Li Shimin (598–649; his birth year is also given as 599) was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty and ruled from 626 to 649. The second son of Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan, he was born to Lady Dou; his native place was Chang'an and his ancestral home was Chengji. His temple name was Taizong.
Life
During the Sui–Tang transition, he urged his father to rise against the Sui and helped conquer the realm. In the first year of the Wude era (618), he became Shangshu Ling, and he also held the offices of Taiwei, marshal, and regional commander; he later served as prefect of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Henan Fu, and Hedong. In 621 he was appointed Tiance Shangjiangjun, and in 625 Zhongshu Ling.
During the Wude era he defeated Xue Rengao, Dou Jiande, and Liu Heita, and subdued separatist powers including Wang Shichong. He was first made Duke of Zhao and then advanced to Prince of Qin.
The date of the Xuanwu Gate Incident is given either as the eighth year of Wude (625) or the ninth (626). In the coup he killed his elder brother Li Jiancheng and younger brother Li Yuanji, was made crown prince, and in August received his father's abdication; his father became Retired Emperor, and he ascended the throne. The following year he adopted the era name Zhenguan.
His first wife was Lady Changsun. His children included Li Chengqian, Li Ke, Li Tai, Li Zhen, and Li Zhi.
Rule
After ascending the throne, he pursued purposeful reform, welcomed remonstrance, reduced luxury and taxes, moderated punishments, and strengthened the military, bringing peace to the empire. With Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, Wang Gui, Li Ji, and Li Jing among his ministers, he brought about what later became known as the Zhenguan governance; his rule also helped lay the foundation for the Kaiyuan flourishing. The Tiele and Uyghur peoples honored him as the Heavenly Qaghan.
Writings
He was skilled in literary composition and exchanged poems and prose with Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling. Works associated with him include *Lingyan ge gongchen zan*, *Tang Taizong ji*, and *Diyuan*; *Kaiyuan wenzi yinyi* (one juan) and *Difan* (four juan) are listed as works he authored, while his collected writings comprised forty juan.
Death and posthumous titles
He reigned for twenty-three years and died of poisoning after taking a “longevity drug”; the date of death is given as 13 July 649. He was posthumously given the name Wen Huangdi, his temple name was Taizong, and he was honored with the posthumous title Wenwu Dasheng Daguang Xiao Huangdi.
References
- CBDB Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong of Tang) (13060)
- 搜韵 李世民 (13897)
- 法鼓佛教人名规范数据库 李世民 (A002414)
- Wikidata Emperor Taizong of Tang (Q9701)