李

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Li Yuanji李元吉

TangHistory × Fiction

Younger brother of Emperor Taizong of Tang, deceased, demanding his life.

Open this figure in the atlas ↗ Read the key relationships and their sources ↓
DIRECT FIGURES
16
RELATION RECORDS
27
SOURCE WORKS
6

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Li Yuanji, 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

4 figures · 5 records
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

8 figures · 9 records
4 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

10 figures · 13 records
6 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 · Old Book of Tang

Son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, in league with Jiancheng, executed. Fourth son of Emperor Gaozu. Fourth son of Gaozu, besieged Shichong.

In fiction · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · Strategies of the Warring States · New Book of Tang · Journey to the West · Romance of Sui and Tang

Li Yuanji was the younger brother of Emperor Taizong of Tang, deceased. His soul, along with his elder brother Li Jiancheng, demanded the life of Emperor Taizong.

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. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    28 profile notes
    14 relations32 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ brothers →Li Yuanji
    • Li Shimin→ kill →Li Yuanji
    • Li Yuanji→ plot against →Li Shimin
    • Li Shimin→ change fief →Li Yuanji
    Verified original text · 32
    1. 留通辅齐王元吉以围世充

      brothers · Old Book of Tang, 太宗本纪上

    2. 臣于兄弟无丝毫所负

      brothers · Old Book of Tang, 高祖二十二子传

    30 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    8 profile notes
    6 relations10 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ brothers →Li Yuanji
    • Li Yuanji→ plot against →Li Shimin
    • Li Yuanji→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ appoint →Li Yuanji
    Verified original text · 10
    1. 建成、元吉，疾世民功高望重

      brothers · Romance of Sui and Tang, 066

    2. 元吉

      brothers · Romance of Sui and Tang, 068

    8 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. 3 profile notes
    3 relations4 verified quotations
    • Li Yuan→ appoint →Li Yuanji
    • Li Yuanji→ offer →Li Yuan
    • Yuchi Jingde→ seize spear →Li Yuanji
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 高祖令齐王元吉留守

      stay behind · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 谶应

    2. 元吉遣使献之

      offer · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 征应一

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  4. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    17 profile notes
    16 relations21 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ brothers →Li Yuanji
    • Li Shimin→ kill →Li Yuanji
    • Li Yuanji→ plot against →Li Shimin
    • Li Yuanji→ father-son →Li Yuan
    Verified original text · 21
    1. 杀太子建成及齐王元吉

      brothers · New Book of Tang, 太宗本纪

    2. 癸卯，世民加中书令，元吉加侍中。

      brothers · New Book of Tang, 宰相表上

    19 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  5. Literature / legend

    Journey to the West

    1 profile notes
    2 relations2 verified quotations
    • Li Yuanji→ plot against →Li Shimin
    • Cui Jue→ shout back →Li Yuanji
    Verified original text · 2
    1. 那建成、元吉就来揪打索命。

      demand life · Journey to the West, ch. 11

    2. 幸有崔判官唤一青面獠牙鬼使，喝退了建成、元吉

      shout back · Journey to the West, ch. 11

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  6. 1 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Li Yuanji→ honor as uncle →Guan Zhong
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 齐公得管仲，时以为仲父

      honor as uncle · Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／三

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History vs. fiction

The romance preserves historical facts and adds a supernatural revenge plot.

  • based on factWhat are the similarities and differences in Li Yuanji's fate after death?

    The official history records that he died in a coup. The Old Book of Tang, biographies of Yuchi Jingde, Qin Shubao, and Cheng Zhijie, records: 'They secretly reported to Taizong, and together with Yuchi Jingde and others, they killed Jiancheng and Yuanji.' The novel Sui Tang Romance, chapter 068, preserves the death at Xuanwu Gate but adds a supernatural revenge plot: 'Suddenly they saw Jiancheng leading Yuanji and Huang Taisui, shouting loudly: "Shimin has come, return our lives quickly!"'

Relationship network

17 figures · 121 links
Li YuanjiLi YuanjiLi ShiminLi ShiminLi YuanLi YuanQin ShubaoQin ShubaoWang ShichongWang ShichongZhangsun WujiZhangsun WujiYuchi JingdeYuchi JingdeCheng ZhijieCheng ZhijieLi JianchengLi JianchengLiu HeitaLiu HeitaEmperor TangEmperor TangLiu WuzhouGuan ZhongZhang GongjinDuan ZhixuanFeng DeyiCui Jue
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 征应一; Strategies of the Warring States, 秦／三; New Book of Tang, 二刘殷许程柴任丘传; Old Book of Tang, 侯君集张亮薛万彻传; Journey to the West, ch. 11; Romance of Sui and Tang, 046; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 杂录一; New Book of Tang, 兵志

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.