Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty
"Use copper as a mirror to correct your clothes, use people as a mirror to know gains and losses, use history as a mirror to know the ups and downs." This passage comes from Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. The story with Minister Wei Zheng. Wei Zheng, the minister, was able to directly express his opinions to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. He often expressed his opinions directly at the court. Because Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was able to listen to correct opinions, during his reign, the politics were clear and the society was stable. The Tang Dynasty experienced economic prosperity and strong national power. situation. After Wei Zheng died of illness, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty burst into tears and was very sad. He ordered a monument to be erected for Wei Zheng and wrote the inscription himself. Taizong often missed Wei Zheng, and sighed to his officials: "If you use copper as a mirror, you can straighten your clothes; if you use people as a mirror, you can know gains and losses; if you use history as a mirror, you can know the ups and downs." He compared Wei Zheng to a mirror.
Tang Taizong Li Shimin (January 28, 598 - July 10, 649), the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. Born in Wugong County, Shaanxi Province, he reigned from 626 to 649. His father was Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, and his mother was Empress Taimu Dou. Queen Dou had four sons and one daughter, in order of eldest and youngest: Li Jiancheng, Princess Pingyang Zhao, Li Shimin, Li Xuanba, and Li Yuanji.
Li Shimin joined the army as a boy and went to Yanmen Pass to rescue Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin was granted the title of Duke of Qin and later the King of Qin in the Jin Dynasty. He was an outstanding military strategist who led his troops to put down warlords such as Xue Renguo, Liu Wuzhou, Dou Jiande, and Wang Shichong, and made great achievements in the establishment and unification of the Tang Dynasty. , and finally unified the world.
In the ninth year of Wude (626), he launched the Xuanwu Gate Rebellion and killed his elder brother, Prince Li Jiancheng, and his fourth brother, Prince Li Yuanji of Qi, as well as two other disciples. Soon after he was forced to abdicate, Li Shimin ascended the throne and became the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty. He reigned for 23 years and only used the reign name Zhenguan during his reign.
After Li Shimin became emperor, he actively listened to the opinions of his ministers, governed the world with culture, expanded territory, and became a famous wise emperor in Chinese history. He humbly accepted advice and practiced frugality at home, so that the people could recuperate and recuperate. Finally, the society became peaceful and the people were safe. He created the famous Zhenguan rule in Chinese history and laid an important foundation for the 130-year prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. Li Shimin loved literature and calligraphy, and his calligraphy treasures have been handed down from generation to generation. On July 10, 649 (the end of May in the 23rd year of Zhenguan), Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, died of illness in Hanfeng Hall at the age of 52. He reigned for 23 years. His temple name was Taizong? and his posthumous title was "Emperor Wen". , buried in Zhaoling.