of the T^ang dynasty. Hence he was popularly known as ^ ^ . He first distinguished himself in 710 by the energetic action which j^aced his &ther upon the throne (see Li Helen). He was then called upon to &ce an attempt on the part of his aunt, the T'ai- p4ng Princess I to displace him; but this he succeeded in crushing, and entered upon what promised to be a glorious reign. He began with economy, dosing the silk factories and forbidding the palace ladies to wear jewels or embroideries, considerable quantities of which were actually burnt. Until 740 the country was fairly prosperous. The administration was improved, the empire was divided into fifteen provinces, and schools were established in every village. The Emperor was a patron of literature and himself a poet of no mean capacity. His love of war however and his growing extravagance led to increased taxation. Fond of music, he founded a college for training youth of both sexes in this art He surrounded himself by a brilliant Court, welcoming such, men as the poet Id Po, at first for their talents alone, but afterwards for their readiness to participate in scenes of revelry and dissipation provided for the amusement of the Imperial concubine, the ever-famous Tang Kuei- fei. Eunuchs were appointed to official posts, and the grossest forms of religious superstition were encouraged. Women ceased to veil themselves as of old. Gradually the Emperor left all power in the hands of Li Lin-fu and of Yang Euo-chung, the brother of Tang Euei-fei. The uselessness of the militia led to the enrolment of regular troops, which very much increased the power of the provincial (Governors. At length in 755 came the rebellion of An Lu-shan, and in 756 the now aged Emperor fled to SsHch'uan, undergoing the agony of seeing his beloved Tang Kuei-fei butchered before his eyes. There he abdicated in favour of his son who bestowed upon him the title of ^ Jl M ^^ *^^ allotted to him a palace in which he lived in seclusion , deprived even of
