Li Zhi has two older brothers in front of him

Do you really know about Li Zhi’s succession to the throne? The history encyclopedia editor provides detailed related content for everyone. As the third son of Li Shimin, Li Zhi had two capable brothers above him. How did Li Zhi integrate the throne?
Since it’s a story of picking up a leak, let’s first talk about whose leak Li Zhi picked up. Who is this unlucky guy? He is the eldest son of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Chengqian. When Emperor Taizong of Tang first ascended the throne, Li Chengqian was appointed as the Crown Prince at the age of eight. He is the eldest son of Emperor Taizong of Tang and Empress Changsun, and his name is legitimate. He is also very intelligent and capable. Once, Emperor Taizong of Tang asked Li Chengqian to write a strategy for governing the country in order to pass the imperial examination. Li Chengqian had ink in his belly and thoughts in his mind, so he naturally did not fear the test of Emperor Taizong of Tang. He wrote three pages in a fluent and clear manner, with every word being brilliant and precise. Upon seeing it, Emperor Taizong was delighted and immediately praised Li Chengqian greatly.
If this continues, Li Chengqian’s position will definitely be consolidated, and Li Zhi will not have a chance to pick up any loopholes. But Li Chengqian was not born to be an emperor. Why do you say that? Because in the fifth year of the Zhenguan reign, he suffered a serious illness and became lame. How can an heir of a dynasty be a cripple? Tang Taizong’s attitude towards Li Chengqian underwent a subtle change. Although he did not depose Li Chengqian, the complex emotions of regret, disappointment, and so on still had an impact on him. In addition, when Li Chengqian was born, his grandfather, Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, named him “Chengqian”. What does it mean? ‘Inherit the imperial legacy and lead the universe’, which means he was given high expectations from birth. Later on, he became the crown prince smoothly for so many years. He was the top pride in the world and couldn’t accept the fact that he had become disabled for a while.
So Li Chengqian changed, he began to rebel. What kind of rebellious method? It’s like not attending classes, not listening to your father, or punishing palace officials. These are all light. He has the most famous rebellious way, which is to play the role of Turkic people. Wearing Turkic clothes, eating Turkic food, and even combing hair into Turkic style braids. This is not enough. He also likes to pretend to be dead when he dresses up as a Turkic, pretending to be dead when he falls to the ground, and then having the palace maids cry and wail around him, accompanying him in the play, so that there are always some scars on his hands and face, that’s how it came about. Emperor Taizong of Tang certainly did not want to see his crown prince become like this, so he searched for virtuous people to assist in the imperial palace. However, it was still useless and instead stimulated Li Chengqian’s rebellious mentality, making him increasingly absurd.
Speaking of this, do you think Li Zhi’s opportunity has come? Don’t worry, it’s not yet his turn to pick up the leaks. Don’t forget that he’s only the third eldest son, and there’s also a second eldest son named Li Tai. Seeing his elder brother’s absurdity, Li Tai felt that his opportunity had come. So when Emperor Taizong of Tang became increasingly dissatisfied with Li Chengqian, he worked hard to make a name for himself in front of Emperor Taizong and presided over the compilation of a book called “Kuo Di Zhi”. This book ‘Kuai Di Zhi’ comprehensively reflects the administrative divisions and geographical conditions of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. After reading it, Emperor Taizong of Tang was very happy. On the one hand, he felt that his son was capable, and on the other hand, he was very proud. After all, who wouldn’t be proud to see such a prosperous country under his rule. So Emperor Taizong of Tang praised Li Tai and bestowed many good things upon him. In addition, Li Tai showed great filial piety and thoughtfulness, which was much better than his eldest son who constantly worried him. Therefore, Emperor Taizong of Tang doted on Li Tai very much.
Of course, Emperor Taizong’s favoritism towards Li Tai did not mean that he was seen as the next candidate for the crown prince. After all, no matter what Li Chengqian said, he was also his eldest son. Allowing the eldest son to inherit the throne is beneficial for the stability of the court. However, in Li Chengqian’s view, the more Tang Taizong loved Li Tai, the more his own position was threatened. After all, Emperor Taizong of Tang had a “good son filter” for Li Tai, and he couldn’t see the heart of wanting to become the crown prince beneath his obedient appearance. Li Chengqian clearly saw Li Tai’s desire to seize the throne. So Li Tai, who was worried about stepping down, did something that he regretted deeply, which was rebellion. Tang Taizong was such a wise emperor. Li Chengqian was still in the planning stage when Xiaojiu was discovered by Tang Taizong. The crime of rebellion is certainly unforgivable. Tang Taizong, out of consideration for his father son relationship, did not kill Li Chengqian, but only deposed him.
If the eldest son is deposed, will the position of crown prince naturally fall to Li Tai, the second son of the legitimate family? In theory, it should be like this, but Li Chengqian deeply hates Li Tai. After all, if it weren’t for Li Tai threatening his position there, he wouldn’t have resorted to such foolish tactics as plotting rebellion. So Li Chengqian said to Emperor Taizong of Tang, ‘If you make Li Tai the crown prince, it will have a very negative impact on the succession of the throne in the future!’! Why do you say that? Because Emperor Taizong himself gained this throne by rebelling against his own father, which was already a bad example. If the position of Crown Prince falls to Li Tai because of Li Chengqian’s rebellion, it will give future princes and grandsons a new idea – if I don’t rebel myself, then I can force my competitors to rebel, right?
At this point, Emperor Taizong of Tang also understood Li Tai’s intention to become a crown prince. Upon hearing Li Chengqian’s words, he felt that it was reasonable to prevent such a vicious cycle from forming. Otherwise, there would be no need to appoint a crown prince to inherit the throne in the future, and instead, they could develop their own military forces to rebel. So Li Tai was excluded by Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Li Zhi, the legitimate third son, was appointed as the crown prince. Finally, Emperor Taizong passed away, and Li Zhi naturally inherited the throne.
So, sometimes it really depends on fate. What’s the use of Li Chengqian being crowned crown prince at the age of eight? What’s the use of Li Tai’s painstaking efforts to win the love of Emperor Taizong of Tang? In the end, it was not that Li Zhi, who had never considered the position of crown prince, was given a dowry. It must be said that life is like a play.
What do you think of this story of ‘picking up leaks’?