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Emperor Xuanzong of Tang唐玄宗

TangHistory × Fiction

Son of Emperor Ruizong, Emperor Xuanzong.

DIRECT FIGURES
101
RELATION RECORDS
164
SOURCE WORKS
5

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

7 figures · 9 records
3 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

14 figures · 20 records
11 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

7 figures · 9 records
4 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

2 figures · 2 records

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · History of Song · Old Book of Tang

Son of Emperor Ruizong, Emperor Xuanzong.

In fiction · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

Son of Prince Xiang, launched a coup, later became crown prince. ; Son of Emperor Ruizong of Tang, later ascended the throne as Emperor Xuanzong, quelled the rebellion of Princess Taiping. ; Emperor of the Tang dynasty, angered by Wang Maozhong's resentment, issued an edict to punish him.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    91 profile notes
    25 relations55 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangposthumous honorConfucius
    • Wu Zetiangrandparent-grandchildEmperor Xuanzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangenfeoff kingEmperor Gaozong of Song
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangfather-sonEmperor Gaozong of Tang
    Verified original text · 55
    1. 追赠孔宣父为文宣王

      posthumous honor · Old Book of Tang, 玄宗本纪下

    2. 可追谥为文宣王

      追谥文宣王 · Old Book of Tang, 礼仪志四

    53 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Official history

    History of Song

    5 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  3. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    26 profile notes
    11 relations18 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangfather-sonEmperor Suzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangappointGuo Ziyi
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangfavorAn Lushan
    • An LushanrebelEmperor Xuanzong of Tang
    Verified original text · 18
    1. 遂降旨即升郭子仪为朔方节度使

      appoint · Romance of Sui and Tang, 090

    2. 玄宗之侍安禄山,真如腹心

      favor · Romance of Sui and Tang, 083

    16 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. 66 profile notes
    5 relations6 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TanggrandfatherEmperor Dezong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TanggrandmotherWu Zetian
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangfather-sonEmperor Suzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangabdicateEmperor Suzong of Tang
    Verified original text · 6
    1. 玄宗一顾之曰:“真我儿也。”

      grandfather · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 定数五

    2. 唐天后尝召诸皇孙

      grandmother · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 宝二

    4 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  5. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    78 profile notes
    23 relations34 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangimitateLi Shimin
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tangfather-sonEmperor Suzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tanggrandparent-grandchildEmperor Zhongzong of Tang
    • Emperor Xuanzong of TangfavorAn Lushan
    Verified original text · 34
    1. 无复太宗之志

      imitate · New Book of Tang, 刑法志

    2. 封皇帝子嗣昇为陕王

      father-son · New Book of Tang, 睿宗玄宗本纪

    32 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

The official history records that Emperor Xuanzong indulged An Lushan's treating Consort Yang as his mother, while the novel embellishes the affair with their illicit relationship and the bath scandal.

  • The Old Book of Tang, Biographies of Empresses and Consorts, records that 'Lushan treated Consort Yang as his mother, and at every banquet, gifts were bestowed abundantly.' Emperor Xuanzong allowed him free access to the palace. The Sui and Tang Romance, Chapter 081, dramatizes that Consort Yang, in high spirits, had Lushan stripped and 'wrapped him entirely in brocade, like a swaddled infant,' paraded in a colorful sedan chair, with Emperor Xuanzong personally viewing and bestowing money. The novel adds fictional details of their illicit affair.

Relationship network

36 figures · 240 links
Emperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangLi ShiminLi ShiminConfuciusConfuciusEmperor Dezong of TangEmperor Dezong of TangWu ZetianWu ZetianEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangGuo ZiyiGuo ZiyiAn LushanAn LushanZhang YueTuboEmperor DaizongLi LinfuYang GuozhongYan ZhenqingShi SimingZhangsun WujiGuanyinEmperor RuizongSong JingPrincess TaipingLiu YanTaishang LaojunGeshu HanYao ChongLi FuguoZhang JiulingXu JingzongJade EmperorXiao ZhizhongGao LishiMo ChuoYu Chao'enZong Chuke
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 乐三; History of Song, 礼四志; New Book of Tang, 三王鲁辛冯三李曲二卢传; Old Book of Tang, 中宗睿宗本纪; Romance of Sui and Tang, 078; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 乐二; History of Song, 礼志十一; New Book of Tang, 东夷传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.