What was the reason why Li Shimin killed his important minister Hou Junji in his later years? Interested readers and history encyclopedia editors, let’s take a look together!
The reason why Li Shimin killed Hou Junji in his later years was because he committed the great crime of rebellion. The founding of the Tang Dynasty saw fierce generals like clouds! And those who can be listed in Lingyan Pavilion are even more outstanding figures among them! Hou Junji is one of them! Why did a hero like this end up being executed?
1、 How did Hou Junji stand out? On the fourth day of the sixth month in the ninth year of the Wude reign of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin fought to the death for the throne and launched the “Xuanwu Gate Incident”, killing Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji. Immediately, Li Yuan appointed Li Shimin as the Crown Prince and soon passed the throne to Li Shimin! The Tang Dynasty thus entered the “Zhenguan Reign”.
The Xuanwu Gate Incident was a crucial battle for Li Shimin’s accession to the throne. Whether he participated in this battle or not, and whether he actively participated, largely determined the future official positions and titles of Li Shimin’s generals.
Hou Junji’s performance in the “Xuanwu Gate Incident” was very eye-catching. According to the “Old Book of Tang”, “Jun Ji’s strategies were mostly based on the completion of construction and the execution of Yuan Ji.
In the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Hou Junji closely followed Li Shimin and did not fall behind, establishing his position. After the event, Hou Junji ranked among the top five in terms of merit and reward.
2、 Li Shimin greatly favored Hou Junji. Li Shimin can be considered a kind and benevolent emperor. After ascending to power, he greatly rewarded the meritorious officials, and Hou Junji was granted the title of Duke of Chen due to his contributions, which can be described as glorious and prosperous.
Interestingly, Hou Junji was also very fond of learning and eventually became the Minister of Personnel in charge of managing officials, becoming the Minister of Organization of the Tang Dynasty. It can be said that he was a rising official.
To be honest, Hou Junji’s talent was not outstanding in the early Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin intended to cultivate him and let him learn military strategy from Li Jing. You should know that Li Jing is known as the God of War of the Tang Dynasty and has never been defeated in his life. He is the first person in the Tang military.
Li Jing’s military strategy is unparalleled in this world! After Hou Junji followed Li Jing to learn military strategy, his military command ability greatly improved. In April of the ninth year of the Zhenguan reign, Li Shimin appointed Li Jing as the commander-in-chief of the Western Sea Route Army to suppress the disobedient Tuyuhun. Hou Junji was fortunate enough to participate and offered his troops to split into two routes and launch a flanking attack.
The result was that the Tuyuhun Khan, Fuyun Pixiu, and the wolf ran all the way to Baihai, then ran westward from Chaidamu, and finally escaped into the Taklamakan Desert, where he was killed by his generals! From then on, the Tuyuhun became dependent on the Tang Dynasty and became a vassal state of the Tang Dynasty.
3、 Hou Junji expanded the campaign to conquer the Tugu Army. Although Hou Junji made great contributions in this battle, he was still not satisfied. He had never destroyed a country in the Tang Dynasty and could not be called a famous general at all! At this moment, Gao Changguo rebelled and Li Shimin handed over the task of suppressing the rebellion to Hou Junji!
Hou Junji easily destroyed Gaochang Kingdom! But at this moment, his mentality has changed and he has become a bit inflated. He took possession of the treasures of the Gaochang royal family and reportedly slept with the consort of the Gaochang king! And indulge soldiers in burning, killing, looting!
When the news reached Chang’an, Li Shimin imprisoned the audacious Hou Junji. Although he was soon released, he felt that Li Shimin was not interesting enough!
At this time, Crown Prince Li Chengqian, fearing that his position as Crown Prince would be taken away due to Li Shimin’s indecisive attitude, decided to follow in Li Shimin’s footsteps and launch a Xuanwu Gate coup. Hou Junji also “actively participated” in this palace coup, but was easily defeated by Li Shimin!
Conclusion: Li Chengqian was the main culprit and mastermind, but he saved his life and was exiled to a remote area. But Li Chengqian is the biological son of Li Shimin, what is Hou Junji? How dare you even participate in rebellion? Not killing Hou Junji, not to mention the unwillingness of the courtiers, Li Shimin himself cannot overcome this hurdle!
In the end, Hou Junji was killed by Li Shimin!
This matter cannot be blamed on Li Shimin, it was purely done by Hou Junji himself! Having high achievements but not wanting to restrain oneself, holding military power without self-respect, occupying high positions but not keeping a low profile.
But he seems to have forgotten that this world is ultimately the Li family’s world! Some bottom lines cannot be touched!
