ABSTRACT
Then in 783 a .d ., during the reign of Emperor Dezong, Chang’an was occupied by a rebellious official named Zhu Ci, who later proclaimed himself Emperor Qin. Emperor Dezong fled the capital, but Li Ye was captured and, under duress and threats, was made to write a poem praising Zhu Ci (the poem has not survived). Zhu Ci was defeated the following year, and Emperor Dezong returned in midyear. The emperor punished Li Ye for giving in and writing the flattering poem for the rebel, even though she was elderly and weak. Li Ye died as a result of this cruel torture. Her poetry, however, has survived in var ious collections of Tang poetry, and her lifestyle and love of solitude in nature were well praised for generations.
