Harmony was an extremely important means in the foreign policy of China's ancient feudal dynasties. Tang Taizong Li Shimin, as a generation of male lords, this diplomatic skill is even more familiar, and many clan women, just because they have near or far relatives with the royal family, have become Tang Taizong's political chips to stabilize the frontier.
The well-known Princess Wencheng is a distant relative of the Li clan, and before the peace, even the names of her parents are not recorded in the history books, which shows that this relationship is really a bit distant.
(Princess Wencheng statue)
But the strange thing is that Li Shimin, who refused to let the real princess go and kiss, recruited a foreign horse for his two sisters.
In the 10th year of Zhenguan, a group of people and horses traveled thousands of miles from the Eastern Turks to Chang'an to demand submission to the Tang Dynasty, led by Ashina Sher, who called himself Dubu Khan.
(Turkic tribal style)
Ashina Sher's submission made Tang Taizong overjoyed, so he made him a great general of Zuo Xiao at that time, and took his sister -
Hengyang Changgong
The Lord married him, and Ashina Sher became the first truly foreign horse of the Tang Dynasty.
Since his return to the Tang Dynasty, Ashinasheer made great contributions to the great battles of pacifying Gaochang, expeditioning to Liaodong, capturing Guizi, and capturing Khotan.
What is even more valuable is that Ashinasheer is very honest and self-respecting. In the 21st year of Zhenguan, he and Guo Xiaoke, the protector of Anxi, led a crusade against the Kamezi Kingdom. Guo Xiaoke's life was luxurious, and the living utensils he used were decorated with gold and jade, and for the purpose of pleasing the horses, Guo Xiaoke also gave Ashina Sheer many magnificent items, but he refused them one by one.
After hearing this news, Li Shimin said with emotion: "The two generals are good or bad, and they will not ask anyone anymore!" ”
Tang Taizong Li Shimin
Another of Li Shimin's brother-in-law's brothers-in-law was also a Member of the Eastern Turks, named Zhi Zhi Si Li. Although he was of the same clan as Ashinasheer, his position as a pack horse was even more difficult.
In the fourth year of Zhenguan, the Turkic Jieli Khan was defeated by the famous Tang Dynasty general Li Jing, and the Jieli Khan sent an emissary to Chang'an to apologize for his sins and surrender. Soon after, Jieli Khan was captured, but zhi lost his mind and was appreciated by Li Shimin and was named the general of the left leading army.
After submitting to the Tang Dynasty, ZhiWusili used his prestige in the Western Regions to persuade the Hun and Husa tribes to submit to the Tang Dynasty, further expanding the Tang Dynasty's sphere of influence.
In the 19th year of Zhenguan, when Emperor Taizong of Tang was on an expedition to Liaodong, he lost the town of Sili to defend the rear, and defeated Xue Yantuo and other tribes in the Western Regions who wanted to take advantage of the void. From the 20th year of Zhenguan to the 21st year of Zhenguan, Zhiwu Sili fought with the famous generals Xue Wanche, Zhang Jian and others many times, and finally destroyed Xue Yantuo's troops and pacified Tuguhun.
(Map of the border situation of the Tang Dynasty)
In order to recognize the outstanding military achievements of the lost mind, in August of the 22nd year of Zhenguan, Tang Taizong Li Shimin took his other sister-
Princess Jiujiang
Married to him, he was given the title of Lieutenant of Madu.
In The history of China, it has been very rare for a woman of direct royal family to marry a foreign family. However, Li Shimin was able to treat the foreign tribes of Fanbang equally, and this kind of open-mindedness and foresight was indeed difficult for anyone to reach!