Preface
If everything in history can be assumed, then the outcome of the Xuanwumen Revolution may be different. Assuming that Li Jiancheng wins, what kind of changes will the history of the Tang Dynasty usher in?
This question is not only curious, but also provokes in-depth thinking about the historical process. The glory of the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty is forged by the wise governance of the second generation of Li Tang, however, if Li Jiancheng ascends the throne, how will the fate of the Tang Dynasty change?
Is this controversial prince really useless? This hypothetical historical bifurcation will present us with a completely new historical scene. Let's turn back the clock to that turbulent era and revisit this turbulent history.
I. Sibling feud
The founding road of the Tang Dynasty can be described as magnificent. Although Li Yuan eventually ascended the throne as emperor, in the process, he faced challenges from all sides. The Turks in the north were eyeing each other and could invade at any moment, while the peasant uprisings in the south were in turmoil one after another.
In this situation, Li Yuan trusted his two sons the most: his eldest son Li Jiancheng and his second son Li Shimin. Li Jiancheng, as the crown prince, was naturally pinned on by Li Yuan. He has read the scriptures since he was a child and is familiar with the way to govern the country. Li Yuan hopes that he can take charge of the government and create a new prosperous era for the Tang Dynasty with the image of a cultural person.
At the same time, Li Shimin was sent to the front by Li Yuan to suppress the peasant uprising and defend against foreign invasions. With his outstanding military talents, Li Shimin soon established outstanding military exploits and gained a growing reputation in the government and the opposition.
However, as time went on, the conflict between the two brothers deepened. Li Jiancheng lived in Jian'an and discussed with Wenchen how to govern the country, while Li Shimin experienced a hundred battles and made many miraculous achievements. In the government and the opposition, Li Shimin's prestige became higher and higher, and even began to overshadow Li Jiancheng.
As the eldest son, Li Jiancheng will inevitably have a sense of crisis. He was worried that his crown prince would be shaken, and he was also worried that Li Shimin's ambitions would endanger the stability of the Tang Dynasty.
The root of this contradiction actually lies in Li Yuan himself. As the founding emperor, Li Yuan should have treated his two sons fairly, but he inevitably favored Li Jiancheng. This not only exacerbated the contradiction between the two brothers, but also laid the groundwork for the future Xuanwumen change.
2. Father's partiality
Faced with the conflict between his two sons, Li Yuan wanted to act as a neutral mediator at first. He did not want Li Jiancheng's position as crown prince to be shaken, nor did he want to stifle Li Shimin's military ambitions. Therefore, from time to time, he would send Li Jiancheng on expeditions to increase his military merits. At the same time, he will also deliberately make things difficult for Li Shimin and restrict his military power.
Over time, however, Li Yuan's approach became more and more eccentric. He not only transferred Li Shimin's right-hand men to other places, but also dismissed Li Shimin's confidant Wenchen from his post. Looking at his father's actions, Li Shimin's worries can be imagined.
He feared that his position would be further weakened and that he was in danger of being sidelined. At the same time, Li Jiancheng did not let his guard down. He has 2,000 elite Changlin soldiers under his command, always guarding against Li Shimin's conspiracy. Although Li Jiancheng has a gentle personality, he is by no means a mediocre and incompetent person.
He not only had outstanding attainments in court politics, but also made considerable achievements in military affairs. On several occasions, he personally commanded the Northern Expedition and repelled the Turkic attacks. In this tense atmosphere, Li Shimin finally couldn't hold back and launched the Xuanwumen Rebellion. He led his cronies to raid the palace and captured Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji alive.
Although Li Yuan strongly opposed, he was finally forced to pass on Li Shimin. In this way, Li Jiancheng's position as crown prince was taken away, and Li Shimin ascended the throne as emperor, creating a prosperous era. The root of this father-son contradiction actually lies in Li Yuan himself.
As the founding emperor, Li Yuan should have treated his two sons fairly, but he inevitably favored Li Jiancheng. This not only exacerbated the contradiction between the two brothers, but also laid the groundwork for the future Xuanwumen change. Li Yuan's approach is undoubtedly an irresponsible behavior for the future development of Datang.
3. Changes in Xuanwumen
In this tense atmosphere, Li Shimin finally couldn't hold back and launched the Xuanwumen Rebellion. He led his cronies to raid the palace and captured Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji alive. Although Li Yuan strongly opposed, he was finally forced to pass on Li Shimin. In this way, Li Jiancheng's position as crown prince was taken away, and Li Shimin ascended the throne as emperor, creating a prosperous era.
This Xuanwumen change is undoubtedly a thrilling political upheaval. Li Shimin relied on his military talent and political skills to successfully seize the throne. However, if we carefully analyze this change, it is not difficult for us to find that Li Jiancheng is actually not useless.
If Li Shimin's military talent is outstanding, then Li Jiancheng is also not far behind in government affairs. He is not only diligent in his studies, but also pays attention to the way of employing people. Many famous ministers who later assisted Li Shimin, such as Wei Zheng and Wang Qi, were Li Jiancheng's henchmen.
This shows that Li Jiancheng also has unique features in the selection and training of talents. Moreover, Li Jiancheng still has 2,000 elite Changlin soldiers under his command, which is enough to compete with Li Shimin's Qin Palace. If he can be vigilant during the Xuanwumen Change, he may be able to defeat Li Shimin and continue to serve as the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.
After all, he also personally commanded the Northern Expedition many times and repelled the Turkic attacks, and his military ability is also obvious to all. Unfortunately, this is often the way history develops. Li Jiancheng was finally defeated by Li Shimin and lost his position as crown prince.
epilogue
We have to admit that Li Shimin is indeed an outstanding military genius and statesman. With his own talents and means, he successfully seized the throne and created the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty. However, if we carefully analyze this process, we can find that Li Jiancheng is actually not useless.
Although Li Jiancheng is slightly inferior to Li Shimin militarily, he is equally outstanding in handling government affairs and selecting talents. He is not only diligent in his studies, but also pays attention to the way of employing people. Many famous ministers who later assisted Li Shimin, such as Wei Zheng and Wang Qi, were Li Jiancheng's henchmen. This shows that his political talent should not be underestimated.
Moreover, Li Jiancheng still has 2,000 elite Changlin soldiers under his command, which is enough to compete with Li Shimin's Qin Palace. If he can be vigilant during the Xuanwumen Change, he may be able to defeat Li Shimin and continue to serve as the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. After all, he also personally commanded the Northern Expedition many times and repelled the Turkic attacks, and his military ability is also obvious to all.
Li Jiancheng was finally defeated by Li Shimin and lost his position as crown prince. However, if he wins, Datang is equally likely to go to glory. However, all this can only be our reverie. The pendulum of history finally pointed to Li Shimin, opening the prosperous era of "Zhenguan's rule". And Li Jiancheng has become a suffocating regret.