Chapter 7 Erxuanzong and Gao Lishi: Monarchs and ministers as well as partners

The rise of eunuchs in the Tang Dynasty began with Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty. Xuanzong worked hard in the first half of his life and made remarkable achievements. It was in his hands that he created the most glorious golden age in feudal history-the Kaiyuan prosperity.At that time, the national power of the Tang Dynasty reached its peak. It was the most powerful empire in the world at that time, and even the deserts of Central Asia were under its dominion.In the early days of Xuanzong's rule, Wenzhiwugong was extremely outstanding. The Tang Empire made brilliant achievements in culture, politics, economy, diplomacy and other aspects, and there appeared many outstanding talents who could stand as an example through the ages.The civilization of the Tang Dynasty was unprecedentedly broad and prosperous, broad-minded, inclusive, and full of self-confidence. Therefore, it has become an important source of national pride for the Chinese people in the past dynasties.

Xuanzong's achievements are unprecedented and unprecedented, not only surpassing any emperor in history, but also no one in the future can surpass him.Kaiyuan has indeed opened up a new era and the most powerful and brilliant monument in the history of Chinese feudalism. This is a time of masculinity, inspiring and flourishing.Because of self-confidence, openness, generosity, broadness, and development, the prestige spreads all over the world. The crisis hidden behind the great prosperity is often overlooked.In the second half of his life, Xuanzong began a sensual life of pleasure, ignoring the government, and lingering on the great love of "willing to be a lovebird in the sky and Lian Lizhi in the earth" with Concubine Yang Guifei.The treacherous prime ministers Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong came to power successively, causing the situation of the entire Tang Empire to take a turn for the worse.In the early period of Xuanzong's reign, the society showed an unprecedented prosperity; in the later period of his reign, a rare social turmoil in history caused the Tang Dynasty to turn from prosperity to decline.In Xuanzong's body, the complexity of a historical figure is fully demonstrated.

The Anshi Rebellion was a turning point for the entire Tang Dynasty. After that, the political structure of the Tang Dynasty changed a lot. In addition to the aforementioned vassals and towns, there was also the rise of eunuch power.There is no doubt that the rampant eunuchs influenced the situation in the middle and late Tang Dynasty to a considerable extent, and they should even bear the most direct responsibility for the final collapse of the Tang Empire.The originator of the rise of eunuch power is the famous Tang Xuanzong in history.He also had a famous eunuch Gao Lishi under him, who was also one of the most famous eunuchs in history, and his reputation was even higher than that of Tian Lingzi.Of course, not a good reputation.

Eunuch is an official in ancient China who is castrated and loses sexual ability and is exclusively used by emperors, monarchs and their families.The master-slave relationship between the emperor and the eunuchs was realized in most cases in Chinese history in accordance with laws and ethical norms, and there were exceptions when the master was weak and the slave was strong, which is what people usually call eunuchs. After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, the eunuchs were under the jurisdiction of the Shaofu.After Qin Shihuang's death, the eunuch Zhao Gao colluded with Prime Minister Li Si and usurped the edict to change Hu Hai as emperor, which directly led to the death of Qin Dynasty II.In the early years of the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, in view of the lessons learned from the death of the Qin Dynasty, occasionally used scribes to serve as regular servants in order to restrain the power of eunuchs.People at that time called the place where the castration was executed "Camsil".Castration can be used as a substitute for capital punishment. Sima Qian was sentenced to death because he spoke good words for Li Ling who surrendered to the Huns.In the early and mid-Western Han Dynasty, eunuchs were suppressed and did not form a large force.After Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, the power of eunuchs revived.In the Eastern Han Dynasty, eunuchs served as the regular servants who served the emperor.They conveyed edicts, handled documents, and controlled the emperor's audiovisual, thus greatly affecting the political situation.In addition, the relatives were powerful at that time, and the emperor wanted to use the eunuchs to contain the relatives, but the result often resulted in a situation of dictatorship by the eunuchs.

