For those who are very interested in the Wei River Alliance, the History Encyclopedia editor brings a detailed article for your reference.
For Li Shimin, the day he least wanted to look back on in his life must have been July 2, 626 AD. The Xuanwu Gate Incident was a pain in his heart. If Li Shimin’s most humiliating day in his life was undoubtedly August 30th, 626 AD, because on this day he signed the Wei River Treaty.
Since June 18, 618 AD, the day the Li Tang Dynasty was established, the Turkic people in the north have been a major threat to the Li Tang Dynasty. The Turkic people often went south and invaded the Li Tang Dynasty, causing unbearable suffering and even wanting to relocate their capital to avoid the Turkic people.
There have always been two voices within the Li Tang Dynasty regarding the invasion of the Xiongnu: one is the peace faction led by Li Jiancheng, and the other is the war faction led by Li Shimin. The two often argue fiercely, and because Li Yuan is more inclined towards Li Jiancheng and does not want to go to war with the Turks, they eventually both agree.
Li Shimin secretly swore that if one day he had the ability, he would conquer the Turks and prove that his proposition was correct. This day is not far away. On July 2, 626 AD, Li Shimin launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident and ascended to the throne as emperor, finally gaining the highest discourse power of this great country.
And the Turks took advantage of the internal instability of the Li Tang Dynasty and invaded it southward. Li Shimin always claimed to fight against the Turks. When the opportunity came, could Li Shimin fight?
The answer is no, because at this time, Li Shimin had just seized power through a coup, and Li Jiancheng’s power still existed. The country was unstable, and if a war were to be launched at this time, it would obviously be very detrimental to the country and oneself.
So, in the end, Li Shimin had to go against his will and sign an “unequal treaty” with the Turks on the Wei River, known as the Wei River Alliance, which meant giving the Turks some money to withdraw their troops.
For ordinary people, this is nothing, but for the proud Li Shimin, it is a great shame in his life. Li Shimin has always despised his brother Li Jiancheng, and even his father Li Yuan’s weak policies towards the Turks. However, now that the invasion of the Turks is imminent, he has to “bribe” the Turks like his father and brother. Isn’t this a slap in the face?
This day will never be forgotten by Li Shimin, and he will not stop until five years later, when the Turkic Khan is escorted to Li Shimin’s presence
