Today, the History Encyclopedia editor brings you an article by Li Yuanying, hoping to be helpful to everyone.
In the long river of history, we are just dust. Look closely at the various events that have happened in history. Some are regrettable, some are infuriating, some are fortunate, and some are distressing. Share the bits and pieces of history every day, let us remember history, learn from experience, and confront history. Progress together, learn together.
Li Shimin’s youngest brother is named Li Yuanying. Although he is a prince, his reputation is not good and he often does things that are out of place. Li Shimin, out of consideration for his brotherhood, turns a blind eye and often gets angry with his uncle when he comes to Li Zhi. However, he has no way out. When Wu Zetian ascends to power, he directly ignores this young uncle.
Li Yuanying enfeoffed Prince Teng and built the famous Prince Teng Pavilion. During the reign of Li Shimin, Li Yuanying liked to eat well and have nothing to do. He used things similar to slingshots to play with the people on the streets.
How embarrassing it is for a prince of Tang to do such a thing. Li Shimin is also angry, but out of brotherhood, he turns a blind eye to him.
When Li Zhi ascended to the throne and declared himself emperor, he became less accustomed to this uncle and decided to punish him well, not to embarrass the royal family anymore. As a result, Li Yuanying not only did not start over, but also intensified his behavior, and even committed the act of snatching and taking down his official wife. What was even more embarrassing was that he couldn’t steal a chicken and was ruined by someone else’s wife.
After learning about it, Li Zhi felt particularly embarrassed and had no other choice. He halved his fiefdom and followers, and then demoted them to Chuzhou.
No matter how Li Zhi punishes Li Yuanying, he refuses to correct himself. Li Zhi had no choice but to meet such a scoundrel uncle.
Later on, Li Zhixue, like his father Li Shimin, adopted a indifferent and laissez faire attitude towards Li Yuanying.
After Li Zhi’s death, Empress Wu succeeded to the throne, which is strange to say. Empress Wu killed many Tang princes and their families, such as Li Yuangui, the son-in-law of Wei Zheng, Prince Huo, and Li Shimin’s sons, Prince Ji and Prince Yue. Only Li Yuanying was spared by Empress Wu Zetian, who was too lazy to kill him and instead rewarded him more.
From another perspective, in a world of fame and fortune like the Tang Dynasty, there were very few nobles who could survive from the hands of the Empress Wu. Many scholars believe that Li Yuanying was not a scoundrel, but a smart person who was wise as a fool and knew how to protect himself.