After the Qin and Han Dynasties, the eunuch system became more detailed.In the early Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin established a system that no third-rank officials were appointed in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and they wore yellow clothes, and the government provided food. What they did was only to guard the gate and pass on edicts.During Emperor Zhongzong's reign, eunuchs were favored, and there were more than a thousand eunuchs with an official rank of seven or more, but very few could wear red official uniforms.According to the Tang system, civil and military officials of the third rank and above wear purple, the fourth rank wears dark green, and the fifth rank wears light green.Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty granted Gao Lishi an official rank of third grade because of his meritorious service in quelling Princess Taiping's rebellion.Once this example was opened, it could no longer be restrained, and the third-rank official rank was awarded to eunuchs, which gradually became commonplace.So that later, among the more than 3,000 eunuchs in the palace, there were very many who had the title of third-rank general, and more than a thousand people could wear purple and red official uniforms.If they became generals, their power would be greater than that of Jiedushi, and the rewards they would receive could easily be in the tens of millions.The eunuch's rise to power also began at this time.It can be said that the eunuchs were able to run rampant and even control the court in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, which had a lot to do with the fact that they received too much trust from the emperor and held too high official positions.In this matter, Tang Xuanzong bears the unshirkable responsibility.And Gao Lishi was the first eunuch to handle state affairs in history.

Gao Lishi, born in Panzhou (now Maoming, Guangdong), was originally named Feng and given the name Yuanyi.Because of his outstanding martial arts skills, Feng Ang was awarded the title of Doctor Jinzi Guanglu by Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, and he was appointed as the prefect of Hanyang.After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, most of the local forces in Lingnan area were conquered by Feng An and belonged to him.At that time, someone suggested to Feng An that since the establishment of the Great Tang Dynasty, it was not yet able to take into account the remote Lingnan area, so it is better to proclaim yourself the king of Nanyue and dominate one side.This suggestion was rejected by Feng An.In the fourth year of Tang Gaozu Wude (621), Feng An led his troops to join the Tang Dynasty.Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, attached great importance to Feng An and let him still manage local affairs. He also granted Feng An the post of general manager of Shangzhu State and Gaoluo.His two sons were also awarded the governorship of Chunzhou and the governor of Donghezhou respectively.The Feng An family can be described as prominent for a time.In the 20th year of Zhenguan (646), Feng An died, and his family fortune gradually declined.In the first year of Sisheng (684), a new life was born in the Feng family, named Feng Yuanyi. He was the later Gao Lishi, and he was Feng An's great-grandson in terms of seniority.

In February of the third year of Tang Changshou (694), someone falsely accused Lingnan Liu of treason, and Wu Zetian sent Wan Guojun, a criminal judge, to investigate and deal with it with the title of supervisory censor.After Wan Guojun arrived in Guangzhou, he drove more than 300 exiles to the waterfront and beheaded them all.Those who have contacts with exiles are also implicated.The governor of Panzhou, Feng Junheng (Feng Yuanyi's father), was implicated in this case and his home was ransacked.At that time, Feng Yuan was only ten years old one year, so he was castrated to avoid death, changed his name to Lishi, and entered the palace in the first year of the holy calendar (698).

When Lishi was young, he was clever and articulate, so Wu Zetian appreciated him and asked him to stay by his side to help him in matters.Later Lishi was expelled from the palace after being whipped for committing a minor fault.The old eunuch Gao Yanfu adopted him as the son of a moth, and from then on, Lishi changed his surname to Gao.Gao Yanfu came from Wu Sansi's family, so Gao Lishi often went to and from Wu Sansi's family.Through Wu Sansi's relationship, Wu Zetian recalled Gao Lishi to the palace. After these setbacks, Gao Lishi realized the dangers of court life.Since then, he has been more cautious and meticulous in dealing with people and dealing with things, and think twice before acting. Sure enough, he did not make any mistakes, and regained Wu Zetian's trust.At this time, Gao Lishi was an adult, six feet five inches tall, cautious and meticulous, shrewd and capable in handling affairs, good at passing on edicts, and was appointed as the eunuch of the palace, in charge of the legal system in the palace, and the key of entry and exit.

