Songtsen Gampo wanted to marry even if he started a war. What happened to Princess Wencheng in the end? The editor of Fun History will give you a detailed answer below.
Princess Wencheng’s entry into Tibet was the most successful marriage in Chinese history. In fact, he was very powerful at that time and didn't even bother to use the method of marriage to solve the problem. What happened in the middle that made the Tang Dynasty compromise and marry Princess Wencheng to Songtsen Gampo? Follow the editor to find out.
When Tubo was founded, it was officially the most prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty. The "Government of Zhenguan" made the surrounding countries aware of the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. They admired the culture and economy of the Central Plains region very much. Many countries sent envoys to Chang'an to pay tribute, hoping to establish contact with the Tang Dynasty and learn the technology of the Tang Dynasty. Some small countries even proposed to use the method of marriage to establish friendly relations with the Tang Dynasty and seek asylum from the Tang Dynasty.
In 634 AD, Songtsen Gampo, the leader of the Tubo Kingdom, also sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty to communicate with each other. At that time, he immediately sent envoy Feng Dexia to pay a return visit to Tubo. During this process, Songtsen Gampo learned that both the clan and Tuyuhun had married princesses of the Tang Dynasty, so he sent envoys again, carrying a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry, and returned to the Tang Dynasty with Feng Dexia to write a letter requesting marriage. But this time the marriage request was rejected by Li Shimin.
Li Shimin also thought carefully and would not get married unless absolutely necessary. Only when the two sides have established a friendly relationship, or the other party poses a great threat to the Tang Dynasty's border, will they make an exception and allow a marriage. At that time, Tubo had just established its country and had first contacts with the Tang Dynasty. It was located on the border and could not pose a threat to the Tang Dynasty at all, so they refused.
When the Tubo envoy returned, the marriage mission failed. In order to escape punishment, he made up a set of lies, saying that the Tang Dynasty did not agree to the marriage, and it was entirely Tuyuhun Khan who was obstructing it. Songtsen Gampo was very angry when he heard this, and immediately summoned the army from all over the country to attack Tuyuhun. After the success, the army was stationed in Songzhou, so he sent an envoy carrying a large amount of jewelry to the Tang Dynasty to request peace and threatened that if the Tang Dynasty did not agree, he would continue to send his army south.
Many ministers of Tubo tried their best to persuade Songtsan Gampo that it was impossible to use force to win peace with the Tang Dynasty, and asked Songtsan Gampo to immediately withdraw his troops and return to Tibet. But the high-spirited Songtsan Gampo simply insisted on going his own way. During this period, eight ministers committed suicide to make Songtsan Gampo withdraw his troops.
As expected by the ministers, Li Shimin immediately sent 60,000 cavalry and defeated Songtsen Gampo. After that, Songtsan Gampo immediately lowered his dignity and sent an envoy to apologize to the Tang Dynasty, praying repeatedly for peace. Li Shimin also began to pay attention to this country. The strength of Tubo cannot be underestimated among border countries. So I agreed to the marriage request.
In 641, Princess Wencheng arrived in Tibet successfully, and Songtsen Gampo held a grand wedding. After that, Songtsen Gampo also built a city specifically for Princess Wencheng, and she always regarded herself as the son-in-law of the Tang Dynasty. The relationship between the two countries continued to strengthen.
Princess Wencheng’s identity is not simple either. She was originally a daughter of the clan, and was raised freely in the palace. She was deeply loved by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. Considering the importance of this marriage, Li Shimin chose him. At the same time, Li Shimin prepared a large amount of dowry for Princess Wencheng, which was completely in line with the specifications for a Tang Dynasty princess to marry. There were countless jewelry, silks and satins, as well as ancient books circulated in the Central Plains, books on production techniques, and many medicines and grains. Seeds and more.
In 650, Songtsen Gampo passed away, which made Princess Wencheng very sad. Although she was a princess by marriage, Princess Wencheng had fallen deeply in love with Songtsen Gampo after nine years of getting along with her. Since the two had no heirs, according to the rules of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Wencheng could return to Chang'an.
But Princess Wencheng, in order to fulfill Songtsen Gampo's wishes, decided to stay in Tibet and continue to contribute to the exchanges between Tibet and the Central Plains. It was not until 680 that Princess Wencheng died of smallpox, finally ending his lonely life in Tibet. For 30 years, he has cared about the lives of Tibetans and devoted all his efforts to them.
After Princess Wencheng passed away, Tubo held a grand funeral for her, and the Tang Dynasty also sent envoys to express condolences. In order to express their respect for Princess Wencheng, Tibetans built temples and made statues in the place where she lived. They worshiped and worshiped her all year round in the unique Tibetan way.
In Princess Wencheng’s temple, butter is constantly flowing and incense is flourishing. In the hearts of the Tubo people, Princess Wencheng has become a Buddha. His historical stories have been sung for thousands of years in the land of Tibet and will last forever.