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 tricks and schemes 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 the Prince of Qin became emperor, he faced various people and situations—rebellious generals, political opponents, trusted advisors, and imperial relatives. The intricate web of relationships was difficult to untangle, and the country was in dire straits with internal turmoil and external threats. How to govern the realm, suppress evil, and eliminate dangers required not only the vision of a wise ruler but also meticulous strategies and decisive planning. He had to skillfully manage various factions, turning enemies into allies, navigating both sides of the situation to create the masterpiece of the Zhenguan era of peace and prosperity. Yet, he also became entangled in the mire of luxurious surroundings, experiencing both the pleasure of enfeoffing Wu Meiniang and the intense and complex struggles of the sons vying for the throne. The palace intrigues were filled with deceitful calculations, sacrifices, schemes, hesitations, and loyalty. The author reveals through a series of thrilling "literary scenes" with an outward calm but inner tension, the magnanimity and demeanor of the renowned Tang Emperor Taizong, who stood tall through the ages, and his skillful way of handling affairs. The book brings figures like Wei Zheng, Fang Xianling, Xiao Yu, Qiji Jinde, Changsun Wuxin, and Empress Changsun to life, as if they were right before your eyes.