In the second year of Jinglong (708), Li Longji, the king of Linzi, gathered talented and brave men in his vassal mansion to seek the throne. Gao Lishi expected that Li Longji would make great achievements in the future, so he fell in love with him, and Li Longji also introduced him as a confidant.From then on, the two began a career that lasted 50 years.Four years (710), Li Longji launched a palace coup, killing Empress Wei, Princess Anle and Wu's party members, Ruizong restored the throne, and made Li Longji the crown prince.Gao Lishi participated in the planning and made great contributions. He was promoted to be a doctor in the imperial court, an internal affairs officer, in charge of all affairs in the palace, and often served the prince.

In the first year of Taiji (712), Gao Lishi assisted Li Longji, who was already Emperor Xuanzong, to launch a court coup again, killing Princess Taiping and her buddies.Gao Lishi moved to Yinqing Guanglu doctor because of his meritorious service, and served as an official in the industry.Not long after, he was promoted all the way, starting from the general of the right prison guard, and then became the general of the hussars.So far, Gao Lishi's power and status have reached their peak. Xuanzong relied more heavily on eunuchs than in previous dynasties, as evidenced by the rise of Gao Lishi's status.Although Gao Lishi only played the role of the emperor's confidant and never overstepped his authority, the situation of eunuchs dominating and chaotic politics in the late Tang Dynasty was precisely because of this.

Xuanzong favored Gao Lishi so much that he couldn't add it any more.He said: "With Lishi here, I can sleep peacefully." It means that only with Gao Lishi in charge can he sleep peacefully.After Gao Lishi's power was thrown into the court and the opposition, he was often imprisoned. "The Quartet invites all to save first and then advance, and small matters are decided exclusively."This set a precedent for eunuchs handling state affairs.Because Gao Lishi has the ability to make people happy with one word, and destroy others with one word, all opportunists and profiteers join him.Ministers inside and outside the court also courted Gao Lishi one after another, even Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong, An Lushan, Gao Xianzhi, Yu Wenrong, Wei Jian, Yang Shenjin, An Sishun and others were no exception, all because they flattered Gao Lishi , in order to climb to the high position of general. As a eunuch, Gao Lishi was no longer a man, but in order to show his power and status, he still married wives and took concubines.Lu Xuanhe, a native of Hejian, was a minor official in Chang'an, the capital of the capital. He had a daughter, Lu Guoshu, who was quite beautiful and practiced women's ways, so Gao Lishi married him.Lu Xuanhe was immediately promoted to governor of Shaoqing, and Lu Guoshu's brothers also became high-ranking officials.Later, Lu Xuanhe's wife died, and Gao Lishi organized a grand funeral for his mother-in-law.Officials in the DPRK and China also rushed to present sacrifices.On the road from Lu's mansion to Mrs. Lu's cemetery, funeral officials met each other in chariots and horses, looking at each other endlessly, and the ostentation was no less than the funeral of princes and generals. The wealth of Gao Lishi's family property is not comparable to that of a prince, but he still takes advantage of the opportunity to amass wealth.He often sent little eunuchs to various places to plunder goods in the name of the royal family's purchases, and the people he sent returned with big gains every time.Gao Lishi and his party's Jiadi Chiyuan, fertile fields and beautiful products, accounted for almost six or seven tenths of the capital. Gao Lishi is not satisfied with the vested wealth and wants to possess more.One year, Gao Lishi paid for the construction of Baoshou Buddhist Temple in Chang'an and a Taoist Temple in Xingningfang. They were all skillfully carved, inlaid with gold and hung with jade, and even the temples built by the imperial court were inferior.Gao Lishi specially cast a big bell in Baoshou Temple.On the day of Zhong Zhucheng, there was a large banquet for guests, and all the dignitaries in the capital, wealthy businessmen and wealthy merchants were invited to the banquet.At the banquet, Gao Lishi proposed that the new bell be cast, and each time the pestle was struck, one hundred thousand yuan would be paid as gift money.In order to win Gao Lishi's favor, all the people present rushed to pay the money and