Emperor Taizong of Tang

Emperor Taizong of Tang China (, January 23, 599–July 10, 649), born Lĭ ShìMín (), was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China from 626 to 649. He encouraged his father, Li Yuan (李淵), to start the uprising that established the Tang dynasty from Taiyuan (太原), and many now consider Taizong to have been the co-founder of the dynasty. In 630, Taizong's general Li Jing (李靖) conquered the once mighty Eastern Turkic Khanate (西突厥頡利可汗) and allowed Tang to become the major political and military power of the region. Accordingly, leaders of bordering tribes convened at Chang'an (modern Xi'an) the same year and asked for Taizong to take on the title of Heavenly Khan (天可汗). Under his reign, the famous rule of Zhenguan (貞觀之治) took place (his era name was Zhenguan). At the time, it was said that there was no need for the people to lock doors at night and that items left on the road remain untouched by others. The prosperity of the era and the leadership of Taizong and his renowned officials epitomizes the peak of traditional rulership that future generations would strive to emulate. His posthumous name was Wenwu-dasheng-daguang Xiao Huangdi (文武大聖大廣孝皇帝 ^*, literally "Filial Emperor who is Civil and Martial, Greatly Holy, and Greatly Expansive").

Early Achievements

Taizong was born in Xianyang, Shaanxi as the second son of Li Yuan, and was of one-quarter Xianbei (a people related to proto-Mongolic) blood. The most capable and militarily inclined of Li Yuan's many sons, Taizong showed his promise at an early age, helping to rescue Emperor Yang from a Turkic ambush and besiegement at the age of sixteen. In 616, the eighteen-year-old Taizong followed his general-father to his garrison-post at Jinyang, Shanxi, where he instigated his father to stage a military coup against the autocratic and fast crumbling Sui regime. Leading the troops with his elder brother Li Jiancheng (李建成), the rebel army took the capital Chang'an in September 617, thereafter putting a puppet emperor on the throne before Li Yuan himself proclaimed the establishment of a new dynasty, the Tang, in 618.

After the establishment of Tang, Taizong was appointed the Prince of Qin (秦王) by his father. In the succeeding campaigns to augment the power of the new dynasty, Taizong made numerous contributions, intensifying the heated sibling rivalry between him and his two brothers—Li Jiancheng, the heir apparent, and Li Yuanji (李元吉), a younger brother.

Taizong is credited with creating the custom of Door gods (門神, 秦叔寶 and 尉遲敬德), colorful block prints and carvings placed by the doors of temples, homes, businesses, etc., to ward off evil spirits.

The Palace Coup at the Xuanwu Gate

The original crown prince was Taizong's elder brother Li Jiancheng (李建成) although their father had promised the throne to Taizong more than once for his contributions to Tang. The situation was very similar to that of the Sui Dynasty where an ordinary crown prince would feel his future throne threatened by a more capable younger brother. Fearful of losing his throne, Li Jiancheng colluded with his fourth brother, Li Yuanji (李元吉 aka Prince Qi 齊王), to eliminate Taizong. They attempted to poison Taizong during a feast and at another event urged him to ride a wild horse with hopes that he should fall. They also bribed Li Yuan's concubines to defame Taizong and tried unsuccessfully to lure his subordinates away with gold. Coincidentally, there was an Eastern Turk raid into Tang territory. Li Jiancheng recommended Li Yuanji to defend against this attack and used it as an excuse to summon many of Taizong's subordinates and soldiers out of his control. With much of Taizong's forces in Li Yuanji's command, Li Jiancheng plotted to assassinate Taizong in the farewell feast for Li Yuanji. However, Taizong was tipped of this plot and pre-empted it by ambushing and killing both Jiancheng and Yuanji at the Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變) on July 2, 626 (武德九年六月四日). Jiancheng and Yuanji on approaching the gate sensed danger and turned their horses to flee. Taizong himself led the pursuit and struck Jiancheng dead with an arrow. Taizong's horse then became frightened and ran towards a patch of forest where Taizong fell. Yuanji suddenly appeared and tried to strangle the unhorsed Taizong with a bow. Taizong's general, Weichi Jingde (尉遲敬德) then rode to Taizong's rescue and speared Yuanji. Jiancheng and Yuanji's forces still fought at the Xuanwu Gate, but ceased resistance upon being shown their leaders' heads. All of Jiancheng and Yuanji's sons were subsequently executed but all others involved were pardoned. Two days later, Taizong was made the new crown prince and regent (in that he would make decisions on all affairs and then notify the emperor). Two months later, Taizong's father Emperor Gaozu abdicated and he became emperor.

