Li Shimin, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, was one of the monarchs of high status in Chinese history. Although Li Shimin was in excellent physical condition when he was young, he died suddenly at the age of 51. This raises the question of why a monarch in such good health would die at a relatively young age.
This article will answer this question by analyzing Li Shimin's living habits, diet, political and military pressures, and the deterioration of his physical condition in his later years.
First of all, Li Shimin's physical condition when he was young showed excellent performance. As a person who loves sports, he often exercises such as horseback riding and archery, and maintains good physical fitness. In addition, according to historical records, he also paid great attention to personal hygiene and health, bathing and grooming frequently. These good living habits have undoubtedly played a positive role in promoting his physical health.
Secondly, Li Shimin's eating habits are also one of the important factors for him to maintain health. He is known to eat moderately, advocate a balanced diet, and pay attention to the freshness and quality of his food. He abstained from alcohol and quit smoking, and ate regularly. This reasonable diet provides him with adequate nutrition to keep his body in a good state.
However, Li Shimin was under great political and military pressure during his reign, which inevitably had a certain impact on his body. As a politically ambitious monarch, he actively expanded his territory and reformed the system, which required him to spend a lot of time and energy on the affairs of the country. This work stress can lead to his lack of adequate rest and relaxation, which negatively affects his physical health.
Over time, Li Shimin's physical condition in his later years began to deteriorate.
In addition, Li Shimin's loss of vitality is also related to the decision-making of political inheritance. In order to ensure the stability of the country and his own power, Li Shimin took a series of measures to restrict the succession to the throne. He deposed his eldest son Chenggan and second son Chenggao. This decision not only led to political chaos, but also left him without an able and experienced heir to share the political pressure in his later years, which negatively affected his physical health.
Speculation and research on the cause of Li Shimin's end of life have been going on for many years. Some scholars believe that his death may be related to a long political struggle and physical fatigue. In addition, some have raised the possibility of physiological factors such as heart disease and stroke. However, due to the lack of conclusive historical records, we may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of his death.
All in all, despite Li Shimin's excellent physical condition in his youth, the enormous political and military pressure he bore and his deteriorating physical condition in his later years led to his relatively young death. His eating habits, lifestyle habits, and political succession decisions all had an impact on his health. However, there is speculation and controversy about the exact cause of his death, which needs to be further studied and explored.