#113 - Tang 25: The Longshoreman's Prophecy

The History of China

Chris Stewart

History

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 29 November 2016

⏱️ 26 minutes

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Summary

In the wake of Emperor Xianzong’s unexpected death in 820, his work remains unfinished… and now left in the hands of his incapable, incompetent successors. The eunuchs are hard at work securing ultimate authority for themselves, and have no time for a strong central leader, and the Governor-generals of the northeast are eager to get out from under the imperial thumb once again. Into all this madness, a dock-worker, a fortuneteller, and an army of vagabonds will make a quixotic bid for the throne. Time Period Covered: February, 820- January, 827 CE Major Historical Figures: Emperor Muzong of Tang (Li Heng) [r. 820-824] Emperor Jingzong of Tang (Li Zhan) [r. 824-827] Emperor Wenzong of Tang (Li Ang) [r. 827-840] Prince Li Han of Jiang [d. 827] Eunuch-Official Liang Shoujian Eunuch Official Liu Keming [d. 827] Chief Minister Xiao Mian Su Xuanming, Fortuneteller Extraordinaire [d. 824] Zhang Shao, Unlikely Sitter of Thrones [d. 824] Sources: Dalby, Michael T. (1979). “Court politics in late T’ang times: Mid-Ninth Century Court (820-59)” in The Cambridge History of China, vol. 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast.
0:05.0	Before we get going today, let me take a moment to recommend that you give the history of Islam by Elias Belharad, a listen.
0:12.0	From its roots in Hurrah cave on Mount Jabal al-Nour. Elias Belharad, a listen.
0:12.6	From its roots in Hurrah cave on Mount Jabal Al-Nor, to it becoming the global religion
0:16.6	it is today.
0:17.6	Elias explores this fascinating topic with a true insider's perspective, and it's well worth
0:22.3	your ears.
0:23.0	Once again, that's the History of Islam Podcast, part of the Agora Podcast network.
0:28.0	And now, enjoy the show.
0:40.0	Hello and welcome to the history of China.
0:44.0	Episode 113, the Longshoreman's prophecy.
0:49.4	Every so often, history just seems to have a really weird role of the cosmic dice.
0:54.0	And we see actual events coming to pass that would have to be cut out of any TV show plot
0:59.0	for it being simply too unrealistic.
1:02.0	We start today with one of those times. In May of 824, a fortune teller
1:08.2	living in the imperial capital, Chang'an, who was named Suu Schwenmin, hurried to a meeting with a friend of his, a commoner
1:14.8	canal dock laborer by the name of Zhang Shao. Fortune teller Sue, you see, had beheld a very
1:20.9	intriguing vision of the future,
1:22.8	and as it directly involved both him and Jong,
1:25.6	he was anxious to share it with his friend.
1:27.8	Meeting privately and out of earshot of anyone who might
1:30.8	wish to pry into their business, Sue told
	...

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