Tang Taizong
The emperor Tang Taizong (in Chinese 唐太宗, Hanyu pinyin Táng Tàizōng , January 23rd 599 - July 10th 649), born Li Shimin (李世民, Lĭ Shìmín ) was the second emperor of the Dynastie Tang of China. Established the September 4th 626, it reigned of 626 with 649. Before its accession with the throne, it was the main thing Général of his father and is regarded as the cofounder of the dynasty.
In its youth, young Li Shimin is a skilful lieutenant sinicized by its culture, and skilful semi-babare rider, the troops of its native Shanxi being in parts of the mercenaries rejoined Turks. When the ploughed up empire, it obtains the alliance of some Turkish tribes, which facilitates the reunification of the empire to him. Once the territories of the empire pacified, it starts again its policy to fight against the Eastern Turks, and subjects them in 630. In 641, the sovereign of the Tibet recognizes his suzerainty. Of 640 with 648, it subjects the city-kingdoms of the Oases of Tarim. In 642, it subjects the Western Turks, which does of its Empire one of vastest than knew China.
Its qualities of military chief and administrator made it possible China to know one boom, particularly during the first part of its reign ( Zhenguan ). One pays thus that during the “reign of Zhenguan” (貞觀之治) it was not useful any more to close the doors of the residences, and than a forgotten object remained on the spot until the return of its owner. This period was set up in ideal prosperity and Tang Taizong is regarded as a model emperor.
Introduction and overall picture
With the fall of the Han (220), the country is divided into regional kingdoms. After one period of uncertainty, the situation is stabilized: kingdoms Barbarian S semi-sinicized in North and five dynasties claiming to succeed the Han empire in the South (Jin, Liu-Song, IQ, Liang, Chen).
In 577, the emperor of the Zhou of North comes to end from his rivals IQ from North. This success is partly due to the competence of his/her father-in-law Yang Jian (楊堅, Yáng Jiān ), powerful minister. In 581, this last seizes the capacity and creates the Dynastie Sui, then, destroying the forces Chen of the South, reconstitutes the Chinese empire: it is the beginning of the period Sui (589 - 618). Yang Jian, become the emperor Wendi (文帝), is sober and pragmatic and builds prosperity by defending the borders of its empire; it engages of great work and reform the institutions. His/her son, Yangdi (煬帝), more whimsical, succeeds to him in 605; he engages the systematic restoration of the Great wall and launches three unfruitful campaigns on the Korea. The exhausted people revolt, of the local leaders emergent, the armies organize themselves while the desperate emperor ignores the businesses of the empire.
It is this beginning of generalized disorder which constitutes the backdrop of the Li Shimin adventure, the Taizong future. It pushes his father, Li Yuan (李淵), governor of the Shanxi, to revolt against the wavering throne and to cut a field starting from Taiyuan (太原). When the emperor of Sui is assassinated, Li Shimin made of his/her father the leader of the legitimists with the image of honest lieutenant of the empire. By the force of the weapons, father and wire establish on his throne a crown prince. Guiding the armies of his/her father, Li Shimin gives access to him imperial dignity in 618, under the name of Gaozu (高祖, Gāozǔ) of the Dynastie Tang. Li Shimin reunifies North, then whole China under the control of the new Tang dynasty. It also manages the threat of the barbarians; it seems moreover - of after the Chinese accounts which make its praise which it is in fact the instigator of all the policy as of 616.
In 626, after an attempted murder carried out by the crown prince (his older brother) and aiming it, it pushes his father to be abdicated in his favor and goes up on the throne, old of twenty-seven years. Its first concern is to make safe the border, to push back the Turkish threat, and to sit the Chinese power in Asia, as well by the weapons as by the Diplomatie. In 630, its general Li Jing (李靖), helped of tributes Turkish rejoined, saber the camp of the Large Khan in Dingxiang in a surprised attack, then subjects the whole of powerful the Khanat of the Eastern Turks (東突厥), making it possible Tang to become the main thing capacity of Eastern Asia; many tribes external with the empire then come to bring the tribute symbolic system to Chang' year (currently Xi' year) and to ask Tang Taizong to accept the title of celestial Khan (天可汗).
