Although there was only one Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty, there was also a prince who was as heroic and good at war as Li Shimin! However, the fate of this prince was very different from that of Li Shimin, who helped his father become emperor, but he failed to ascend to the throne of God and was given death by his father! So who is this deplorable prince? Why is his fate so tragic, and what are the little-known stories behind it?
1. Eiakejin Takeshi
This person's name was Li Qian, the third son of Emperor Suzong of Tang, and his birth mother was the palace people Zhang Shi. Don't look at Li Qi's birth in the imperial family, his grandfather was an emperor, and his father was a prince, but he was diligent and studious since childhood, and he especially liked to read the art of war and practice martial arts. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the teenage Li Qian was given the title of King of Jianning and was also given the title of Prince of Taichangqing. Li Qian, who was "heroic and talented, good at riding and shooting", was the best in the royal family at that time, almost like the second "Li Shimin".
After the Outbreak of the Anshi Rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang fled from Chang'an, and when crossing the WeiShui River, the people "covered the way to stay the prince", and the crown prince Li Heng was very hesitant. At this time, the clever and astute Li Qian stood up, and he soberly realized that once the crown prince followed Tang Xuanzong into the Shu Han Dynasty, "there were african countries east of the scattered customs", so he persuaded his father, "Your Highness should recruit Haojie, Fun Hexi, and collect herding horses." There are no less than 100,000 soldiers defending the border, and the whole army of Guangbi and Ziyi is in Heshuo, and the one who seeks to revive and plan is above."
2. Help the father to ascend the throne
Li Heng took the advice of his son Li Qian, so Tang Xuanzong proposed this plan, and got Permission from Li Longji. At that time, the Tang army was repeatedly defeated, morale was low, weapons and equipment were also lacking, after crossing the Weishui, it encountered rebels, dozens of battles in one day, the situation was very critical. At this time, Li Qian stood up again, he selected hundreds of horsemen to open the way in front, personally rushed into the enemy position, engaged the rebels, and stained his robes red with blood.
When the war was over, when The Tang Army was resting, Li Qian came to his father Li Heng's side for the first time, and when he learned that his father had not eaten, Li Qian "couldn't help himself." Li Heng also shed tears when he saw his son's blood stained robe. For Li Qian's outstanding performance, the generals of the three armed services looked at him and admired him very much, "all the three armies belong to the eye." Under the protection of Li Qi, Li Heng successfully arrived in Lingwu and succeeded to the throne here, that is, Emperor Suzong of Tang.
3. Be given to commit suicide
After Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended the throne, he planned to appoint a crown prince as the Marshal of terracotta warriors and horses to be responsible for counterinsurgency. Many people recommended the emperor's third son, Li Qian, because of his outstanding performance in the process of going north to Lingwu, and Tang Suzong also had this idea. However, some people objected, mainly the eunuch Li Fuguo and the courtier Li Bi, who sided with Li Li, the King of Guangping, because Li Li was the eldest son of the emperor, that is, the future emperor. If Li Qian became a marshal and made great contributions to counterinsurgency, wouldn't he really become the second "Li Shimin"?
To this end, there was a debate between Tang Suzong and Li Bi, and finally Li Bi even said something like this, "If Jianning's great achievements are complete, although His Majesty wants not to think that he is a deputy, is it willing to make meritorious contributions?" Emperor Taizong and Emperor Taishang are also their affairs. Emperor Suzong of Tang finally decided to "make Guangping a marshal and pro-army." Later, Li Qian befriended Zhang Liangdi and Li Fuguo, and was framed by the two, "Jianning is eager for military power, and he is quite different. Tang Suzong was furious and put Li Qian to death. In 762, Li Li the Prince of Guangping ascended the throne, that is, Emperor Tang of Tang, and later posthumously honored Li Qi as Emperor Chengtian.
References: 1. Old Book of Tang; 2. Zizhi Tongjian