Li Xiaogong (591–640), posthumously known as Prince Yuan of Hejian , often referred to by his earlier title as the Prince of Zhao Commandery , was an imperial prince and general of the Tang dynasty . He was a son of a cousin of Emperor Gaozu (Li Yuan) , the founder of the Tang dynasty, and served as a general under Emperor Gaozu. He defeated Emperor Gaozu's major competitors Xiao Xi and Fu Gongshi . He was one of the few generals of the early Tang dynasty who had already distinguished themselves in their careers before rising to prominence during the reign of Emperor Gaozu's successor, Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) .
158-558: Li Xiaogong was born in 591, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui . His grandfather Li Wei (李蔚) was a son of the Western Wei general Li Hu (李虎), the grandfather of the major Sui general Li Yuan , and was a regional commandant during Sui's predecessor dynasty Northern Zhou . Li Xiaogong's father Li An (李安) was a general during Sui. Li Xiaogong was considered calm and knowledgeable in his youth. After Li Yuan rebelled against Emperor Wen's son Emperor Yang of Sui in 617 and captured
316-552: A chancellor . During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he served as chancellor and the commander of the army against Goguryeo , destroying it in 668. He died the next year. He and Li Jing were considered the two most prominent early Tang generals. Xu Shiji was probably born in 594. His clan was originally from Cao Province ( 曹州 , roughly modern Heze , Shandong ), but late in the Sui dynasty moved to Hua Province ( 滑州 , roughly modern Anyang , Henan ). Xu Shiji's father Xu Gai ( 徐蓋 )
474-467: A bad move. Years later, when Gaozong tried to make Wu Zetian ( 武則天 ) his empress against the opposition of most high officials, Li Shiji decisively put the issue in Wu Zetian's favor by saying that's an internal issue of Gaozong.) Nine days later, Emperor Taizong died and was succeeded by Li Zhi (as Emperor Gaozong). Almost immediately after taking the throne, Emperor Gaozong promoted Li Shiji to be
632-597: A campaign against Chen, commanded by Yang Guang, another of his sons Yang Jun the Prince of Qin, and Yang Su, with Yang Guang in overall command. Gao Jiong served as Yang Guang's assistant. In spring 589, the Sui general Heruo Bi ( 賀若弼 ) crossed the Yangtze at Jingkou (京口, in modern Zhenjiang , Jiangsu ), and the Sui general Han Qinhu ( 韓擒虎 ) crossed the Yangtze at Caishi (采石, in modern Ma'anshan , Anhui ). Meanwhile, Yang Su
790-708: A chain reaction where Zheng's holdings in modern eastern Henan surrendered one by one. Wang Xuanying, in fear, fled back to the Zheng capital Luoyang. Further, in spring 621, Wang Shichong's officer Shen Yue ( 沈悅 ) surrendered to Li Shiji, allowing Li Shiji's subordinate general Wang Junkuo ( 王君廓 ) to capture Hulao and capture Wang Shichong's nephew, Wang Xingben ( 王行本 ) the Prince of Jing. Soon, however, with Zheng in desperate straits, Wang sought aid from Dou. Dou, believing that if Tang destroyed Zheng that his own Xia state would be cornered, agreed, and he sent his forward troops first while proceeding with his main troops later. In
948-593: A commandery governor for a Yan state ( Former Yan or Later Yan ) during the Sixteen Kingdoms Period , and his descendants subsequently served the Northern Wei dynasty. Yang Jian emphasized Han Chinese cultural identity throughout his reign. Yang Jian's father was Yang Zhong ( 楊忠 ), a follower of the late-Northern Wei general Yuwen Tai , who later became prominent in the politics of the Western Wei under Yuwen's regency. Yang Jian's mother
1106-695: A daughter of a clansman the Princess Guanghua and married her to Murong Shifu, to cement the peaceful relations with Tuyuhun. In 597, Cuan Wan ( 爨翫 ), the chief of the Nanning Tribe (南寧夷, located in modern Qujing , Yunnan ), rebelled. Emperor Wen sent the general Shi Wansui ( 史萬歲 ) the Duke of Taiping against Cuan, forcing him to surrender. Initially, Shi was to take Cuan to Chang'an to be presented to Emperor Wen, but Cuan bribed Shi, and so Shi allowed him to stay. Also in 597, Li Guangshi ( 李光仕 ),
1264-584: A degree of self-governance. He also took Emperor Ming's daughter as the wife and princess to his son, Yang Guang the Prince of Jin. (After Emperor Ming's death in 585 and succession by his son Emperor Jing of Western Liang , however, Emperor Wen reestablished the post of commandant of Jiangling and again put Western Liang territory under military control.) By spring 583, the Göktürks' internal dissension had become serious enough that Emperor Wen felt comfortable enough to commission his brother Yang Shuang ( 楊爽 )
1422-407: A faction, with tacit support of Empress Dugu, they had Yang Yong's associate Ji Wei ( 姬威 ) falsely accuse Yang Yong of plotting treason. Emperor Wen deposed Yang Yong and replaced him with Yang Guang. Emperor Wen also put a number of officials whom he believed to be part of Yang Yong's faction, including Shi and Yuan Min ( 元旻 ) the Duke of Wuyuan, to death. In 602, Empress Dugu died, and Emperor Wen
