We all know that the throne of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, can strictly be considered as an ‘illegitimate position’. After all, his throne was taken from his elder brother and then crown prince Li Jiancheng through his own coup. Li Yuan was also forced to abdicate and become the Grand Emperor, and finally it was Li Shimin’s turn. However, in the resistance against Li Shimin, not only Li Jiancheng, but also Li Yuanji. However, all three brothers were born to the same mother, why did Li Yuanji help Li Jiancheng instead of Li Shimin?
1. Li Yuanji
Li Yuanji is the fourth son of Li Yuan. Like Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, he was born to Li Yuan’s wife Dou. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, Dou Shi was posthumously honored as Empress Mu, and after Li Shimin succeeded to the throne, he was posthumously honored as Empress Taimu. Li Yuanji is not very good-looking from birth. It’s hard to see where he has come from. His mother is unwilling to raise him and has ordered him to be thrown away. If it weren’t for the maid Chen Jingyi secretly bringing him back, there might really not have been this person.
However, sometimes we really can’t help but believe in the relationship between appearance and soul. Li Yuanji’s life was all picked up by Chen Jingyi, but he later executed her for something. Although Li Yuanji later regretted it and posthumously honored Chen Jingyi as Lady Cixun, what was the use of it? From this, it can be roughly seen that Li Yuanji is actually a naive young man who only acts based on temporary preferences and does not consider long-term things, which became the reason why he helped Li Jiancheng in the future.
2. Li Yuanji and Li Shimin
Li Yuanji should have some resentment towards his second brother Li Shimin to some extent. Li Yuanji, like Li Shimin, as a general, what are the comparisons between generals? Martial arts? Of course not, it’s a military achievement. Due to Li Shimin’s strong military achievements, Li Yuan specially conferred upon him the title of “General of Heavenly Strategy”. Regardless of the later dynasties, at least in the entire Tang Dynasty, only Li Shimin was conferred the title of General of Heavenly Strategy, representing his status only below that of the emperor and crown prince.
Of course, Li Yuanji is not happy. Li Shimin always stands out on the battlefield, no matter how great his aura is, he will eventually be suppressed by Li Shimin. He can take action against his savior. If Li Shimin is not his second brother and he is indeed very strong, it is uncertain whether Li Yuanji will really take action against Li Shimin. This is also the reason why he would go to Li Shimin to help Li Jiancheng.
3. Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng
As the Crown Prince, Li Jiancheng naturally needed him to sit in the rear when Li Yuan went on a campaign. Therefore, Li Shimin had a military official group in his hands, and Li Jiancheng had a civil official group. But Li Jiancheng was not foolish either. He quickly sensed the threat of Li Shimin to his status, but he had all civil servants in his hands. What should he do? At this moment, Li Jiancheng thought of Li Yuanji. Together, the two of them joined forces and fought against Li Shimin.
However, as we all know, despite their collaboration, they were still unable to defeat Li Shimin. Li Yuanji also has ambitions to become an emperor, perhaps he has his own plan, but this plan can only be thought about and cannot be implemented.
