Is “Li Fuguo forged an edict to force the abdication of the Emperor Xuanzong and captured and killed Empress Zhang at Suzong's deathbed.” true?
The Old Book of Tang, Biographies of Empresses and Consorts, Part 2, records that when Suzong was critically ill, Empress Zhang plotted to establish Prince Yue Li Xi and depose the Crown Prince Li Yu. Li Fuguo raised troops and captured Xi, 'soon after, Suzong died, the Crown Prince supervised the state, and then moved the Empress to another palace, where she was secretly killed.' In Chapter 100 of the Sui and Tang Romance, it is written that Fuguo saw Suzong seriously ill, 'Empress Zhang intended to depose the Crown Prince and establish another prince. Li Fuguo killed Empress Zhang and established the Crown Prince as Daizong.' The eunuch's power-grabbing and palace coup are entirely derived from official history.
In the official history, when Suzong was critically ill, Li Fuguo raised troops and imprisoned Empress Zhang. The novel faithfully dramatizes Fuguo killing the empress and establishing Daizong.
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