1580-509: A feast. Emperor Taizong posthumously honored him with great honors and buried him near the tomb of Emperor Gaozu. In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion , to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Li Xiaogong's portrait was one. Emperor Wen of Sui Emperor Wen of Sui ( 隋文帝 ; 21 July 541 – 13 August 604 ), personal name Yang Jian ( 楊堅 ), Xianbei name Puliuru Jian ( 普六茹堅 ),
1738-463: A general. In 647, Emperor Taizong began yearly raids against Goguryeo, intended to weaken Goguryeo's border regions, in preparation for another future major offensive. For the 647 raids, Li Shiji was in charge of the land prong, while Niu Jinda ( 牛進達 ) was in charge of the sea prong. In summer 649, Emperor Taizong was gravely ill (probably from consuming pills given him by alchemists ), and he, not fully trusting Li Shiji, stated to Li Zhi: Li Shiji
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#17327728186001896-493: A high water level and was flowing rapidly. While many officers under him suggested delaying the campaign, Li Xiaogong, perhaps with Li Jing's suggestion, decided that indeed, the rapid water was a good opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Xiao Xian's capital Jiangling (江陵, in modern Jingzhou , Hubei ). After defeating the Liang general Wen Shihong (文士弘), he put Jiangling under siege, cutting off Xiao Xian's communications with
2054-478: A major Goguryeo army, commanded by the generals Go Yeonsu ( 高延壽 ) and Go Hyezin ( 高惠真 ) arrived, Emperor Taizong had Li Shiji command 15,000 men to serve as decoy, and when Goguryeo forces attacked Li Shiji, Zhangsun Wuji attacked them from behind with 11,000 men, and Li Shiji and Zhangsun, as well as Emperor Taizong himself, defeated Goguryeo forces, forcing their surrender. He then considered directly attacking Pyongyang itself, but Li Shiji believed that if Ansi
2212-566: A major offensive against Wang's Zheng state, the Zheng general Yang Qing ( 楊慶 , a Sui imperial prince) surrendered Guan Prefecture ( 管州 , in modern Zhengzhou , Henan ), and Li Shimin sent Li Shiji to take over Guan Prefecture. When Wang Shichong's son and crown prince , Wang Xuanying ( 王玄應 ), heard of this, he headed to Guan from Hulao , but Li Shiji repelled him, and then had Guo write a letter to Wei Lu ( 魏陸 ), Zheng's prefect of Ying Prefecture ( 滎州 , also in modern Zhengzhou), to persuade Wei to surrender. Wei did so, and this eventually led to
2370-440: A number of Zheng officials that he considered treacherous to death. Li Shiji's sworn brother Shan Xiongxin, whom Li Shimin considered treacherous because Shan had turned against Li Mi, was set to be executed as well. Li Shiji begged Li Shimin to spare Shan, arguing that Shan was a capable general who could be useful to Tang and offering to surrender all of his own honors to save Shan from death. Li Shimin refused. When Shan invoked
2528-731: A number of cities there had submitted to Tang. After a number of Xia victories, Li Shentong ( 李神通 ) the Prince of Huai'an, Emperor Gaozu's cousin who was in charge of Tang operations north of the Yellow River, withdrew to Liyang and joined forces with Li Shiji. When Dou then was on the way to attack Tang's Wei Prefecture ( 衛州 , roughly modern Weihui , Henan ), Li Shiji tried to ambush him, and his officer Qiu Xiaogang ( 丘孝剛 ) nearly killed Dou before Dou's guards killed him. In anger, Dou turned his attack around and attacked Liyang instead, capturing it and seizing Li Shentong, Li Gai, Wei Zheng , and Emperor Gaozu's sister Princess Tong'an. Li Shiji
2686-455: A number of commanderies submitted to him, including the major rebel generals Dou Jiande and Zhu Can . In winter 617, with a conflict between Li Mi and Zhai intensifying, Li Mi set an ambush for Zhai at a feast held for him, killing him, his brother Zhai Hong ( 翟弘 ), his nephew Zhai Mohou ( 翟摩侯 ), and his strategist Wang Ruxin ( 王儒信 ). During the ambush, Xu was injured in his neck and nearly died. Li Mi, declared, however, that his intention
2844-554: A poem, and sent it to Li Ji. Li Ji, initially not understanding that it was code, was angry that Guo was writing poems on the frontline, but his secretary Yuan Wanqing ( 元萬頃 ) was able to decode the poem, showing Li Ji the request, so Li Ji sent food supplies to Guo. (Yuan was later, however, exiled when he wrote a declaration against Goguryeo that stated, "You do not even know to defend Yalu River!" after which Yeon Namgeon responded by stating, "I accept your suggestion!" and defended Yalu River, not allowing Li Ji to cross.) Only in fall 668
3002-512: A princess to Ashina Rangan, in order to create greater friction between them. In 594, in response to another famine in the Guanzhong region, Emperor Wen again temporarily took up residence in Luoyang. He also, to share in some of his people's suffering, abstained from meat for a year. Late in 594, Yang Guang submitted a petition that Emperor Wen carry out the ancient ceremonies of worshipping
