Li Xian | |
---|---|
Crown Prince Zhanghuai | |
Crown Prince of the Tang dynasty | |
Reign | 675–680 |
Predecessor | Li Hong |
Successor | Emperor Zhongzong of Tang |
Prince of Yong 雍王 | |
Reign | 673–675 |
Prince of Pei 沛王 | |
Reign | 662–673 |
Prince of Lu 潞王 | |
Reign | 655–662 |
Born | 29 January 655 |
Died | 13 March 684 | (aged 29)
Spouse | Lady Fang (Princess of Yong) Lady Zhang (Liangdi) |
Issue | Li Guangshun, Prince of Lu Li Shouli Li Shouyi, Prince of Bi Princess Changshun |
Father | Emperor Gaozong of Tang |
Mother | Wu Zetian |
Li Xian (Chinese: 李賢; pinyin: Lǐ Xián; Wade–Giles: Li Hsien) (29 January 655 – 13 March 684), courtesy name Mingyun (Chinese: 明允; pinyin: Míngyǔn), formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai (Chinese: 章懷太子; pinyin: Zhānghuái Tàizǐ), named Li De (Chinese: 李德; pinyin: Lǐ Dé) from 675 to 680, was a crown prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was the sixth son of Emperor Gaozong, and the second son of his second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian). He was known for writing commentaries for the Book of Later Han, the official history of the Eastern Han dynasty. He became crown prince in 675 after his older brother Li Hong's death (which traditional historians believed to be a poisoning by Empress Wu), but soon fell out of favor and generosity with Empress Wu herself and that's what caused his downfall. In 680, Empress Wu had her associates accuse Li Xian of treason, and he was demoted to commoner rank and exiled. In 684, after Emperor Gaozong's death, Empress Wu, then empress dowager, had her associate Qiu Shenji (丘神勣) visit Li Xian to force him to commit suicide.
In 706, his younger brother Emperor Zhongzong provided Li Xian with an honorable burial by interring his remains at the Qianling Mausoleum.