knocked the bell.Many people hit twenty sticks, and few have ten sticks.Just this time of entertaining guests, Gao Lishi's income is incalculable.He also blocked the river and built dams, and built five water-driven rollers, which can grind three hundred hu of wheat every day.What a way to make money! Gao Lishi has always been cautious, good at observing the current situation, and never speaks casually.And because he has been in the palace for a long time, he has seen all kinds of dangers and conspiracies, so he is very good at protecting himself wisely.Even people close to him, if they were reprimanded and punished by the emperor, he would not save them easily.Therefore, Xuanzong always maintained his trust in him, and the personal relationship between the monarch and his ministers was very good.In addition, Gao Lishi "has a pure personality, is careful in handling things, and rarely makes big mistakes", looks up to the times, dares not to be arrogant easily, and has no bad reputation inside and outside the court, and can maintain a harmonious relationship with all princes and ministers. His ministers didn't dislike him either.However, he had a great influence on Xuanzong's employment and administration in his later years, especially when Li Linfu was appointed prime minister, Gao Lishi played a key role. One day in December of the third year of Tianbao (744), Xuanzong was happy for a while, and showed off to Gao Lishi, saying: "Since the twenty-fourth year of Kaiyuan to the present, I have not been out of Chang'an for nearly ten years, and the world is fine. I want to live in a high place and do nothing. What do you think, entrusting all the political affairs to Li Linfu?" Gao Lishi felt that Xuanzong ignored the political affairs and allowed Li Linfu to act arbitrarily. It should be insisted on. Besides, the power of the world cannot be transferred to others. Li Linfu's power is established, who dares to do anything to him? Who can do anything to him?" Gao Lishi has no ill feeling towards Li Linfu, and his starting point is to protect Xuanzong's position. Already vigilantly seeing the potential threat of Li Linfu monopolizing power.But Xuanzong didn't take it seriously, and couldn't accept Gao Lishi's judgment on Li Linfu.Gao Lishi saw it and knew that what he said was not in line with the emperor's mind and offended the emperor.He immediately fell to his knees and blamed himself: "The old minister is crazy, and he deserves death for speaking out lies." From this incident, Gao Lishi learned a very profound lesson.From then on, he no longer dared to speak deeply about the affairs of the world, nor did he dare to speak deeply about Xuanzong's gains and losses. In the autumn of the thirteenth year of Tianbao (754), heavy rains caused disasters, and Xuanzong was deeply worried.Yang Guozhong found a full ear of rice and showed it to Xuanzong. Hu said: "Although it rains heavily, it will never affect the harvest." At that time, Yang Guozhong was very powerful, and no one dared to speak the truth.After Xuanzong returned to the palace, he saw no one around, so he asked Gao Lishi: "This climate will definitely cause disasters, so you might as well tell me the truth." After it was handed over to Prime Minister Yang, the law was not valid, and natural disasters and man-made disasters continued. How can the world be peaceful? So I have no choice but to say no more." Xuanzong was silent after hearing this.On the surface, Gao Lishi didn't say much anymore, the subtext was obvious.No one dared to expose Yang Guozhong's bad deeds in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, but Gao Lishi told the truth.But Xuanzong loved Concubine Yang too much, so he let Yang Guozhong go.It can be seen that Gao Lishi did gain the full trust of Xuanzong, and thus gained awesome power, but he always restrained his words and deeds. In November of the fourteenth year of Tianbao (755), An Lushan and Shi Siming launched a rebellion, endangering the two capitals. "Yuyang drum beats the ground, and the neon clothes and feathers are frightened. The smoke and dust of the Jiuchong City Que rises, and thousands of rides and ten thousand rides travel southwest."In May of the fifteenth year of Tianbao (756), Xuanzong fled to Shu in a hurry to avoid chaos.When they reached Maweipo, the soldiers mutinied, killed Yang Guozhong, cut off his head, hung it on a spear, and put it outside the west gate for public display.Later, the sergeants killed Yang Guozhong's eldest son, Yang Xuan, the servant of the household