Tang Dynasty

Li Shimin (wuwu day of the twelfth lunar month in the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era of Sui, January 23, 599–jisi day of the fifth lunar month in the twenty-third year of the Zhenguan era, July 10, 649), a native of Chengji in Longxi (present-day Qin'an County, Tianshui, Gansu), with ancestral origins in Didao, Longxi (present-day Lintao, Gansu), was born in Wugong, present-day Wugong, Shaanxi. He was the second

Li Yuan (December 21, 566–June 25, 635), courtesy name Shude, was a native of Chengji in Longxi (present-day Qin'an, Gansu) and the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty. His temple name was Gaozu and his initial posthumous name was Emperor Taiwu, later changed to Emperor Shenyao Dasheng Daguangxiao. Li Yuan came from an aristocratic Guanlong family of the Northern Zhou. His grandfather Li Hu was one of the Eight Pill

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji (8th day of the 9th lunar month in the first year of the Chuigong era, September 8, 685–jia-yin day of the 4th lunar month in the first year of the Baoying era, May 3, 762), was a grandson of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Wu Zetian, and the third son of Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan. His mother was Consort Dou. Because he ranked third among his brothers, he was also known

An Lushan (January 22, 703–January 29, 757), originally named Yaluoshan (also written Aluoshan), was said in the source to have originally borne the surname Kang, possibly reflecting origins connected with Kangju/Samarkand. After his mother married the Turkic man An Yanyan, he took the surname An and the name Lushan. He was from Liucheng in Yingzhou (south of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning) and became the initiator o

Huang Chao (820–June 15, 884) was a native of Yuanju in Caozhou, northwest of present-day Cao County in Heze, Shandong. He was a leader of the large-scale peasant war at the end of the Tang and the founder of the Great Qi regime. Born into a family engaged in the salt trade, Huang Chao was skilled in riding and archery and repeatedly failed the *jinshi* examination. In 875, the second year of the Qianfu era, he led f

Li Zhi (July 21, 628–December 27, 683), courtesy name Weishan and childhood name Zhinu, was the third emperor of the Tang dynasty. He was the ninth son of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Empress Wende, Lady Zhangsun. He was made crown prince in 643, the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, and succeeded to the throne in 649, the twenty-third year of Zhenguan, reigning for thirty-four years. Early in his reign, Chang

Emperor Wuzong of Tang, Li Yan (July 2, 814–April 22, 846), originally named Li Chan, was the fifth son of Emperor Muzong of Tang and the son of Empress Xuanyi, Lady Wei. He was the sixteenth emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 840, the fifth year of the Kaicheng era, to 846, the sixth year of the Huichang era, under the era name Huichang. During his reign he appointed Li Deyu as chief councillor, expelled mem

Li Heng (795–824), originally named Li You, was the third son of Emperor Xianzong of Tang, Li Chun, and the thirteenth emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 820 to 824 under the temple name Muzong. After the death of his elder brother, Crown Prince Huizhao Li Ning, Li Heng was made crown prince with support from his maternal relatives and forces at court. When Emperor Xianzong died suddenly in 820, the fifteenth

Emperor Daizong of Tang, Li Yu (November 11, 726–June 10, 779), originally named Li Chu and courtesy name Jiansu, was a native of Didao in Longxi (present-day Lintao County, Gansu). He was the ninth emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from May 18, 762 to June 10, 779, and the eldest son of Emperor Suzong of Tang, Li Heng, by Empress Zhangjing, Lady Wu. Li Yu was described as benevolent, filial, gentle, and respectf

Li Chen (810–859), originally named Li Yi, was the thirteenth son of Emperor Xianzong of Tang and the seventeenth emperor of the Tang Dynasty, reigning from 846 to 859. His era name was Dazhong, his temple name was Xuanzong, and his posthumous name was Emperor Yuansheng Zhiming Chengwu Xianwen Ruizhi Zhangren Shencong Yidao Daxiao. Later generations called him the “Little Taizong,” and his reign became known as the D

