Is “Ruizong passed the throne to Crown Prince Li Longji and retired as the Grand Emperor” true?
According to the 'Old Book of Tang: Annals of Zhongzong and Ruizong', Ruizong Li Dan, in the second year of Jingyun, following celestial omens, 'in the eighth month, on the gengzi day, the emperor passed the throne to the Crown Prince and called himself the Grand Emperor.' In chapter 78 of 'Sui and Tang Romance', it is written that Ruizong issued an edict ordering the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, 'honoring Ruizong as the Grand Emperor', and changed the era name to Xiantian, which is consistent with the official history.
In the official history, Ruizong ascended the throne twice and then abdicated to Xuanzong; the novel similarly depicts his abdication and retirement as the Grand Emperor.
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