"Li Yuan" redirects here. For other uses, see Li Yuan (disambiguation).
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Emperor Gaozu of Tang 唐高祖
Ming dynasty (1368–1644) depiction of Gaozu.
Emperor of the Tang dynasty
Reign
18 June 618[a] – 4 September 626[b]
Successor
Emperor Taizong
Duke of Tang
Tenure
572 – 618
Predecessor
Li Bing
Successor
Incorporated with the crown
Retired Emperor of the Tang dynasty
Tenure
4 September 626 – 25 June 635
Born
7 April 566[1] Chang'an, Northern Zhou
Died
25 June 635[2](aged 69) Da'an Palace, Chang'an, Tang dynasty
Emperor Gaozu of Tang (7 April 566[1] – 25 June 635),[2] born Li Yuan, courtesy name Shude, was the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, reigning from 618 to 626. Under the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi, and was based in Taiyuan.
In 615, Li Yuan was assigned to garrison Longxi. He gained much experience by dealing with the Göktürks of the north and was able to pacify them. Li Yuan was also able to gather support from these successes and, with the disintegration of the Sui dynasty in July 617, Li Yuan – urged on by his second son Li Shimin (李世民, the eventual Emperor Taizong) – rose in rebellion. Using the title of "Great Chancellor" (大丞相), Li Yuan installed a puppet child emperor, Yang You, but eventually removed him altogether and established the Tang dynasty in 618 with himself as emperor. His son and successor Li Shimin honoured him as Gaozu ("high founder") after his death.
Emperor Gaozu's reign was concentrated on uniting the empire under the Tang. Aided by Li Shimin, whom he created the Prince of Qin, he defeated all the other contenders, including Li Gui, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, Xue Rengao and Liu Wuzhou. By 628, the Tang dynasty had succeeded in uniting all of China. On the home front, he recognized the early successes forged by Emperor Wen of Sui and strove to emulate most of Emperor Wen's policies, including the equal distribution of land amongst his people, and he also lowered taxes. He abandoned the harsh system of law established by Emperor Yang of Sui as well as reforming the judicial system. These acts of reform paved the way for the reign of Emperor Taizong, which ultimately pushed Tang to the height of its power.
In 626, Li Shimin, in a dispute with his brothers Li Jiancheng, the Crown Prince, and Li Yuanji, the Prince of Qi, ambushed Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji at Xuanwu Gate, killing them. Fearful of what Li Shimin might do next, Emperor Gaozu passed the throne to him and became Taishang Huang (retired emperor). He died on 25 June 635.
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^ abAccording to Li Yuan's biography in Old Book of Tang, he was born in the 1st year of the Tianhe era of Northern Zhou's Emperor Wu's reign. In the same biography, it was recorded that a birthday celebration was held for him on the jiaxu day of the 3rd month of the 8th year of the Zhenguan era of Tang Taizong's reign (634). For that month, the jiaxu day corresponds to the 2nd day of the month. Thus, Li Yuan's birthday was on the 2nd day of the 3rd month of the 1st year of the Tianhe era of Northern Zhou's Emperor Wu's reign. This date corresponds to 7 Apr 566 on the Julian calendar.
^ abAccording to Li Yuan's biography in Old Book of Tang, he died on the gengzi day of the 5th month of the 9th year of the Zhenguan era of Tang Taizong's reign. This date corresponds to 25 Jun 635 on the Gregorian calendar. ([贞观)九年五月庚子，高祖大渐，....是日，崩于太安宫之垂拱前殿，年七十。] Old Book of Tang, vol.1.
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