Li Heng (October 19, 711–May 16, 762), also known at different times as Li Sisheng, Li Jun, Li Yu, and Li Shao, was the third son of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, and Empress Yuanxian Yang. He was the eighth emperor of the Tang Dynasty, reigning from 756 to 762. During the An Lushan Rebellion, he ascended the throne at Lingwu, directed the counteroffensive, employed generals including Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi,

Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, Li Ye (March 31, 867–September 22, 904), was originally named Li Jie, changed his name to Li Min after being designated imperial younger brother and heir, and later changed it again to Li Ye after accession. He was the twentieth emperor of the Tang dynasty, the seventh son of Emperor Yizong of Tang and younger brother of Emperor Xizong, and his birth mother was Empress Gongxian, Lady Wang. I

An able khan of the Second Turkic Khaganate, he maintained peaceful trade with Tang under Tonyukuk's guidance and presided over a revival of the khaganate in his later years.

Li Zhan (seventh day of the sixth lunar month in the fourth year of Yuanhe, July 22, 809 – eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in the second year of Baoli, January 9, 827) was the fourteenth emperor of the Tang dynasty. He was the eldest son of Li Heng, Emperor Muzong of Tang, and his mother was Empress Gongxi, Lady Wang. He was the elder brother of Li Ang, later Emperor Wenzong of Tang, and Li Yan, later Emperor W

A late-Tang emperor who fled west to Sichuan during Huang Chao's rebellion; during his reign the Tang dynasty's decline accelerated.

Li Zhu (892–908), originally named Li Zuo, was the ninth son of Li Ye, Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, and Empress Dowager Jishan, Lady He. He was the final emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 904, the first year of Tianyou, to 907, the fourth year of Tianyou. Throughout his life he was controlled by the powerful warlord Zhu Wen, later Zhu Huang, founding emperor of Later Liang. His accession, abdication, and death

An Qingxu (?–759), courtesy name Renzhi, was a native of Liucheng in Yingzhou (present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). He was the second son of An Lushan, Prince of Dongping under the Tang and holder of the three northeastern military commissions; his mother was Lady Kang. His original name was Renzhi, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang later bestowed the name Qingxu. Skilled in riding and archery, he was described as introverted

Li Shi (May 27, 742–February 25, 805), childhood name Tiaolang, was a native of Chengji in Longxi (present-day Qin'an County, Gansu). He was the tenth emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 779 to 805, the eldest son of Emperor Daizong Li Yu, and the son of Empress Ruizhen, Lady Shen. Early in his reign, Li Shi governed energetically, appointed Yang Yan to implement the Two-Tax System, and strongly advocated curb

Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian (yichou day of the eleventh lunar month of the first year of the Xianqing era, November 26, 656 – renwu day of the sixth lunar month of the fourth year of the Jinglong era, July 3, 710), originally named Li Zhe, was the fourth emperor of the Tang dynasty. He was the seventh son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and the third son born to Wu Zetian. He ascended the throne twice. His

Baoyi Khan (?–821), of the Ädiz clan, was the ninth khagan of the steppe Uyghur Khaganate during the Tang period, the eldest concubine-born son of Huaixin Khan and elder brother of Tengri Khan. He succeeded to the throne in 808 and in the same year received investiture from Emperor Xianzong of Tang as Baoyi Khan. The following year he sent envoys requesting that the ethnonym used by the Tang court be changed from Hui

Li Cui (December 28, 833–August 15, 873), originally named Li Wen, was the eighteenth emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He was born on the fourteenth day of the eleventh month in the seventh year of the Dahe era (833) at a princely residence in Chang'an County, Jingzhao Prefecture (present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi). He was the eldest son of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Chen, and Empress Yuanzhao, Lady Chao. In 846 he was create

Li Ang (20 November 809 – 10 February 840), originally named Li Han, was the fifteenth emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the second son of Emperor Muzong Li Heng. His mother was Empress Zhenxian Xiao. His posthumous name was Yuansheng Zhaoxian Xiao Emperor, his temple name was Wenzong, and he was buried at Zhangling. During the reign period given in the introduction as 827–840, he sought to eliminate eunuch power and l

