What is the relationship between Li Chengqi and Li Longji? Interested readers and history encyclopedia editors, let’s take a look together!
For the princes, the throne can be said to be the dream of many people. Those living in the royal family will do anything to win the throne, even if it means killing their own relatives. But during the Tang Dynasty, there was an exception. He was the eldest son of Emperor Ruizong Li Dan and the most qualified person to inherit the throne as emperor. However, why did he insist on giving the throne to Li Longji? He had no thoughts about this throne?
This lesson is the lesson of Li Jiancheng.
Li Jiancheng was also the eldest son, and after Li Yuan became emperor, he was also the rightful crown prince. Moreover, in fact, Li Yuan has already made him the crown prince. However, he was ultimately brutally beheaded.
Why was Li Jiancheng beheaded? Because the Tang Dynasty’s territory was mainly conquered by Li Shimin. Li Shimin has made great contributions, strong abilities, and great influence. Such a state will inevitably arouse suspicion from Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, and he will have to find ways to strip Li Shimin of his power. Because he is not stripped away, not to mention that he may not be able to secure the throne in the future, even the position of crown prince at that time may not be secure. So, Li Jiancheng had no choice but to do so.
Li Jiancheng wanted to strip Li Shimin of his power, but Li Shimin naturally refused. When Li Shimin, who had both power and ability, launched a coup, Li Jiancheng was beheaded.
The situation faced by Li Chengqi is exactly the same as that of Li Jiancheng. His father Li Dan’s kingdom was actually taken by Li Longji. It was Li Longji who killed Empress Wei, Princess Anle, and Shangguan Wan’er that gave his father Li Dan the opportunity to become emperor.
If Li Chengqi fails to recognize his appearance and takes over this crown prince, he will inevitably have a conflict with Li Longji. As a result, he will inevitably have the same fate as Li Jiancheng. Li Chengqi wants to live for another two years, so he wants to let it go.
The experience came from his emperor father, Li Dan.
From ancient times to the present, no dynasty has had such fierce competition among the imperial family as the early Tang Dynasty, let alone any type of prince who lived in the same miserable state as Empress Wu Zetian’s prince.
Wu Zetian’s four biological sons, Li Hong and Li Xian, were successively appointed as crown princes, but they all passed away inexplicably. Li Xian was not only appointed as the Crown Prince, but later became the Emperor. However, when he became the crown prince, his life was very miserable. After becoming the emperor, he was even poisoned to death by his closest wife and daughter.
However, Li Dan was different. He surrendered to the emperor twice, one to Wu Zetian and the other to Li Xian, but he lived very well. And back and forth, in the end, the throne returned to his hands.
This experience had a great impact on Li Chengqi. He understands that only by letting go can he survive. Only by letting go can he live well.
What I mean by ‘action’ is not only that Li Chengqi abdicated the throne, but also that in the later years, he showed a humble attitude and adhered to the duties of a courtier. This is more important.
After all, his identity is very special. He is the eldest son and the person who should become the emperor the most. Therefore, there will definitely be many people who regret that he did not become an emperor. In fact, many people are not lamenting Li Chengqi, but rather lamenting themselves. Especially the people around Li Chengqi feel even more frustrated. If Li Chengqi becomes the emperor, he will surely follow and soar to great heights. But Li Chengqi’s abdication of the throne was equivalent to ruining his own future and prospects.
Due to dissatisfaction, there will inevitably be people who are eager to urge Li Chengqi to make a big fuss. So at this point, Li Chengqi’s own performance is very important. And Li Chengqi did indeed do a good job, showing a humble and submissive attitude everywhere. Even before his death, he behaved like this. The weather was very cold that year, and the trees were covered in ice. However, ancient people had limited knowledge and believed that this was “armor”, a warning from heaven. To break this warning, a courtier must die for the emperor and endure this disaster. At that time, Li Chengqi said that as a minister, he should help Emperor Li Longji withstand this disaster. Before long, he indeed passed away.
Due to Li Chengqi’s abdication of the crown prince’s position and his constant adherence to the principles of a courtier. Therefore, he received great respect from Li Longji.
Li Longji gave him a great official position. Of course, most of these official positions are nominal. However, although it was a nominal position, it showed that he was given a high political status. In addition, Li Longji also gave Li Chengqi enough material rewards. Whenever he gains any benefits, he will consider another one for Li Chengqi. And he often brings Li Chengqi over to eat, drink, and have fun with him.
After Li Chengqi’s death, Li Longji even posthumously conferred upon him the title of “Emperor Rang” and buried him according to the emperor’s etiquette. For Li Chengqi’s son, it was also arranged very well.
It can be said that due to Li Chengqi’s concession, he lived a happy, prosperous, and peaceful life. In a sense, he has greatly earned it back.
