In 626 AD, in front of the Xuanwu Gate in Chang'an City, a bloody coup d'état that changed the fate of the Tang Dynasty was quietly staged. This is the famous "Xuanwumen Change" in history. In this power struggle, the crown prince Li Jiancheng was brutally killed, and Li Shimin, the king of Qin, ascended the throne and opened the prosperous era of Zhenguan. However, who exactly is to blame for this fratricidal tragedy? Is it the ambitious Li Shimin? Or the mediocre and incompetent Li Jiancheng?
In the last years of the Sui Dynasty, the world was in turmoil. Heroes from all walks of life have risen up one after another, fighting for this land of China. In this chaotic world of fierce competition, a person named Li Yuan stood out.
This Li Yuan is not an idle person, he was born in a famous family, and his ancestors have been officials for generations. He himself is also both civil and military, and he has been an official in Taiyuan during the Sui Dynasty. In the thirteenth year of the Great Cause, Li Yuan seized the opportunity to rebel, captured Chang'an in just a few months, and established the Tang Dynasty.
After Li Yuan ascended the throne and became emperor, according to ancient traditions, his eldest son Li Jiancheng was appointed as the crown prince. This Li Jiancheng is not a straw bag, he once led troops to conquer Chang'an and Pinghebei, and he is also a good hand in fighting. Not only that, but he also made great achievements in cultural governance, and even the famous direct minister Wei Zheng was willing to work for him.
However, the position of the crown prince is not secure. Because Li Yuan also has a son named Li Shimin, this guy is simply a natural emperor. Li Shimin fought in the south and the north, laying down most of the country for the Tang Dynasty. He also has a group of capable people under him, and his way of governing the country is also first-class.
Li Yuan, who is a father, is a bit of a dilemma. On one side is the eldest son Li Jiancheng, who should inherit the unification according to the rules. On the other side is Li Shimin, who has made great achievements in the world, wouldn't it be a pity if he didn't reuse him? So, Li Yuan played the game of thrones.
On the one hand, he appeased the crown prince Li Jiancheng, and on the other hand, he secretly encouraged Li Shimin to make contributions. This not only did not calm the conflict between the brothers, but made the relationship between the two more and more strained. Li Jiancheng began to be jealous of Li Shimin's talent and influence, and Li Shimin also eyed the crown prince.
Things reached a climax when Yang Wengan rebelled. At that time, Li Yuan denounced and imprisoned the crown prince Li Jiancheng, and sent Li Shimin to quell the rebellion. He also hinted to Li Shimin that if the rebellion was put down, he would be reappointed as the crown prince. Li Shimin naturally accepted the order gladly and quickly quelled the rebellion.
However, things did not develop as Li Shimin expected. After the rebellion was put down, Li Yuan reactivated the crown prince Li Jiancheng, and did not say a word about the things promised to Li Shimin before. This move undoubtedly planted the seeds of deeper contradictions between the two sons.
Since then, the relationship between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin has been like a taut string that may break at any time. The two are wary of each other, and the grudge is getting deeper and deeper. Li Jiancheng was worried that his position as the crown prince would not be guaranteed, and began to secretly target Li Shimin. It is said that he even poisoned Li Shimin.
As for Li Shimin, he is respectful on the surface, but in fact he is secretly accumulating strength. He gathered a group of capable people with lofty ideals, and gradually formed his own power in the court. At the same time, he also continued to make military achievements and won the support of the people and the army.
In this way, under Li Yuan's rule, the Tang Dynasty was peaceful on the surface, but in fact there was an undercurrent. In order to compete for the throne, the two princes show their magical powers, and you come and go. As a father, Li Yuan never made a clear decision, but made this power struggle more and more intense.
This situation lasted until the ninth year of Wude. That year, an event that changed the fate of Datang was about to be staged. In front of the Xuanwu Gate in Chang'an City, a bloody coup d'état is brewing. This coup d'état not only decided the fate of the Li brothers, but also pointed out the direction for the future of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin, King of Qin: A usurper of last resort
In Chang'an City, which has been in the ninth year of martial arts, Li Shimin can be said to be walking on thin ice. As the founder of the Tang Dynasty, his achievements are unparalleled. He fought in the south and the north, laid down most of the country for the early Tang Dynasty, and his subordinates gathered a group of capable people.
In the way of governing the country, Li Shimin also showed extraordinary talent. He knew how to make good use of people, was good at listening to different opinions, and laid a solid foundation for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. However, these brilliant achievements did not bring him the corresponding status and power.
The crown prince was firmly held by his brother Li Jiancheng. Although Li Shimin's achievements are high, he can only succumb to the throne of the king of Qin. This situation made him feel pressured, and he had to be constantly on the lookout for threats from the princelings.
According to historical records, Li Jiancheng secretly calculated Li Shimin many times. Rumor has it that the crown prince even poisoned Li Shimin. Faced with such a situation, Li Shimin had to take action to protect himself.
