The Tang Dynasty is undoubtedly one of the great dynasties in history, in which two emperors known to later generations emerged. One is the eternal Emperor Li Shimin, and the other is Empress Wu Zetian. Regardless of who they are, people are very familiar with them. Wu Zetian was very powerful both in the Tang Dynasty and in history. Below, the history encyclopedia editor will bring you a detailed introduction. Let’s take a look together!
You should know that in ancient patriarchal societies, being able to become an empress was definitely exceptional. Compared to others, Wu Zetian’s ability to become an empress was closely related to Li Shimin and Li Zhi. During the reign of Li Shimin, Wu Zetian entered the palace, and in the reign of Li Zhi, Wu Zetian reached a new height.
At this time, Wu Zetian often accompanied Li Zhi to court. Speaking of which, Li Shimin is a well-known emperor to future generations. However, if he was able to ascend to the throne, he had already experienced bloody storms. It should be noted that although Tang Gaozu Li Yuan loved Li Shimin very much, he was not the eldest son and did not have the qualifications to inherit the throne.
If Li Shimin wants to sit on the throne, the ministers in the court will definitely oppose it. At that time, the eldest son was Li Jiancheng. Without Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin would have become the first heir to the throne. The fact that Li Shimin was able to ascend to the throne as the second son of the emperor is definitely closely related to the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
However, the Xuanwu Gate Incident also became a stain on Li Shimin’s life, after all, in Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin killed his elder brother and brothers. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin ascended to the throne. However, at this time, Li Shimin was well aware that although Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had already died, his own throne may not be able to remain stable.
Most people believe that after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin became a legitimate emperor, but there were opposing forces against Li Shimin in the court at that time. There is a qualitative difference between actually holding power and sitting on the throne with legitimacy. Three days after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Yuan declared himself the Grand Emperor.
It’s wise for Li Yuan to do so, after all, the court must have supported Li Shimin at this time. If Li Yuan doesn’t abdicate, the outcome may not be very good. Although Li Yuan abdicated, Li Shimin still did not receive true imperial power. At that time, the place where the Tang Dynasty handled court affairs was in Taiji Hall, but Li Shimin did not handle court affairs here.
At this point, the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace should actually be the residence of Li Shimin, symbolizing the future heir, but Li Shimin could only live in the Chengqian Hall. Not long after, he moved to live in Hongyi Palace, which is very far from the imperial palace. The reason why Li Shimin lives here is to get out of Li Yuan’s sight.
Although Li Yuan no longer had real power at this time, Li Shimin was handling court affairs in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, while Li Yuan was in the Taiji Hall, which made Li Shimin feel uneasy all over. Secondly, Li Shimin constantly slandered Li Yuan in order to let people know that he was the emperor and that Li Yuan had abdicated. In fact, at this moment, there is only one thing that Li Shimin hopes for the most.
This incident caused Li Yuan to pass away immediately, and in such a situation, Li Shimin’s throne would sit still. Li Yuan still has self-awareness, after all, it is impossible for one Tang Dynasty to have two emperors. Although Li Yuan has abdicated, Li Shimin definitely dislikes it. History records that Li Yuan moved out of the Taiji Palace: “Emperor Gaozu praised the Hongyi Palace for its beautiful scenery of mountains and forests. It was elegant and pleasant. In April of the third year of the Zhenguan reign, he moved there and changed it to Tai’an Palace
Li Yuan chose to move out due to his love for the scenery of the mountains and forests, and as a result, Li Shimin entered the Taiji Hall with legitimacy. In this situation, Li Shimin truly obtained the throne. Without Li Yuan’s surveillance, Li Shimin began to create the historical Zhenguan rule. Without obstacles like Li Yuan, Li Shimin could be considered to have secured the throne. It took Li Shimin three years to complete it.
