Rise of Xian Tang Dynasty

When Did The Tang Originate?

A dynasty is a family of rulers, who pass leadership from one generation to the next. In ancient China, there were many such dynasties. The Xian Tang Dynasty 600-700ad was among the most famous, chiefly for the reforms that it was able to accomplish.

The Sui Dynasty, which immediately preceded the Xian Tang Dynasty, came to power after having defeated the Chen Dynasty in the year 589. By the year 611, with rare exceptions, China, united under the Sui Dynasty, had had more than two decades of peace and prosperity. But, in 611, the Sui emperor, Yang Guang, commenced preparations for a military campaign against Goguryeo, a kingdom in ancient Korea. Emperor Yang led three military offensives against Goguryeo. Only the third one was successful. Heavy casualties and the disruption of farming caused a series of rebellions among the agrarian populace, which Yang could never suppress. Yang promised to reward anybody who would help him defeat the rebels, but he never made good on his promises.

By 617, large portions of China were controlled by different rebel factions. Several of these rebel leaders were backed militarily by Ashina Duojishi, the head of the royal house in Eastern Tujue. In the winter of 617, Li Yuan, one of these leaders, captured Chang'an city, capital of the Sui empire. (Chang'an is now the city of Xi'an.) He declared that Emperor Yang was now the "retired emperor", and then declared that Yang You was now the new emperor. Li Yuan granted himself the title, "Prince of Tang". For the most part, though, the Sui territories refused to acknowledge these declarations. Meanwhile, Yang Guang and his forces remained in the coastal city of Jiangdu.

Additionally, soldiers began deserting from Emperor Yang's army. For this, Yang meted out severe punishments. The army officers who remained plotted against Yang, and chose General Yuwen Huaji as their leader. In the spring of 618, they carried out their coup, killing Emperor Yang. Yuwen declared that Emperor Yang's nephew, Yang Hao, would be the new emperor. Yang Hao took the title of "Emperor Gong".

When this news spread throughout the empire, two factions declared a new emperor. Li Yuan had Emperor Gong surrender the throne to him, and established the Tang Dynasty. He declared himself as "Emperor Gaozu". In Luoyang, seven leaders declared that Yang Tong, grandson of the deceased Emperor Yang, would be the new emperor. Most of the prefectures that still recognized the Sui Dynasty supported Yang Tong.

Meanwhile, General Yuwen and his troops were advancing northward, toward Luoyang. This frightened the administrators of Luoyang sufficiently that they formed a temporary alliance with Li Mi, who had formerly been a rebel leader against the Sui. Li Mi pledged his allegiance to Yang Tong, and helped repel General Yuwen and his forces.

Previously, Emperor Yang Guang had sent General Wang Shichong to Luoyang in order to defend against Li Mi and his rebel army. Now, General Wang opposed the alliance that had been made with Li Mi. Later in 618, Wang executed a surprise attack against Li Mi, which forced him to flee to Tang. Tang forces killed Li Mi when he later declared his own independence.

By 628, Emperor Taizong had taken Emperor Gaozu's place as the Xian Tang Dynasty's new leader. During that year, after a series of military conquests, all of China had been brought under Taizong's control.