department, Mrs. Han and Mrs. Qin. Wei Fangjin, the official censor, heard the commotion outside, ran out to have a look, and immediately said angrily: "You are so audacious, how dare you murder the prime minister!" Come on shelf.The angry soldiers immediately stepped forward and killed him.Prime Minister Wei Jiansu heard the commotion outside, so he also ran out of the post gate to check.Fortunately, Wei Jiansu's reputation is not bad, someone shouted: "Don't hurt Wei Xianggong." Wei Jiansu was saved from death. The sergeants surrounded the station where Xuanzong and Concubine Yang were resting, shouting and killing loudly.Xuanzong heard the commotion outside and asked what happened.None of the attendants on the left and right answered that it was the mutiny of the soldiers, but that it was Yang Guozhong who conspired.It can be seen from this that Yang Guozhong's unpopularity has offended everyone in the world. After Xuanzong learned that Yang Guozhong had been killed, he had no choice but to go out of the post gate in person to comfort the sergeants and order them to withdraw, but the sergeants refused.Xuanzong asked Gao Lishi to ask why.Chen Xuanli came forward and replied: "Yang Guozhong was punished for his rebellion. Concubine Yang Gui should no longer serve Your Majesty. May Your Majesty cut off love and put Concubine Yang to death." Said: "It's not easy for me to report it." When the sergeants around were furious, they yelled loudly, "If you don't kill the concubine, you will not protect her."Gao Lishi saw that the situation was not good, so he fled back to the post in a hurry to report. When Xuanzong heard this, his expression was dull and dull, and he said, "I will deal with this matter myself." Then he entered the post station, leaned on a cane and stood with his head bowed, silent.For more than ten years, Concubine Yang Gui has been his most favored jewel, and the two once made a vow of eternal life and death in the Palace of Eternal Life.Now that he has fallen into such a situation of abandoning Beijing and going into exile, his political dignity has long been lost. Only the imperial concubine may be able to make him forget the pain in his heart.How could he have the heart to execute Yang Guifei? At this time, the noise outside became louder, and the situation was about to get out of control.Wei Jiansu's son, Wei Er Ren Jingzhao Silu joined the army, stepped forward and said: "Now the public anger is hard to break, the situation is very critical, and safety is at stake. I hope Your Majesty will make a decision as soon as possible!" full face.Xuanzong said: "Concubine Yang lives in a heavily guarded palace and does not make friends with outsiders. How can she know that Yang Guozhong is rebelling?" Concubine Yang was still killed, and even Xuanzong himself would be in danger, so he persuaded: "Concubine Yang is indeed innocent, but the soldiers have already killed Yang Guozhong, and Concubine Yang is still serving by your majesty, how can they You can feel at ease! I hope your majesty will think about it carefully, and your majesty will be safe if the soldiers are at peace." Xuanzong knew that the situation was over, and Yang Guifei's life could not be saved no matter what, so he said in tears: "Let her commit suicide." He is the son of heaven, sitting in the world, but unable to save the life of his beloved woman. Xuanzong now understands the truth that the situation is stronger than others now more than ever.Helpless, in the long river of history, no matter how great a person is, he is also powerless to resist the power of the trend.Whether you go with the flow or go against the current, you will be caught in the torrent in the end, and the struggle will be in vain. Concubine Yang Guifei fell to the ground in shock after receiving the imperial edict, and it took a long time before she cried and begged to see Xuanzong.Gao Lishi led her to Xuanzong.Concubine Yang was sobbing, unable to express her feelings in words, so she said: "May everyone take care! I really have failed the country's favor to me, and I have no resentment when I die. I can only beg for permission to worship gods and Buddhas." Xuanzong Said: "I wish the concubine a good place and a new life." ("Yang Taizhen Biography") When it comes to the word "birth", it is no longer an idiom.Couldn't bear to see Concubine Yang's miserable face, so she covered her face with her sleeves and wept. Gao Lishi was afraid that Xuanzong's heart would soften for a while, and another incident would arise, which would cause soldiers to break