong’s reign saw significant developments:
– Legal Reforms: The Yonghui Code (651) and its Commentary became the foundation for East Asian legal systems for centuries.
– Expansion of Civil Service Exams: Gaozong actively promoted scholar-officials to counter aristocratic factions, accelerating the shift toward meritocracy.
– International Relations: Tang prestige grew as envoys from the Arab Caliphate and Japanese missions arrived during his reign.

The Unintended Rise of Wu Zetian

History’s great irony emerged in 660 when 33-year-old Gaozong suffered a debilitating stroke (“wind illness”). His solution—delegating authority to Empress Wu—would have consequences he never anticipated:
– Initially, Wu was the perfect deputy: literate, politically astute, and bearing his heirs
– By the 670s, she had transformed from helper to co-ruler
– Ultimately, she would become China’s only female emperor

Gaozong had sought to control his uncle; he couldn’t foresee that his wife would eclipse them both.

Legacy of a Misunderstood Emperor

Traditional histories often portray Gaozong as weak, overshadowed first by his uncle then his wife. Yet modern reassessment reveals:
– A skilled administrator who maintained Tang prosperity
– A legal reformer whose codes influenced generations
– The architect of Tang territorial expansion
– A cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of power transitions

The Xianqing era power struggle wasn’t merely a family feud—it was a pivotal moment that redefined imperial authority and set the stage for Wu Zetian’s unprecedented rise. Gaozong’s story reminds us that in dynastic politics, even victories can have unintended consequences that echo through centuries.