He began to secretly cultivate power in the DPRK and China, and recruited a group of loyal generals and officials. Among these people, the most famous are fierce generals such as Wei Chigong and Qin Shubao, as well as strategists such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. They have become Li Shimin's most reliable arms.
At the same time, Li Shimin did not relax his grip on the army. He frequently participated in military operations and personally led his troops into battle. This not only allowed him to accumulate rich military experience, but also won the love of the soldiers.
In terms of government affairs, Li Shimin also showed outstanding talents. He actively participated in the discussion of major national affairs and put forward many far-sighted proposals. These suggestions were often to the point and were endorsed by the courtiers.
However, Li Shimin's behavior also aroused the vigilance of the crown prince Li Jiancheng. The princelings began to monitor and suppress Li Shimin more closely. The atmosphere in the DPRK and China is becoming more and more tense, and a storm seems to be ready to break out at any moment.
In this case, Li Shimin had to consider more radical means. He began to secretly plot a coup d'état, with the goal of getting rid of Li Jiancheng and seizing the throne. This plan is extremely dangerous, and if it fails, not only will he be killed, but his family and supporters will also be destroyed.
However, Li Shimin had no choice. He is well aware that if he does not act, he will be in an even more dangerous situation. So, he began to carefully prepare for this coup.
He first ensured the loyalty of his core supporters. Wei Chigong, Fang Xuanling and others all expressed their willingness to follow Li Shimin at all costs. With these right-hand men, Li Shimin's plan has a basis for success.
Next, Li Shimin began to look for the right time. He knew that in order to succeed, he had to choose a moment when the prince's defense was most lax. After careful observation and planning, he finally chose Xuanwu Gate as the location of the operation.
The Xuanwu Gate is located to the north of the imperial palace and is a place frequented by emperors and princes. Li Shimin planned to set up an ambush here and take down Li Jiancheng and another brother Li Yuanji in one fell swoop. This plan is risky, but if successful, it will solve the problem of succession once and for all.
In this way, a coup d'état that changed the fate of the Tang Dynasty was brewing in secret. Li Shimin and his supporters know that this is a battle that has to be fought. If they succeed, they will have a bright future; Defeated, what awaits them is an abyss from which they will never recover.
In this power game, Li Shimin showed extraordinary courage and determination. He is not a cold-blooded and ruthless usurper, but a hero who has been cornered and has to fight back. It was this indomitable spirit that allowed him to finally win this life-and-death contest and create a prosperous era of Zhenguan.
Prince Li Jiancheng: A tragedy forgotten by history
In the power struggle of the Tang Dynasty, the crown prince Li Jiancheng is often portrayed as an incompetent and cowardly villain. However, the truth of history is far more complex than this simple label. Li Jiancheng, as the eldest son of Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, has had high hopes since he was a child.
He is not a mediocre and incompetent person. In the turbulent times of the late Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty, Li Jiancheng led his troops to expedition many times and made great contributions to the Li family. He participated in important military operations such as the recovery of Chang'an and the pacification of Hebei, and showed great military talent.
Not only that, Li Jiancheng has also made achievements in cultural governance. He was a corporal and recruited a group of talented people to work for him. The most famous of these was Wei Zheng, who was later known as one of the "Ten Philosophers of Longmen". Wei Zheng is known for his outspokenness and daring advice, and his willingness to work for Li Jiancheng shows the prince's mind and talent.
However, Li Jiancheng's situation was not easy. Although he is the crown prince, the threat of his younger brother Li Shimin is always with him. Li Shimin's military talent was even more outstanding, and he fought in the south and the north, laying down most of the country for the Tang Dynasty. This made Li Jiancheng feel a huge pressure.
Faced with this situation, Li Jiancheng did not sit still. He began to actively woo the ministers of the DPRK and China to expand his power. He also tried to weaken Li Shimin's influence in various ways. It is rumored that Li Jiancheng once poisoned Li Shimin, although this claim has not been conclusively confirmed.
Li Jiancheng's situation is actually very embarrassing. As the crown prince, he was supposed to be the rightful heir to the throne. But Li Shimin's talents and exploits put his position in jeopardy. In this case, Li Jiancheng had to resort to some radical means to protect his position.
He began to reward his cronies in the court, trying to build a powerful princeling. At the same time, he also actively participated in the government and hoped to prove his ability through his political achievements. Although these actions strengthened his position to a certain extent, they also exacerbated the contradictions between him and Li Shimin.
Li Jiancheng also tried to increase his prestige through military operations. He asked for orders many times to go on expeditions, hoping to establish great military exploits like Li Shimin. However, these actions did not have the desired effect. On the contrary, they have given Li Shimin more opportunities to show his talents.
In this power game, Li Jiancheng gradually fell into passivity. Every move he made seemed to further deepen his predicament. The more he wanted to consolidate his position, the more he gave Li Shimin more reasons to oppose him.
In the ninth year of Wude, the situation reached a critical point. Li Jiancheng felt that his position was becoming more and more precarious. He began to consider more radical measures to get rid of Li Shimin, the biggest threat. However, he didn't know that Li Shimin was also secretly planning actions against him.
