In the long history of China, the Tang Dynasty was undoubtedly an era full of glory and glory. And in this era, there was an emperor whose name was like a bright star, illuminating the sky of the entire Tang Dynasty.
He was Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, an emperor with outstanding political talent and military command ability.
Li Shimin was born into a prominent family, and his father was Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Influenced by his father from an early age, Li Shimin developed a strong interest in military affairs and politics.
In the turbulent times in the last years of the Sui Dynasty, Li Shimin took advantage of the situation to raise troops in Jinyang (now Taiyuan, Shanxi) and gradually unified the whole country.
In June 617 (the thirteenth year of the Great Cause), Li Shimin and his brother Li Jiancheng led their troops to attack Xihe (now Fenyang), and won the first battle, prompting Li Yuan to decide to go west to Guanzhong.
Li Shimin served as the governor of the right leading army, commanded the three armies on the right, and was named the prince of Dunhuang County. Soon conquered Chang'an, set up Yang Yu as the emperor, respected Yang Guang as the emperor, Yang Yu named Li Yuan as the fake Huang Yue, the envoy, the governor of the capital inside and outside the military, Shang Shuling, the prime minister, into the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin as Jing Zhaoyin, changed the title of Qin Duke.
After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin and his elder brother Li Jiancheng engaged in a fierce struggle for power.
In the end, in the Xuanwumen Incident, Li Shimin successfully seized the throne.
and killed the eldest brother crown prince Li Jiancheng and the fourth brother Li Yuanji, the king of Qi, and then Tang Gaozu Li Yuan summoned Li Shimin as the crown prince, Li Yuan was soon forced to abdicate, Li Shimin ascended the throne, and changed the Yuan Zhenguan.
In this power struggle, Li Shimin showed outstanding political wisdom and decisiveness. Not only did he succeed in enlisting the support of the army, but he also politically isolated his opponents, giving himself absolute control in the imperial court.
After ascending to the throne, Li Shimin showed outstanding political talent and wisdom in governing the country.
He propelled the Tang Dynasty to new heights, making it one of the most powerful states in the world at the time. He implemented a series of policies conducive to the development of the country, such as reducing taxes, developing agriculture and commerce, and promoting culture and education.
The implementation of these policies led to unprecedented socio-economic and cultural development and prosperity in the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin attaches great importance to listening to the opinions of all sides, and he is well aware of the truth that "if you listen at the same time, you will be clear."
In the process of governing the country, he extensively listened to the opinions and suggestions of the people and actively adopted useful suggestions.
This enlightened political attitude made the political environment of the Tang Dynasty very relaxed and free, and also stimulated the enthusiasm and creativity of the people and the people.
Li Shimin attaches great importance to the selection and appointment of talents. He is well aware of the truth that "talent is the first resource", so he has taken a number of measures to attract and retain talent.
He respected the virtuous, gave them good treatment, and allowed them to hold important positions in the imperial court. This attitude of attaching importance to talents injected new vitality into the development of the Tang Dynasty, and also made the Tang Dynasty one of the countries with the largest concentration of talents at that time.
After stabilizing the domestic political situation, Li Shimin began to expand outward. He sent the general Li Jing and others to lead the army to attack the Turks in the north, Goguryeo in the east, and Tubo in the south, making the territory of the Tang Dynasty unprecedentedly vast.
These wars not only safeguarded the Tang Dynasty, but also made it one of the most powerful states in the world at the time.
Under Li Shimin's rule, the culture and art of the Tang Dynasty developed and flourished like never before.
He advocated Confucianism and cultural education, and encouraged scholars and artists to conduct research and creation.
During this period, many famous writers, poets, painters, ** artists and other artists appeared, and their works became treasures in the treasure house of Chinese art, laying a solid foundation for the development of culture and art in later generations.
In his later years, Li Shimin believed in the art of immortality and began to take pills refined by Taoist priests, and finally died of illness in 649 at the age of 50.
His life was full of brilliant achievements, and his ruling philosophy and political prowess left a deep mark on Chinese history, and he was revered as the "Heavenly Khan" and regarded by later generations as a model for the Ming monarch.