Of 640 with 648, it subjects the pockets of resistance of the Bassin of Tarim: the Silk route is durably restored. In 645, it tries to subject the kingdoms Korea NS but does not reach that point. In 648, the Chinese domination is restored with the Xinjiang.
It is under its reign that pilgrim Xuanzang celebrates it made his voyage in India, of 629 with 645, in the search of crowned texts Buddhist which it then translated in the capital Chang' year (Xi' year) until his death into 664.
He dies in 649, after having imposed then consolidated a new dynasty and imposed to China powerful, organized, respected and feared close “barbarians”. He also imposes China like referee of Eastern Asia and central, through his suzerainty on many kingdoms and khanats bordering.
Its Mausolée was dug in the rock of the Zhao Ling, in the valley of the Wei He (province of the Shaanxi). It represented a true palate including/understanding nearly four hundred buildings and a long way of procession several hundreds of meters.
Its posthumous Nom is Wenwudashengdaguang Xiao Huangdi (文武大聖大廣孝皇帝
In 615, to restore his prestige a little, the Emperor makes the round of the Files of north, vis-a-vis the Eastern Turks. Its section is attacked by these same Turks who were however vassal Empire since Suí Wéndì (隋文帝). The young person Lĭ Shìmín (李世民) (wire of Lĭ Yuan (李淵), governor of the Shanxi) illustrates itself then by its initiative with the combat. It is that this noble young person, subtly sinicized by his/her father deeply confucéen and the life of course that it enabled him to observe, is also a brilliant young person lieutenant, brother in arms of the federate Turks; that will have its importance thereafter. The Emperor ignores finally this despairing situation and the autonomous military lords emergent around 614-616. The capital is taken by rebels, and the Court must flee.
Lǐ Jìng (李靖) (571-649), a local civil servant, tries to join the Emperor to prevent it machination in progress. He is denounced by the population, favorable to Lĭ Yuan because of his qualities of governor, and is threatened of execution, but Lĭ Shìmín, surprised by its bravery confucéenne, leaves it free. After some mistakes, in particular in a Suí army which practices plundering, it joined finally Lĭ Shìmín of which it could see its own eyes the exemplary behavior with respect to the population and from which the armies, ordinates, protect the citizens under its eyes. Lǐ Jìng - strategist out-par proves to be a help décisive.
Beginning 618, Lĭ Shìmín manages to ruin an attack launched by the general rebels Xue Chu, autoproclamé emperor, come from the Gansu (Western, Northern West), but the business is not finished.
The May 20th 618, Lĭ Yuan is made appoint emperor under the name of Táng GāoZǔ (唐高祖); the small emperor marionette will be carried out a few months later. He makes Chang' year his capital. Chang' year of Han become uninhabitable, it is acted in fact of the city close to Taixingcheng (大興城) recently rebuilt under Sui Wendi in order to satisfy the need for a dynasty modern, and considered as the news Chang' year.
Become Emperor, Táng GāoZǔ inaugurates the era Wude (武德 martial virtue), the only one which its reign will know. Lĭ Shìmín is made prince de Qin (秦) whereas Li Jiancheng (李建成), his/her older brother, is named crown prince.