At this critical moment, Li Jiancheng made a fatal mistake. He underestimated Li Shimin's determination and ability. On the eve of the Xuanwumen Incident, Li Jiancheng did not seem to be aware of the impending danger. As is customary, he is ready to enter the palace as usual.
This negligence gave Li Shimin an opportunity. When Li Jiancheng came to Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin's subordinates had already set up an ambush there. A bloody coup d'état began. Li Jiancheng didn't expect that the identity of the prince he was proud of on weekdays would become his lifeline at this moment.
In this sudden coup d'état, Li Jiancheng showed amazing courage. In the face of Li Shimin's surprise attack, he rose up and tried to turn the situation around. However, the development of events was beyond his control. In the chaos, Li Jiancheng finally fell under Li Shimin's sword.
Xuanwu Shock: The day that rewrote the fate of the Tang Dynasty
On June 4, the ninth year of Wude, Chang'an City was shrouded in an eerie tranquility. This seemingly ordinary day is destined to leave a strong mark in history. The sky was still bright, and there was already an undercurrent surging outside the Xuanwu Gate.
Li Shimin's cronies have long been in place according to the plan. Wei Chigong, Qin Shubao and other fierce generals led the elite troops and hid in the shadows near the Xuanwu Gate. Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and other strategists were secretly observing the situation and were ready to make suggestions at any time.
The sun gradually rose, and Chang'an City began to wake up. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, as usual, prepared to enter the palace to meet their father Li Yuan. They didn't know that a storm that could change the fate of Datang was coming.
When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji came to Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin suddenly appeared. He didn't have any superfluous nonsense, and directly accused the two of rebellion. This sudden accusation caught Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji off guard.
Chaos erupted in an instant. Li Shimin's subordinates rushed out from all directions and surrounded Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji. Although the two brothers brought their retinue, they were powerless to resist this sudden attack.
Li Jiancheng tried to escape, but was shot by an arrow from Wei Chigong. He fell off his horse, but he stubbornly got up and continued to flee for his life. Li Shimin personally pursued and finally beheaded Li Jiancheng inside the Xuanwu Gate. Li Yuanji was also killed by random arrows in the chaos.
The whole process is incredibly fast. From Li Shimin's appearance to the fall of the two princes, only a short time has passed. However, it was this brief moment that completely changed the fate of Datang.
Inside and outside the Xuanwu Gate, there were panicked palace people and soldiers everywhere. The news soon spread to the Taiji Palace, and Li Yuan was shocked when he learned about it. He immediately sent someone to inquire about the situation, but it was too late.
Li Shimin did not stop, he immediately led his subordinates straight to Taiji Palace. In front of the palace gate, he knelt down and pleaded guilty, claiming that he was forced to do so because he had no choice but to do so. Li Yuan had no choice at this time.
Under pressure from Li Shimin, Li Yuan was forced to agree to his request. He ordered the execution of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's family members, and proclaimed Li Shimin the new crown prince. In just a few hours, the political landscape of Chang'an City has completely changed.
However, it didn't end there. Li Shimin knows that in order to completely consolidate his position, he needs to go further. He began to purge the old ministries of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji in the DPRK. For a time, the people of the government and the opposition were panicked.
At the same time, Li Shimin is also actively enlisting new supporters. He vigorously promoted the generals and officials who had supported him during the Xuanwumen Rebellion, making them the new core of power. This political reorganization laid the foundation for his future rule.
Although Li Yuan retained the throne, he had actually become a puppet. Most of his power is controlled by Li Shimin. This situation made Li Yuan feel very uneasy, but he was powerless to change anything.
In this way, Li Shimin completely grasped the real power of the Tang Dynasty through a thrilling coup d'état. However, he was not satisfied. He knew that more effort was needed to truly become a rightful emperor.
Over the next two months, Li Shimin continued to put pressure on Li Yuan. He hinted at Li Yuan's abdication in various ways to allow himself to inherit the unification. Li Yuan was a little resistant at first, but under the persuasion of the ministers of the DPRK and China, he finally relented.
In August of the ninth year of Wude, Li Yuan officially announced his abdication. Li Shimin ascended the throne as emperor and changed his view of Zhenguan. At this point, this change of power that began in Xuanwumen has finally come to an end. Li Shimin successfully changed from a Qin king to Tang Taizong, opening the prelude to the prosperity of Zhenguan.
The Xuanwumen Incident is undoubtedly one of the most famous coups in Chinese history. It not only changed the fate of the Tang Dynasty, but also left many controversies for future generations. Some people say that Li Shimin did it as a last resort, and some people say that he is an ambitious usurper.
No matter how you evaluate it, the impact of this coup d'état is far-reaching. It not only determined the direction of the Tang Dynasty, but also became a model for political struggles in later generations. Since then, the name "Xuanwumen" has become synonymous with the change of power, leaving an indelible mark on Chinese history.