A Study On The System Of The Eastern Palace In The Tang Dynasty

As an integral component of the autocratic monarchy, the system of Eastern Palace (i.e. the crown prince) in the Tang Dynasty would serve the monarchy and it could be divided into three parts: the system of succession to the throne , the Eastern palace's organization , and the national governance system by the crown prince.Generally speaking , the succession system was the least stable one , for there had been occurring palace coups and killings within the ruling class during the long history with nearly 400 years from the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the Five Dynasties caused by struggles for the right of succession to the throne. Through the ages people had taken it for granted that the succession was egual to that by the eldest son born of the wife , which constituted the core of the feudal-patriarchal system . However, there were few such cases in the ancient Chinese history. The contradiction lied in that the patriarchal system was not derived from the feudal society but the exclusive superstructure and ideology in the slave society . In other words , there was only a patriarchal concept or spirit rather than a mature system in the feudal society after the Qin and Han Dynasties. After all, this system did not exist, let alone the system of succession by the eldest son . Therefore , the author believes that the succession system of the ancient china , in effect , amounts to the prince's succession system passed from the fattier down to the son , which was the most fitting way to realize the autocracy and rule supremely . In addition , the emerging of a crown prince and factors restricting him are also studied in this thesis as well as the causes for unstable succession to the throne in the Tang Dynasty . The author attempts to offer a reasonable explanation for the palace coup in the early stage of the Tang Dynasty . Before Xuanzong , the second emperon Li Shimin , cultures of the prosperous Tang Dynasty had beyun to infiltrate into the throne succession and as a result brought about the unstable succession . On the other hand , that also played a positive role , which made it possible for the ruling class to discard the old and bad while absorb the Hew and good so as to add new life to their regime . Consequently , the well-known "Regime of Zhenguan " and "Prosperous Kaiyuan" just resulted from that.Besides , this thesis also covers the Eastern Palace's organization , name ,official tftle , official rank , number , and commitment. Compared with that in the previous dynasties , the Eastern Palace became more mature with an increasing number and on a larger scale .As for the national governance system by the crown prince , it is regarded as the most characteristic . There had been no this system prior to the Tang Dynasty , where as it was a common practice after it . This could be said to cany forward the cause of predecessors . Moreover, its changes and developments are mentioned as well. At last, the three roles the Eastern Palsce played are analyzed . That is , according to the author, a political tool for the emperor, a means for princes to scheme for the throne , and an administrative aid .