Li Song (twelfth day of the first lunar month of the second year of the Shangyuan era, February 21, 761 – nineteenth day of the first lunar month of the first year of the Yuanhe era, February 11, 806) had ancestral origins in Didao, Longxi (present-day Lintao County, Gansu Province), and was born in the Eastern Inner Palace at Chang'an. He was the eleventh emperor of the Tang dynasty, the eldest son of Emperor Dezong

Kim Beop-min (626–681), whose family name was Kim and personal name Beop-min, was the thirtieth monarch of Silla, reigning from 661 to 681. He was a son of King Taejong Muyeol, Kim Chunchu, a nephew of the noted Silla general Kim Yu-sin, and also Kim Yu-sin's son-in-law. In his early years he served as an envoy to the Tang dynasty and personally participated in the war that destroyed Baekje. During his reign, he coop

Piluoge (697–748), also recorded under the Chinese variant names Kuai Lejue and Zhuoluoji, and as Meng Guiyi, was the fourth ruler of Mengshe Zhao, the predecessor of Nanzhao, and the founding ruler of the Nanzhao state. During his reign from 728 to 748, and with support from the Tang court, he annexed the other five zhao, unified the Erhai region, and established the Nanzhao regime. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang granted

Suluk Qaghan (died 738) was the third qaghan of the Türgesh Khaganate and an important political and military leader in the Western Regions during the eighth century. He came from the Chebishi division of the Türgesh. When the Türgesh Khaganate fell into disorder after attacks by Qapaghan Qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate, Suluk gathered the surviving forces and brought the tribes back under command. The source s

King Uija (599–660), of the Buyeo royal clan and personal name Uija, was the thirty-first king of Baekje and the eldest son of King Mu of Baekje, the kingdom’s thirtieth ruler. King Uija was known for filial conduct from youth and was praised by contemporaries as the “Zengzi of the Eastern Sea.” In 641, the fifteenth year of the Zhenguan era under Emperor Taizong of Tang, he inherited the throne. During his reign he

Li Chun (778–820), Emperor Xianzong of Tang, was the eleventh emperor of the Tang dynasty. During his reign from 805 to 820, he applied himself to government and pursued policies to curb the military governorships, achieving substantial results in what became known as the Yuanhe Restoration. Li Chun was the eldest son of Emperor Shunzong of Tang, Li Song; his mother was Empress Zhuangxian, Lady Wang. After taking the

Li Dan (662–716), eighth son of Emperor Gaozong and youngest son of Wu Zetian, was the fifth emperor of the Tang, ruling twice: from 684 to 690 as a nominal emperor under his mother's regency, when he was reduced to imperial heir and given the surname Wu, and from 710 after the Tanglong coup until his abdication in 712 in favour of his son Li Longji, after which he was retired emperor until 713, when the fall of Prin

Tuli Khan (603–631), of the Ashina clan and personal name Shibo'bi, was the legitimate son of Shibi Qaghan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and a nephew of Illig Qaghan. In 619, the second year of Wude, he did not succeed to the khaganate because of his youth and was instead appointed Nibu Shad by his uncle Chuluo Qaghan to govern the eastern part of the Turkic realm. After Illig Qaghan came to power, Shibo'bi was mad

Mo Chuo Khan (665–716), of the Ashina clan and personal name Gui in the Chinese source tradition, was the second qaghan of the Second Turkic Khaganate, ruling from 691 to 716. The Orkhon Turkic inscriptions refer to him as Apa Qaghan. His elder brother was Qutlugh, Ilterish Qaghan. During Mo Chuo's reign, the Second Turkic Khaganate reached the height of its power. It attacked the Khitan and Xi in the east, campaigne

Guli Peiluo, posthumously and diplomatically known as Huairen Qaghan, was the leader who established the Uyghur Khaganate in the Orkhon region in 744. A member of the Yaoluoge clan, he first rose within the political order of the Second Turkic Khaganate. He joined the Basmyls and Karluks in the struggle that brought down the Turkic ruler in 742, then defeated the Basmyl leadership and assumed the title Qutlugh Bilge