Emperor of Tang Dynasty

Taizong is ranked among the greatest emperors in Chinese history. Flanked by talented officials and an united people, the Tang dynasty under Taizong flourished in trade, made leaping political progress, and expanded the Tang border.

After years of conflict following the demise of Sui Dynasty and civil wars, Taizong set out to improve the general conditions of China. He changed the era to Zhenguan, which remained unchanged throughout his reign, and ushered in the period known as "The Prosperity of Zhenguan".

To improve agricultural output, Taizong ordered the restructuring of land distribution system and set up new irrigation plot. Taizong also encouraged development of manufacturing industries, with porcelain, smelting and weaving industries becoming famous worldwide. These economical advances allowed Tang Dynasty to expand in foreign trade, attracting foreign merchants across the Silk Road.

Taizong also reformed the Tang administration politically. Abolishing the harsh laws created during the Sui Dynasty, the penal code and tax code were completely reformed. Taizong also adopted the Sui civil service examination system, using meritocracy as the means for hiring officials for the empire. Taizong also was known as a humble man, hiring many officials whose sole job was to chastise or admonish Taizong. One particular minister, Wei Zheng personally criticized Taizong over 200 times. The willingness to invite self criticism, seldom witnessed before or since became a hallmark theme of Taizong's reign.

Taizong also successfully defeated the Huns in the Northern Tang border, bringing stability to the oft-battle scarred land of the North. As a result, many small states around Tang became vassal states, giving offerings of gold and treasures to Taizong every year.

In the year 643, Taizong's fifth son Li Yu instigated a minor rebellion which was quickly defeated. In the same year, Taizong uncovered and foiled a planned palace revolt by the crown prince, Li Chengqian. The situation again stem from sibling rivalry reminiscent of Taizong and Jiancheng. This time the fight for succession was between Chengqian and the fourth Son Li Tai. Chengqian was subsequently exiled and Li Tai verbally promised the position of crown prince.

With Chengqian gone, the other contender for crown prince at that moment was the ninth son Li Zhi who was more timid and kind. Taizong had a difficult time in deciding between the two. Li Tai sensed the indecison and plotted further. He told Taizong that should he become Emperor one day, he would kill his only son so that he may pass the throne to Li Zhi. Taizong was very moved and almost granted his wish on the spot. Next day, Taizong told his officials about this exchange and his new inclination. One official pointed out that Li Tai was all lies. He went on to say that Taizong was responsible for the current mess for he had named Chengqian crown prince yet favoured Li Tai more. He suggested that if Li Tai was to be crown prince, Li Zhi should be killed. To which, Taizong replied that he couldn't bear it.

Li Tai then shifted tactics to Li Zhi. Li Zhi was close to an uncle whom was implicated in Chengqian's plot and later executed. Li Tai made Li Zhi worry that he would somehow be associated also. Taizong sensed Li Zhi's changed mood and asked him what had happened. Li Tai's true nature was thus revealed. Taizong called in four of his most trusted officials and expressed sorrow and disappointment at his own family. He said that if three of his sons (Chengqian, Tai and Yu) and one of his brother can behave like they did, what hopes are there for the future? He then pulled out a knife and tried to kill himself but was stopped. The officals then asked him who's to be crown prince, to which he said Li Zhi. Li Zhi would later become Emperor Gaozong of Tang.

Li Zhi's timid nature had always worried Taizong. Afterwards, he contemplated naming his third son Li Ke instead for he felt he was a more capable leader and protector of the Empire. Taizong's worry would not prove to be unfounded as later on through Li Zhi, Wu Zetian would come to prominence and become the only female Emperor in Chinese history and briefly ending the reign of Tang.

