Do you all know why the first crown prince of Zhenguan, Li Chengqian, became disabled? Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you relevant articles
Firstly, it should be noted that the reason for the leg disability of Li Chengqian, the eldest son of Emperor Taizong of Tang and the first crown prince of Zhenguan, is not clearly recorded in historical books. There are many related theories, but there is no conclusion that can be widely accepted by the vast majority of people. My opinion on the cause of Li Chengqian’s disability is only a personal opinion, so let’s just listen to it.
According to modern medical research, there are generally two reasons for human limb disabilities: the first is permanent limb damage caused by external factors, such as being hit by an arrow in the knee, having a leg broken by a stone, falling from a horse and injuring the arm, etc; The second is that diseases in the body lead to tissue damage, such as diabetes and gangrene, and Chengqian Li is no exception.
Li Chengqian was probably completely disabled around the 13th year of the Zhenguan reign (639 AD). After being disabled, Li Chengqian’s temperament changed greatly and he did many absurd things. However, before the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan reign (639 AD), relatively reliable historical records did not record that Li Chengqian was seriously injured due to accidents (such as falling from a horse, assassination, etc.), suggesting that Li Chengqian’s disability was most likely not caused by external factors.
Li Chengqian fell seriously ill twice in the fifth year of the Zhenguan reign (631 AD) and the seventh year of the Zhenguan reign (633 AD), to the extent that Tang Taizong, who did not believe in Buddhism, specifically ordered the construction of Buddhist temples and called for monasticism to pray for the crown prince. During Li Chengqian’s recovery period, Emperor Taizong of Tang even granted him permission not to study. Li Chengqian’s two illnesses were likely incurable diseases at that time, which made Tang Taizong, who did not believe in Buddhism, hope in the Buddha.
In addition, the Li Tang royal family has a family inheritance of “three highs”, so I speculate that Chengqian is likely to suffer from chronic diseases related to “three highs”, most likely diabetes. According to medical research, the onset age of adolescent diabetes is generally less than 30 years old, so far there is no radical cure. Chengqian, however, developed diabetes at the age of 12 and 14 respectively, which is in line with the characteristics of adolescent type diabetes.
One of the typical symptoms of diabetes after its development and deterioration is “diabetes foot”. Teenagers have “diabetes foot” cases. However, “diabetes foot” develops quickly and will cause leg disability. I personally speculate that this should be the root cause of Chengqian’s disability. The long-term torture of diabetes also caused Chengqian’s temperament to change greatly.