; Wang Shichung, Semi Li and the regicide
At the East, the general “legitimist” of Luòyáng, Wang Shichong (王世充), had placed Yang Tong (杨侗), former prince de Yue (越王) in legitimate position of heir to Sui. He is combined with cruel the Li Semi (李密) - another secessionist who however frequently made the seat of his city - each one thinking there of gaining. They must face a threat come from the South, the regicide Yuwen Huachi threatening the capital of Semi Li (Liyang). Helped of a symbolic system small support of Luòyáng, Semi Li pushes back the regicide Yuwen Huachi. But this fight weakens considerably Semi Li and the regicide. Wang, threatened by prestige acquired by Semi Li, decides to close the doors of its city to him then uses of subtle a stratagem. One of its lieutenants being a Semi Li double, it reveals it in full battle, equipped like Semi Li, and makes him give counter-orders to the Semi Li troops which, demolish, must integrate the Tang troops. Satisfied with this victory, Wang Shichung détrône its small emperor and is established emperor of the dynasty Zheng (鄭) in April 619, controlling powerful Henan virtually. Factuellement, it controls surtour the accesses of Luoyang.
; Alliance enters Zheng and Xia, against Tang
The armies of Lĭ Jiancheng and Lĭ Shìmín meet and pressurize gently Henan, helped in that by the cruelty of Wang Shichung whose population flees: they is as much again possible soldiers for Tang. Limited to Luòyáng, Wang Shichung solicits alliance of rebel Of Jiande (窦建德), which proclaimed emperor of Xia (夏), and controls Hebei and the coastal Shandong; it had made decapitate the regicide (619), and also had just demolished a small Tang army in Liyang, in Hebei.
; Battle of Luòyáng (621)
Lĭ besiege Luòyáng. Lĭ Shìmín leaves in recognition around the city strengthened with 800 riders and is made encircle by the local army. An opposite officer takes it in aiming, but Jingde, a former Turkish opponent whom it has demolishes and rejoined with its cause saves it, while large its troops intervenes finally.
Information comes from that the troops of Xia arrive of the Hebei to benefit from the situation, and especially, not to give the advantage to Tang. Lĭ Shìmín takes riders of elite Turkish with him, sinks towards north during the night, and gashes the opposing side at the small day. It is a kind of Waterloo gained by Napoleon of the day. Of return to Luòyáng, the resistance of the city weakens with the sight of captive the Xia emperor. A few days later, Luòyáng goes: the two imperial cities are from now on in the possession of Tang., Henan and Hebei passes in their sphere of influence, as well as the Shandong. Tang thus find main North, and in addition with a favorable reputation of good controlling.
The junior by family which is Li Shimin returns to Cháng' ān like César to Rome: cover of a gold armor, the quiver furnished with arrows, the arc on the back, the sword with the hand on its favorite horse. The chiefs made captive walk subjected to its with dimensions.
Lĭ Shìmín, accessible Li Jing which had just subjected Eastern Khanat and its vassal would have said: “The Emperor Han Wudi (汉武帝) sent the large general Li Guang with 8.000 men to pacify the Xiongnu (Huns), and in spite of their courage and their victory over 10.000 of them, they had to go. I sent to you as a scout among Eastern Turks with 3.000 riders, not only you return while having eliminated an army and a strong threat from 200.000 men, but you also subject their territories to the Empire. Such generals are rare in the History. ”
By subjecting the principal tribe into 630, it is in fact a durable destruction of the khanat of the Eastern Turks which is accomplished, and a whole series of small tribes and kingdoms of north become vassal Tang Empire, offering each year a tribute to the Empire of China and the dynasty of Tang.
Tibet, at that time is controlled by powerful king Songtsen Gampo. The country is then one of civilizations most powerful of Asia and has a powerful army. Chinese historiography admits that the bonds between China and Tibet sealed continuation named Chinese princess sending beautiful Wencheng into 641. This one owed marked the tender of Tibet in China.
Of approximately 640 to 648, the Western Turks, skilfully divided, are subjected to the Empire and bring them also the tribute symbolic system to the emperor of Han, which controls from now on to the mountains of the Pamir. Nevertheless, it is necessary to await the forwarding of 657, carried out by the General Su Dingfa, a veteran of the tender campaign of the Eastern Turks by Li Jing, so that the Eastern Turks are completely overcome.
