Emperor Xizong of Tang


Emperor Xizong of Tang , n Li Yan, later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong. His reign saw his realm overrun by the great agrarian rebellions led by Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao, and while both were eventually defeated, by the end of Emperor Xizongs reign, the Tang state had virtually disintegrated into pieces ruled by individual warlords, rather than the imperial government, and would never recover, falling eventually in 907.

Li Yan was born on June 8, 862, at the eastern palace in the Tang imperial capital Changan, as the fifth son of thenreigning Emperor Yizong. His mother was Emperor Yizongs concubine Consort Wang, who carried the title of Guifei, the highest rank carried by imperial consorts. In 865, Li Yan was created the Prince of Pu at that time, his older brother Li Kan was created the Prince of Ying. Consort Wang died a year later, in 866. As he was growing up, one of his constant companions was the eunuch Tian Lingzi, who attended to the stables at his mansion.

Source: Wikipedia