Emperor Ruizong of Tang

Emperor Ruizong of Tang (22 June 662 – 13 July 716), personal name Lǐ Dàn, known at times during his life as Li Xulun, Li Lun, Wu Lun, and Wu Dan, is the fifth and ninth emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

He is the eighth son of Emperor Gaozong and the fourth son of Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu (later known as Wu Zetian).

In February 684, Li Dan's mother Empress Wu demotes his older brother Emperor Zhongzong (Li Xian) who had attempted to rule free of his mother, and names him emperor (as Emperor Ruizong).

Emperor Ruizong, however, is a puppet under control of his mother and does not have any real power.

In October 690, he cedes the imperial throne to his mother, who installs herself as "emperor" – the only woman in Chinese history ever to rule as emperor.

Emperor Ruizong is reduced to the position of crown prince, with the unconventional title of Huangsi (literally "imperial heir").

In the following years, Empress Wu's nephews Wu Chengsi and Wu Sansi try to have one of them named heir to the throne, but Wu Zetian resists these calls.

Eventually, in October 698, faced with foreign invasion and dissatisfaction at home, Empress Wu accepts the suggestion of the chancellor Di Renjie and recalls the exiled Li Xian to the capital Luoyang.

Soon, Li Dan offers to yield the position of crown prince to his elder brother, and Li Xian becomes crown prince instead.

In 705, a coup overthrows Wu Zetian and restores Emperor Zhongzong to the throne.

The five years of Emperor Zhongzong's reign are dominated by Zhongzong's empress consort, Empress Wei.

In the beginning of July 710, Emperor Zhongzong dies, allegedly poisoned by Empress Wei, who then names Zhongzong's youngest son Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen emperor (as Emperor Shang).

A mere two weeks later, Li Dan's sister Princess Taiping and Li Dan's son Li Longji the Prince of Linzi launch a coup that results in the death of Empress Wei.

Princess Taiping, Li Longji, and Li Longji's brother Li Chengqi the Prince of Song then persuade Li Dan to take the throne himself, and he agrees, returning the throne in Emperor Shang's stead.

Li Longji, although not the oldest son, is made crown prince on account of his accomplishments.

Soon, however, tensions between Princess Taiping, who has many supporters, and Li Longji.

Eventually, in September 712, Emperor Ruizong, believing that astrological signs call for a change of emperors, abdicates in favor of Li Longji (as Emperor Xuanzong).

However, at Princess Taiping's suggestion, Emperor Ruizong, now carrying the title of Taishang Huang (retired emperor), continues to wield actual power.

However, in 713, suspecting Princess Taiping of planning a coup, Emperor Xuanzong acts first, killing her associates and forcing her to commit suicide.

After the death of Princess Taiping, Emperor Ruizong himself yields imperial powers to Emperor Xuanzong and leaves the governmental scene.

He dies in 716.

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