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Period: 618 to 626
Li Yuan
Li Yuan establishes the Tang Dynasty after overthrowing the Sui ruler in 618. He then takes the royal name, Emperor Tang Gaozu. -
Period: 626 to 649
Li Shimin
Li Shimin is Li Yuan's son. He was the real drive of the rebellion and was power-hungry. In the process, he had several of his brothers killed, and then his dad got the hint and stepped down from power. Li Shimin became emperor in 626 and takes the name, Emperor Tang Taizong. -
636
Wu Zhao
Emperor Tang Taizong takes Wu Zhao to be his concubine in 636. Her family were wealthy merchants and she was highly educated. She used her charm, looks, wit, sexuality, and sheer brutality to get what she wanted and quickly climbed through the ranks in the emperor's house. At one point, she has an affair with Taizong's son, Gaozong. -
649
Emperor Tang Taizong
He dies in 649 AD. -
649
Emperor Tang Gaozong
In 649, he takes reign over the Tang dynasty. -
650
Wu Zhao
After Taizong's death, she becomes Gaozong's concubine in 650 AD. -
651
Consort
In 651 AD, Gaozong makes Wu Zhao his consort, aka his wife. -
655
Wu Zetian
In 655, Wu Zhao is promoted to empress consort and takes the name Wu Zetian. -
Period: 660 to 683
Emperor Gaozong
In 660 AD, he has a stroke. From that point on, Wu Zetian becomes the de facto ruler. In 683 AD, he dies from natural causes. -
Period: 690 to 705
Huangai
In 690 AD, Wu Zetian deposed her son and becomes ruler of the dynasty. She is the only woman to ever do this in China and is considered Huangai. As Huangai, she picked her advisors from the best scorers on the civil service exam. In doing so, she completely transforms the Chinese government. While in power, the Tang dynasty reached its height. In 705 AD, she was deposed and died shortly after.