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Li Yuan

Tang Gaozu
TangGaozu.jpg
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
Died 25 June 635 (aged 69)
Da'an Palace, Chang'an, Tang Empire
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
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
Full name
Li Yuan 李淵
Era dates
Wude (武德)
Posthumous name
Short: Emperor Shenyao (神堯皇帝)
Full: Emperor Shényáo Dàshèng Dàguāng Xiào.
神堯大聖大光孝皇帝
Temple name
Gaozu (高祖)
House House of Li
Father Li Bing, Duke Ren of Tang
Mother Duchess Dugu
Full name
Li Yuan 李淵
Era dates
Wude (武德)
Posthumous name
Short: Emperor Shenyao (神堯皇帝)
Full: Emperor Shényáo Dàshèng Dàguāng Xiào.
神堯大聖大光孝皇帝
Temple name
Gaozu (高祖)
Tang Gaozu
Chinese 唐高祖
Literal meaning "High Progenitor of the Tang"
Li Yuan
Traditional Chinese 李淵
Simplified Chinese 李渊
Literal meaning (personal name)
Shude
Chinese 叔德
Literal meaning (courtesy name)

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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