Emperor Gaozu of Tang
| Tang Gaozu |
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| Emperor of the Tang dynasty | |||||||||||||||||
| Reign | 18 June 618 – 4 September 626 | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Dynasty founder | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Emperor Taizong | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | 8 April 566 Chang'an, Northern Zhou |
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| Died | 25 June 635 (aged 69) Da'an Palace, Chang'an, Tang Empire |
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| Spouse | Lady Dou, Empress Taimushunsheng Consort Wan, concubine Consort Yin, concubine Consort Mo, concubine Consort Sun, concubine Consort Yuwen, concubine Consort Cui, concubine Consort Yang, concubine Consort Yang, concubine Consort Guo, concubine Consort Liu, concubine Consort Yang, concubine Consort Zhang, concubine Consort Zhang, concubine Consort Liu, concubine Consort Wang, concubine Consort Lu, concubine Consort Zhang, concubine |
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| Issue among others... |
Li Jiancheng, Crown Prince Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong Li Xuanba, Prince Huai of Wei Li Yuanji, Prince of Qi Li Zhiyun, Prince Ai of Chu Li Yuanjing, Prince Ai of Chu Li Yuanjing, Prince of Shenli Li Yuanjia, Prince of Han Li Yuanming, Prince of Shu Li Lingjui, Prince of Lu Princess Changsha Princess Xiangyang Princess Zhao of Pingyang Princess Gaomi Princess Lujiang Princess Huainan Princess Changle |
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| House | House of Li | ||||||||||||||||
| Father | Li Bing, Duke Ren of Tang | ||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Duchess Dugu | ||||||||||||||||
| Full name | |
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| Li Yuan 李淵 | |
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| Wude (武德) | |
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Short: Emperor Shenyao (神堯皇帝) Full: Emperor Shényáo Dàshèng Dàguāng Xiào. 神堯大聖大光孝皇帝 |
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| Temple name | |
| Gaozu (高祖) |
| Tang Gaozu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 唐高祖 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Literal meaning | "High Progenitor of the Tang" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Li Yuan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 李淵 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 李渊 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | (personal name) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Shude | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 叔德 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | (courtesy name) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Táng Gāozǔ |
| Gwoyeu Romatzyh | Tarng Gautzuu |
| Wade–Giles | Tang2 Kao1-tzu3 |
| IPA | [tʰǎŋ káutsù] |
| Yue: Cantonese | |
| Yale Romanization | Tòhng Gōu-jóu |
| Jyutping | Tong4 Gou1-zou2 |
| Southern Min | |
| Tâi-lô | Tn̂g Ko-tsóo |
| Middle Chinese | |
| Middle Chinese | Dang Kaw-tsú |
| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Lǐ Yuān |
| Gwoyeu Romatzyh | Lii Iuan |
| Wade–Giles | Li3 Yüan1 |
| IPA | [lì ɥɛ́n] |
| Yue: Cantonese | |
| Yale Romanization | Lèih Yūn |
| Jyutping | Lei5 Jyun1 |
| Southern Min | |
| Tâi-lô | Lí Ian |
| Middle Chinese | |
| Middle Chinese | Lí 'wen |
| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Shúdé |
Emperor Gaozu of Tang (8 April 566 – 25 June 635), born Li Yuan, courtesy name Shude, was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty 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 (the eventual Emperor Taizong) – rose in rebellion. Using the title of "Great Chancellor" (大丞相), Li Yuan installed a puppet child emperor, Emperor Gong, but eventually removed him altogether and established the Tang Dynasty in 618 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 (李世民), 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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