Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji had such a good relationship back then

Hello everyone, this is the editor of History Encyclopedia. Today, I will tell you the story of Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji. Welcome to follow us. What did Changsun Wuji do wrong and why did Li Zhi kill him? What exactly happened to this pair of monarchs and ministers?
In the 23rd year of the Zhenguan reign, the legendary Emperor Taizong of Tang passed away. In June of the same year, Crown Prince Li Zhi ascended to the throne and declared himself emperor. Afterwards, Emperor Gaozong ruled the world.
According to historical records, Emperor Gaozong of Tang came to power through Changsun Wuji, and the two sides had an inseparable connection. In the early stages of his reign, Emperor Gaozong of Tang relied entirely on Changsun Wuji, and even historical records circulated that Changsun Wuji praised Emperor Gaozong’s flawless governance, which was no worse than Emperor Taizong’s.
However, not long after their honeymoon period, Emperor Gaozong of Tang suddenly turned against him and did not recognize him. He not only lost his respect for Changsun Wuji, but also launched a killing spree against him, burying him in the dust. From the honeymoon period of the past to the later confrontation of swords and soldiers, what did this pair of monarchs and ministers go through? Is it really just because of Wu Meiniang?
As early as when Emperor Taizong of Tang was still alive, Li Zhi was a well behaved child. He was very filial to his mother, respectful to his father, and even treated his ministers and relatives very well.
Therefore, Changsun Wuji had a very good impression of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi, and the relationship between the two sides must have been very close. So when Emperor Taizong of Tang fell into a mental breakdown, struggling with the incompetence of his two sons, Changsun Wuji would do his best to choose to let this gentle child ascend to power.
Moreover, Emperor Gaozong of Tang was not qualified to inherit the throne at that time, as there were two large mountains in front of him. But it was Changsun Wuji who gave his all and managed to make him emperor. To put it bluntly, Changsun Wuji was more grateful to Tang Gaozong than Taishan.
Not only that, after helping Tang Gaozong succeed to the throne, Changsun Wuji also helped him eliminate dissidents, including slandering and harming other sons of Emperor Taizong. It can be said that Changsun Wuji helped stabilize the political power of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, and played an indelible role in his later peaceful rule of the world.
It is precisely because of the above connections that the relationship between Tang Gaozong and Changsun Wuji has always been good. Before Wu Zetian’s appearance, historical records of Tang Gaozong and Changsun Wuji seemed to be harmonious between the two sides, and Li Zhi always followed the advice of this uncle, as if both sides had entered a honeymoon period.
But when Wu Zetian appeared later, the honeymoon period between the two sides was completely broken. First, Wu Zetian wanted to become the empress, and Li Zhi took her to visit her uncle. However, Changsun Wuji did not give the emperor a good face at all, resulting in the emperor’s complete disappointment with him.
For this reason, most history believes that the appearance of Wu Zetian changed the relationship between Changsun Wuji and Tang Gaozong, and even Wu Zetian was the main culprit that led to Tang Gaozong’s killing of Changsun Wuji. So the question is, can a woman really break the steel relationship between Tang Gaozong and Changsun Wuji?
Perhaps in the eyes of many people, Changsun Wuji was ultimately just a minister and an outsider, while Wu Zetian was the wife of Emperor Gaozong of Tang and one of her own. It is understandable for her to deal with outsiders for the sake of her own people.
But Tang Gaozong was not an ordinary person. He was an emperor who had to consider not only the personal relationships of his children, but also the interests and distribution of power of the court. Many scholars have commented that Emperor Gaozong of Tang was an extremely clever and somewhat cunning person. He placed great importance on the country and its affairs, and was determined to surpass his father. Imagine, how could such a character kill their own Minister of Arms just to become Empress Wu Meiniang.
Therefore, when we look back at this period of history, we should not only look at the surface, but also delve deeper.
It is worth noting that when we set aside Wu Zetian’s preconceived notions, we can find that history records a very interesting little thing.
Not long after Tang Gaozong ascended to power, an impeachment case erupted in the court. The specific content is that the Grand Censor Wei Siqian impeached the Minister of Tuogu, Chu Suiliang, accusing him of purchasing other people’s land at a low price and suspected of corruption.
Tang Gaozong attached great importance to this matter, but unfortunately, the investigation into this case has not been able to find a reasonable solution, and everyone is practicing Tai Chi.
Although Chu Suiliang was punished and even transferred from the central government, within a year, he returned as a king and was appointed as the Minister of Personnel and a third rank official under the same department.
What is this concept? As an orphan minister, he openly violated the law and was punished for unclear and insignificant consequences. After returning, he still held a high position of power and authority. It is obvious that this case was not judged scientifically.
At that time, some ministers wrote a letter stating that the court was no longer the emperor’s court, as there were people within the court who had formed a single party. At that time, Tang Gaozong had doubts about who had saved Chu Suiliang? Who are the party and leaders in the court? The answer is beyond doubt, it is Changsun Wuji.
I believe that by this time, Emperor Gaozong of Tang had already realized the problem. Yes, when he first became emperor, his position was indeed very unstable, and he relied on Changsun Wuji to support his power. But although Changsun Wuji made great contributions, he gradually became a powerful minister and a somewhat fictional emperor.
It should be noted that among the three major ministers responsible for taking care of orphans, Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang have already colluded, and there is also Xu Maogong who is sleazy and does not stand out. Combined with this case, any emperor would feel a chill in their spine, as their court had already been tied together, and they even dared to pretend to be a puppet.
Therefore, I personally believe that the Chu Suiliang incident had deeply stimulated Tang Gaozong Li Zhi, making him wary of his uncle. This is not because Li Zhi was so cunning, but rather because an emperor had a basic awareness of his own safety.
In fact, it is true that in later history, Emperor Gaozong of Tang once wanted to meddle, but unfortunately the authority belonging to the emperor was not established, and Changsun Wuji’s prestige was even greater than that of the emperor.
The most obvious record is that Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, wanted to abolish Queen Wang. However, Emperor Gaozong humbly begged Changsun Wuji and granted his descendants official titles and honors. Nevertheless, Changsun Wuji took advantage of the situation but ignored the emperor, causing Emperor Gaozong to lose face.
Later, when Emperor Gaozong of Tang sought out three ministers to discuss the abolition of the empress, Chu Suiliang openly opposed the emperor and even threw tantrums on the spot, showing signs of being a shrew and cursing.
Therefore, the relationship between Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Changsun Wuji was completely shattered, and the reason for this was that the contradiction between the prime minister’s power and the imperial power had reached an irreconcilable level.
However, on the other hand, the emperor hired people to have conflicts with his ministers, but in order to erupt conflicts, one must also consider whether the emperor’s strength is sufficient. So, Xu Maogong, who was developing lewdly beside him, was pulled in.
When Xu Maogong expressed his intention to abolish the empress, he remained silent. Silence is actually an attitude, which means he can win her over. So Huangdi began to flirt with him, hoping that he could support the abolition of the empress and help him regain power.
Xu Maogong’s statement was ultimately final, as recorded in historical records, deposing the empress is His Majesty’s family matter, and what qualifications do others have to intervene?
As expected, Xu Maogong’s statement provided new support for the court. Tang Gaozong immediately launched a large-scale killing spree against Changsun Wuji under the instigation of Xu Jingzong and others, and quickly filled the vacancy left by the fall of the prime minister.
So looking back at this period of history, we can be certain that the appearance of Empress Wu Zetian was only a trigger, and the key was still due to the statement of Xu Maogong and the contradiction between imperial power and prime minister power.