There are 422 emperors in the history of China, and the proportion of emperors' fathers accounts for 5% of the total number of emperors. The remaining 95% emperors waited until they died before handing over their positions. In other words, most emperors will not give up their position when they are alive. Why?
Qin Shi Huang
Moreover, even among the 5% emperor's father, many were forced to become emperor's father, such as Li Yuan, who was originally the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, but because his two sons, Prince Li and the King of Qin, fought each other for the position of heir, Li Shimin finally relied on the change of Xuanwu Gate to personally kill his own brother Li and his younger brother Li Yuanji. At the same time, Li's son and Li Yuanji were all killed, and finally led the army to surround the palace. Through coercion and inducements, Li Yuan was forced to make Li Shimin a prince and passed the throne to Li Shimin within one month. Emperor Tang gaozu was completely forced to hand over the throne, not from his original intention.
In the same situation, there is Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. After the Anshi Rebellion, Li Longji was hanged and his favorite concubine, Yang Guifei, was executed. His son Hengli forcibly proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu and seized the imperial power that originally belonged to Li Longji. Because of Li Longji's policy mistakes, he had to bear the important responsibility of the Anshi Rebellion, so he lost his support. After Hengli proclaimed himself emperor, Tang Suzong and Li Longji were called the emperor's father. This is totally unwilling by Li Longji.
Tang Gaozu Liyuan
Including the Qianlong emperor of the Qing Dynasty, although the emperor's position was given to the Jiaxing emperor under the banner of demise, in fact, the Qianlong emperor didn't want it at all, as can be seen from three points:
1. On the day of abdication, Qianlong was ready to go back on his word, but ministers argued endlessly.
2. After abdication, Qianlong still retained his title and seal of Emperor Tai Shang, and formed two sets of emperors' teams with Jiaxing Emperor who succeeded him.
Even if Emperor Qianlong abdicated, all important decisions were made by Emperor Qianlong, who still held power firmly in his hands. It was not until his death that Emperor Jiaxing was able to lead the government, which was entirely for abdication, not abdication. Therefore, Emperor Qianlong did not want to abdicate. It can be said that no emperor in history is willing to abdicate.
Emperor Taizong Li Shimin
Some people may say that King Wuling of Zhao did not give way. Yes, King Wuling of Zhao did abdicate, but later he went back on his word. He encouraged his eldest son to seize power from his second son, trying to get his two sons to fight and let him come back, but he committed suicide. King Wuling of Zhao obviously doesn't want to abdicate, and even if he abdicates, he regrets it. Given another chance, he would definitely not give up the throne to his son.
Therefore, as long as they are normal emperors, they are unwilling to abdicate when they are alive. There are several main reasons for this:
First, the supreme power is unique and exclusive.
There are no two days in the sky, and there are no two kings on the earth. The supreme power of the emperor is unique and exclusive, and can only be owned by the emperor alone. The position of emperor was invented by Qin Shihuang. He created a set of etiquette and system for the emperor, and at the same time used the county system and centralized system to hold all the important powers of the whole country in his hands.
The rule of feudal society is centered on the emperor, and all systems and ideas are generated around the emperor. Moreover, the family concept of feudal emperors was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. There has always been only one emperor. Where there is an emperor, there are disputes and troubles.
Li Longji and Yang Guifei in Xuanzong Period of Tang Dynasty
Once the emperor gives up the throne while he is alive, the power of the whole world will be concentrated on the new emperor, and the emperor's father will lose power. The emperor's father had always been the center of power, and suddenly there was nothing. No one can stand this sense of loss. Like Tang Gaozu Tang Gaozu, who was forced to give up the throne, he still lived for nine years. In these nine years, Tang Gaozu had nothing to do but try hard to have children. Who can stand it?
Second, power is poison, and no one wants to give up.
The emperor became the only and most outstanding ruler in the world. Getting the power of wind and rain is addictive, just like taking drugs. The wealth, land, population and beauty of the whole world belong to the emperor. Once he came to power, no one would let him go unless he died, including the above-mentioned Tang gaozu, Li Longji and Emperor Qianlong. They are unwilling to hand over the power of the emperor, just for various reasons.
Qianlong
Everyone is selfish, so is the emperor. It has become a kind of knowledge and tradition that the old emperor will give way after his death. Therefore, no emperor will give way when he is alive. Generally, he will determine the heir before his death and then give way after his death.
Third, the most ruthless royal family, born in the royal family, power is far more important than affection.
Feudal society, in order to compete for the imperial industry, there are countless examples of killing each other. For example, Li Shimin killed his brother and younger brother in order to compete for the position of the prince. It was his own, and he killed all his sons, too. All this is just for the position of emperor. At this point, how can an emperor be willing to let go? From the perspective of the old emperor, the problem is this: the throne is mine, I give it to you, you must have it, I don't give it, you can't grab it, and you will die if you grab it.
Nobody wants to be the father of the emperor.
For example, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty forced his eldest son, Herry Liu, to death in the disaster of witchcraft because he was worried that his position as emperor would be taken away by his son. From the perspective of power, the old emperor and his heirs formed a hostile relationship in interests. If the prince wants to inherit the throne early, he may kill the old emperor. Although the prince will not do this, the old emperor will generally guard against the prince doing so. This kind of kinship between father and son is useless in the face of imperial power, so the most ruthless royal family is of royal origin, and power is far greater than kinship. The old emperor will not give up the throne when he is alive, because he thinks that power is more important than affection.
Therefore, ancient emperors generally did not pass on the throne to their sons when they were alive, but first set an heir, and then let the new emperor inherit the throne according to the inheritance system after death. Almost all emperors did this.