King Bojang, also called Go Bojang or Go Jang, was the last ruler of Goguryeo. He reigned from 642 to 668, but for most of that time effective power was held by the military leader Yeon Gaesomun. After Yeon’s death, conflict among his sons weakened the kingdom. Tang and Silla forces captured Pyongyang in 668, ending Goguryeo’s rule. Bojang was taken to Tang territory, where he received official titles and was later s

Dae Qinmu (d. 793) was the third ruler of Balhae and a son of its second ruler, Dae Muye. He came to power in 737, after the death of his father and the earlier death of the crown prince, Dae Dorihaeng. He ruled for more than five decades and was posthumously honored as King Mun. His reign encompassed the expansion of Balhae's administrative institutions, the development and relocation of its capitals, and sustained

Zuwu Khan (dates unknown), whose Khitan name was Dinian Zuli (also written Dinian Juli or Dinian Zuli in Chinese transcription), belonged to the Yaonian clan and was khagan of the Khitan Yaonian tribal confederation during the Tang period. His polity was an important predecessor of the Liao state on the eve of its formation. During his tenure, the Khitans maneuvered between the Tang Dynasty and the Turkic khaganate:

The Chinese source cache identifies this person as a king associated with Five Dynasties. This entry preserves the source-backed identity and records the available chronology without adding unsupported claims.

Ashina Simo (583–647) was a Turkic noble, the son of Tughruq Shad of the Ashina clan. After the Tang Dynasty granted him the surname Li, he was also known as Li Simo. During political changes within the Eastern Turkic Khaganate at the end of the Sui period, tribes north of the Gobi briefly acclaimed him as Khagan; he relinquished the title after Yami Qaghan returned. In the early Tang period, Simo was repeatedly sent

Inan (d. 645, the nineteenth year of the Zhenguan era), of the Yiliduo clan and also called Yishi Yinan, was a leader of the Xueyantuo and held the title Zhenzhu Bilgä Qaghan. In 629, the third year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of Tang formally invested him with the title. The following year he assisted Tang in destroying the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, after which he became dominant in the Mongolian steppe and emerged

Qu Zhisheng was the last king of Gaochang. He succeeded his father Qu Wentai in 640 as a Tang army led by Hou Junji approached the capital. Qu attempted to negotiate lenient terms, but the Western Turkic relief force did not arrive and the Tang army brought siege engines against the city. Qu opened the gates and surrendered, ending the Gaochang kingdom. The Tang court moved him to Chang'an, appointed him General of t

Ashina Helu (d. 659), of the Ashina clan, was a Western Turkic noble who served as yabghu and later proclaimed himself Shaboluo Qaghan. After a succession crisis within the Western Turks, he submitted to the Tang and received official appointments, including command in a campaign against Kucha. After Emperor Taizong's death, Helu broke with the Tang, proclaimed himself qaghan, united the Duolu and Nushibi tribes, and

Soge, who died in 711, was the eldest son of Wuzhile and succeeded him as a ruler of the Turgesh. The Tang court recognized his succession in 706 and granted him the titles Prince of Huaide, General of the Left Cavalry Guard, and Minister of the Imperial Household. A conflict involving the Tang administration in Anxi and the Turgesh leader Ashina Quechuozhongjie led to open fighting in 708. Soge's forces took control

Liang Shidu (d. 628) was a local magnate and regional warlord from Shuofang in Xiazhou during the transition from Sui to Tang. In 617, he rebelled against the Sui, seized Xiazhou, and styled himself Grand Chancellor. He later expanded his territory with support from the Eastern Turks, established the Liang regime, proclaimed himself emperor, and adopted the era name Yonglong. After the Tang was founded, Liang Shidu c

Dae Muye was the second ruler of Balhae and the eldest son of its founder, Dae Joyeong. He ruled from 719 to 737 and was later known as King Mu. After Dae Joyeong’s death, Dae Muye succeeded him, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang invested him with titles including Prince of Balhae and Governor of Huhan Prefecture. In 719, Dae Muye adopted the era name Inan, making him the first Balhae ruler to use a state era name. He str

Songtsen Gampo (Tibetan: སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ་; Wylie: Srong bTsan sGam Po; 617–650) is rendered as Qizong Nongzan in the *New Book of Tang*, Qizong Nongzan in the *Cefu Yuangui*, and Qisu Nongzan in the *Tongdian*. He was said to be from Qiongwa Daze (present-day Qonggyai in the Shannan region of Tibet), belonged to the Yarlung royal house, was the thirty-third Tsenpo of Tibet, and was effectively the founder of the Tibe

The Chinese source cache identifies this person as a historical figure associated with Chinese history. This entry preserves the source-backed identity and records the available chronology without adding unsupported claims.

