A Child Born Into Turmoil

On an August day in 685 CE, Li Longji entered the world in Luoyang—not as an ordinary infant, but as the son of Emperor Ruizong (Li Dan), one of history’s most powerless monarchs. His birth year, the first of the Chuigong era, coincided with the aftermath of the Xu Jingye Rebellion’s suppression by the formidable Empress Wu Zetian.

The political landscape was treacherous. Li Longji’s mentally disabled uncle, Li Xian, had recently been deposed by their grandmother Wu Zetian. As historian Sima Guang later summarized, the Chuigong period saw “hundreds of imperial relatives and high ministers executed by cruel officials, with countless lower-ranking officials purged.”

Survival Through Political Chess

At age three, Li Longji received the title Prince of Chu. By four, Wu Zetian orchestrated his adoption by his deceased uncle Li Hong—a brilliant political maneuver. Li Hong, Wu Zetian’s eldest son with Emperor Gaozong, had been posthumously honored as Emperor Xiaojing. This adoption gave Li Longji dual legitimacy: biological descent from Ruizong and ritual succession to a former crown prince.

His childhood unfolded like a political thriller:
– 692 CE: Father deposed; six-year-old Li Longji confined to the Eastern Palace
– 693 CE: Mother executed during Lunar New Year celebrations over false witchcraft accusations
– 699 CE: Released from eight-year house arrest at fifteen, having witnessed constant betrayals

These experiences forged Li Longji’s defining traits: an obsession with control and a ruthless drive to eliminate threats—qualities that would shape his future reign.

The Coup Master Emerges

After observing two successful coups (705 and 707), Li Longji secured a seemingly minor but critical post: Vice Minister of the Imperial Armory (从四品上). This position controlled weapon stockpiles—the crown jewel for any rebellion.

His political education accelerated during a 708-710 stint as Luozhou Deputy Governor, where he:
– Cultivated alliances with mid-ranking military officers
– Studied the failures of previous coups
– Received an auspicious divination in 710: “The yarrow stalks stood upright—an extraordinary omen of greatness!”

The Tanglong Coup: A Masterclass in Timing

When Emperor Zhongzong (Li Xian) died suddenly in 710—possibly poisoned by Empress Wei and Princess Anle—Li Longji moved decisively:

June 20, 710:
– Allied with Princess Taiping’s faction for legitimacy
– Targeted the “Ten Thousand Cavalry” corps, whose officers resented Wei clan abuses
– Stormed the palace after midnight during a meteor shower (interpreted as divine favor)

Key maneuvers:
1. Weaponized Legitimacy: Framed the coup as avenging Zhongzong’s murder
2. Decapitation Strike: Killed Empress Wei and Princess Anle within hours
3. Strategic Patricide Avoidance: Didn’t consult his father beforehand to prevent leaks

By dawn, Li Longji controlled Chang’an. His father Ruizong ascended the throne on June 24, with Li Longji named crown prince after his elder brother’s theatrical refusal.

The Legacy of Trauma

Li Longji’s early experiences created paradoxical outcomes:
– Pros: Unmatched political instincts, military reform (Jiedushi system), and the Kaiyuan Golden Age
– Cons: Extreme paranoia leading to An Lushan’s rebellion after 44 years in power

Historian Liu Xu noted in Old Tang Book: “He who survived the storm became the storm.” The very survival skills that elevated Li Longji to greatness—distrust, control, and preemptive strikes—ultimately sowed the seeds of the Tang Dynasty’s decline.

Modern Parallels

Li Longji’s story offers timeless lessons about power:
1. Trauma Shapes Leadership: Childhood instability breeds both resilience and rigidity
2. Middle Managers Matter: His coup succeeded by winning mid-level officers, not just generals
3. Legitimacy Theater: Even violent power transitions require narrative crafting (see his “reluctant father” charade)

As the last survivor of Wu Zetian’s purges, Li Longji completed the Tang’s transformation from aristocracy to meritocracy—a legacy still studied in military academies and business schools today.