Is “In the official history, Tang Taizong initially did not support the westward journey, while in the novel he is the initiator.” true?
attested in history
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）
Li Shimin
The Xuanwu Gate Incident is recorded extremely bluntly in official histories, while in the novel it is softened and given more context.
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