After the campaigns of Sui (598, 612, 613 & 614), the Korean kingdom of Goguryeo (Dongyi) recognizes the suzerainty of Sui (619) then of Tang, bringing each year a tribute symbolic system. But the reinforcement of China Tang worries this kingdom of north. In 642, a coup d'etat transfers the favorable king and places the hostile faction at China at the head of the kingdom, which ceases bringing the Tribute annuel.
The force of Korea lay in the quality of its soldiers and his State, him also an interbreeding between a refined sedentary civilization and nomads practitioner the raid. The Koreans played particularly well of the their assembled archers, considered best of the world. Also strengthened constructions was one their strong points: they could only seldom be taken, while the Koreans intelligently fled engagements of full field. Thus, the Strong Ansi which cannot be taken, Taizong must be satisfied with a policy of weakening of Goguryeo.
Finally, after having threatened to commit suicide vis-a-vis the nonsense of the situation (its sons wanted between-to already commit suicide!), it names discrete Li Zhi - Future Tang Gaozong - as crown prince, thus making the bet of “a good” Emperor rather than of a dynamic but tyrannical Emperor.
Master of reunified China, Tang Gaozu offers many stations to the powerful ones which collaborate, go, or are used it for the combat; this policy facilitates the reunification, the pacification and the stabilization of the conquered territory. It restores the Imperial Examens all the same, with a first session into 621, but the candidates, very few and young, will have only one weak influence in the first years.
It is Taizong which founds truly a méritocratie. It gets busy, in one way or another, to break the stations of kindness distributed by his father, and imposes qualified scholars. There it amalgamates prefectures with an aim of effectiveness or his/her father had split up them to distribute the offices.
In the middle of the reign of Taizong, the three ministries become really functional, but it is only later that the Imperial Examinations will become the Chinese institution which selects all the civils servant.
Bonds
Ancient emperors and generals:
Key generals:
Key officials:
Origins
In 589, after nearly 370 years of division, the Chinese empire is reconstituted under the Dynastie Sui directed by the family Yang (楊) which knows only two reigning emperors and is completed in 618. After the disastrous campaigns against Korea of the second emperor Sui Yangdi, the atmosphere of the country is with the revolt and of many local potentates take their independence in fact. The risk of parcelling out of the empire points again. Among the local big families, Li (李), of which the chief Li Yuan, governor of Shanxi, is first cousin by his mother (a Xianbei) of the Yangdi emperor. It is them which will save the unit of the empire to their profit, primarily thanks to the political and military Li Shimin talents, second wire of Li Yuan.
Lieutenancy 李 Lĭ of the Empire 隋 Suí
Depression of the central capacity
As of 614, before even the forwarding of Korea, a revolt bursts in China that Suí Yángdì (隋煬帝) must crush, before setting out again with a million soldiers and a provisioning of report/ratio. The countryside of 614 proves to be unfruitful and very expensive. King Yeongyang proposes peace, but refuses all the condition of the Yángdì emperor who, for the honor of the Empire, asks the recognition of Chinese sovereignty and for the annual payment of a tribute (symbolic system). The refusal is categorical, the blocked military situation, Yángdì returns in Chang' year in a climate of revolt.
Rebellion of the Governor Lĭ Yuan, his father
At the same time, in Shanxi, the powerful administrator confucéen and general Lĭ Yuan, father of Lĭ Shìmín, continues to supervise his northern border while remaining faithful to the Suí Emperor. His/her son, who took a little in age, experiment and audacity, encourages it to make secession and to cut himself as of now the greatest possible share of the kingdom: the Empire crumbles, Suí fall, it is necessary to give an opinion.
To force the hand to him, Lĭ Shìmín subcontractor with eunuque of the court of which it made knowledge, it makes deliver has his/her father a concubine of Yángdì, which it accepts; little time after, it points out to his/her father who it is of this fact liable to died and with the round of applause of the Empire. , Lĭ Yuan joins together its faithful and assembles an army, preserving nevertheless its image of faithful servant of the capacity while ensuring to want to defend the Suí dynasty against the rebels who threaten now the Empire.
