From the triumph of Wu Zetian to the splendor of Xuanzong’s court, the Tang reached extraordinary heights. How did it all come undone?
In Part 9 of From Pangu to Puyi, we continue the story from China’s only female emperor through the Tang’s golden age and its long, turbulent decline. We follow Wu Zetian’s bold claim to the throne, the palace struggles that followed her reign, and the flourishing world of Emperor Xuanzong—where poetry, prosperity, and the celebrated romance with Yang Guifei shared the stage with dangerous political rivalries.
Then comes the An Lushan Rebellion, shattering the empire and changing the dynasty’s course forever. The Tang survives, but powerful military governors, palace eunuchs, and recurring upheavals steadily weaken the throne. From the devastation of the Huang Chao Rebellion to Zhu Wen’s final seizure of power in 907, this episode traces more than two centuries of ambition, brilliance, and catastrophe—and brings one of Chinese history’s greatest dynasties to its dramatic close.
Here's the list of Chinese names. I hope this has been useful to at least a few of you:
Wǔ Zétiān 武则天 / Emperor Shèngshén 聖神皇帝 / Zétiān Dàshèng Huángdì 則天大聖皇帝, Lǐ Lóngjī 李隆基 / Prince of Línzī 临淄王 /Emperor Xuánzōng 唐玄宗, Ān Lùshān 安禄山, Táng Gāozōng 唐高宗, Lǐ Xián 李贤, Lǐ Xiǎn 李显 / Lǐ Zhé 李哲 / Zhōngzōng Emperor 唐中宗, Lǐ Xùlún 李旭轮 / Emperor Ruìzōng 唐睿宗, Lǐ Jìngyè 李敬业, Lǐ Zhēn 李贞, Lǐ Chōng 李冲, Lái Jùnchén 來俊臣. Zhōu Xīng 周兴, Tàipíng Gōngzhǔ 太平公主, Zhāng Chāngzōng 张昌宗, Zhāng YìzhĪ 张易之, Empress Wéi 韋皇后, Lǐ Guǒ’ér 李裹儿 / Princess Ānlè 安乐公主, Lǐ Chóngjùn 李重俊, Emperor Shāngdì 唐殇帝, Lǐ Bái 李白, Dú Fǔ 杜甫, Wáng Wéi 王维, Mèng Hàorán 孟浩然, Wáng Chānglíng 王昌龄, Gāo Shì 高适, Yáo Chóng 姚崇, Sòng Jīng 宋璟, hāng Jiǔlíng 张九龄, Lǐ Línfǔ 李林甫, Yáng Yùhuán 杨玉环 / Yáng Guìfēi 杨贵妃, Lǐ Mào 李瑁, Yáng Guózhōng 杨国忠, Gāo Xiānzhī 高仙芝, Gāo Lìshì 高力士, Táng Sùzōng 唐肃宗, Ān Qìngxù 安庆绪, Shǐ Sīmíng 史思明, Shǐ Cháoyì 史朝义, Guō Zǐyí 郭子仪, Lǐ Guāngbì 李光, Yīngwǔ Kèhán 英武可汗, Lǐ Shāngyǐn 李商隐, Dù Mù 杜牧, Emperor Dàizōng 唐代宗, Emperor Dézōng 唐德宗, Emperor Xiànzōng 唐宪宗, Hán Yù 韩愈, Emperor Mùzōng 唐穆宗, Emperor Jìngzōng 唐敬宗, Emperor Wénzōng 唐文宗, Emperor Wǔzōng 唐武宗, Lǐ Yí 李怡 / Emperor Xuānzōng 唐宣宗, Huáng Cháo 黄巢, Wáng Xiānzhī 王仙芝, Emperor Yìzōng 唐懿宗, Lǐ Kèyòng 李克用, Zhū Wēn 朱温 / Zhū Quánzhōng 朱全忠, Emperor Xiànzōng 唐宪宗, Emperor Zhāozōng 唐昭宗, Emperor Āi 唐哀帝.
