During Emperor Ruizong's Second Reign
In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly -- a death that traditional historians believed was a poisoning by his powerful wife Empress Wei and daughter Li Guo'er the Princess Anle. Emperor Zhongzong's son by a concubine, Li Chongmao the Prince of Wen, was made emperor (as Emperor Shang), with Empress Wei serving as empress dowager and regent. A month later, Emperor Zhongzong's sister Princess Taiping and nephew Li Longji the Prince of Linzi rose in rebellion and killed Empress Dowager Wei and Li Guo'er. They supported Li Longji's father Li Dan the Prince of Xiang, himself a former emperor, and Li Dan returned to the throne (as Emperor Ruizong). Lu was made deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang), serving under the minister Yao Yuanzhi, and it was said that the military promotion system was reformed during this time under Yao, him, and fellow deputy minister Lu Xiangxian.
Read more about this topic: Lu Huaishen
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