Why was Li Zhi appointed as the crown prince when he was weak and incompetent

In the 17th year of the Zhenguan reign, Emperor Taizong of Tang appointed Li Zhi as the Crown Prince. What was the reason for this? Next, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you a historical story. Let’s take a look together!
After a year, he thought about changing the crown prince. Although in later generations, during Li Zhi’s reign, Wu Meiniang often ruled, and later on, Wu Meiniang took away a large amount of political resources, laying the foundation for the later Wu family’s seizure of power. So why did Emperor Taizong of Tang, who was wise and powerful, decide to appoint Li Zhi as the crown prince instead of giving him to other princes in the same year?
The matter of establishing a prince can still be traced back to the rebellion of the Crown Prince in the 17th year of the Zhenguan reign. In this year, after Li Shimin passed the Zhenguan rule, the Tang Dynasty began to enter its peak period, with its economy, military, and other aspects reaching the highest level in the world. However, after the unprecedented prosperity, the Tang Emperor Li Shimin also began to age. At this time, the then Crown Prince Li Chengqian was secretly preparing for rebellion. After the incident was exposed, this young Crown Prince had no resistance in front of his father, after all, he was the invincible war god who had conquered the country. Emperor Taizong of Tang decisively resolved the rebellion of this prince.
After dealing with the rebellious prince, Li Shimin immediately appointed Li Zhi as the prince. The speed was so fast that many people couldn’t react, and all the ministers in the court opposed it, including the famous minister Wei Zheng at that time. But Li Shimin is a master who speaks without hesitation. If you don’t agree, I will still insist and even play suicide in the court. Everyone is very puzzled, but I cannot resist the emperor. At that time, Li Zhi had an older brother who was not the eldest son of the legitimate lineage. Many people supported this illegitimate eldest son, but Li Shimin did not treat him well, only warning him to treat Li Zhi better.
There were many sons of Li Shimin, but he was only very good to Li Zhi. One explanation is that Li Zhi was born to Empress Changsun, the favorite of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and was Li Shimin’s legitimate son with the best bloodline. We can now say that Li Shimin treated each son differently, but humans are inherently complex animals, and it is often impossible to handle things with ease. Therefore, Li Shimin’s love for Li Zhi is an important factor in the future crown prince. This prince has been living with Li Shimin since Empress Changsun’s death, and can be said to have loved him to the extreme.
In the 16th year of the Zhenguan reign, Li Shimin had already begun to involve Li Zhi in politics. Many times, political events in the country would be sorted out for Li Zhi, and his political abilities were cultivated from a young age, which was already for the future imperial career. At this time, there was already a beautiful voice and shadow by Li Shimin’s side, which was Wu Meiniang, who had just entered the palace at the age of fourteen and served beside Li Shimin. Wu Meiniang could be said to be very beloved by Li Shimin. At that time, Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang could be said to be very familiar. With the help of such a politically savvy woman, Li Shimin was very satisfied with his political achievements and trusted him to handle national affairs.
However, the most important thing is that Li Zhi was not as cowardly as people saw him. It can be said that he was already very powerful and influential at that time, and had the support of a series of big families such as the Changsun family behind him. The military forces also expressed their support for Li Zhi. With so many people backing him up, it cannot be said that he had little ability. And during his political career, the Tang Dynasty also achieved various victories in foreign wars, domestic peace, and Wu Zetian only dared to seize the throne after his death.
Li Zhi was a very skilled person. At that time, there were several princes who were older than him, but their abilities were not as good as Li Zhi, who had been trained since childhood. Therefore, when Emperor Taizong of Tang wanted to change princes in the later stage, looking at this fully fledged Li Zhi, he couldn’t help but think of himself seventeen years ago, because he was constantly framed by his crown prince brother and had a Xuanwu Gate Incident. If his descendants do not properly establish a crown prince, the tragedy of history may repeat itself, lest they also be forced into the palace. Therefore, if they are smart like him, it is better to establish a prince they like as soon as possible.
Li Zhi’s rise to power was related to Wu Meiniang, but more importantly, he perfectly inherited his father’s abilities and aura, allowing him to stand out among all the princes and win his father’s love. In later generations, he maintained the prosperity and strength of the Tang Dynasty, and it can be said that he lived up to the trust of his father, Emperor Taizong of Tang!