Is Li Zhi really mediocre?
Many people think that Li Zhi is mediocre, but I think that those who can cultivate a queen step by step must have certain abilities. I can only say that Li Zhi's abilities are not very outstanding, but they are definitely not ordinary people.
Li Zhi's competitors
Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin has many sons, and Li Zhi is one of them that is not very prominent. Whether it is Crown Prince Li Chengqian or King Li Tai of Wei, the political energy they possess is not comparable to that of Li Zhi. However, it was the inconspicuous Li Zhi who eventually succeeded Li Shimin ascended the throne and became the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. So, why did the strong Li Shimin choose this "most mediocre" Li Zhi as his successor?
In fact, Li Zhi's actual competitors are only his two emperor brothers, Li Chengqian and Li Tai. These two most favorable competitors were abolished for various reasons. The brothers of both suffered losses, and the younger brother reaped the benefits of the fisherman , which is also considered a lucky component.
Li Shimin is a powerful king. In order to ascend the throne, he killed his brother in the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" and forced his father to issue an edict. It can be said that Li Shimin ascended the throne by stepping on the corpses of his relatives. So in a strict sense, Li Shimin obtained the throne by usurping the throne, and the most taboo thing those usurping the throne is often that other people usurp the throne or form cliques for personal gain, even his own son is no exception.
Li Chengqian, the eldest son of , he was made the crown prince as soon as Li Shimin succeeded to the throne, and he was only eight years old at that time. It can be seen that Li Shimin loves this son very much. In order to cultivate the prince and help him cultivate his power, Li Shimin tried his best to choose a teacher for him, let him supervise the country, and let all his legitimate sons above the third rank become an official in the East Palace... Li Chengqian lived alone in the East Palace since he was a child and had the ability to govern the country, but it also caused him to be introverted and have personality defects. As the crown prince, Li Shimin was very strict with him, but Li Chengqian believed that Li Shimin was suppressing him. In addition to Li Tai's favor, he naturally felt that Li Tai would one day take away his position as crown prince.
So in 643 AD, Li Chengqian colluded with Han King Li Yuanchang, Princess Chengyang's son-in-law Du He, Hou Junji and others, intending to start a fight to force the palace first. As a result, the matter was exposed and Li Chengqian was deposed. But even if it was so conspiring to commit crimes, Li Shimin just exiled him because he really loved this son.
Li Tai , the second son of the legitimate son, this prince is also very favored. Perhaps Li Chengqian's lack of fatherly love has been compensated for him. It can be said that Li Chengqian will have as much hardship as the crown prince, Li Tai will enjoy as much happiness as he can. Because of his father's spoiling, Li Tai gradually had ideas about the throne. , Li Chengqian's rebellion was mostly because he was worried that his younger brother would take the throne. Li Tai hoped that Li Shimin would "kill his son and pass it to his brother" and said that he would pass the throne to his younger brother Li Zhi in the future. Li Shimin really believed it! The promise to make Li Tai the crown prince shows that Li Tai is extremely cunning.
, and Li Tai threatened Li Zhi, a friend of Li Yuanchang, for the incident of Han King Li Yuanchang. Li Zhi told Li Shimin about this, and the deposed Li Chengqian also admitted that he rebelled because Li Tai had some intentions about the crown prince.
However, lies like Li Tai were exposed mercilessly by Chu Suiliang. When Emperor Taizong of Tang took office, he planned the Xuanwu Sect Incident and killed his own brothers. This is something he will never forget in his life. He will not let such a tragedy happen again in his son. Emperor Taizong of Tang calmed down and understood that killing his sons and brothers could not happen at all. So in order to ensure that his sons could survive at the same time, he decisively made Li Zhi the crown prince.
Li Zhi ascended the throne
In the 17th year of Zhenguan (643), Li Zhi, under the strong recommendation of Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling, Li Zhi was enthroned as the crown prince.
In the 23rd year of Zhenguan (649), Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin passed away, and the crown prince Li Zhi ascended the throne, and he was the Emperor Gaozong of Tang.
Conclusion
Li Zhi was able to ascend the throne, which has to be said to be closely related to the failure of his two ambitious brothers. If Li Chengqian was not reckless for a moment, Li Tai was not too anxious, everything was unknown. But it has to be said that Li Zhi's ability is not bad, and his achievements are also something that a very few emperors can achieve.
