Gao Lishi, born Feng Yuanyi (馮元一), noble title Duke of Qi (齊國公), was a Chinese eunuch and politician of the Tang dynasty and the Wu Zhou dynasty, becoming particularly powerful during Emperor Xuanzong of Tang's reign. He is believed to have been in charge of many decisions that were supposed to be the emperor's responsibility during Emperor Xuanzong's later years, and was believed to have been richer than many of the nobility of the era. Despite this, however, he was often viewed as a positive example of eunuch participation in politics for his personal loyalty to Emperor Xuanzong, which withstood despite its putting himself in personal danger later, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong's son Emperor Suzong as it drew jealousy from fellow eunuch Li Fuguo. Further, during the years of his highest power, he was also said to make no improper influences on governance, and therefore drew no anger from the intelligentsia. Late in Emperor Suzong's reign, he was exiled upon Li Fuguo's urging. After a pardon in 762, he was returning from exile, when he heard of Emperors Xuanzong's and Suzong's deaths. Mourning Emperor Xuanzong bitterly, he grew ill and died.
Yang Guozhong, né Yang Zhao (楊釗), was a Chinese politician who served as principal chancellor of the Tang dynasty from 752 to 756, late in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. Known in his youth as a gambler and wastrel, Yang rose rapidly to political power after his distant cousin, Yang Yuhuan, became Emperor Xuanzong's favorite consort in 744. His familial ties and skills as a financial administrator helped him navigate the tumultuous court politics of the late 740s and early 750s to become the emperor's leading chancellor in 752. While Yang enjoyed Emperor Xuanzong's trust, his competence as chancellor was questioned and he became entangled in a fierce rivalry with an erstwhile political ally, the general and imperial favorite An Lushan. Yang was blamed for precipitating An's cataclysmic rebellion in 755. In the following year, he forced the Tang army of Geshu Han, then holding favorable defensive positions in Tong Pass, to confront the rebel army, leading to a rout of Tang forces and the fall of the imperial capital, Chang'an. Yang attempted to flee to his base in Chengdu with Emperor Xuanzong, but when the imperial party stopped at Mawei Station in modern Shaanxi, Yang and his family, including Yang Yuhuan, were massacred by imperial guard soldiers who blamed them for the chaos.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, personal name Li Longji, was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 44 years was the longest during the Tang dynasty. Through two palace coups, he seized the throne and inherited an empire still in its golden age. He was initially assisted by capable chancellors like Yao Chong, Song Jing and Zhang Yue who were already serving as government officials before Xuanzong ascended the throne. However, under Emperor Xuanzong, the empire reached its turning point and went into sharp decline and near collapse, due to numerous political missteps throughout his long reign, such as over-trusting Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong and An Lushan, with Tang's golden age ending in the An Lushan rebellion.
Emperor Suzong of Tang, personal name Li Heng, né Li Sisheng (李嗣升), known as Li Jun (李浚) from 725 to 736, known as Li Yu (李璵) from 736 to 738, known briefly as Li Shao (李紹) in 738, was an emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty and the son of Emperor Xuanzong.
Li Fuguo, né Li Jingzhong (李靜忠), known from 757 to 758 as Li Huguo (李護國), formally Prince Chou of Bolu (博陸醜王), was a Chinese eunuch, military general, and politician during the reign of Emperor Suzong of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He had served Li Heng while Li Heng was crown prince under Li Heng's father Emperor Xuanzong and later supported Li Heng in ascending the throne during Anshi Rebellion, when Emperor Xuanzong's realm was thrown into confusion. He later became exceedingly powerful, in alliance with Emperor Suzong's wife Empress Zhang, but broke with her and killed her in 762 when Emperor Suzong died. He briefly became the paramount figure in the administration of Emperor Suzong's son and successor Emperor Daizong, but was removed and then killed by assassins sent by Emperor Daizong later that year.
Emperor Daizong of Tang, personal name Li Yu, né Li Chu, was an emperor of the Chinese Tang dynasty.
Wei Jiansu (韋見素), courtesy name Huiwei (會微), formally Duke Zhongzhen of Bin (豳忠貞公), was a Chinese politician who served as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his son Emperor Suzong. As a young man, Wei served as a military aide to Emperor Xuanzong's father, the future Emperor Ruizong, then the Prince of Dan. He later served in various regional postings and senior offices at the Tang court in Chang'an, and though his conduct met with approbation, in the later stages of his career he was considered controllable. This, as well as his early connection to Emperor Ruizong, allowed the leading chancellor Yang Guozhong to install Wei as chancellor and director of the examination bureau late in Emperor Xuanzong's reign. During the chaos of the An Lushan Rebellion, Wei accompanied Emperor Xuanzong and Yang in their flight from Chang'an and was severely injured when the imperial guard massacred Yang and his family. Subsequently, after Emperor Suzong claimed imperial title and Emperor Xuanzong abdicated, Wei initially retained his chancellorship but was subsequently shifted to positions of less responsibility. He eventually left office altogether and died in retirement in December 762.