in, so he hurriedly took Yang Guifei to the Buddhist hall.Concubine Yang paid several respects to the north and said, "Farewell, my concubine and Your Majesty!" Afterwards, Gao Lishi hanged her to death under the pear tree in front of the Buddhist hall.This is exactly what Bai Juyi said in the book: "The smoke and dust in the Jiuchong city tower, thousands of rides and thousands of horses marched southwest. Cuihua swayed and stopped, and went west for more than a hundred miles from the gate of the capital. The six armies did not feel helpless, and died like a moth-browed horse. "Bai Juyi's brilliance lies in that he uses brilliant colors to dilute the tragic atmosphere, and let the beautiful love cover up the political conspiracy. This makes the love between Li and Yang so beautiful that it is passed down by later generations. Afterwards, Gao Lishi carried Concubine Yang's body to the court of the post station, and called Chen Xuanli and others into the post station for inspection, with the intention of performing an autopsy.When the soldiers outside the station heard that Concubine Yang Gui had been executed, they burst into cheers.After the autopsy by Chen Xuanli and others was correct, they took off their armor and kowtowed to Xuanzong to apologize.At this time, Xuanzong was still calm, comforted them with nice words, and ordered to tell other soldiers.Chen Xuanli and the others shouted long live, bowed twice and went out, then rectified the army and continued to march.In the end, the Maweipo Mutiny was resolved with the death of Concubine Yang Gui.After arriving in Chengdu, Gao Lishi was granted the title of Duke of Qi for his meritorious service in escorting. Gao Lishi performed the most wonderful play on the stage of history. He single-handedly matched the marriage between Yang Yuhuan and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty.Yang Guifei is also a strongman in success, and a strongman in defeat.It's really a beauty who smiles and charms the ages, leaving a long-lasting hatred in the world. In July of the 15th year of Tianbao (756), Emperor Suzong proclaimed himself emperor, and changed the title to the first year of Zhide.Before, Xuanzong didn't know that the crown prince Li Heng had proclaimed himself emperor. Three days before the crown prince Li Heng proclaimed himself emperor, he ordered the crown prince Li Heng to be the marshal of the world's soldiers and horses, but he only commanded the envoys of Shuofang, Hedong, Hebei, and Pinglu. Soldiers and horses; also ordered Yongwang Li Lin to be the governor of Jiangling Mansion, and to control the soldiers and horses of the ambassadors of Shannan East Road, Qianzhong, and Jiangnan West Road; in addition, Sheng Wang Li Qi was in charge of affairs in Jiangnan East Road, Huainan, Henan and other places; Wang Ligong is in charge of affairs in Hexi, Longyou, Anxi, Beiting and other places.All the princes were granted the title of governor, and each had his own territory.Such a personnel arrangement was the result of Xuanzong's careful consideration, and it also fully demonstrated that Xuanzong would personally control the whole country after entering Shu.Inferred from this, Xuanzong had no intention of abdicating to Prince Li Heng.However, Prince Li Heng had already had a small plan in mind.Not long after Xuanzong's book was sent out, Suzong's performance arrived.In a blink of an eye, he, the emperor, became the titular overlord. When Xuanzong heard the news of Suzong's accession to the throne, he felt complicated.He was melancholy for a long time, and then he pretended to be happy and said to Gao Lishi: "My son should obey the sky and change his name to 'Zhi De'. He has lived up to my teaching. What else can I worry about?" He knew his son After becoming the emperor, there must be nothing to do with Lao Tzu.Didn't he treat his father Ruizong like this back then?Even if he wanted to "worry", he probably didn't have the right to do so. Gao Lishi, who had always understood the emperor's mind, did not really understand Xuanzong's meaning this time. He thought that Xuanzong believed that the world was settled and there was no need to worry any more. Flying, people are heartbroken over it. But His Majesty thinks everything is all right, I really think I heard it wrong!" Xuanzong was naturally inconvenient to say it clearly, he could only sigh a few times.The aged emperor had been exhausted by the death of Concubine Yang. Facing the fragmented mountains and rivers, the stormy political situation, and the fact that his son had