In the history of China, there are very few emperors who can be called "the first emperor of the ages", but Li Shimin easily won this good name, to a large extent, because he ruled the world with literature, persuaded agriculture and mulberry, implemented the policy of rest and recuperation, and created the "rule of Zhenguan", which laid an important foundation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty for more than 100 years.
However, the world's evaluations are often fair, and there are praises and belittlements, and Li Shimin is not immune.
The negative evaluation of him is nothing more than a mutiny against the Xuanwu Sect, killing his brother and killing his brother, and forcing the palace to usurp the throne. Speaking of which, some people may wonder, since Li Shimin dared to kill his brother, why did he let Li Yuan go in the end, was it because of filial piety?
Of course not, the reason why Li Shimin let Li Yuan go was actually because he couldn't bear the consequences, what is going on?
The beginning and end of the Xuanwumen Mutiny
Everything has to start with the Xuanwumen Mutiny. Regarding the occurrence of this incident, Li Shimin actually had to do it as a last resort, although the royal family was ruthless, but if it was not for the choice of one or the other, Li Shimin would not have embarked on this road of great disapproval.
Before the Xuanwumen Mutiny, the contradictions between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had long reached the point of irreconcilability.
At that time, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty was unscrupulous, the people were exhausted, and uprisings spread all over the country.
At this time, Li Yuan was appointed as the Taiyuan Taishou and had the opportunity to garrison troops, so, at Li Shimin's suggestion, he decided to raise troops to raise a big event.
In the process of Li Yuan's army to seize the throne, Li Shimin played a role that could not be ignored. Not only did he make many achievements in the war, but he also won great prestige and reputation.
Most importantly, under the influence of the current situation, Li Shimin's power and resources were gradually expanded during the war, which made his influence in the imperial court gradually increase, posing a great threat to the crown prince Li Jiancheng.
Although since ancient times, the eldest son has been the first to establish the crown prince, but with Li Shimin's military exploits and prestige, he naturally will not be committed to Li Jiancheng, who is inferior to himself in everything.
As for Li Jiancheng, even if Li Shimin is willing, he will not believe that the other party will be driven by himself, so the dissatisfaction between the two of them with each other has begun to accumulate more and more.
Later, when Li Yuan pacified the world and sat on the throne completely, the two factions headed by Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng officially began the power struggle, and before the Xuanwumen Mutiny, the contradictions between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji also reached the point of no turnaround.
In order to completely solve this problem, Li Shimin, who was united by the prince's faction to exclude and frame him many times, ambushed his troops at Xuanwumen, killed the crown prince Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, the king of Qi, who came to the palace to discuss matters, and sent troops to control the palace Dauchi.
Subsequently, Feng Li, the general of the Yiwei chariot cavalry of the Prince's Mansion, Xue Wanche, the general of the guard army, Xie Shufang, the general of the chariot cavalry, and others led the soldiers and horses of the East Palace and the Qi Palace's Mansion to start a counterattack on the Xuanwu Gate, but after seeing the heads of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji carried by the general of the Qin Palace, Chi Gong, they immediately broke down and were vulnerable.
Immediately afterwards, Li Shimin grasped the real power, entered the palace to force the palace, and was successfully established as the crown prince. Two months later, Li Yuanchan gave the throne to Li Shimin, that is, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, and began the 23-year "rule of Zhenguan".
So, the question is, since Li Shimin has already borne the reputation of killing his brother, but when he finally seized power, he let Li Yuan go?
The trade-off between affection and interest
Li Shimin actually let Li Yuan go for many reasons, part of which is indeed related to the relationship between father and son, which can be seen from Li Shimin's reaction after the Xuanwumen Mutiny.
It is said that after the Xuanwumen Change, Li Shimin cried and confessed his mistakes to Li Yuan after entering the palace, so it seems that although he is a decisive monarch, he is also a person who values feelings, otherwise he would not feel guilty about his actions.
From this point of view, it is reasonable that he is reluctant to attack Li Yuan.
However, this is not all the reason why Li Shimin did not kill people, and part of it is out of interest considerations.
First, there are moral and ethical considerations. In ancient times, under the influence of Confucianism, the Chinese had a strict belief in "Heaven and Earth", which included respect and maintenance of family relationships, especially father-son relationships.
And Li Yuan is both a "king" and a "relative" to Li Shimin, once Li Yuan is killed, then Li Shimin will be regarded as a great rebel who betrays his master and kills his father.
If a king seriously violates traditional ideology and ethics, it will naturally inevitably cause chaos among the people and political instability, so out of this consideration, Li Shimin did not dare to kill Li Yuan.
Secondly, it is based on political considerations. As the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan's status is lofty, and the power of the energy and interest groups behind it is amazing.
And if Li Yuan is killed, it will bring about greater political turmoil and power struggle, which is very unfavorable for Li Shimin.
Finally, it is considered from the point of view of threat coefficients. Li Shimin had already seized the main power after the Xuanwumen Rebellion, and there was no real benefit to him in killing Li Yuan.
On the contrary, if Li Yuan's throne is retained, not only can he inherit the throne in a legal capacity, but also avoid causing greater political turmoil.
Therefore, from these perspectives, the reason why Li Shimin did not kill Li Yuan is indeed more beneficial than emotional.
This judgment is not groundless, and Li Shimin's various behaviors after ascending the throne show that he is indeed not a sentient monarch.
Ruthless imperial power
In addition to the much-criticized incident of the Xuanwumen Mutiny, Li Shimin also had one thing that was criticized, that is, after killing Li Yuanji, he actually included Li Yuanji's wife Concubine Yang in his harem.
According to the records of the wild history, Concubine Yang was also a rare beauty at that time, "jade and snowy skin, picturesque eyebrows" is the description of her in the history books, which shows that what she said is true.
Because of this, many people think that Li Shimin's inclusion of Concubine Yang in the harem is completely dominated by desire and coveted by her beauty.
Although everyone has a love for beauty, Li Shimin's doing this does not rule out this reason.
But don't forget, he is the emperor, in the Tang Dynasty, especially in the royal family and aristocracy, marriage is often not only based on love, but also the influence of politics, power, family interests and other factors, Li Shimin as the king of a country, his marriage is naturally not exempt from vulgarity.
In addition to her beauty, Concubine Yang also has another advantage, that is, her identity as the daughter of the Sui Dynasty clan.
Concubine Yang had a strong background in the Hongnong Yang clan, and by marrying her, Li Shimin could strengthen the connection with the Hongnong Yang clan and thus consolidate his dominance.
Therefore, his marriage to Concubine Yang is actually a political means, that is, to consolidate his power and stabilize the political situation through marriage.
How can a monarch who kills his brother and kill his brother for power, and even his brother-in-law can marry him, be tied up by the love of father and son?
From this point of view, the reason why Li Shimin did not kill Li Yuan is indeed very rational, and he thinks more about the consequences behind this incident than the sadness of killing his father.