Li Cong (李琮), né Li Sizhi (李嗣直), known as Li Tan (李潭) from 725 to 736, posthumously honored Crown Prince Jingde (靖德太子) and then Emperor Fengtian, was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Xuanzong but, despite that status, was never made crown prince, bypassed in favor of his younger brothers Li Ying and Li Heng. After Li Heng became emperor, he posthumously honored Li Cong as an emperor.
Cui Yuan (崔圓), courtesy name Youyu (有裕), formally Duke Zhaoxiang of Zhao (趙昭襄公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Suzong.
Pei Mian, courtesy name Zhangfu (章甫), formally the Duke of Ji (冀公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong. He was known for his faithfulness to Tang during the difficult times of An Lushan Rebellion, but was also looked down upon by historians for his material greed.
Empress Zhang was an empress of the Chinese Tang dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Suzong and gained great power and influence during his reign, in alliance with the eunuch Li Fuguo; both had the emperor's complete trust and were invincible and dominated by uniting their forces at court. But eventually, she and Li Fuguo turned against each other late in Emperor Suzong's reign, as the emperor grew gravely ill and they both wanted to take sole control of the power and choose their favorite candidate to succeed to the throne. Zhang tried to have Li Fuguo put to death, but instead was captured and killed by Li Fuguo and was posthumously demoted to commoner rank by Emperor Daizong. She was recognized as "the last example of chaos and interference by domineering women in the Tang", who, like the powerful women before her, was overthrown in a coup d'état.
Li Lin (李麟) (694–759), formally Duke De of Bao (褒德公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Suzong — although he was commissioned by Emperor Suzong's father Emperor Xuanzong, not Emperor Suzong.
Miao Jinqing (苗晉卿), courtesy name Yuanfu (元輔), formally Duke Wenzhen of Han (韓文貞公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong. He was noted for his peaceful nature, but also noted for his overeagerness to please powerful individuals at court.
Li Xian, formally the Duke of Liang, was a Chinese politician of the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong. He was known for his willingness to stand up against the powerful eunuch Li Fuguo and for his mercy toward other officials who had become collaborators with the rebel Yan regime.
Li Kui (李揆), courtesy name Duanqing (端卿), was a Chinese diplomat, historian, and politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Suzong.
Xiao Hua, formally the Duke of Xu (徐公), was a Chinese historian and politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Suzong.
Consort Shen, formally Empress Ruizhen, was a Tang dynasty woman who served as a consort of Emperor Daizong of Tang while he was the Prince of Guangping under his grandfather Emperor Xuanzong and father Emperor Suzong and the mother of the future Emperor Dezong. She was captured by the rebel Yan forces during Anshi Rebellion, and although Li Chu regained her at one point during the war, was lost again later during the war. Despite efforts by Emperors Daizong and Dezong to locate her after the war, they were never able to find her. She was finally declared deceased by her great-grandson Emperor Xianzong in 805.
Du Hongjian, courtesy name Zhisun (之巽), formally Duke Wenxian of Wei (衛文憲公), was a Chinese Buddhist monk and politician during the Tang dynasty who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Daizong. He was known, and much criticized by traditional Chinese historians, for his devotion to Buddhism, one manifestation of which was his patronage of the Chan master Wuzhu.
Yang Wan, courtesy name Gongquan (公權), was a Chinese historian, poet, and politician during the Tang dynasty, serving briefly as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Daizong. He was known for his frugality, and it was said that his becoming chancellor caused a number of other officials to change their wasteful ways.
Li Bi or Li Mi, courtesy name Changyuan (長源), formally the Marquess of Ye County (鄴縣侯), was a Chinese historian, poet, and politician during the Tang dynasty. Li was a trusted advisor and close friend to Emperor Suzong of Tang, whom he aided in suppressing the An Lushan Rebellion, and later served as chancellor and chief civil official under Emperor Dezong. An accomplished man of letters, Li was a dedicated Taoist practitioner who cut an unusual figure at court, disentangling himself from political intrigue by leading an eremitic lifestyle and often eschewing high office to serve as personal counsellor to Emperor Suzong and his successors, Emperor Daizong and Emperor Dezong. Li's strategies helped stabilize the Tang state during a chaotic era marked by rebellion, warfare, and tension with foreign powers, though his influence and perceived eccentricity drew criticism from contemporary rivals and some traditional historians. Li is one of the 40 prominent figures memorialized in the Wu Shuang Pu by Jin Guliang.