Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, has always been a very controversial figure. Some people may think that Li Shimin is too vicious, even willing to kill his own brothers for the sake of his position as crown prince. Some people believe that Li Shimin was also forced to make such a choice, and in terms of talent, Li Shimin was indeed superior. Becoming emperor also took the Tang Dynasty to a new height. In fact, such evaluations are not wrong, and Li Shimin was one of the few people who could remain sober before his death. For Li Shimin’s life, the biggest stain was the Xuanwu Gate incident, but his contribution to the country was his wholehearted dedication throughout his life.
In April of the 23rd year of the Zhenguan reign, Li Shimin fell seriously ill. Before his death, in order to ensure a smooth transition of power, he mainly did three things.
Firstly, Tuogu Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang. Why Changsun Wuji? Because he has two identities: a relative and the uncle of Crown Prince Li Zhi; The hero’s portrait is hung in the Lingyan Pavilion. As the elder brother of Empress Changsun and having a blood relationship with the crown prince, loyalty should not be a problem. A meritorious official indicates that he has the ability and is capable of fulfilling the position of Minister of Orphanage. At that time, the atmosphere in Cuiwei Palace was very desolate. Li Shimin’s condition worsened, and the Crown Prince stayed away day and night, even losing several strands of his hair. At the last moment, Emperor Taizong of Tang summoned Changsun Wuji to his bed to take care of his orphan’s affairs. Changsun Wuji was too hurt and kept crying. Li Shimin didn’t know what to say, so he asked him to go out and calm down first. After a while, tears dried up, and Li Shimin called him and Chu Suiliang in again, saying, “I have learned about the future affairs and will pay tribute to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is benevolent and filial, and as the Crown Prince knows, I will be good at guiding him.” After that, he instructed the Crown Prince, “Wuji, Suiliang is here, and you do not worry about the world
At this point, it seems that it can come to an end. However, Li Shimin said another sentence to Chu Suiliang: “Be loyal to me without hesitation. I have the world, and I will do my best. When I die, do not let anyone covet it.” As a young emperor and a prime minister of his father’s generation, conflicts are inevitable. Li Shimin hopes that Chu Suiliang can play the role of a lubricant and work hard to make up for the conflict between his uncle and nephew. Unfortunately, Chu Suiliang not only failed to do so, but also exacerbated the conflict. A few years later, the two sides were fiercely competing for the position of empress. On the opposition side, Chu Suiliang was the toughest. He kept kowtowing and even said, “Return Your Majesty’s Hu.” If you don’t agree to my demands, I won’t do it anymore! After hearing this, Li Zhi was very angry. He is so old! Surprisingly, relying on the elderly to sell off their skills and threaten me! Soon, Chu Suiliang was demoted again and again, and eventually died in a foreign land.
Secondly, Li Ji was demoted to the position of Governor of Diezhou. Previously, Li Ji was already a prime minister, and Li Shimin had long established him as the Minister of Tuogu. At a banquet, Li Shimin said to Li Ji, “I implore all the courtiers to take care of the young and orphans. There is no one who can surpass the Duke. If the Duke does not disappoint Li Mi, how could he disappoint me!” You did not disappoint Li Mi back then, and you certainly will not disappoint me now! Upon hearing the emperor’s trust in him, Li Ji shed tears and thanked him, biting his finger to express his loyalty. That night, everyone drank too much, and Li Ji couldn’t resist drinking and fell asleep soundly. Li Shimin took off his clothes and draped them over Li Ji. History doesn’t say what General Li’s reaction was when he woke up. If it were me, I would definitely be grateful again.
Since it was agreed before that Li Ji would assist the new ruler, why was he demoted to the position of Governor of Diezhou? Originally, Li Shimin believed that the relationship between the Crown Prince and Li Ji was average, and he was worried that the latter would not do his best. After the death of the old emperor, Li Ji will be promoted by the new ruler, and General Li will surely be grateful and fully assist. Sure enough, as soon as the crown prince ascended the throne, he immediately promoted Li Ji and reappointed him as prime minister. There are two different records in this event. There are historical records that Li Shimin once plotted to kill Li Ji. If Li Ji did not take office in Diezhou or hesitated, he would be executed directly. But there are also historical books that do not record the so-called killing intent, only stating that Li Zhi was ungrateful to Li Ji, and today’s demotion is for tomorrow’s promotion. Anyway, Li Ji is very smart. After receiving the order, he didn’t even return home and went straight to Diezhou to take office. It is evident that the emperor’s scheme cannot be concealed from him.
Throughout the entire reign of Emperor Gaozong, Li Ji can be said to be the most trusted minister of the emperor. After the death of General Zhang in the second year, Li Zhi personally wrote a tombstone and inscription for Li Ji. During his funeral, he also ascended to the ancient city of Chang’an to bid farewell. Watching the coffin drift away towards the direction of the Zhaoling Mausoleum, Li Zhi burst into tears and couldn’t control himself. The Crown Prince Li Hong also shed tears, and the scene was moving. At the beginning of the Zhenguan period, my achievements had already been accomplished by me. In the blink of an eye, more than forty years have passed. Time has passed, and my emotions are well known. This person is loyal, filial, enthusiastic, and steadfast. He has served three dynasties and has never been seen before. He has been a wise minister since ancient times and is rarely compared to him. Throughout history, no one can compare to him! This is the Li Ji in the eyes of Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
Li Shimin passed away in April of the 23rd year of the Zhenguan reign. In August, his coffin was buried in the Zhaoling Mausoleum. At this time, ethnic minority generals Ashina She’er and Qibiheli requested to be buried and followed Emperor Taizong. Can they get what they want? I can’t! Li Shimin had anticipated this situation long before his death and deliberately left a decree prohibiting the two from being buried. Li Zhi sent someone to inform the two generals of the late emperor’s last wishes, and upon hearing of it, they had no choice but to obey the order. Protecting the talents of the Tang Dynasty was the third thing Li Shimin did. Decades later, the two generals died one after another and were buried with them in Zhaoling, finally fulfilling their lifelong wishes. Li Zhi once issued an edict that if the children of meritorious officials were willing to accompany the tomb, the court would also give the green light. Li Zhen, the son of Li Ji, and the daughter of Qi Pi He Li are also buried in the Zhaoling Mausoleum. In theory, Li Zhen’s official position was not high, and he did not make any major contributions during his lifetime, so he was not qualified to be buried with the imperial tomb. But who let his father be Li Ji.
