Emperor Tang Tai Zong

born on January 23, 599 and died in July 10, 649, born Li Shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China from 626 to 649. He encouraged his father, Li Yuan, to start the uprising that established the Tang dynasty, and many now consider Taizong to have been the co-founder of the dynasty. In 630, Taizong's general Li Jing conquered the once mighty Eastern Turkic Khanate and allowed Tang to become the major political and military power of the region. Accordingly, leaders of bordering tribes convened at Chang'an (Xian) the same year and asked for Taizong to take on the title of Heavenly Khan (Tian Ke Han). Under his reign, the famous rule of Zhenguan (Zhen Guan Zhi Zhi) 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 ("Filial Emperor who is Civil and Martial, Greatly Holy, and Greatly Expansive").

Early Achievements

Taizong was born in Longxi (in present-day Gansu) as the second son of Li Yuan, and was of one-quarter Xianbei (a people related to modern-day Turks) 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, 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 (Qin Wang) 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¡ªLi Jiancheng, the heir apparent, and Li Yuanji, a younger brother.

Taizong is credited with creating the custom of Door gods, 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 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 (aka Prince Qi), 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 (Xuan Wu Men Zhi Bian) on July 2, 626 (Wu De Jiu Nian Liu Yue Si Ri). Jiangcheng 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 then rode to Taizong's rescue and speared Yuanji. Jiancheng and Yuanji's forces still fought at the Xuanwu Gate, then 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 emperor 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.

Later in Taizong's reign, he dealt with a minor rebellion by one of his sons and a palace revolt by his heir apparent, Li Chengqian. Taizong exiled him and set Li Tai as Crown Prince. However, because Li Tai displayed too much ambitions, Taizong decided to strip him of his status and set Li Zhi as Crown Prince. Li Zhi would later become Emperor Gaozong 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 occured after taxes were raised in order to support the campaigns.

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

Family

He had:

Wende-shunsheng Empress, surname Chang Sun
Xian Consort, Xu Hui
Consort Yang I
Consort Yang II
Yang-shi
Consort Yin
Consort Yan
Secondary Consort Wei
Wang-shi

He had fourteen sons (in order):

Crown Prince Li Chengqian: son of Wende Empress
Prince Chu, Li Kuan: son of one from the harem¡¡¡¡
Prince Wu, Li Ke: son of Consort Yang I
Prince Bu, Li Tai: son of Wende Empress
Commonor, Li Yu: son of Consort Ying
Prince Shu, Li Yin: son of Consort Yang I
Prince Jiang, Li Yun: son of Wang-shi
Prince Yue, Li Zhen: son of Consort Yan
Emperor Gaozong of Tang China: son of Wende Empress
Prince Ji, Li Shen: son of Secondary Consort Wei
Prince Ji¨¡ng, Li Xiao: son of Consort Yan
Prince Dai, Li Jian: son of one from the harem
Prince Zhao, Li Fu: son of Consort Yang II
Prince Cao, Li Ming: son of Consort Yang-shi

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

Princess Annan
Princess Nanping
Princess Suian
Princess Pu'an
Princess Jin'an
Princess Changle, daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Yuzhang
Princess Baling
Princess Nanling, Li Shu, courtesy name Lizhen
Princess Dongyang
Princess Jinyang, Li Mingda, daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Gaoyang
Princess Chengyang
Princess Xincheng, daughter of Wende Empress
Princess Xiangcheng
Princess Ankang
Princess Xinxing
Princess Jinshan
Princess Changshan
Princess Linchuan, daughter of Secondary Consort Wei
Princess Qinghe, Li Jing, courtesy name Dexian