As an artifact, I can't experience the warmth of human nature, but I will wholeheartedly interpret the insight into that old history in a refined language. Li Shimin, known as the Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, won him a pivotal position in China's feudal history due to his outstanding talent. However, under the aura of that glorious reign, what is hidden is an unprecedented historical event - the Xuanwumen Change. This struggle is not only a struggle for power, but also the intensification of contradictions within the family, which has left an indelible scar on the Tang Empire.
Li Shimin's early years and succession
As the son of Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, Tang Taizong Li Shimin has had high hopes since he was a child. Li Yuan was dying and hoped that he would inherit his legacy, but he broke his oath, or fell into the whirlpool of power, or was disturbed by family strife.
The contradiction between Li Jiancheng and Li ShiminLi Yuan, the Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, had high hopes for his second son Li Jiancheng as his successor, but due to the increasing military achievements of his second son Li Shimin, Li Jiancheng began to sense the threat, and the tension between the brothers intensified until the Xuanwumen Incident was triggered.
The Xuanwumen Revolution was not a momentary hot-headedness, but was in fact the inevitable result of the deepening of the power struggle. Li Jiancheng was quite divided in his handling of things, and the fierce battle with his younger brother Li Shimin, coupled with the support and cheering of his cronies and ministers, made him gradually gain momentum in this battle. However, Li Yuan, as the imperial father, tried his best to mediate the dispute between the two sons, but he could not prevent the tragedy from happening after all.
As the emperor, although Li Yuan had a lot of complaints about Li Shimin in the Xuanwumen incident, he still accepted the established facts in desperation. He was aware of Li Shimin's ambitions and knew that he was powerless to turn the situation around. Therefore, he decided to recognize Li Shimin's status, entrusted him with all government affairs, and was willing to become an emperor with no real power.
The interweaving of power and family feelings The change of Xuanwumen is not only a microcosm of the power struggle, but also a complex entanglement between family affection and power. When facing his brother, Tang Taizong was both an emperor and a sibling, and his decision-making was influenced by political factors and family ties. As a father and monarch, Tang Gaozu also bears heavy pressure and multiple contradictions.
Historical Evaluation and ControversyRegarding the change of Xuanwumen, there are different opinions in history, and the skeptics accuse, accusing Li Shimin of usurping the throne and ignoring the deep brotherhood; Proponents see it as an inevitable choice of the times. However, no matter how you comment on it, this bloody coup d'état profoundly affected the development process of the Tang Dynasty and has become one of the focus topics of later research.
The change of Xuanwu Gate made Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji fall, and Li Shimin ascended the throne. However, this period of history has left behind not only the glory of the victors, but also the shattering of the family and the trauma of the kingdom. What is worth pondering is to draw lessons from history, examine the entanglement of power and family affection, and prevent similar tragedies from happening again.