#113 - Tang 25: The Longshoreman's Prophecy
In the wake of Emperor Xianzong’s unexpected death in 820, his work remains unfinished… and now left in the hands of his incapable, incompetent successors. The eunuchs are hard at work securing ultimate authority for themselves, and have no time for a...
November 29, 2016
28 min
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Episode 113 · November 29, 2016
#113 - Tang 25: The Longshoreman's Prophecy
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History of China Episodes Around November 29, 2016
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28:07This episode#113 - Tang 25: The Longshoreman's Prophecy
Summary
In the wake of Emperor Xianzong’s unexpected death in 820, his work remains unfinished… and now left in the hands of his incapable, incompetent successors. The eunuchs are hard at work securing ultimate authority for themselves, and have no time for a strong central leader, and the Governor-generals of the northeast are eager to get out from under the imperial thumb once again. Into all this madness, a dock-worker, a fortuneteller, and an army of vagabonds will make a quixotic bid for the throne.
Time Period Covered:
February, 820- January, 827 CE
Major Historical Figures:
Emperor Muzong of Tang (Li Heng) [r. 820-824]
Emperor Jingzong of Tang (Li Zhan) [r. 824-827]
Emperor Wenzong of Tang (Li Ang) [r. 827-840]
Prince Li Han of Jiang [d. 827]
Eunuch-Official Liang Shoujian
Eunuch Official Liu Keming [d. 827]
Chief Minister Xiao Mian
Su Xuanming, Fortuneteller Extraordinaire [d. 824]
Zhang Shao, Unlikely Sitter of Thrones [d. 824]
Sources:
Dalby, Michael T. (1979). “Court politics in late T’ang times: Mid-Ninth Century Court (820-59)” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3.
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