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Yang Kuei Fei: The Emperor's Harmful Concubine

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Yang Kuei Fei was a beautiful and talented concubine of the Tang emperor Xuanzong. She was known for her love of luxury and her influence over the emperor. However, her beauty and power came at a price, as she was ultimately responsible for the downfall of the Tang dynasty.

YANG KUEI FEI: THE EMPEROR'S HARMFUL CONCUBINE

by D C Robinson

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	20 pages

Early life and rise to power

Yang Kuei Fei was born in 719 AD into a wealthy and influential family. Her father was a high-ranking official in the Tang government, and her mother was a talented musician and dancer. Yang Kuei Fei inherited her mother's beauty and talent, and she quickly became one of the most sought-after women in China.

In 735 AD, Yang Kuei Fei was chosen to be a concubine for Emperor Xuanzong. The emperor was immediately smitten with her beauty and charm, and he soon made her his favorite concubine. Yang Kuei Fei quickly rose to power, and she soon became one of the most influential women in the Tang court.

Life in the imperial court

Yang Kuei Fei lived a life of luxury and extravagance in the imperial court. She had her own palace, which was decorated with the finest furnishings and artwork. She also had a large retinue of servants who attended to her every need. Yang Kuei Fei was also a talented musician and dancer, and she often performed for the emperor and his court.

Yang Kuei Fei's influence over the emperor was considerable. She was able to get him to do whatever she wanted, and she often used her power to advance her own interests and those of her family and friends. Yang Kuei Fei's greed and ambition eventually led to her downfall.

The Rebellion of An Lushan

In 755 AD, a general named An Lushan rebelled against the Tang government. An Lushan quickly gained control of a large part of northern China, and he soon threatened to overthrow the Tang dynasty. Emperor Xuanzong and his court were forced to flee the capital city of Chang'an, and they took refuge in the city of Chengdu.

Yang Kuei Fei accompanied the emperor and his court to Chengdu. However, she soon became a liability. The people of Chengdu were angry with the emperor for fleeing the capital, and they blamed Yang Kuei Fei for his weakness. The soldiers who were supposed to protect the emperor and his court were also angry, and they demanded that Yang Kuei Fei be executed.

Death and legacy

In 756 AD, Emperor Xuanzong was forced to order Yang Kuei Fei's execution. She was strangled to death by a eunuch, and her body was thrown into a river.

Yang Kuei Fei's death was a turning point in the Tang dynasty. The dynasty never recovered from the Rebellion of An Lushan, and it eventually collapsed in 907 AD.

Yang Kuei Fei is a tragic figure in Chinese history. She was a beautiful and talented woman who was ultimately destroyed by her own greed and ambition. Her story is a reminder that power and beauty can be dangerous, and that it is important to use them wisely.

YANG KUEI FEI: THE EMPEROR'S HARMFUL CONCUBINE

by D C Robinson

4.6 out of 5