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
Emperor Shunzong of Tang (February to March 761[8] – February 11, 806[4]), 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.
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.
^According to Shunzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he assumed the throne on the bingshen day in the 1st month of the 21st year of the Zhenyuan era of Tang Dezong's reign. This date corresponds to 28 Feb 805 in the Gregorian calendar.「(贞元二十一年正月)丙申，即位于太极殿。」 Old Book of Tang, vol. 14.
^According to Tang Xianzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, Shunzong abdicated on the dingyou day of the 8th month of the year of his ascension, while Xianzong assumed the throne on the yisi day of the same month. These correspond to 28 Aug and 5 Sep 805 in the Gregorian calendar. [(顺宗即位之年八月)丁酉朔，受内禅。乙巳，即皇帝位于宣政殿。] Old Book of Tang, vol.14八月
^ abAccording to Shunzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he died aged 46 (by East Asian reckoning) on the jiashen day in the 1st month of the 1st year of the Yuanhe era of Tang Xianzong's reign. This corresponds to 11 Feb 806 in the Gregorian calendar. [(元和元年正月)甲申，太上皇崩于兴庆宫之咸宁殿，享年四十六岁] Old Book of Tang, vol.14
^According to Shunzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, the edict which proclaimed the Yongzhen era was issued on the xinchou day in the 8th month of the 21st year of the Zhenyuan era of Tang Dezong's reign. This date corresponds to 1 Sep 805 in the Gregorian calendar.「(贞元二十一年八月)辛丑，诰：“...宜改贞元二十一年为永贞元年。...”」 Old Book of Tang, vol. 14.
^According to Tang Xianzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, the Yuanhe era was proclaimed on the dingmao day in the 1st month of the 1st year of the Yuanhe era of Tang Xianzong's reign. This date corresponds to 25 Jan 806 in the Gregorian calendar.「(元和元年正月)丁卯，...，改元曰元和。」 Old Book of Tang, vol. 14.
^Emperor Shunzong actually did not declare the Yongzhen era until he had already passed the throne to Emperor Xianzong, but the Yongzhen era was still commonly associated with him rather than Emperor Xianzong.
^According to Shunzong's biography in the Old Book of Tang, he was born in the 1st month (Zhengyue) of the 2nd year of the Shangyuan era of Emperor Suzong's reign. This corresponds to 10 Feb to 10 March 761 in the Gregorian calendar. (上元二年正月生于长安之东内) Old Book of Tang, vol.14