Transition of Power in the Tang Dynasty

The podcast delves into the shift of power during the Tang Dynasty, focusing on the rise and fall of key figures. Li Yuan's establishment of the Tang Dynasty marked the beginning of an era, followed by his son Li Shirmin, known as Tang Taizong, who is celebrated as one of China's greatest emperors. After his reign, the succession was marked by weakness, with Emperor Gaozong's ineffective rule leading to the rise of Wu Zetian, his powerful concubine, who eventually took control. The power dynamics shifted further with a palace revolt in 705 AD that removed Wu Zetian, leading to a turbulent seven years filled with intrigue and familial power struggles within the royal Li family.