Li Cong - During Emperor Xuanzong's Reign

During Emperor Xuanzong's Reign

In 712, Emperor Ruizong yielded the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong. Li Sizhi's title was upgraded to Prince of Tan. In 715, however, he was bypassed for the crown prince position when his younger brother Li Siqian the Prince of Ying was selected, as Li Siqian's mother Consort Zhao was then Emperor Xuanzong's favorite concubine, and Li Siqian was raised personally by Emperor Xuanzong's wife Empress Wang, who had no sons of her own. In 716, Li Sizhi was made the Protectorate General to Pacify the West and received the title of "Comforter of the Non-Han of the Hedong, Guannei, and Longyou Regions" (安撫河東關內隴右諸蕃大使, Anfu Hedong Guannei Longyou Zhufan Dashi), although there was no evidence that he actually left the capital Chang'an.

In 725, Li Sizhi's name was changed to Li Tan, and his title was changed to Prince of Qing.

In 727, Li Tan became the military governor (jiedushi) of Hexi Circuit (河西, modern central and western Gansu) as well as the commandant at Liang Prefecture (涼州, roughly modern Wuwei, Gansu), but, as was the case with 10 other brothers of his who received similar titles, did not actually take up the command.

In 736, Li Tan's name was changed to Li Cong.

In 737, LI Siqian (the heir), whose name had been changed to Li Ying, was forced to commit suicide after false accusations of treason by Emperor Xuanzong's then-favorite concubine Consort Wu, who wanted her son Li Mao (李瑁) the Prince of Shou to be crown prince. However, Emperor Xuanzong subsequently selected another son, Li Yu the Prince of Zhong, crown prince, bypassing Li Cong again in the process.

In 742, Li Cong became military governor of Hedong Circuit.