Tang Minghuang, Xuanzong, Li Longji

Li Longji (685 - 762), the Tang dynasty Minghuang emperor, also known as Tang Xuanzong, was the fifth emperor of the Tang dynasty (see this early Tang chart). There are no specific records of him having been a qin player, and so his association with the qin is largely through melodies that concern him, in particular his love for Yang Guifei.¹

Because of the An Lushan rebellion, Minghuang's reign was divided into two periods, 開元 Kai Yuan (712-742) and 天寶 Tian Bao (743-756). Indeed, his entire reign period is noted for its early brilliance and later decadence, as epitomized by his infatuation with his concubine Yang Guifei. In 756, when An Lushan revolted and captured the capital, Chang An, Xuanzong's troops insisted that Yang Guifei be executed. After the An Lushan was defeated Xuanzong went into retirement, dying in 762.

Thus, Hsu Wen-ying, The Ku-ch'in, p.18, says guqin solo playing was neglected by Minghuang and during his reign. Nevertheless, there are a number of references on this site which mention him. These include:

金風樂 Jin Feng Yue
A collection of melodies compiled by him that perhaps were or included qin melodies
長樂聲 Changle Sheng
A song attributed to Minghuang, presumably because it concerns his love for Yang Guifei
(perhaps alluded to in the qin melody Guanghan You and shown by this illustration)
清虛吟 Qingxu Yin
Perhaps also could allude to the Tang Minghuang - Yang Guifei story.
十八學士登瀛州 Shiba Xuesheng Deng Yingzhou
The melody concerns the Hanlin Academy, perhaps organized by Li Shimin (before he became emperor Gaozong) but then formalized under Xuanzong.
張鎬 Zhang Gao
A high official who served under Xuanzong; said to have been a good qin player
司馬承正 Sima Chengzheng
Another qin player said to have become an acquaintance of Xuanzong
房公 Fang Gong
李氏 Ms. Li

From these references it can be seen that, although there are more Xuanzong qin references than Taizong ones, again they tend to be tangential (concerning stories, not suggestions that he may have played himself).

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Tang Emperor Minghuang
Not in Qin Shi
(Return)

2.
(Return)

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