Dynastic revival and political transformation in late T'ang China: A study of Emperor Hsien-Tsung (805-820) and his reign

This dissertation examines the political and institutional transformations which took place during the reign of Emperor Hsien-tsung (805–820) of the T'ang dynasty. It not only provides a new framework for the understanding of the significance of some of the most important political, economic, and institutional phenomena during this period but also a sympathetic and dynamic picture of the T'ang society in early ninth century.; Chapter one focuses on major aspects of Hsien-tsung's life, especially his accession, his relationships with members of the imperial family, and the mystery of his death. It interprets the eunuch involvement in Hsien-tsung's accession and in the context of imperial legitimacy and the bureaucratization of the eunuch system in the early ninth century. This chapter also challenges the widely held view that the Wang Shu-wen clique was a reform group.; Chapter two deals with the process of Hsien-tsung's restoration during the first half of his reign. It argues that Hsien-tsung and his court consciously developed a new provincial policy during this period and enforced this policy vigorously and consistently. It also discusses the T'ang court's response to the economic crisis caused by deflation and its relationship with Hsien-tsung's political restoration. Chapter three focuses on different aspects of T'ang policies during Li Chi-fu's terms as chief minister, including factionalism, the Wei-po incident, and frontier policy. It argues that Li Chi-fu's leadership was a key factor for the political stability and success under Hsien-tsung.; Chapter four studies the nature of the institutional transformations under Hsien-tsung. It challenges the notion that the rise of the eunuch power in later T'ang was a sign of political irrationality, and argues that the process of bureaucratizing the eunuch institutions was completed during the Yüan-ho era. Consequently, the eunuchs not only played a vital role in Hsien-tsung's political and military success, but also became less dependent on the imperial favor for career advancement. The very success of Hsien-tsung's institutional reforms increased the tension between the eunuchs and the emperor that eventually destroyed the political balance at T'ang court.