Do you know why Li Daozong has been burdened with a thousand years of infamy? Next, the editor of History Encyclopedia will explain it to you
We often read novels and unofficial histories about history, but are all the things we learn from them true histories? In fact, many works do not authentically restore history, and in order to attract people, they fabricate many plots that were not originally there, and even vilify some historical figures.
For example, we learned from unofficial history that Su Daji was a ruthless woman with a heart of snakes and scorpions, committing all kinds of evil deeds. However, in real history, she was just a weak woman who was forced to be trapped in the palace due to being favored by King Zhou. Another person who has been vilified by these unofficial histories and novels is Li Daozong. Li Daozong was the younger brother of Li Shimin. He was brave and skilled in battle, and spent his entire life fighting on the battlefield with great achievements. However, he was notorious for carrying the blame of Xue Rengui for thousands of years.
According to unofficial records, Xue Rengui was a loyal minister who made contributions to the country and had a straightforward personality. However, he was eventually framed by Li Daozong and almost executed by the emperor. Li Daozong was a treacherous minister who was obsessed with beauty and framed loyal and righteous people. He dotes on Zhang Meiren and obeys her every word.
If Zhang Meiren was just arrogant and pampered, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but unfortunately she had a malicious heart, and this woman was also good at scheming. Under her plan, Li Daozong conspired with her to frame loyal minister Xue Rengui and defile the princess. This is the Li Daozong in unofficial history and novels, so Li Daozong became a great traitor in the eyes of later generations and was despised for thousands of years.
But in real history, Li Daozong was not as described in novels and unofficial histories. In history, he not only had outstanding military achievements but also was humble and a great hero who made great contributions to the country.
He is the cousin of Li Shimin, but his experience on the battlefield is no less than that of Li Shimin. He has been fighting alongside his brother Li Shimin since the age of seventeen. He was brave and skilled in battle, invincible on the battlefield, and at a young age, he also made many military achievements.
At the age of twenty, he became a border guard general. Faced with tens of thousands of Turkic soldiers approaching the city, he did not panic or retreat. With the determination to defend the city to the end even if there was only one person left, coupled with his god like strategy, he ultimately repelled the Turkic army. After Li Shimin ascended to the throne, when the country was in trouble, he always stood in front, guarding the battlefield for the stability of the country, killing countless enemies, and making great contributions to the prosperity and development of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Daozong not only had outstanding military achievements, but also served as a member of the imperial family. Despite his background, he did not have any high profile. On the contrary, he was very humble and never oppressed others based on his position in the court. He was also humble and eager to learn, and respected the wise. Such a noble and virtuous hero, who achieved great military achievements throughout his life, was criticized for over a thousand years because of Xue Rengui. This is not only the misfortune of Li Daozong, but also the sadness of history.
