Further Study Into The Sweet Dew Incident

The Sweet Dew Incident is an important court struggle in mid-and late T’ang. This article presents cause and effect of the Incident, to know the environment and difficult position of Wen-tsung at that time, and to clarify some problems which have confused ideas in academic circles.According to the way of positivism, making full use of archaeology data and inscription on the memorial tablets, adding reference maps if necessary, we can complete the excepted target.The first research into The Sweet Dew Incident was not a conflict between prime ministers and eunuchs, but Wen-tsung started a military action which aimed to dispel the threat of eunuchs. Because of not choosing the right persons, officials did not response to him. At last eunuchs made arbitrary decision and pillaged the right of throne succession.Part One of Chapter One analyses the upsurge of path of Li Hsun, to expound that wiping out eunuchs was his own duty and Cheng Chu took a passive attitude. After Wang Shoucheng dead, Cheng Chu began to take a positive attitude which wiping out eunuchs. In order to fight for exploits, they were split in the end. Part Two analyses the causes of the weak force of Li Hsun.Part One of Chapter Two explains the planning of the Mutiny by Li Hsun. Part Two analyses eunuchs did not depend on Shen Ts’e Chu when The Sweet Dew Incident broke out,, but the palace army was mustered after the court d’etat. Part Three demonstrates factors of success or failure of the Incident from three aspects, like controlling guards; fighting for Xuan-Zheng Gate; choice of the ambush site.The first part one of Chapter Three discusses the background of Wen-tsung’s succeed to the throne, showing Wen-tsung faced the difficult position and the motivation of the Incident, to reveal its character. Part Two shows the effect of The Sweet Dew Incident for the right of throne succession in mid-and late T’ang, and the new trend of eunuch monopolize powers.