ABSTRACT
In 947 a .d ., Emperor Taizong died on his way to the south. Empress Dowager Xulu pronounced Li Hu the new emperor. At the same time, the imperial ministers elevated Ye Luruan, the eldest son of Ye Libei, to rule as Emperor Shizong. Hearing the news, the dowager empress became furious and led an army with Li Hu to prevent Ye Luruan from returning to the palace, in the north. Li Hu’s army was defeated at Tai Dequan, and then the two opposing sides were stalemated, each occupying one bank of the Yellow river. The dowager empress was not willing to yield, but she was persuaded to change her mind by Ye Luwuzhi, one of the ministers. Li Hu reacted angrily to his mother’s actions: “ Since I am the emperor, how can you accept Ye Luruan as the emperor” ? Ye Luwuzhi responded, “ Ye Lu ruan had been accepted as our emperor and the overall situation is therefore decided, so it is better to agree.” So the dowager empress made up her mind to make peace with Emperor Shi zong. She said sadly to Li Hu: “ Your father and I have loved you more than we have loved your brothers, but, as the proverb says: ‘A spoiled child will not continue his father’s cause; an extraordinarily beautiful woman will not bless the family.’ It is not that I do not intend you to be the emperor, but that you have proved unfit.”
