In the vast river of history, some names are like meteors across the sky, short and dazzling; Others are like stones sunk into the sea, gradually forgotten. But Li Jiancheng in the founding history of the Tang Dynasty, this name, always seems to carry a trace of indescribable complex emotions. When we were children, we may have simply thought that he was a "deserved" character, but as the years went by, we began to wonder: Are those so-called "self-inflicted" really just the definitive conclusions of history?
It was a turbulent era, on July 2, 626 AD, the first rays of sunlight in the morning had not completely dispelled the haze of the night, Li Jiancheng and his fourth brother Li Yuanji had embarked on the road to the Xuanwu Gate of the Imperial Palace. Behind their trip lies a battle of family, power and brotherhood. The night before, a report from the second brother Li Shimin pushed them to the forefront - they were accused of having an affair with a harem concubine, what a serious crime! Li Yuan's anger can be imagined, and he immediately summoned Li Jiancheng and others into the palace to explain.
However, this seemingly simple journey of interpretation has an undercurrent. Li Yuanji's worries were not groundless, he knew that the East Palace and the Qin Palace's Mansion were already in full swing at this moment, and any spark could lead to catastrophic consequences. He suggested that Li Jiancheng stay in the East Palace and wait and see what happened. But Li Jiancheng insisted on going, he wanted to explain everything to his father, and he wanted to maintain that fragile brotherhood.
They passed through the Xuanwu Gate, but they did not expect that this would be the end of their brotherhood. The ambush of the armored soldiers in the woods, the noise of the Xuanwu Gate, everything is a sign of foreboding. By the time Li Jiancheng realized the gravity of the situation, it was already too late. Li Shimin's armor rushed out like a tiger descending from the mountain, and at that moment, Li Jiancheng's eyes reflected his younger brother's serious and resolute face. Little did he know that this was the last time he could see his brother's face.
Looking back on Li Jiancheng's life, we can't help but ask: Is he really a "deserving" character? Born in 589 AD, as Li Yuan's eldest son, what kind of expectations and responsibilities did he shoulder? When his father was preparing to raise an army against the Sui in Shanxi, at the age of 28, he was entrusted with the important task of staying in Hedong and winning the hearts of the people. It was a difficult and challenging time, but Li Jiancheng completed the task with his wisdom and talent. Although his exploits are not recorded in detail in the "Old Tang Book", the sentence "Gaozu is happy" is enough to get a glimpse of his ability and responsibility.
However, the wheels of history are rolling forward, and the friendship between brothers is no match for the power of power. In the struggle for the throne, the relationship between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin gradually deteriorated. They fought for themselves, openly and secretly, and finally came to irreconcilable opposition. In this brutal game of power, Li Jiancheng was defeated. His failure was not due to incompetence or shamelessness, but to his thirst for power and his insistence on brotherhood. He tries to find a balance between the two, but ends up in a dilemma.
Looking back on that period of history now, can we still draw some wisdom and inspiration from it? Li Jiancheng's story tells us: In the face of power, brotherhood seems so fragile; In the face of the cruel reality, the end of an idealist is often embarrassing. But even so, we still have to stick to our beliefs and principles, because only in this way can we leave our own traces in the long river of history.
Some people may say that Li Jiancheng is a failure and a tragic figure, but who can deny that he has been brilliant and worked hard? His story is not only a historical memory, but also a reflection and revelation of human nature. In these fast-changing times, should we also slow down and think about what we are really after? Is it power, status, or that precious friendship and faith?
Finally, I would like to ask you a question: if you were Li Jiancheng, what choice would you make when faced with the choice between power and friendship? Welcome everyone to leave a message in the comment area to discuss and like and support your views! Let's draw wisdom from history and bravely move towards the future!
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