usurped the throne, he had no choice but to go along with the flow, accept the honorary title, and hand over the Jade Seal of Chuanguo . After that, Xuanzong and Gao Lishi returned to Kyoto, and the situation has undergone major changes.Xuanzong has abdicated as the Supreme Emperor, and Gao Lishi's status has also begun to shake.At that time, the eunuch Li Fuguo was favored and trusted because of his meritorious service in supporting Suzong.Li Fuguo colluded with Empress Zhang Liangdi to hold power and ban him, interfering in political affairs.Gao Lishi was originally Li Fuguo's senior, and he believed that he was favored by the Supreme Emperor, so he often put on airs in front of Li Fuguo, and even behaved impolitely. Therefore, Gao and Li had a grudge, and Li Fuguo looked for opportunities to attack Gao Lishi in order to consolidate his favor. There is a Changqing building in Xingqing Palace, which is adjacent to the road outside the palace in the south.Xuanzong often drank upstairs, and sometimes wandered downstairs to wait and see. People passing by here were very excited to see the old Emperor Xuanzong, and cheered "Long live".Xuanzong sometimes entertained guests upstairs.Once, the officials of Jiannan Road passed by downstairs and went upstairs to meet Xuanzong, who invited him to a banquet with wine.Later, he summoned general Guo Ziyi and others, and rewarded them with gifts.Although these things were small, they aroused Suzong's concerns. He was worried that the Supreme Emperor would be restored, so he began to be very vigilant.Since then, Xingqing Palace has become a heart disease that Suzong has been unable to get rid of. At this time, Li Fuguo was deeply favored by Emperor Suzong, and he became a dignitary in the court from an ordinary eunuch. He was arrogant and prominent, and controlled the government affairs.He guessed Suzong's thoughts, and said to Suzong: "The Supreme Emperor lives in Xingqing Palace, and he has contact with outsiders every day. Chen Xuanli and Gao Lishi give him advice and advice, which is not good for His Majesty. Now the soldiers of the Sixth Army are all in The meritorious ministers of the Lingwu escort are all anxious, and I dare not let His Majesty know." Suzong had been worried for a long time, and Li Fuguo's words made him more suspicious, but he couldn't directly blame his father. He deliberately shed tears and said: "The Holy Emperor is charitable and benevolent, how can he allow such a thing to happen?" Li Fuguo replied: "Of course the Supreme Emperor didn't mean it, but he couldn't stand the temptation of his subordinates. Your Majesty should think about the great cause of the society and put the disaster in order." How can he imitate the filial piety of ordinary people when he is destroyed in the cradle? What's more, the Xingqing Palace is too exposed, it is not the residence of the supreme person, and the palace is heavily guarded, so why not take him back to live in?" He asked Su Zong offered a plan to move Xuanzong to the west, completely cutting off the connection between the Supreme Emperor and the outside world.Suzong couldn't make up his mind for a while, so he didn't accept Li Fuguo's suggestion, but subtracted 290 horses from the original 300 horses in Xingqing Palace.Xuanzong had no choice but to say to Gao Lishi: "My son was deceived by Li Fuguo, so he can no longer be filial." ("Zizhi Tongjian Volume 221") In July of the first year of Shangyuan (760), Li Fuguo took advantage of Suzong's illness and falsely claimed that Suzong invited the Supreme Emperor to visit the West in order to make contributions to consolidate his favor.When Xuanzong and his entourage passed through Jiacheng, Li Fuguo led five hundred archers. ) blocked the road, showed his blade, and said to Xuanzong aggressively: "The current emperor welcomes the Supreme Emperor to move to the west because of the low-lying terrain of Xingqing Palace."At this time, Gao Lishi stepped forward, hurried forward, and reprimanded Li Fuguo, who was showing off his power on the horse, saying: "The Supreme Emperor has been the Emperor of Taiping for fifty years. What do you Li Fuguo want to do? You are so rude!" Seeing this, Li Fuguo had to get off his horse.On behalf of Xuanzong, Gao Lishi announced to all the soldiers: "All the generals should do it for themselves." All the soldiers put away their weapons one after another, turned over and bowed down, shouting long live.Gao Lishi turned back and said to Li Fuguo, "Li Fuguo can lead the horse for the Supreme Emperor." Li Fuguo had