Li Zhong, courtesy name Zhengben, formally Prince of Yan, was a crown prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty.
13 Facts About Li Zhong
1.
2.
Li Zhong was the oldest son of Emperor Gaozong and was created crown prince in 652 even though he was not the son of his then-wife Empress Wang.
3.
Li Zhong was later further reduced to commoner rank and put under house arrest, and when the chancellor Shangguan Yi failed in his attempt to persuade Emperor Gaozong to depose Empress Wu in 664 and was executed, Empress Wu took the opportunity to accuse Li Zhong of being complicit in Shangguan's plans.
4.
Around the new year 665, Emperor Gaozong at the urgent request of Empress Wu ordered Li Zhong to commit suicide.
5.
Li Zhong was posthumously honored an imperial prince, but not a crown prince, during the second reign of his brother Emperor Zhongzong.
6.
Li Zhong was born in 643, shortly after his father Li Zhi became crown prince under his grandfather Emperor Taizong.
7.
Li Zhong's mother was Consort Liu, who was of lowly birth.
8.
Li Zhong was Li Zhi's oldest son, and Li Zhi convened a feast with his staff at Hongjiao Hall to celebrate.
9.
Emperor Gaozong's wife and empress Empress Wang did not have a son, and her uncle, the chancellor Liu Shi suggested to her to have Li Zhong made crown prince, hoping that he would be grateful to her.
10.
Emperor Gaozong agreed, and in spring 656, Li Zhong was deposed and reduced to the title of Prince of Liang.
11.
Li Zhong was further removed from the capital, to serve as the prefect of Liang Prefecture.
12.
Later in 656, Li Zhong was moved from Liang Prefecture to Fang Prefecture.
13.
Later in 665, at Li Hong's request, Li Zhong was given a proper burial.