In 626 AD, the 19th year of the reign of Li Shimin, the king of Tianshou, the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an City, Xuanwu Gate
In 626 AD, Li Shimin, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, had ruled the country for almost twenty years.
Under his rule, the Tang Dynasty was strong, and the society enjoyed the joy of prosperity, and people praised his virtues. However, at this moment of peace and prosperity, storms are brewing.
Chang'an City, the bustling atmosphere of the ancient capital of the Orient fills the air. In the streets and alleys, people hurried by, as if they were in another world.
The crown prince Li Jiancheng, the eldest son of Li Shimin, has received excellent conditions and a good education since he was a child, and has been placed on incomparable expectations. However, despite his talent, Li Jiancheng has an arrogant personality and occasionally shows a worrying ambition.
Li Shimin is well aware of the temptation of power to people, and he understands that the current crown prince Li Jiancheng may turn his back on himself because of his inflated ambitions, endanger the Tang Dynasty, and ultimately reap the consequences.
Therefore, Li Shimin decided to launch a major coup d'état to get rid of Li Jiancheng as an unstable factor.
However, he was not without worries, after all, Li Jiancheng was a piece of meat in his stomach, and he couldn't easily attack it. So, Li Shimin thought of a plan.
With the support of Li Jiancheng's two trusted advisors, the generals Li Yuanji and Wei Zheng, Li Shimin promised the crown prince that he would enthrone him as emperor in a short time, and that the prince would go to Xuanwu Gate with him and wait for the army to pick him up and complete the plan of changing positions.
Li Jiancheng had long wanted to express his merits and ambitions to his father, so he accepted the offer without hesitation.
Outside the Xuanwu Gate, Li Jiancheng waited for a moment, but never waited for the arrival of the army. He was a little anxious, a little uneasy in his heart, but he still believed in his father's sincerity.
At this moment, the elite guards led by Li Shimin appeared in front of the crown prince, and their roars and the flickering of their blades shocked Li Jiancheng.
"Father, what does this mean?" Li Jiancheng was disappointed and confused, trying to figure out what was happening in front of him. Li Shimin sneered and looked at his eldest son fiercely.
"Jiancheng, although you are my son, your ambition has touched my bottom line. You have forgotten your responsibilities, forgotten the foundation of your life, and only cared about your own selfish interests and power. I can't pin the future of Datang on your shoulders!"
Li Shimin's voice shocked everyone, and Li Jiancheng immediately understood what his father meant. The situation has changed abruptly, and a prince who once enjoyed honor is now facing a desperate situation. He did not run away, nor did he plead for mercy, but faced the situation in front of him and thought calmly.
At the moment when he saw that he was about to be executed, Li Jiancheng had a realization. He understood that his ambition had led to his own tragedy, and confirmed his father's fears. Regardless, he was willing to take the consequences of his mistakes.
"I beg you to bury my coffin somewhere near Chang'an City, this is my only wish. Li Jiancheng said calmly.
When Li Shimin heard his son's request, a trace of grief flashed in his eyes. He didn't think of putting the prince to death at first, just to deter him and make him realize his mistake. However, all this is irreparable.
"Well, I'll grant you that request. Li Shimin took a deep breath, his voice a little hoarse.
The Xuanwumen Incident was a change of political power, and it was also a tragic course in the history of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin bravely stood up to deal with his son, not only to defend the stability of the Tang Dynasty, but also to warn the world that power cannot lose people's hearts, no matter what the circumstances.
Outside the Xuanwu Gate of Chang'an City, Li Jiancheng's figure finally disappeared, and his last words became a legend with some meaning.
Whenever people pass by this place, they will stop and stare for a while, as if they can feel the lessons brought by the prince Li Jiancheng, who once had great ambitions. The Tang Dynasty is still prosperous, and Li Shimin has no regrets about his decision.
The Xuanwumen Revolution seems to be just a struggle between families, but it pins on Li Shimin's profound righteousness and the future of the country.
It was in this coup d'état that Li Shimin not only succeeded in eliminating internal instability, but also consolidated his prestige as emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
Since then, the Tang Dynasty has continued to prosper for nearly two hundred years, and the extremely prosperous Tang Dynasty culture is radiating, allowing history to see the test of Li Shimin's Xuanwumen Revolution and the better Tang Dynasty he pursued.