Take history as a mirror to know the rise and fall, which means: Take history as a reference to understand the reasons for the rise and fall of the country
This sentence comes from the story of Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong, and Minister Wei Zhi.
Wei Zhi, a minister, was able to express his opinions directly to Emperor Taizong, and often expressed his opinions in court. Because Emperor Taizong could listen to the correct opinions, during his reign, politics was clear and society was stable, and the Tang Dynasty experienced economic prosperity and strong national strength. After Wei Zhi died of illness, Emperor Taizong burst into tears and was very sad. He ordered a monument to Wei Zhi, and wrote the inscription himself.
Emperor Taizong often misses Wei Zhi, and sighed and said to his ministers, "Take copper as a mirror, you can dress yourself, learn from others, you can know gains and losses, and learn from history, you can know prosperity and decline." He compared Wei Zhi to a mirror. Expand information
Li Shimin (January 28, 598, January 23, 599-July 1, 649).
Li Shimin joined the army and went to Yanmenguan to rescue Emperor Yangdi. After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, the official residence of Shang Shuling and the right marquis of Wu, was named Duke of Qin and later King of Qin. He led his troops to pacify warlords such as Xue Rengao, Liu Wuzhou, Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, and made great achievements in the process of the establishment and unification of the Tang Dynasty.
On the fourth day of June (July 2, 626) in Wude, Li Shimin launched the "Xuanwumen Rebellion", killing his brother Prince Li Jiancheng, his fourth brother Li Yuanji, the King of Qi, and their sons, and was made Prince. Soon Tang Gaozu tang gaozu abdicated, Li Shimin acceded to the throne, and changed to Zhenguan.
During the reign of Shimin, he actively listened to the opinions of his ministers, ruled the world with civility at home, was modest in coachable, practiced economy, and advised the people to recuperate, make the country prosperous and secure, thus creating a famous rule of chastity in the history of China. Open up territory to the outside world, attack and destroy East Turkistan and Xueyantuo, conquer Gaochang, Qiuci and Tuguhun, hit Koguryo hard, set up four towns in Anxi, and all ethnic groups lived in harmony, which was honored as "Tiankhan" by people of all ethnic groups, laying an important foundation for the prosperous times of the Tang Dynasty for more than 1 years.
On May 4th, the 23rd year of Zhenguan (July 1th, 649), Li Shimin died of illness in Hanfeng Temple, at the age of 52, and he reigned for 23 years. His temple name was Taizong, and he was buried in Zhaoling.
Li Shimin loves literature and calligraphy, and there are poems handed down from generation to generation by Mo Bao.
Li Shimin was born in the Lijiabie Pavilion in martial arts on December 17 (598), when Emperor Wen of Sui Dynasty opened the emperor. His father was Li Yuan, then an official of Sui Dynasty, and his mother was Dou Shi, the royal family of Northern Zhou Dynasty. When Li Shimin was 4 years old, a scholar who claimed to meet face-to-face came to his family and said to his father Li Yuan, "You are a noble person, and you have a precious son."
When meeting Li Shimin, the scholar said, "The posture of dragons and phoenixes, the appearance of the sun and the sky, will surely help the world and the people when you are twenty years old." Li Yuan named his son Shimin with the meaning of "saving the world and helping the people". As a child, Li Shimin was smart and decisive, informal, educated by Confucianism, studied martial arts and was good at riding and shooting.
Li Shimin has been in the throne for a long time. According to the model of the Qin Palace Literature Museum, a new Hong Wen Pavilion was set up to further reserve the world's literary talents. Li Shimin knows how to be good at people's duties, and employs people on merit, regardless of their origins. In the early days, he recruited Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and later appointed Changsun Wuji, Yang Shidao and Chu Suiliang, all of whom were loyal and honest. Others, such as Li Ji and Li Jing, are also famous for their generation.
In addition, Li Shimin has also forgotten the past, re-established Wei Zhi and Wang Gui, and surrendered Weichi Gong and Qin Qiong, with abundant talents. He also ordered Gao Shilian, Linghu Defen and others to rebuild the "Clan Records", focusing on morality, making statements and making contributions, and replacing the world with heroes; And through the imperial examination, to attract talented commoners scholars, with the imperial examination instead of family. As a result, the opportunities for poor children to become officials have greatly increased, bringing a new atmosphere to politics. In addition, he accepted the proposal of sealing Deyi and appointed the imperial clan as an official to get rid of his bad habit of sitting and enjoying wealth.
Reference: Li Shimin (Emperor Taizong)-Baidu Encyclopedia.