Emperor Taizong of Tang: Encyclopedia II - Emperor Taizong of Tang - The Palace Coup at the Xuanwu Gate

Emperor Taizong of Tang - The Palace Coup at the Xuanwu Gate

The original crown prince was Taizong's elder brother Li Jiancheng (李建成) although their father had promised the throne to Taizong more than once for his contributions to Tang. The situation was very similar to that of the Sui Dynasty where an ordinary crown prince would feel his future throne threatened by a more capable younger brother. Fearful of losing his throne, Li Jiancheng colluded with his fourth brother, Li Yuanji (李元吉 aka Prince Qi 齊王), to eliminate Taizong. They attempted to poison Taizong during a feast and at another event urged him to ride a wild horse with hopes that he should fall. They also bribed Li Yuan's concubines to defame Taizong and tried unsuccessfully to lure his subordinates away with gold. Coincidentally, there was an Eastern Turk raid into Tang territory. Li Jiancheng recommended Li Yuanji to defend against this attack and used it as an excuse to summon many of Taizong's subordinates and soldiers out of his control. With much of Taizong's forces in Li Yuanji's command, Li Jiancheng plotted to assassinate Taizong in the farewell feast for Li Yuanji. However, Taizong was tipped of this plot and pre-empted it by ambushing and killing both Jiancheng and Yuanji at the Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變) on July 2, 626 (武德九年六月四日). Jiangcheng and Yuanji on approaching the gate sensed danger and turned their horses to flee. Taizong himself led the pursuit and struck Jiancheng dead with an arrow. Taizong's horse then became frightened and ran towards a patch of forest where Taizong fell. Yuanji suddenly appeared and tried to strangle the unhorsed Taizong with a bow. Taizong's general, Weichi Jingde then rode to Taizong's rescue and speared Yuanji. Jiancheng and Yuanji's forces still fought at the Xuanwu Gate, then ceased resistance upon being shown their leaders' heads. All of Jiancheng and Yuanji's sons were subsequently executed but all others involved were pardoned. Two days later, Taizong was made the new crown prince and regent (in that he would make decisions on all affairs and then notify the emperor). Two months later, Taizong's father Emperor Gaozu abdicated and he became emperor.

Taizong died in Hanfeng Hall of Cuiwei Palace in the year 649 (翠微宮含風殿) and was buried in August in Zhao Mausoleum (now Shaanxi). He was fifty years old.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The Palace Coup at the Xuanwu Gate", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki