Li Yuan

Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Birth and death:	566–Jun. 25, 635
Family name:	Li (李)
Given name:	Yuan (淵)
Courtesy name (字):	Shude (叔德)
Dates of reign:	Jun. 18, 618¹–Sept. 4, 626²
Dynasty:	Tang (唐)
Temple name:	Gaozu (高祖)
Posthumous name: (short)	Emperor Shenyao³ (神堯皇帝)
Posthumous name: (full)	Emperor Shenyao Dasheng Daguang Xiao4 神堯大聖大光孝皇帝
General note: Dates given here are in the Julian calendar. They are not in the proleptic Gregorian calendar.
———
1. Was already in control of Chang'an and de facto master of China since December 12, 617
2. Abdicated in favor of his son, and was granted the title Taishang Huang (太上皇), a title reserved for retired emperors.
3. Given in 674
4. Given in 754

Emperor Gaozu of Tang China (566 - June 25, 635), born Li Yuan, was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Under the shortlived Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi province, and was based in Taiyuan, Shanxi.

Establishment of the Tang Dynasty

In 615, Li Yuan was assigned to garrison Lunghsi. 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 disintergration of the Sui dynasty in July of 617, Li Yuan - urged on by his second son Li Shimin (later Taizong emperor) - 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.

Reign as Emperor

Li Yuan's reign was concentrated on uniting the empire under the Tang. Aided by his son, Li Shimin, he defeated all the other contenders, including Li Gui, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, Xue Ju and Liu Wuzhou. By 628, the Tang Dynasty had succeeded in uniting all of China. On the homefront, Li Yuan recognized the early successes forged by the Sui dynasty and strived to emulate most of its policies, including the equal distribution of land amongst its people, and he also lowered taxes. He abandoned the harsh system of law set about during the Sui dynasty as well as reforming the judicial system. These acts of reform paved the way for the reign of Emperor Taizong, which ultimately pushed Tang China to the height of its power.

Li Yuan abdicated in 626 in favour of his son, Taizong emperor after the Xuan Wu Gate incident (玄武门之变) when Taizong had to kill his two immoral brothers who were attempting to usurp the throne. Li Yuan lived on as "Grand Emperor" (Taishang Huang) until his death in 635.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Gascoigne, Bamber The Dynasties of China: A History, NY: Carroll & Graf, 2003 ISBN 978-0786712199
• Hansen, Valerie The Open Empire: A History of China to 1600, NY: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000 ISBN 978-0393973747
• Huang, Xinya Li Yuan- The First Emperor of the Tang Dynasty ('Tang gao zu Li yuan', Chinese langauge), Taibei: Zheng Zhan, 1998 ISBN 978-9578317161
• Scarpari, Maurizio Ancient China : Chinese Civilization From Its Origins To The Tang Dynasty, NY: Barnes & Noble, 2006 ISBN 978-0760783795

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