no choice but to gather the Supreme Emperor to the Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace together with Gao Lishi. After the turmoil subsided, Emperor Xuanzong held Gao Lishi's hand and said: "If there is no general, I will become a ghost under the sword of the rebellious soldiers!" Emperor Xuanzong moved to the back of Ganlu Hall, feeling even more melancholy.At this time, Xuanzong and Gao Lishi were both old men in their seventies. They were idle and depressed all day long.The two have been together for decades, and they have already surpassed the boundary between monarch and minister, and are more like partners who get along day and night. But Suzong and Li Fuguo were still not at ease, and deposed Xuanzong's cronies one after another.Gao Lishi was exiled in Wuzhou on the charge of "submerging against the party". At this time, Gao Lishi was suffering from malaria. After receiving the relegation order, he said to Li Fuguo: "I should have died a long time ago. It is only because of the kindness and mercy of the Holy One that I have survived until now. I ask to see the Supreme Emperor's Long Yan again, so that even if I die, I will die." I have no regrets." Of course Li Fuguo did not agree.Gao Lishi had no choice but to come to Wuzhou full of desolation. There are many chestnuts in Wudi, but they don't eat.Gao Lishi was sentimental and wrote a poem saying: "The two capitals sell celery, but no one picks it in Wuxi. Although Yi and Xia are different, the smell will never change." This poem not only expresses the great changes of the times, but also expresses that although he was relegated , but the loyalty to Xuanzong did not change his mind in the slightest. In March of the first year of Baoying (762), an edict was promulgated to the world: all exiled people will be released.Then Xuanzong and Suzong died one after another.Prince Li Yu ascended the throne under the support of eunuchs Li Fuguo and Cheng Yuanzhen, and was the Daizong.In June, the edict of the "Second Sage" was passed to Wuzhou. When Gao Lishi heard the news of the death of the "Second Sage", he cried to the sky and cried to death.He held the funeral for the "two saints", and because of excessive grief, he became ill with grief.He said to the people around him: "I am nearly eighty years old, and I can be said to have lived a long life. I can be said to be a dignitary from the official to Kaifu Yitong Sansi. I have no regrets about everything. What I hate is the 'Second Sage'. I didn't have the chance to see the holy face. I am a lonely wandering soul, where can I find my support?" After speaking, tears fell like rain.Those who heard it were all sad and weeping.Soon, Gao Lishi died of illness at Longxing Temple in Langzhou at the age of seventy-nine.So far, the rise and fall of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty and the various performances of historical figures have ended in a sad atmosphere.The Kaiyuan prosperity has come to an end. Because Gao Lishi was a veteran of several courts and had meritorious service in protecting the late emperor, Daizong ordered Gao Lishi to be restored to his original official position, posthumously presented as the governor of Guangzhou, and the royal family would arrange the funeral and be buried in Xuanzong Tailing, "immortal".Gao Lishi failed to see Xuanzong for the last time during his lifetime, but he was able to accompany Xuanzong in the underground forever after his death. If Jiuquan knew, he would have no regrets. After the Anshi Rebellion, the power of eunuchs expanded even more, and some even became princes, ranking among the three princes.Some eunuchs also got involved in military power.During the reign of Emperor Suzong, an envoy to watch the army was set up, who was specially appointed as the eunuch in power, as the highest military position to monitor the generals who went to the expedition.Since the Dezong Dynasty, eunuchs have mastered the military power of forbidden soldiers such as Shence Army and Tianwei Army.The important positions in the army, such as the lieutenant of the guard and the guard of the central guard, were all held by eunuchs.Because the military and political power is controlled by the eunuch group, not only the civil and military officials are under it, but even the emperor's abolition is determined by them.Seven of the nine emperors who ascended the throne from Xianzong to Zhaozong were supported by eunuchs, and two were killed by them.The dictatorship of eunuchs became a chronic disease in the middle and late Tang Dynasty.