Is “Zhang Yizhi's monopoly of power and execution in the Shenlong Coup” true?
The Old Book of Tang, Annals of Zhongzong and Ruizong, records that in the first year of Shenlong, Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan, and others 'led the imperial guards to kill Yizhi and Changzong, and welcomed the Crown Prince to supervise the state.' In Chapter 75 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Zhang Jianzhi and others behead the two Zhangs and restore Emperor Zhongzong, 'then presented the heads of Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi for verification, after which all officials offered congratulations and restored the national title to Tang.' The punishment and execution are completely consistent with the official history.
In the official history, the Zhang Yizhi brothers, relying on imperial favor, disrupted governance and were ultimately executed in the Shenlong Coup. The novel faithfully depicts their fate.
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