Suzong

Suzong, born Li Heng, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China. He reigned from 756 to 762 CE. Suzong ascended to the throne during a period of immense crisis for the Tang Dynasty, the An Lushan Rebellion. His father, Emperor Xuanzong, had fled the capital due to the rebellion, and Suzong was proclaimed emperor by the loyalist forces at Lingwu.

His reign was largely defined by the ongoing struggle to suppress the An Lushan Rebellion. Suzong, with the support of his father's loyal officials and eventually foreign powers like the Uyghurs, worked to regain control of the empire. He successfully recaptured the capitals of Chang'an and Luoyang, though these cities had suffered significant damage.

Despite these military successes, the rebellion's effects on the Tang Dynasty were profound and long-lasting. The empire's finances were depleted, and regional military governors (jiedushi) gained considerable power, a trend that would contribute to the dynasty's later fragmentation. Suzong's reign also saw the eventual death of An Lushan, though the rebellion continued under his successors.

Suzong's personal life was marked by his efforts to consolidate his authority and manage the complex political landscape. He faced challenges from within his own family and from ambitious officials. His reign, though relatively short, was a critical turning point in Tang history, transitioning the dynasty from its golden age to a period of decline and instability. He died in 762 CE, succeeded by his son, Emperor Daizong.