Later depiction of Emperor Taizong of Tang
Later depiction of Emperor Taizong of Tang · 明代A transmitted or later depiction, not presented as a contemporary documentary portraitUnknown artist Unknown artistSource·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Li Shimin李世民

TangHistory × Fiction

Emperor Taizong of Tang, the second son of Emperor Gaozu, wise and martial, pacified the realm.

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DIRECT FIGURES
107
RELATION RECORDS
212
SOURCE WORKS
8

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Li Shimin, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

7 figures · 7 records
4 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

13 figures · 19 records
10 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

5 figures · 8 records
2 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

6 figures · 6 records
3 more in the complete record
Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

FeatureFact and Fiction in the Sui-Tang Transition: The Lingyan Pavilion Officials vs. Outlaw Brotherhoods"Romance of Sui and Tang" writes this period of history as a jianghu of sworn brotherhood, martial contests, and roaming, while the "Old Book of Tang" records a different matter. The meritorious officials in the Lingyan Pavilion become greenwood brothers in the romance, and several of the most deeply rooted fierce generals are nowhere to be found in the official history; whereas a coup like the Xuanwu Gate Incident is actually written more plainly in the official history than in the romance. This piece compares the two sides, noting which volume each part comes from.
Event · 626 CEXuanwu Gate IncidentThe succession conflict between Li Shimin, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji erupted at Xuanwu Gate, reshaping early Tang politics and generations of narratives about imperial legitimacy.

In history · History of Song · Old Book of Tang

Emperor Taizong of Tang, the second son of Emperor Gaozu, wise and martial, pacified the realm.; Emperor of the Tang dynasty, ascended the throne after the Xuanwu Gate Incident, governed the country.; Emperor of the Tang dynasty, in this text issued edicts, made tours, and handled state affairs multiple times.

In fiction · Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · New Book of Tang · Book of Han · Journey to the West · Romance of Sui and Tang

Son of the Duke of Tang, generous and magnanimous.; Second son of Li Yuan, later enfeoffed as Prince of Qin, with the ambition to aid the world and pacify the people.; Received the abdication, changed the reign title to Wude.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. 1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  2. Official history

    Book of Han

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  3. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    112 profile notes
    23 relations62 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Emperor Gaozong of Tang
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ make crown prince →Li Shimin
    Verified original text · 62
    1. 太宗闻其美容止，召入宫，立为才人。

      召入宫 · Old Book of Tang, 则天皇后本纪

    2. 太宗文皇帝神主祔于太庙

      father-son · Old Book of Tang, 礼仪志五

    60 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. Official history

    History of Song

    8 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  5. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    18 profile notes
    20 relations26 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Emperor Gaozong of Tang
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ make crown prince →Li Shimin
    Verified original text · 26
    1. 只选武媚娘为才人，安顿福绥宫，宠幸无比

      favor · Romance of Sui and Tang, 068

    2. 太宗突然临幸

      favor · Romance of Sui and Tang, 070

    24 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  6. 36 profile notes
    4 relations7 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Emperor Gaozong of Tang
    • Li Jing→ ruler-subject →Li Shimin
    • Li Shimin→ subordinate →Qin Shubao
    • Li Shimin→ appoint →Zhangsun Wuji
    Verified original text · 7
    1. 临崩，谓高宗曰：“吾欲从汝求一物，汝诚孝也

      father-son · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 书三

    2. 附耳语高宗曰

      father-son · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 书四

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  7. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    95 profile notes
    24 relations37 verified quotations
    • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang→ imitate →Li Shimin
    • Li Shimin→ favor →Wu Zetian
    • Li Shimin→ refuse submission →Emperor Gaozong of Song
    • Emperor Gaozong of Song→ tribute →Li Shimin
    Verified original text · 37
    1. 无复太宗之志

      imitate · New Book of Tang, 刑法志

    2. 太宗闻其有色，选为才人。

      选为才人 · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪

    35 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  8. Literature / legend

    Journey to the West

    7 profile notes
    4 relations5 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ summon →Tang Sanzang (Tripitaka)
    • Li Shimin→ subordinate →Qin Shubao
    • Li Shimin→ sworn brothers →Tang Sanzang (Tripitaka)
    • Guanyin→ manifest →Li Shimin
    Verified original text · 5
    1. 蒙唐王与多官送出长安关外

      dispatch · Journey to the West, ch. 13

    2. 东土大唐驾下差往西天取经者

      派遣取经 · Journey to the West, ch. 68

    3 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

The Xuanwu Gate Incident is recorded extremely bluntly in official histories, while in the novel it is softened and given more context.

  • attestedIn the official history, Tang Taizong initially did not support the westward journey, while in the novel he is the initiator.

    In the official history 《旧唐书》, Emperor Taizong did not support Xuanzang's westward journey in the early period; it was only after Xuanzang returned that he was received. However, in 《西游记》 Chapter 011, it is written that after Emperor Taizong's soul traveled to the underworld and returned, he proactively established a Water and Land Assembly and sent Tang Sanzang to fetch scriptures. The original text: "却又聚集多官，出榜招僧，修建水陆大会，超度冥府孤魂。"（《西游记》第012回.txt）

Relationship network

36 figures · 300 links
Li ShiminLi ShiminEmperor Xuanzong of TangEmperor Xuanzong of TangWu ZetianWu ZetianEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of SongEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangEmperor Suzong of TangLi YuanLi YuanEmperor Zhongzong of TangEmperor Zhongzong of TangLi JingLi JingLi MiLi MiZhang YueZhang YueTang Sanzang (Tripitaka)Qin ShubaoXu ShijiWang ShichongDou JiandeZhangsun WujiGuanyinWei ZhengSong JingTaishang LaojunLi YuanjiChu SuiliangFang XuanlingShan XiongxinYuchi JingdeEmperor Yuan of HanCheng ZhijieJiali KhanXu JingzongLi JianchengLiu HeitaJade EmperorEmpress XiaoDu RuhuiEmperor Tang
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Chronicles of the Eastern Zhou Kingdoms, ch. 38; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 乐一; History of Song, 乔行简范锺游似赵葵范谢方叔传; New Book of Tang, 东夷传; Old Book of Tang, 东夷传上; Book of Han, 景祐刊本校语; Journey to the West, ch. 9; Romance of Sui and Tang, 046

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.