Li Shimin: Emperor of the Tang Dynasty Opening an Epoch of Peace and Prosperity

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Li shimin, was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He was famous both for his ability and foresight in helping his Lishimin(599-649) of the Han nationality was of Chengji(present Qin’ an County of Gansu Province, to the west of Liupan Mountains) origin and was born in Wugong (the same-named county in Shaanxi Province). He was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). With Zhenguan as his reign title, he had occupied the throne for a total of 24 years (626-649), which had been golden age in Chinese history marked by peace, prosperity, openness, and efficient government.

Taiyuan Uprising

Yang Guang’s tyrannical rule had aroused widespread resistance. In the fifth lunar month of617,Li Yuan who was in charge of the defense of Taiyuan staged an uprising and raised a force of more than 30,000 men in a very short period of time.

When the insurrectionary army marched south to Huo County (present Huozhou City in Shanxi Province), it rained hard for several days running and army provisions had run out. Li Yuan was disheartened by the setback; at that time it was only his second son Li Shimin’s urgent persuasion that prevented him from retreating to Taiyuan. Li shimin then defeated and killed the Sui general Song Laosheng who guarded Huo County, and commanded his troops to march westward across the Yellow River. As local people in Shaanxi vied with one another to join the army, Li Yuan beefed up his forces rapidly.

A Facsimile of Zhang Xuan’s “Duchess of Guo state Going on a Spring outing”by Zhao Ji(Emperor Huizong) Zhang Xuan was an outstanding figure painter during the years of Kaiyuan and Tianbao (713-755) in the Tang Dynasty. This scroll, one of Zhangs representative works, depicts Duchess of Guo state, elder sister of Yang Yuhuan (719-755)–favorite concubine of Emperor Xuanzong(685-762), going on a spring outing escorted by an imposing retinue.

Zhang’s original painting was already lost, and this one was allegedly produced in facsimile by Emperor Huizong (1082-1135) of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

It was said that 47 pieces of artwork by Zhang was kept in the Song imperial palace; however, very few of them have been handed down to this very day.

In the eleventh lunar month of the same year, Li Yuan eventually captured Chang’ an, and six months later proclaimed himself emperor there, thus establishing the Tang Dynasty. Li shimin who had rendered great service was made Prince of Qin.