Today, the History Encyclopedia editor brings you articles by Li Shimin and Li Yuan, hoping to be helpful to everyone.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person who becomes the crown prince will become the emperor in the future, it can only be said that the crown prince has the first right of inheritance. After the emperor appoints the crown prince, if he is not satisfied, he can also abolish his position and replace it with another son. Although Li Shimin initially killed both of his brothers and all of their sons. In this way, there was no one competing with him for the throne, and he naturally became the crown prince.
When Li Yuan saw that everything had settled down, he appointed Li Shimin as the Crown Prince. A few days later, Li Yuan began to reward Li Shimin’s subordinates and related personnel. More than a month later, Li Yuan abdicated to Li Shimin. From being registered as the Crown Prince to ascending to the throne as the Emperor, Li Shimin was crowned as a great treasure in just two months. Did he feel that Li Yuan was already disheartened, or did he think that after knowing Li Shimin’s methods, Li Yuan was afraid that he would also end up in a bad way and acted wisely?
Friends familiar with history should know that Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, ascended to the position of crown prince through the Xuanwu Gate Incident, and later forced his father, Li Yuan, to abdicate. This made him a great leader and established the rule of Zhenguan. Many people do not understand Li Shimin. After killing Li Jiancheng, he has become the crown prince. Why did he risk his reputation to force Li Yuan to abdicate in advance? If we patiently wait for Li Yuan’s passing, wouldn’t it be even more logical?
Mainly because Li Yuan no longer had power at that time. After the change of Xuanwu Gate, Yuchi Jingde went to find Li Yuan with weapons and asked him to hand over the military power on the pretext of protecting the emperor’s safety. So in the two months when Li Shimin was the crown prince, he was already the actual ruler of the Tang Empire. Li Yuan was just a symbol, and it was Li Shimin’s the final say whether to retire or not. Moreover, even if Li Yuan never abdicates, he cannot deal with the aftermath of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, as it involves too much.
The situation in the court at that time. Although Li Yuan has been controlled by Li Shimin, there are still forces in the court that support Li Yuan and oppose him, which is a great hidden danger for Li Shimin. Li Shimin was very anxious in order to avoid having long dreams at night. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin had gained the support of many ministers in the court, and he also arranged “personal bodyguards” around his father Li Yuan, effectively imprisoning him. Li Shimin’s ruthless and decisive style has led some people in the court to believe that Li Shimin’s laws are unreasonable. Li Shimin faces great pressure from these opposing forces.
After all, Li Yuan was the monarch of the Tang Dynasty and could not have no influence in the court. Once someone used his banner to attack Li Shimin, his situation would be very awkward. The emperor is the emperor, and it cannot be said that the crown prince controls the court’s politics, emotions, and etiquette. Li Shimin himself understands that it is difficult to sustain a situation where Li Yuan does not abdicate. In the end, either the father killed the son, or the son plotted against the father.
Li Shimin killed his brother and became the crown prince himself. This matter must be concluded as soon as possible. That is to say, we must unify our thinking and approach. This statement means that Li Shimin was acting in self-defense, as Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji intended to kill him and he was defending himself. Otherwise, Li Shimin would not be able to establish himself. If we want to unify our stance, of course, only as an emperor can we achieve it.
