The Tang Dynasty
5 min readThe Tang Dynasty（618-907AD）
The Tang dynasty lasted from 618-907 AD，which was a long and prosperous period.
Although the Sui dynasty before，it was very short，it was important for the Tang to develop.Since the Tang Dynasty isclosely associated with the Sui Dynasty，they are often discussed as the same dynasty in some historical books.
Much of their power was made possible through the canals built by the Sui.These canals allowed for communications to all parts of the empire.Also，the granaries the Sui built alongside the canals helped the Tang to transport goods from the south to the north.This especially was important in the transfer of rice to the north in times of famine.These canals were important in the economic development of the Tang Empire.
LiShimin
Taizong was the second of the Tang emperors.
He was born as Li Shimin，the second son of Emperor Gaozu，Li Yuan.Taizong is his posthumous temple name and means“Supreme Ancestor.”
His rule lasted twenty-three years（626-649 AD）and he is considered to be one of the greatest of the Chinese emperors.
His reign，which is known as the Prosperity of Zhenguan，was outstanding as an era of peace and prosperity，one of the most flourishing during the Tang period.
He is described as a man of exceptional character with a keen rational intelligence.He is highly esteemed for his scholarly and administrative qualities.He was well educated in the classics.His reign is described as the epitome of Confucianrule.He was an excellent scholar and calligrapher，attracted able ministers，had close relations with his advisors，accepted criticism and lived frugally.His interests included the arts and natural history.There are three important landmarks in his political career：
The closing years of the Sui Dynasty（581-618AD）was marked by civil unrest.At this time，the man who was to become Emperor Gaozu was Li Yuan the Duke of Tang ，an administrator in Taiyuan .His ambitious son，Li Shimin persuaded the duke to stage a military coup against the Sui Dynasty in 617 AD.That year the rebel army captured the capital city，Changan，and the duke placed the Emperor Yang’s son，a puppet emperor，on the throne while holding power for himself.When Emperor Yang was assassinated in 618 AD by an aide，Li Yuan deposedhim and declared himself emperor，thus establishing the new Tang Dynasty.
Li Shimin continued to lead the army in a campaign to secure the whole of the empire for his father and finally overcame all rebels，creating a united China in 628 AD.
The Palace Coup of Xuanwumen On taking the title and name Emperor Gaozu，Li Yuan who had twenty-two sons in total，decreed that his eldest son，Li Jiancheng should be the Crown Prince.Li Shimin，the second son，was granted the title Prince of Qin .A third son，had died long before，so the fourth son，Li Yuanji was created Prince ofQi.
Of these three sons，Li Shimin was the most ambitious and intelligent.It was he who had made the greatest contribu-tion to the campaign to secure the empire for his father.This fact troubled the Crown Prince for he saw Li Shimin as a threat to his own position.Conspiring with his younger brother，Prince Qi，he tried to get rid of Li Shimin.
Unhappy with his father’s incompetence and tired of the constant threats against him by his brothers，Li Shimin launched a palace coup at the Xuanwumen Gate in 626 AD.
Both the Crown Prince and Prince Qi were killed and the emperor was forced to abdicate.
There were no longer any rivals for the throne and Li Shimin became Emperor Taizong.He declared that his reign should be known as the Zhenguan.
Emperor Taizong and Prosperity of Zhenguan
During his twenty-three year long reign，Taizong did more for the empire than any emperor before him.As a consequence the Tang Dynasty left a legacy that was to inspire many of those that followed it.By firm leadership and a positive example the new emperor set about reforming agriculture，manufacturing and commerce.The improvements achieved in both agricultural and manufacturing output meant there were surpluses that could be available for foreign as well as internal trade.This led to a strong economy and the commercial enterprise of the country became second to none throughout the known world.
Among the manufacturing industries that became highly developed were porcelain production, bronze and iron smelting and casting, shipbuilding, and textiles(with new techniques for weaving and dyeing).
Political progress was achieved by the overhaul of the examination system first introduced by the Sui for the appointment of officials. This system ensured that administratorswere selected on merit rather than nepotism or bribery. In thisway only the best men were appointed to vital posts within the government of the country. Political corruption was virtually unknown as a result of these sound administrative structures.
This included the improvement of roads and waterway connections between major cities. The long period of stability meant that it was possible to train and equip the army with a particular emphasis on strengthening border protection.
Strong economical and commercial links were established with Japan, Korea, India, Persia and Arabia. These factors have all led to the period being referred to as”The Prosperity of Zhenguan.”
Having lived through the tumult which characterized the closing years of the Sui Dynasty, Taizong was appreciative of the power held by a considerate ruler. Unless the peasant classes were content, they could prove to be a very dangerousopposition under the leadership of anyone prepared to make a stand against the government. Li Shimin realized that unless he was able to ensure that his people enjoyed a reasonable standard of living, those who had helped him and his father to power could quite easily overthrow him. He would remind himself of this frequently by quoting a maxim of the great philosopher, Zhuangzi,”the waters can both float and capsize a vessel.”The emperor clearly understood how these words were a metaphor for his relationship with the empire.