Guo Ziyi (697–781), a native of Zheng County in Huazhou, was a major military commander of the mid-Tang Dynasty. He entered official service through the military examinations and spent many years on the northern frontier. After the An Lushan Rebellion broke out in 755 (fourteenth year of the Tianbao era), he took command of the Shuofang Army and fought alongside Li Guangbi and others in Hebei and Hedong. In 757 (seco

Di Renjie was born in 630, the fourth year of the Zhenguan era, and died in 700, the first year of the Jiushi era of Wu Zhou. His courtesy name was Huaiying. A native of Taiyuan in Bingzhou, he was an official under the Tang and Wu Zhou and ultimately rose to Director of the Secretariat. He entered official service through the Mingjing examination and successively served in local administration, censorship, and judic

Wei Zheng was a prominent minister under Emperor Taizong of Tang, renowned for forthright remonstrance. He supervised compilation of the *Book of Sui* and helped shape the political ethos of the Zhenguan reign.

Li Jing (571–July 2, 649), courtesy name Yaoshi and in one account originally named Yaoshi, was from Sanyuan in Yong Prefecture, with ancestral origins in Didao County of Longxi Commandery. He belonged to the Danyang branch of the Longxi Li clan. An outstanding military strategist of the late Sui and early Tang, he was one of the Twenty-four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion, was created Duke of Wei, and was

Fang Xuanling (579–August 18, 648), personal name Qiao and courtesy name Xuanling, was generally known by his courtesy name; his spirit-way stele, however, gives his personal name as Xuanling. During the Qing dynasty his name was also written Fang Yuanling to avoid the personal-name taboo of the Kangxi Emperor. A native of Linzi County in Qi Prefecture (present-day Linzi District, Zibo, Shandong), he was a leading Gr

Xue Rengui (614–March 24, 683), personal name Li and courtesy name Rengui, was generally known by his courtesy name. He came from Xiu Village in Longmen County, Jiang Prefecture, Hedong Circuit, in present-day Hejin, Shanxi; his ancestral home was Fenyin County, Hedong Commandery, in present-day Wanrong County, Yuncheng, Shanxi. A major general of the early Tang Dynasty, he was a sixth-generation descendant of Xue An

Du Ruhui (585–630), courtesy name Keming, was a native of Duling in Jingzhao, southeast of present-day Xi'an. He was a leading grand councilor of the early Tang and ranked third among the Twenty-four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion. Born into the Jingzhao Du clan, he served briefly as commandant of Fuyang late in the Sui before resigning. After Li Yuan and his sons entered Chang'an, Li Shimin recruited Du R

Zhangsun Wuji (594?–659), courtesy name Fuji, was from Luoyang County in Henan Commandery, east of present-day Luoyang in Henan. An early-Tang statesman and imperial relative, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qi and later Duke of Zhao and ranked first among the Twenty-four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion. He was the elder brother of Empress Zhangsun, wife of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and maternal uncle of Emperor

Zhang Jiuling was a prominent chancellor of the late Kaiyuan era. He was celebrated for a clear, restrained poetic style and was the author of the *Qujiang Ji*. After he was removed from the chancellorship, Li Linfu came to dominate government.

Shi Siming (703–761), originally named Ashina Zugan, also recorded as Sugan, and courtesy name Zugan, was from Ningyi Prefecture in Yingzhou, present-day Chaoyang in Liaoning. He was a Tang rebel and one of the principal leaders of the An Lushan Rebellion. His ethnic background is disputed. The two Tang histories describe him as a “mixed Turkic Hu” or as of “Turkic stock,” while modern scholars have variously argued