In the twenty-third year of Zhenguan (649), the outstanding monarch Li Shimin at that time was facing the final chapter of his life. Facing the crown prince Li Zhi, he left a thought-provoking dialogue, revealing the choice of Li Ji, the minister of Tuogu, and the reason why he killed him in the last moments of his life. This kind of imperial mind is deeply admired by people, but the complex factors are worth digging into.
1. At the end of his life, Li Shimin confessed to the crown prince Li Zhi: "I chose Li Ji as your auxiliary minister, but you lack trust in him and worry that he will be difficult to obey. Therefore, I demoted him from the capital. If he moves quickly, you can appoint him again when I die; But if he hesitates, then immediately put him to death. This edict raised questions about why Li Shimin chose Li Ji as the minister of Tuogu and why he murdered him at the end of his life. This involves Li Shimin's deep imperial mentality, that is, both trust and prevention.
From a historical point of view, Li Ji's name may be familiar to everyone, but in fact, he is the prototype of Xu Maogong. Li Ji's original name was Xu Shiji, the word Mao Gong, and was later given the surname Li by Li Yuan, and he became a famous general of the Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin has high hopes for Li Ji, not only because of his noble character, but also because of his brilliant military exploits. Li Ji came from the Wagang Army, and was listed with Cheng Yanjin, Qin Shubao and other founding generals. Li Ji has made great contributions in Wagangzhai, and his loyalty to the Tang Dynasty has shown no guilt. In addition, Li Ji persuaded Li Mi, Ping Wang Shichong, and destroyed Dou Jiande and other military exploits, and made great achievements for the rise of the Tang Dynasty.
II
However, the emperor's trust in a person was not the only consideration. In addition to being trusted by Li Shimin, Li Ji also won high prestige in the army. As early as when he was in Wagangzhai, he made great contributions to the Wagang army. After returning to the Tang Dynasty, he followed Li Shimin to conquer the Quartet and made many contributions. Li Ji performed well in the battles of destroying the Eastern Turks, pacifying Xue Yantuo, and going to Goguryeo, and was included in the list of "Ten Philosophers of Wumiao" canonized by Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. His prestige in the army is not inferior to Li Jing, and the reason why Li Shimin elected him as the minister of Tuogu is precisely because Li Ji has won Li Shimin's deep trust by virtue of his character and military exploits.
At that time, there were other qualified candidates in the military circles to serve as ministers of Tuogu, such as Li Daozong and Xue Wanche. However, as a member of the royal family, Li Daozong has the right to inherit the throne and should not be too powerful. In contrast, Li Ji is more prominent in political consciousness, stability, and ability to serve the public. Li Ji has a deep historical relationship with Li Shimin, and his steadfastness and loyalty are particularly important in the turbulent Tang Dynasty. Therefore, it is no accident that Li Ji became the best minister of Tuogu.
3. However, Li Shimin's choice of Minister Tuogu was not a rash move. He is well aware that this matter is related to the country's major plans and needs to be handled carefully. Even with high hopes for Li Ji, Li Shimin had to undergo a test of loyalty. Even though Li Ji excelled in virtue and military exploits, the hearts of the people were unpredictable, and Li Shimin needed to ensure his loyalty to the new monarch Li Zhi. Therefore, before his death, Li Shimin gave Li Ji an exam question to test his loyalty. The requirement of this question was that Li Ji must act quickly to show his allegiance to the new monarch. This is also the reason why Li Shimin killed Li Ji at the last moment of his life.
Li Ji responded positively and decisively to this test, and without the slightest hesitation, he immediately went on the road, did not go home to pick up his family, and did not bring any luggage. This clear answer sheet sent a clear signal to Taizong Li Zhi and the new monarch Li Zhi: his loyalty can be trusted. After Gaozong Li Zhi ascended the throne, he immediately summoned Li Ji to the court and granted him important positions. This series of arrangements shows that Li Ji's loyalty and quick action have won the trust of Xinjun.
Fourth, however, even if Li Ji passed the test before Taizong Li Shimin's death and became a close confidant of Gaozong Li Zhi, the emperor's mental tricks still did not stop there. Li Shimin also took a cautious attitude towards the eldest grandson Wuji. Before dying, he summoned the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang again, and said to them: "I entrust you with all the aftermath today. Prince Renxiao, you have to assist him well! These exhortations show Li Shimin's deep concern for the country's plans, and also reveal another layer of intentions for the eldest grandson Wuji.
In his exhortation to the eldest grandson Wuji, Li Shimin clearly pointed out: "Wuji is loyal to me, and I can have the world, a lot of it depends on his strength." After I die, don't let the slanderers separate him. Although these words are ostensibly a trust in the eldest grandson Wuji, in fact, they are laying the groundwork for the future fall of the eldest grandson Wuji in advance. Li Shimin first warned Chu Suiliang to avoid the expansion of the eldest grandson Wuji from being criticized by the government and the opposition. For Chu Suiliang, it was also a hidden warning to him, reminding him that if something happened to the eldest grandson Wuji, the responsibility would be on him. This kind of arrangement for a situation that may arise in the future shows Li Shimin's superb political wisdom.
5. On the whole, Li Shimin's imperial mind is not only in his trust in Li Ji, eldest grandson Wuji and others, but also in his thoughtful consideration and prediction of possible situations in the future. Through the test of Li Ji, Li Shimin ensured his loyalty, and the cautious advice to the eldest grandson Wuji was to avoid potential problems in advance. This far-sighted strategy not only reflects Li Shimin's eloquence and strategy, but also lays a solid foundation for the stability and succession of the Tang Dynasty's regime.
To sum up, Li Shimin's imperial mental skills are not only reflected in the selection and test of Li Ji, eldest grandson Wuji and others, but also in the deep insight and careful arrangement of the future situation. This wisdom of both trust and prevention has laid a solid foundation for the prosperity and stability of Datang. History flows like a long river, and Li Shimin's imperial mind will always be admired by future generations and provide us with profound enlightenment. In leadership and governance, the wisdom of thoughtfulness, trust and vigilance is the key to driving the progress of the times. Let us draw on the glory of history on the road of inheriting the wisdom of our ancestors and jointly create a better future.
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