Later in Taizong's reign, he also initiated campaigns against Korea, much to the opposition of many advisors. Several minor peasant rebellions also occurred after taxes were raised in order to support the campaigns.

Taizong died in Hanfeng Hall of Cuiwei Palace in the year 649 (翠微宮含風殿) and was buried in August in Zhao Mausoleum (now Shaanxi). He was fifty years old.

Family

He had:

Wende-shunsheng Empress (文德順聖皇后), Zhangsun-shi (長孫氏)
Xian Consort (賢妃), Xu Hui (徐惠)
Consort Yang I (楊妃)
Consort Yang II (楊妃)
Yang-shi (楊氏)
Consort Yin (陰妃)
Consort Yan (燕妃)
Secondary Consort Wei (韋貴妃)
Wang-shi (王氏)

He had fourteen sons (in order):

Crown Prince Li Chengqian: son of Wende Empress
Prince Chu, Li Kuan (楚王寬): son of one from the harem　　
Prince Wu, Li Ke (吳王恪): son of Consort Yang I
Prince Bu, Li Tai: son of Wende Empress
Commonor, Li Yu (庶人祐): son of Consort Ying
Prince Shu, Li Yin (蜀王愔): son of Consort Yang I
Prince Jiǎng, Li Yun (蔣王惲): son of Wang-shi
Prince Yue, Li Zhen (越王貞): son of Consort Yan
Emperor Gaozong of Tang China: son of Wende Empress
Prince Ji, Li Shen (紀王慎): son of Secondary Consort Wei
Prince Jiāng, Li Xiao (江王囂): son of Consort Yan
Prince Dai, Li Jian (代王簡): son of one from the harem
Prince Zhao, Li Fu (趙王福): son of Consort Yang II
Prince Cao, Li Ming (曹王明): son of Consort Yang-shi

He had twenty-one daughters (not in order):

Princess Annan (洝南公主)
Princess Nanping (南平公主)
Princess Suian (遂安公主)
Princess Pu'an (普安公主)
Princess Jin'an (晉安公主)
Princess Changle (長樂公主), daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Yuzhang (豫章公主)
Princess Baling (巴陵公主)
Princess Nanling (蘭陵公主), Li Shu (淑), courtesy name Lizhen (麗真)
Princess Dongyang (東陽公主)
Princess Jinyang (晉陽公主), Li Mingda (明達), daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Gaoyang (高陽公主)
Princess Chengyang (城陽公主)
Princess Xincheng (新城公主), daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Xiangcheng (襄城公主)
Princess Ankang (安康公主)
Princess Xinxing (新興公主)
Princess Jinshan (金山公主)
Princess Changshan (常山公主)
Princess Linchuan (臨川公主), daughter of Secondary Consort Wei
Princess Qinghe (清河公主), Li Jin (敬), courtesy name Dexian (德賢)

Literature

He was the subject of a 64-chapter (in eight volumes) The Novel of the Prince of Qin of the Great Tang (大唐秦王詞話 Datang Qin Wang Cihua) by Zhu Shenglin (諸聖鄰) of the Ming Dynasty. The novel is also known as The Biography of the Prince of Qin of the Tang Dynasty (唐秦王本傳 Tang Qin Wang Benzhuan), Romance of Tang (唐傳演義 Tang Chuan Yiyan), and Romance of the Prince of Qin (秦王演義 Qin Wang Yanyi).

Chinese popculture

Hong Kong TVB made a TV drama about Li Shimin adventure based from the "Novel of the Prince of Qin of the Great Tang (大唐秦王詞話)". TVB's 1983 martial arts drama "The Foundation" also featured a young Li Shimin prominently as one of its three leads (and later, villain).

In the epic novel Journey to the West, a fictional account of Li Shimin invention of the Door Gods is to protect him from a vengeful beheaded Dragon after failing to protect him.

External links

599 births | 649 deaths | Tang Dynasty emperors