1. Laozi, the founder of Taoism
Laozi, whose surname is Li Ming'er and whose courtesy name is Boyang, was a thinker in the Spring and Autumn Period and the founder of Taoism. It is said that he is the author of the book "Laozi".
It is said that Lao Tzu lived during the reign of King Ping of Zhou Dynasty in the early Spring and Autumn Period. It is also said that Confucius once asked him for rituals (Confucius lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period). Then Lao Tzu lived for more than 200 years. Some people say that he cultivated Taoism to maintain his longevity. He has only lived so many years. Later generations followed suit one after another, and seeking immortality became a top priority for many emperors and ministers throughout the dynasties, and Taoism flourished from this. Lao Tzu was also regarded as the leader of the religion and was called "Tai Shang Lao Jun".
The book "Laozi" is the main embodiment of his thoughts. He used "Tao" to explain the evolution of all things in the universe, and put forward the view that "Tao generates one, one generates two, two generates three, and three generates all things", which had a great influence on the development of Chinese philosophy. Many scholars in later generations absorbed his ideas from different perspectives.
2. Li Shimin, a famous emperor of his generation
Li Shimin, the second son of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan, was an accomplished emperor in Chinese history.
Li Shimin followed his father in revolting against the Sui Dynasty in his early years, and made great achievements in the war. He suppressed and subdued separatist forces such as Dou Jiande, Liu Heitao, Xue Rengao, and Wang Shichong. After Li Yuan proclaimed himself emperor, he named Li Shimin "King of Qin". Prince Li Jiancheng was very jealous of him and teamed up with his younger brother Li Yuanji to frame him.
After Li Shimin learned about it, he launched a coup at Xuanwumen, killing Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, and killing many of their relatives and staff. Afterwards, he forced the great ancestor Li Yuan to hand over the imperial power. This was known as "Xuanwumen" in history. changes".
Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was good at accepting advice. He had a famous minister named Wei Zheng who often spoke out and gave advice. Even if Taizong was angry, he would not give in. After Wei Zheng's death, Taizong cried bitterly: "I have lost a mirror!" Taizong appointed talents according to their ability, adopted some enlightened policies and measures that benefited the country and the people, and the economy developed steadily. History says that he ruled The period was the "Government of Zhenguan".
In the fifteenth year of Zhenguan (641 AD), Tubo Zampo Songtsan Gampo was very envious of the Tang Dynasty culture and sent the Prime Minister (equivalent to the Prime Minister) Ludongzan with 5,000 taels of gold and hundreds of treasures. He went to Chang'an to propose to the royal family. For the sake of friendship between the Han and Tibetan people, Emperor Taizong agreed to marry Princess Wencheng to him. After Princess Wencheng entered Tibet, Sino-Tibetan exchanges became frequent, and advanced Han culture was introduced into Tibet, which greatly promoted Tibetan production and cultural development.
3. "Poetic Immortal" Li Bai
Li Bai, also known as Taibai, also known as Qinglian Jushi, was a great poet of the Tang Dynasty.
When he was young, Li Bai showed his talent by reciting poems and composing poems. When he was 25 years old, he went on a long trip and met He Zhizhang in Chang'an, who was the guest of the prince at that time. The two hit it off immediately. He Zhizhang particularly appreciated Li Bai's poems. It is said that when he read "The Road to Shu is Difficult" and "Wuqi Song", he was ecstatic, thinking that such poems could make ghosts and gods weep. He excitedly took off the golden turtle on his belt and asked others to take it out. Go to exchange wine and have a drink with Li Bai. He Zhizhang was very surprised by Li Bai's magnificent poems and elegant and refined brilliance, and jokingly said: "Are you descended from the Taibai Venus to the earth?" Later, some people called Li Bai an "exiled immortal".
Li Bai was addicted to alcohol and did not stick to trivial matters. The poems he wrote when he was intoxicated were particularly brilliant, and he could discuss political affairs with people who had not drunk. His insights were insightful, error-free, and unmatched by others. People at that time called Li Bai the "Drunken Saint".
In the early years of Tianbao, Li Bai was appreciated by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, who often asked him to write imperial edicts and imperial edicts. It was October, the weather was cold, and the pen was frozen and unable to write. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty ordered the maids to serve beside Li Bai, pick up the pen and blow it through her mouth to defrost it, and then offered it to Li Bai for use, calling it "Beauty's Pen".
4. Li Yu, the emperor’s poet
Li Yu, whose courtesy name was Chongguang, was originally named Congjia, also known as Zhongyin, and also known as Lianfeng Jushi. He was the ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties and a famous poet. He is known as Empress Li in the world.
Li Yu is not only good at poetry and music, but also has excellent calligraphy. He uses a trembling pen to make twisted shapes when writing, which is very powerful and looks like cold pine and frost bamboo. He is named "Golden Cross Knife". He was good at connoisseurship and disliked Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy of the Tang Dynasty the most. He said that Yan's calligraphy had good writing but no good works.
Li Yu was famous for his poetry, but he got into trouble and died because of his poetry. The Song army defeated the Southern Tang Dynasty and Li Yu was captured. He often sheds tears, and his lyrics and music often reveal strong sentimentality. Once, he wrote "The Poppy": "When will the spring flowers and autumn moon come? How much do we know about the past! The east wind blew again in the small building last night, and the motherland cannot bear to look back in the moonlight. The carved railings and jade masonry should still be there, but the beauty has changed."
How much sorrow can you have? Just like a river of spring water flowing eastward!" Song Taizong was furious when he heard about it and poisoned Li Yu to death with poisonous wine.
5. King Chuang Li Zicheng
< p>Li Zicheng, whose real name is Hongji, was born in Mizhi, Shaanxi Province and was the leader of the peasant uprising in the late Ming Dynasty.Li Zicheng was born into a peasant family. He worked as a herdsman for the landlord in his childhood. Later, he joined Gao Yingxiang's uprising army and was known for his bravery in combat. "Chuang Jiang".
After Gao Yingxiang's death, Li Zicheng was promoted as the king of Chuang. In 1640, Li Zicheng followed the strategy of his general Li Yan to deal with the severe famine in the Central Plains and the vast majority of Henan's cultivated land. In response to the situation where farmers were deprived of food and clothing, they put forward the slogan of "equal land and free grain", which was warmly welcomed by the majority of farmers. People defected to the rebel army one after another. The army quickly grew to over one million people. The next year, the rebel army captured Luoyang and killed King Fu. , using money from the royal palace and wealthy households to provide relief to the hungry people, and the people welcomed Li Zicheng's army by singing the song "Welcome to King Chuang, but don't pay for food"
In 1644, Li Zicheng invaded Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself in the coal mine. Mountain (now Jingshan, Beijing), but the leader of the rebel army made the mistake of being proud and enjoying himself. General Liu Zongmin occupied Wu Sangui's concubine Chen Yuanyuan. Wu Sangui was so angry that he led the Qing soldiers into the pass. Said. Under the joint attack of the Qing army and Wu Sangui's army, Li Zicheng was defeated and killed at Jiugong Mountain in Tong County, Hubei.