Emperor Shunzong of Tang
Emperor Shunzong of Tang (February to March 761 – February 11, 806), personal name Li Song, was an emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was created crown prince in 779 and became emperor in 805 after the death of his father Emperor Dezong, of whom he was the oldest son. His reign lasted less than a year, as, due to his illness, the powerful eunuchs were able to get him to approve a transfer of the throne to his son Li Chun (Emperor Xianzong). Emperor Shunzong was honored with the title of Taishang Huang (retired emperor). He died in 806, with some later historians suspecting that he was murdered by the eunuchs who arranged for Emperor Xianzong's succession.
| Emperor Shunzong of Tang 唐順宗 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Emperor of the Tang dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
| Reign | February 28 – August 28, 805 | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Emperor Dezong | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Xianzong | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | Feb to Mar 761 | ||||||||||||||||
| Died | February 11, 806 (aged 44-45) | ||||||||||||||||
| Burial | Feng Mausoleum (豐陵) | ||||||||||||||||
| Consorts | Lady Xiao of Lanling (died 790) Empress Zhuangxian (m. 775–806) | ||||||||||||||||
| Issue | Emperor Xianzong Li Jing Li Wei Li Zong Li Shu Li Chou Li Zong Li Yue Li Jie Li Xiang Li Qiu Li Qi Li Xuan Li Ji Li Xun Li Wan Li Shan Li Hong Li Gun Li Shen Li Lun Li Chuo Li Ji Princess Hanyang Princess Lianggongjing Princess Dongyang Princess Xihe Princess Yun'an Princess Xiangyang Princess Guo Princess Puyang Princess Wen'an Princess Xunyang Princess Ping'en Princess Shaoyang | ||||||||||||||||
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| House | Li | ||||||||||||||||
| Dynasty | Tang | ||||||||||||||||
| Father | Emperor Dezong | ||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Empress Zhaode | ||||||||||||||||
| Tang Shunzong | |||||||
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| Chinese | 唐順宗 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | "Favorable Ancestor of the Tang" | ||||||
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| Li Song | |||||||
| Chinese | 李誦 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | (personal name) | ||||||
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During his short reign, Emperor Shunzong and his close associates Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi employed individuals such as Liu Zongyuan, Liu Yuxi, Han Ye (韓瞱), and Han Tai (韓泰), in trying to reform and rejuvenate the administration. His reforms, intended to strengthen imperial power over regional warlords and eunuchs, were later known as the Yongzhen Reformation (永貞革新), named after his era name of Yongzhen. While Emperor Shunzong's associates lost power after his yielding of the throne, Emperor Xianzong's subsequent reign was known for its reassertion of imperial power.