Lĭ Shìmín obtains 500 soldiers of elite and 2.000 horses of his/her friends Turkish. His/her sister sells her jewels and her goods to bring back 10.000 soldiers for him. The support of his/her father and the loyal supporters (handled?) quickly raise this army with 60.000 men. In fact, the many branches of the family Lǐ (李) get busy to promise grounds with immigrants mislaid by the wars, and to seal alliances with groups of local gangsters and rebellious. In a few months, this army would have thus reached 200.000 men. Lĭ Shìmín, with the head of the unit, reassures the populations by the order that it maintains there.
First Lĭ offensives
In 617 (9 日 11 月), Lĭ Shìmín and its armies enter to the capital Cháng' ān which briefly resists. Lĭ Yuan names emperor Yang Yu, a small son of Yángdì which, outgoing, is regarded as détrôné. Finally, Yangdi is assassinated by a rebellious general, Yuwen Huachi. With Luòyáng, an allegedly faithful general, Wang Shichung, another new emperor marionette founds. Lĭ Yuan and Lĭ Shìmín then affirm the guards of the young Sui emperor vis-a-vis the generals manipulators, confirming their model reputation of confucéens.
Beginning of the Tang Empire: 唐高祖 Tang GāoZǔ (618-626)
Victoire on the emperor Xue Chu and occupation of Gansu
Three months later (August 618), the general-emperor Xue Chu starts again a campaign to take Cháng' ān, the imperial capital. He beats a Tang army with punt seams, but arrived at the doors of the city, he falls ill and dies. His/her son, scrambled with his generals, chooses the fold.
In November, Lĭ Shìmín continues it and sabers by surprised its Nombre camp of its generals and soldiers desert to join the Tang armies, which thus occupy the Gansu.
Decisive catch of Henan and Hebei
Domination with the unification
The military advantage thus clearly passed to Tang. The two principal armies of North are subjected, their territory is relatively stable because of their reputation, and they are from now on in possession of the human and productive heart of China. They are the only ones with being able to claim with an ambition impériale.
Rebels continue to agitate certain areas Chinese, like Xiao Xian (蕭銑), heir to Liang Western (西梁) absorptive by Sui and combined of the imperial family of this dynasty. But it east demolishes at the end of 621: the Hubei, the Hunan, the Jiangxi and the Guangdong pass to Tang
The threat of the Eastern Turks
In 624, Khan of the Eastern Turks tūjué, [[Köktürks]] is announced with the doors of the imperial city of Cháng' ān. The Emperor and the Court want to evacuate the city. Using its reputation and its knowledge of the barbarians, Lĭ Shìmín and a small troop sink towards them. Lĭ Shìmín the harangue, reminds certain chiefs that they fought together, and straightforwardly defies their chief in duel with the Tartar!
“the Tang Dynasty does not owe anything to the Turks. Why invade our States? Me here ready to measure me in your Khan! ”
The Turks act in concert then fold up themselves. Lĭ Shìmín gives the order then to prepare weapons and horses. The night, they join the Turkish camp and saber it. Khan begs to obtain peace and is withdrawn shamefully in Outer Mongolia.
The blow of the door Xuanwu 玄武門之變 （July 2nd, 626)
Despite everything its talents of military leader, of principal general of the Empire, Lĭ Shìmín, remains the second wire of the Emperor, and it is thus its elder Li Jiancheng (李建成) which is legally the crown prince. Threatened by the exploits of Lĭ Shìmín, Li Jiancheng and several other brothers, whose Li Yuanji (李元吉) plot against him. They would have tried to poison it, but it takes antidote and escapes from it. His/her brothers then underline the need for a military forwarding requiring the best Li Shimin generals, and foment the ambuscade Xuanwu door. A traitor informs Li Shimin that goes there out of weapons, follow-up of his lieutenants present. He strips an arrow which kills one of his/her brothers, then, prosecutor second, he fall from his horse and it is Yuchi Jingde (尉遲敬德), rejoined Turkish, who again saves it by decapitating the second frère.
