The Political Landscape in 684 AD

The year 684 marked a turning point in Chinese imperial history. With the death of Emperor Gaozong in 683 and the deposition of Emperor Zhongzong (Li Zhe) in early 684, Wu Zetian stood at the threshold of unprecedented power. As the dowager empress consolidated control from her base in Luoyang, renamed as the “Divine Capital,” she implemented sweeping changes that signaled her imperial ambitions.

Wu Zetian’s political maneuvers during this period were both bold and systematic. At sixty-one years old – an advanced age by Tang standards – she accelerated her path to the throne through four decisive actions. First, she confined the new emperor, her youngest son Li Dan, allowing him only ceremonial appearances while she ruled from behind a curtain. Second, she eliminated potential rivals by forcing the suicide of her second son, the former crown prince Li Xian. Third, she elevated her Wu clan ancestors to imperial status and promoted living relatives to key positions, including her nephews Wu Chengsi as chancellor and Wu Sansi as minister of war. Finally, she implemented symbolic changes – altering the dynasty’s banners from red to silver-white with purple patterns, renaming Luoyang as the “Divine Capital,” and changing the era name three times within a single year.

The Gathering Storm in Yangzhou

While Wu Zetian consolidated power in Luoyang, discontent simmered in Yangzhou, a prosperous city at the intersection of the Grand Canal and Yangtze River. This commercial hub, distant from the imperial center, became the unlikely birthplace of rebellion when disaffected officials gathered at a local tavern in September 684.

The rebellion’s leader, Li Jingye, represented the frustrated aristocracy. As grandson of the celebrated general Li Ji (who had famously supported Wu Zetian during the “Depose Wang, Raise Wu” controversy), Li Jingye had inherited the title Duke of Ying but found himself demoted from provincial governor. His brother Li Jingyou shared similar grievances. Among their companions was the renowned poet Luo Binwang, remembered today for his childhood verse “Ode to the Goose” but then known as a talented yet corrupt official. Another key figure was Wei Siwen, a dismissed censor known for his strategic mind despite his administrative failures.

This group of marginalized elites – what historian Meng Man describes as “ambitious but incompetent” – transformed their personal frustrations into political action. Over wine, they connected their career disappointments with broader concerns about Wu Zetian’s growing authoritarianism. The conversation, initially venting personal grievances, took a radical turn when someone proposed rebellion as the solution to both their personal situations and the empire’s political crisis.

Launching the Rebellion

The conspirators established a leadership structure with Li Jingye as figurehead (leveraging his grandfather’s prestige), Luo Binwang as chief secretary, and Wei Siwen as strategic advisor. Their first challenge – acquiring military force – was solved through Wei Siwen’s cunning plan involving his friend Xue Zhongzhang, a censor and nephew of Chancellor Pei Yan.

Xue’s official inspection mission to Yangzhou provided cover for the coup. After arresting the local governor on fabricated charges, Li Jingye arrived posing as the new governor. He then armed prisoners from the local jail, using them to seize control of government offices. The rebels raised their banner: “Restore the Luling Prince” – referring to the deposed Emperor Zhongzong (Li Zhe), now demoted to Prince of Luling.

Luo Binwang composed the famous “Call to Arms Against Wu Zhao,” a masterful propaganda piece that circulated widely. The document accused Wu Zetian of three capital crimes: causing the moral violation between Taizong and Gaozong (her successive imperial husbands), murdering family members including her mother, and coveting the throne. It praised Li Jingye’s forces as invincible and called on officials to join their righteous cause, concluding with the dramatic challenge: “Look upon this land today – whose empire is it truly?”

Strategic Crossroads

At its peak, the rebellion commanded over 100,000 volunteers and controlled several counties near Yangzhou. The movement faced a critical strategic decision: whether to march north toward Luoyang or south to establish a base in Jinling (modern Nanjing).

Wei Siwen advocated the northern offensive, arguing it would demonstrate their loyalty to the Tang cause and capitalize on momentum. However, Xue Zhongzhang persuaded Li Jingye to head south, citing Jinling’s “imperial aura” and the defensive advantage of the Yangtze River. This fateful choice undermined their claim of being restorationists rather than separatists.

Wu Zetian’s Masterful Response

Facing her first military crisis, Wu Zetian demonstrated remarkable composure and strategic acumen. When presented with Luo Binwang’s inflammatory manifesto, she reportedly laughed and criticized her ministers for failing to recruit such talent – displaying confidence that steadied court officials and deterred potential collaborators.

Her military response was swift and effective. Within seven days, she mobilized 300,000 troops under the command of Li Xiaoyi, a respected Tang imperial clansman, assisted by the brilliant strategist Wei Yuanzhong. This appointment carried symbolic weight – a Tang prince leading forces against those claiming to restore Tang authority.

The campaign unfolded with precision. After initial setbacks, Wei Yuanzhong’s three key strategies turned the tide: convincing the hesitant Li Xiaoyi to maintain offensive pressure, targeting the weaker forces under Li Jingye’s brother first to demoralize the enemy, and finally using fire attacks against rebels positioned near flammable river reeds. Within forty-four days, the rebellion collapsed. Li Jingye was killed while attempting to flee by sea.

Why the Rebellion Failed

The Yangzhou Rebellion’s collapse resulted from several critical factors:

1. Political Miscalculations: Li Jingye undermined his own legitimacy by inconsistently supporting different Tang princes and abandoning the northward march that would have reinforced his restorationist claims.

2. Military Disadvantages: The rebel forces, though numerous, lacked the training and cohesion of government troops. Wu Zetian’s numerical superiority (300,000 to 100,000) proved decisive.

3. Leadership Contrasts: Wu Zetian’s astute appointments (Li Xiaoyi for prestige, Wei Yuanzhong for strategy) outperformed Li Jingye’s failure to utilize capable advisors like Wei Siwen.

4. Popular Support: Wu Zetian’s earlier agrarian reforms had secured peasant loyalty, while the rebellion failed to inspire broad-based support beyond initial enthusiasm.

Historical Significance

The Yangzhou Rebellion’s suppression marked a critical milestone in Wu Zetian’s ascent. It demonstrated her ability to manage military crises and solidified her political authority. The episode also revealed the limitations of aristocratic opposition – their factionalism and strategic errors contrasting with Wu Zetian’s centralized command.

Luo Binwang’s manifesto, despite serving a failed cause, endured as a literary masterpiece. Its vivid portrayal of Wu Zetian as a ruthless usurper shaped historical narratives, even as the empress herself reportedly admired its rhetorical power.

For modern readers, this 7th-century power struggle offers timeless insights into leadership during crises, the importance of political legitimacy, and the complex interplay between personal ambition and historical circumstance. Wu Zetian’s triumph in 684 cleared her path to eventually becoming China’s only female emperor, while the rebellion’s collapse underscored the Tang aristocracy’s declining capacity to resist centralized authority.