Li Shimin was seriously ill in bed, and he knew that time was short. So he called the cowardly prince Li Zhi to the bed, and Li Shimin said: "There is no scruples and Suiliang, you don't have to worry about state affairs, but there is a person."

Li Shimin was seriously ill in bed, and he knew that time was short. So he called the cowardly prince Li Zhi to the bed, and Li Shimin said, "There is no scruples and SuiLiang, you don't have to worry about state affairs, but there is a person, I'm afraid you will be difficult to deal with!" ”

Seeing Li Zhi's doubtful face, Li Shimin continued: "Li Ji's talent and wisdom are very outstanding, but you have no kindness to him, and I am afraid that he cannot really surrender to you." (Zizhi Tongjian: "Li Ji has more than enough wisdom, but Ru ru has no grace with him, and I am afraid that he will not be able to bear it.") ”）

Li Ji (李勣), formerly known as Xu Shixun (徐世勣), was a cadre under Li Shimin and had distinguished himself with outstanding merit. So why didn't Li Shimin worry about the eldest grandson Wuji and Chu Suiliang? Because after the two deposed the crown prince Li Chengqian, they both strongly recommended Li Zhi as the crown prince, and the eldest grandson Wuji was still Li Zhi's uncle, Li Shimin naturally did not worry.

When Li Zhi heard Li Shimin say this, he couldn't help but feel hurt, and Li Shimin comforted him: "Don't worry, I have already thought of countermeasures for you, you just do what I say." Li Zhihuan said, "Father Emperor, you said that your sons and daughters will definitely do the same." ”

Li Shimin continued, "I will now make a holy decree to take Li Jizhen away. If he obeys the will, you will recall him after I die and make him a servant, so that you may be gracious to him, and he will be grateful and loyal to you in the future; if he resists, or hesitates, you will kill him at once. Li Zhi nodded tearfully after listening.

Sure enough, the next day Li Ji received the Holy Will and was demoted to Diezhou. Li Ji was a wise man, and when he received the Holy Will, he did not even return home, so he took his entourage to Diezhou. After Li Shimin's death, Li Zhi recalled Li Ji according to his wishes and made him a left servant (equivalent to zai chancellor).

Li Shimin wanted to test Li Ji, but Li Ji had already seen his intentions and was well versed in the principle of Mingzhe's self-preservation, but he did things more out of personal selfishness. In the matter of Li Wu Zetian's posthumous behavior, Li Ji chose to obey Li Zhi after weighing the pros and cons. At that time, after Chu Suiliang and other courtiers opposed Li Zhi's abolition of the empress Dowager Wu Zetian, Li Zhi could not make up his mind and secretly approached Li Ji to inquire about this matter. Li Ji knew Li Zhi's intentions. He replied, "This is Your Majesty's family affair, so why ask outsiders more!" ”

Li Ji's answer made Li Zhi more determined to establish Wu Zetianwei, and after Wu Zetian successfully ascended the throne, Chu Suiliang was degraded because of this matter, and Li Ji gained the trust of Li Zhi and Empress Wu.

In 669, Li Ji died at the age of 76.

Li Ji' ability can not but be said to be excellent, but compared to his ability, his ability to weigh between the government and the opposition makes him more successful in the feudal dynasty power game, and finally he can die well.