The Tang Dynasty was a glorious era, with strong national strength and prosperous culture, and was known as the golden age of Chinese civilization. In this era, the royal family has multiplied, like the stars in the Milky Way, shining with their own light.
However, under this bright starry sky, not every star can enjoy the glory and wealth of the royal family for a long time. Especially those clan members who are increasingly distancing themselves from the direct blood of the royal family, how can they find their place in the huge royal family and forge their own path?
To answer this question, we have to go deep into the Tang dynasty's clan system and the original intention behind it. In order to maintain the stability and inheritance of the Li Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan, the ancestor of the Tang Dynasty, had a large number of feudal clans as kings in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. This seemingly generous clan policy did play a positive role in stabilizing the imperial power and consolidating the rule in the early days. However, as time went on, the number of clan members continued to increase, and its drawbacks were gradually exposed.
The expansion of the clan population put tremendous financial pressure on the imperial court. In order to support these clan members, the imperial court had to allocate a lot of financial and material resources. What's more, as the power of the clan members continues to expand, their threat to the imperial power is also increasing, and there are even power struggles and disputes between clan members. This situation posed a serious threat to the stability of the imperial power and the ruling order of the imperial court.
In order to change this situation, the clan system of the Tang Dynasty began to be reformed gradually. During the period of Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the clan system ushered in an important turning point. In order to maintain the stability of imperial power, Tang Taizong implemented the cabinet system, which restricted the power and treatment of clan members. This system made it possible for clan members to no longer have the easy way to obtain high official positions as in the past, but to strive for promotions based on their talents and merits. At the same time, Tang Taizong also stipulated a system of demotion and succession, that is, the titles of clan members cannot be hereditary, but need to be degraded and inherited. In this way, the hereditary power of the members of the clan was greatly limited, reducing their potential threat to imperial power.
By the time of Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the clan system had been further strengthened and improved. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty established a system such as the Sixteen Princes' Mansions, centralized the management of clan members, and strengthened the monitoring and control of them. This system makes the lives of clan members more standardized, reduces their contact and communication with the outside world, and thus reduces the likelihood that they will form a party for personal gain and plot misdeeds. In addition, the feudal clan's ability to eat and participate in political power was also more severely restricted. These changes not only reduced the threat to imperial power from clan members, but also greatly reduced the financial burden on the imperial court.
However, these changes in the clan system also meant that those clan members who had gone out of the Five Suits had to fend for themselves. They have lost the protection and preferential treatment of the royal family, and need to rely on their own abilities and abilities to gain a foothold and develop in society. Faced with the pressures and challenges of life, many clan members chose to be self-reliant and strive for progress. Through their efforts and talents, they have achieved remarkable achievements and status in society.
For example, Li Shizhi, as the grandson of the deposed prince Li Chengqian, did not sit back and enjoy his achievements because of his clan status. On the contrary, he worked harder to acquire cultural knowledge and the skills of governing the country, and eventually became prime minister by virtue of his talents and merits. During his tenure, he implemented a series of policies and measures beneficial to the country's development, and made important contributions to the political stability and development of the Tang Dynasty. And Li Zaiyi, as a descendant of Li Ke, the king of Wu, did not rely on the identity of the clan to seek privileges and interests. On the contrary, through his own struggle and efforts, he became the envoy of the Lulong Festival, guarding the frontier and defending national security. He fought bravely and skillfully on the battlefield, and made many military exploits, making great contributions to the peace and stability of the Tang Dynasty.
Compared to other dynasties, the Tang dynasty's clan system did show a unique rigor in managing and providing for the clan. This strictness not only reduced the financial burden of the imperial court and maintained the stability of the imperial power, but also promoted the self-reliance and hard work of the clan members to a certain extent. More importantly, this system provides valuable lessons for future generations: even the descendants of the royal family should not rely on their ancestors to live and enjoy their success, but should have the spirit of self-reliance and self-reliance, and bravely face the challenges and difficulties of life.
In the long history of the Tang Dynasty, although the clan system was strict and had its drawbacks, it was this strictness that gave birth to many outstanding clan members. They have proved with their own efforts and talents that bloodline is not the only factor that determines the future, and that real success needs to be created and fought for by their own hands. Their stories tell us that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we must maintain the spirit of self-reliance and self-reliance, and have the courage to face the challenges and difficulties of life; Only by virtue of their own efforts and talents can they gain a foothold and develop in society; At the same time, we should also cherish and grasp every opportunity to enhance our ability and value, and make our own contribution to the development of the country and society.