Emperor Taizong

Author: Chang Wansheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Prince Qin Li Shiji followed his father in raising an army and fought across the sands, destroying the Sui Dynasty and suppressing numerous rebellious forces against Tang, achieving great merits in assisting his father Li Yuan in ruling the Great Tang. Three princes fiercely competed for the throne of the Great Tang. Initially, there was a facade of harmony, but hidden dangers lurked, with schemes and tricks abounding, traps scattered everywhere. Then, tensions rose, brothers turned against each other, and in the end, blood was shed at Xuanwu Gate. Li Shimin, who outsmarted his rivals, inherited the throne. As Prince Qin became emperor, he faced various people and situations—rebellious generals, political opponents, trusted advisors, and imperial relatives. The relationships were intricate and difficult to untangle. The country was in dire straits, plagued by external threats. How could he control the realm, eliminate evil, and resolve dangers? It required not only the vision and magnanimity of a wise ruler but also meticulous strategies and decisive plans. He had to skillfully maneuver various forces, turn enemies into allies, and navigate both sides of the situation to create the grand finale of the Zhenguan era of peace and prosperity. Yet, he also became entangled in the mire of luxurious surroundings. There was the pleasure of enfeoffing Wu Meiniang, but also the intense and complex struggles of three sons vying for the throne. The palace intrigues were filled with deceit, sacrifice, cunning, and power plays, as well as hesitation and loyalty. The author reveals, through a series of thrilling "civil scenes" that are outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, the magnanimity and demeanor of the renowned Tang Emperor Taizong, who stood tall through the ages, and his skillful way of handling affairs. In the book, Wei Zheng, Fang Xianling, Xiao Yu, Qian Chi Jingde, Changsun Wuxin, and Empress Changsun are vividly portrayed, as if they were right before our eyes.