Li Chenghong

Li Chenghong (李承宏), commonly known as the Prince of Guangwu (廣武王), was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang dynasty who was briefly declared emperor in 763 by invading Tibetan forces after they had captured the Tang capital Chang'an.

Background It is not known when Li Chenghong was born. He was the oldest son of Li Shouli the Prince of Bin, the second son of Li Xian, one time crown prince under Li Xian's father Emperor Gaozong. Early in the Kaiyuan (713–741) era of Li Shouli's cousin Emperor Xuanzong, Li Chenghong was created the Prince of Guangwu, and he did not succeed to the greater title of Prince of Bin upon his father's death in 741, suggesting that he was not born of Li Shouli's wife. (The title of Prince of Bin went to his younger brother Li Chengning (李承寧).)

Li Chenghong had at one point been given the honorary title of Mishu Jian (秘書監), the director of the Palace Library—but as the title was honorary, he did not actually run the archival bureau. At one point, he was accused of improper associations with people and was demoted to be the secretary general to the prefect of Fang Prefecture (房州, in modern Shiyan, Hubei), but was later recalled to the capital Chang'an and given the honorary title of minister of imperial clan affairs (宗正卿), but did not actually run the ministry of imperial clan affairs. He died in Hua Prefecture shortly after.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 86. New Book of Tang, vol. 81. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 223.