Remain to legitimate and legalize the action in front of the Emperor, who was rather in favor of Li Jiancheng, the groin. Jingde goes (out of weapon!) in front of the emperor, undoubtedly still covered with blood, and announces the death of the two princes. The Gaozong Emperor is ploughed up then requires a severe investigation. A courtier recalls him discreetly:
Then, it is a waltz of courtesy according to the aristocratic and Chinese label. Li Shimin is posted in front of his/her father, begging it to forgive him. His/her father, crying, reassures it in the remercit to even have to save the family and the line. Li Shimin is forgiven since having done nothing but this defend. A fact is that he is now the military Master of the capital and the Empire, no other truth cannot émmerger.
Two months later, the Gaozong Emperor abdicates. But the assembly of powerful asks him to remain: he refuses. Li Shimin refuses the throne and, in tear, asks him to remain Empereur. Gaozong orders has Li Shimin to accept the throne, in good subject of his/her father and of its Emperor, Li Shimin accepts. He is established Empereur of China the September 4th 626 under the name of 唐太宗 Táng Tàizōng.
Empire of 唐太宗 Táng Tàizōng
Pacification of the Eastern Turks (626-630)
Taizong then takes in hand the stabilization of the external kingdoms, while initially launching its armies with the attack of the khanat of the Eastern Turks (東突厥 tūjué, also called Köktürks). The Gaozu Emperor had already started a diplomacy entitled “To divide cruel bordering for better reigning the Chinese Empire”, which had involved a beginning of dislocation like certain punitive forwardings of Large Khan to mean its dissatisfaction.
In 629, Lĭ Shìmín sends its general Li Jing and 3.000 riders to consider ahead the forces Turkish while the general Li Shiji follows it with 100.000 men aguerris. This army aims to contain and push back a little the Turkish threat. In 630, the old man and wise Li Jing return victorious and haloed glory: it has just destroyed the principal threat on the young empire Tang, a Turkish army of 200.000 men, scattered in wandering tribes but having the worship of the warrior. It comes in fact to inflict a series of strategic defeats to them, sabring the camp of Large Khan of night, still badgering it, pushing back it beyond the Inner Mongolia, and ridiculing it in front of its vassal which are subjected.
Basin of Tarim, Tibet and Turks Western
After the conquest of the Eastern Turks, Taizong is free to reorientate its armies towards the kingdom Tibet Ain (tanôt allied, sometimes rebel) and the small kingdoms of the oases of the Bassin of Tarim, a fully Chinese control of these oases being decisive for the reopening of the road of the soie.
To supplement: Go back to catch of each Oasis of Chapeler (basin of Tarim)
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Countryside of Korea (645)
In 645, Taizong, aggravated by the autonomy and the arrogance of Goguryeo, lance a military campaign against this kingdom, the opinion of good number of its advisers. Thus is started an army of 100.000 experienced men, accompanied by 10.000 riders. But the unforeseen hardness of the winter and the resistance of the Korean troops accustomed to the places finally oblige to sound the retirement; the losses amount to 10.000 soldiers and 7000 to 8000 horses.
Succession of Taizong
This military countryside, neither gained nor lost will be finally the last military countryside of Taizong. In Chang' Year, the dissensions between the crown prince and the potentials heirs occupy the last years of its reign. There still, an internal conflict is tied between the elder one to which must return the throne and of the more dynamic juniors, to see manipulators more.
Administration
Li Yuan controls from 617 to 626, going up on the throne into 618 and deposited by his/her Taizong son into 626. It is not certain which came the initiative, but the dynasty of Tang gets busy to continue the committed reforms by Sui.
At the administrative level, the State preserves its organization in three “Ministries” (省, shěng):
The Emperor can short-circuit the whole while enacting decrees.
Key opponents:
Other contenders, ended butt 628:
North side:
West side:
Key places:
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