Why did the most perfect princess of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Zheng, bravely shoulder the responsibility of an emperor's daughter in the war-torn years, die in childbirth?
The princesses of the Tang Dynasty can be said to be the most famous group of princesses in ancient history. There are some heroines, such as Princess Pingyang Zhao who raised an army in the Sizhu Garden; Princess of the city; she has participated in politics, such as Princess Taiping who participated in several coups; she has been arrogant and overbearing, such as Princess Gaoyang who was rumored to have an affair with monk Bianji; she has been involved in spoiling the government, such as wanting to be the crown princess Princess Anle, etc., all left a mark in history. But when it comes to the role model of an emperor's daughter, it must be Tang Suzong's daughter Hezheng Princess. She has the gentleness and virtue of a woman and the bravery and perseverance of a man. She did everything an emperor's daughter should do in the war-torn years.
When Princess Hezheng was born, Tang Suzong Li Heng had not yet ascended to the throne of prince. She is the half-sister of Emperor Daizong Li Yu of the Tang Dynasty. Her mother is Empress Wu of Zhangjing. However, Wu passed away when Princess Hezheng was three years old. Princess Hezheng was raised by Wei Shi and she was 22 years old. Married to Liu Tan at a young age, Princess Hezheng has had multiple identities since then. She is a daughter, a daughter-in-law, a wife, a sister, a mother, and also a princess of the empire. And she played all these roles with heart and excellence.
Speaking of which, the marriage between Princess Hezheng and Liu Tan is quite interesting. Liu Tan’s brother Liu Cheng married the daughter of Yang Guifei’s sister, Mrs. Qin Guo. This relationship may be the reason why the prince was the prince at that time. What Li Heng values is that you must know that Li Heng, the prince, has been quite aggrieved. It can be said that he is squeezed everywhere. Therefore, he is more cautious when choosing marriage for his children. Among them, the eldest son Li Yu's first wife Cui is the daughter of Concubine Yang's sister, Lady Han, and the husband-in-law of another daughter, Princess Gao Guo, is the son of Concubine Yang's sister, Lady Guo.
Although Princess Hezheng did not marry the son of Yang Guifei's sister, her sister-in-law in the Liu family was the daughter of Yang Guifei's sister, Mrs. Qin Guo. Li Heng's original intention may have been to seek political help or asylum, and to make a long-term plan for his children, but Princess Hezheng and Liu Tan, who were still princesses at the time, did not deliberately curry favor with Liu Cheng and his wife, and still regarded them as ordinary sisters-in-law. treat. However, Liu Cheng and his wife died one after another, leaving behind a young child who was entrusted to Princess Hezheng, who treated him like her own child.
Princess Hezheng can be regarded as a model of a virtuous woman. She is extremely filial and very kind to her brothers and sisters. In the second year of the Anshi Rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty fled to Shu. Princess Hezheng and Liutan's family also entered Shu. On the way, they met her sister Princess Ningguo. At that time, Princess Ningguo had become a widow and went to Shu alone. Shu was fleeing in great embarrassment. Princess Hezheng gave Liutan's horse to Princess Ningguo, while she walked with Liutan and her three sons. Along the way, Liutan chopped wood and fetched water, while Princess Hezheng lit a fire and cooked, and served Princess Ningguo wholeheartedly. Whenever there was any danger, Princess Ningguo would be in front, and Princess Hezheng behind, so as to ensure that Princess Ningguo was safe and sound.
She had nothing to say about her sister. When Suzong of the Tang Dynasty was seriously ill, Princess Hezheng served her wholeheartedly at his bedside. Suzong of the Tang Dynasty wanted to give her fields, but Princess Hezheng used her sister's treasure seal. The princess refused without reward. She is very kind to the people around her, and has a loving side and a strict side to her children. She is very frugal and requires her children to be thrifty and thrifty. They must not be extravagant or even arrogant just because they are royal relatives. These are the traditional outstanding female aspects of Princess Hezheng.
Besides this, Princess Hezheng is still a princess. She worries about the country and the people, cares about political affairs and war, and takes on the responsibility of the emperor's daughter in the war-torn times. She can be called a Gone with the Wind.
Abusi was suspected of colluding with Li Linfu and was killed instead. His wife was taken into Yeting as a slave. There was a banquet in the palace and she was asked to wear green clothes as a sign of advocating and Princess Hezheng. It was very unpleasant after reading it, just like the emperor's remonstrance. "New Book of Tang" records:
The main remonstrance said: "Bu Sicheng is a rebellious man, and his wife should not be allowed to approach the Supreme Being; if he is innocent, he should not be among the group. . "
Princess Hezheng considered things from the perspective of both the emperor and Absi, so the emperor easily accepted the suggestion. After Princess Hezheng and her family fled to Shu with Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, Shu was not peaceful either. Guo Qianren launched a rebellion. Li Longji, who had become the Supreme Emperor, went to Xuanying Tower to recruit Guo Qianren, but was rejected. At this time, Princess Hezheng had just been canonized as a princess, and her husband Liu Tan was the Prince Consort, leading troops to put down the rebellion. Princess Hezheng was very brave. She personally drew the bow for Liu Tan and cheered him up, and finally put down the rebellion.
Although Shu was temporarily stable, the situation across the country was not optimistic. Princess Hezheng began to do business. She was very business savvy and earned a lot of money. All of this money was used by Princess Hezheng in the army. Later, when Suzong of the Tang Dynasty passed away, Princess Hezheng also spent tens of millions of dollars. Such a heroic Princess Hezheng had little money herself. After her brother Tang Daizong succeeded to the throne, he asked the Jiedu envoys to pay tribute of over 100 million to Princess Hezheng, but Princess Hezheng refused.
She devoted herself to serving the country and the people. After Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded to the throne, she repeatedly reported on the pros and cons of the world and the prosperity and decline of the country, and made many contributions to the court. In the summer of 764, Tubo invaded the Tang Dynasty again, and the matter was urgent. "New Book of Tang" records:
The Tubo army invaded the Tang Dynasty again. "You don't have any brothers?" He entered the inner hall. The next day, he died without breastfeeding.
In other words, Princess Hezheng was pregnant at the time and was about to give birth. Then she went to the palace to discuss with her brother Tang Daizong about resisting Tubo. Liu Tan didn't want his wife to work too hard, but he couldn't stop her. In the end, Princess Hezheng went to the palace to discuss with Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty. As a result, she was too tired and the weather was hot. She developed fetal gas the next day and died of dystocia.
This day was June 25, 764, when Princess Hezheng was only 36 years old. She was thinking about the country until her death. It can be said that Princess Hezheng had the country, people, relatives, and friends in her heart, but not herself. In times of peace, she took care of her husband and raised her children, and was a standard good wife and mother. In times of war, she served the country and the people, and was a qualified emperor's daughter.