Li Sujie

Li Sujie (李素節) (646[1] – c.691[2]), formally the Prince of Xu (許王), was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was the fourth son of Emperor Gaozong, born of his one-time favorite Pure Consort Xiao. After Consort Xiao and Emperor Gaozong's wife Empress Wang were deposed and executed due to the machinations of Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian), Li Sujie was under the watchful eyes of Empress Wu, and was several times demoted on false accusations of misbehavior, In particular, as Emperor Gaozong's health deteriorated and government affairs fell to Empress Wu, Li's grief increased. During the Tianshou era, with Wu finally establishing her own dynasty, she continued to massacre Tang imperial clan members as she perceived them as threats, and she summoned Li Sujie and his older brother Li Shangjin (李上金) to the then-capital Luoyang. When they arrived near Luoyang, Empress Dowager Wu had him strangled, while Li Shangjin committed suicide.

  1. ^ The Old Book of Tang indicated that Li Sujie was six (by East Asian reckoning) when he was created the Prince of Yong in 651 (the 2nd year of the Yong'hui era of Tang Gaozong's reign); if that is correct, he was born in 646. However, the Old Book of Tang also indicated that he was 43 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died, which would make his birth year 648 or later (as he died during the Tian'shou era). (年六岁，永徽二年，封雍王......天授中...行至都城南龙门驿,被缢死，年四十三) Old Book of Tang, vol. 86. The death age of 43 was also given in the New Book of Tang, vol. 81 (至龙门驿被缢，年四十三)
  2. ^ Li's biography in volume 86 of the Old Book of Tang recorded that he died during the Tian'shou era (690-692) of Wu Zetian's reign.