3160-572: A rebellion, Emperor Taizong sent Li Shiji to attack Li You, although even before Li Shiji's forces arrived, Li You's subordinates captured him. Subsequently, in summer 643, when Li Chengqian the Crown Prince, was revealed to have plotted to overthrow Emperor Taizong, as he was fearful that Emperor Taizong would replace him with his brother Li Tai the Prince of Wei, Emperor Taizong had Li Shiji, along with other key officials Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling , Xiao Yu , as well as officials in charge of
3318-438: A servant after her grandfather's defeat—and when Empress Dugu found out, she had Yuchi Jiong's granddaughter killed. Emperor Wen was exceedingly angry and rode away from the palace on a horse, returning to the palace only at the urging of Gao and Yang Su—but with Gao further angering Empress Dugu when Gao referred to her as "a woman." In 599, Gao was accused of associating with Wang Shiji and removed from his posts. Subsequently, Gao
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#17327728186003476-547: A site with Zhaoling Museum. The Song dynasty historian Sima Guang , in his Zizhi Tongjian , stated: Li Ji, as a military commander, was full of strategies and capable of making excellent decisions. When he discussed issues with others, he accepted good suggestions as fast as the flowing water. When he achieved a victory, he credited his subordinates. The awards of gold, silver, and silk he received were all distributed to his officers and soldiers. People were willing to sacrifice for him, so whenever he launched an attack, he
3634-542: A threat. Emperor Wen is also famous for having only two concubines . Although he might have had additional concubines not documented by traditional historians, this is the fewest for an adult Chinese emperor, surpassed only by the monogamous Emperor Fei of Western Wei and the Hongzhi Emperor of Ming. Emperor Wen loved and respected his wife Empress Dugu deeply, and he might not have had sexual relations with his concubines until after her death in 602. Yang Jian
3792-638: A three-pronged attack against Ashina Yongyulü, with Yang Liang in nominal command but not at the frontline. In response, Ashina Yongyulü and Ashina Dianjue made a joint attack against Ashina Rangan, defeating him and largely seizing his tribe. Ashina Rangan fled to Sui, and Emperor Wen treated him as an honored guest. Subsequently, both Gao Jiong and Yang Su engaged Göktürk forces and repelled them. Also in 599, with Wang Shiji's subordinate Huangfu Xiaoxie ( 皇甫孝諧 ) accusing Wang of treason after Wang refused to shield Huangfu after he committed crimes, Emperor Wen believed Huangfu and executed Wang. By this point, Yang Yong
3950-499: Is full of ability and wisdom, but you had done him no favors, and it may be difficult for him to be faithful to you. I am going to exile him now. If he leaves immediately, promote him to be Puye [( 僕射 , head of the important executive bureau of the government)] and trust him after I die. If he hesitates, execute him. He then demoted Li Shiji to the post of the commandant of Die Prefecture ( 疊州 , roughly modern Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture , Gansu ). Li Shiji, after receiving
4108-474: Is not that I have no one to order. It is only that you are old, and I am old. Would there really be enough times for me to be able to cook porridge for you? Li Ji's oldest son Li Zhen ( 李震 ) predeceased him, so the title of Duke of Ying was inherited by Li Zhen's son Li Jingye . In 684, after Emperor Gaozong's death and after Empress Dowager Wu deposed her third son with Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Zhongzong , replacing him with her fourth son Emperor Ruizong but
4266-549: The Grand Canal began. As a Northern Zhou official, Yang Jian served with apparent distinction during the reigns of the Emperor Wu and Emperor Xuan . When the erratic Emperor Xuan died in 580, Yang, as his father-in-law, seized power as regent. After defeating General Yuchi Jiong , who resisted him, he seized the throne for himself, establishing the new Sui dynasty. Yang Jian was the first ethnic Han ruler to control
4424-574: The Northern Zhou . Ishbara therefore carried out a series of border attacks against Sui, allied with Gao Baoning ( 高寶寧 ), the former Northern Qi general who was still holding Ying Province (營州, roughly modern Zhaoyang , Liaoning ). In response, under advice from the general Zhangsun Sheng ( 長孫晟 ), Emperor Wen carried out the strategy of placating Ishbara's subordinate qaγans—his cousins Tardu ( 阿史那玷厥 ) and Apa ( 阿史那大暹便 ), and brother Ashina Chuluohou ( 阿史那處羅侯 ) – to create dissension within
4582-862: The Tang dynasty . Wang seized power as regent . Hearing what had happened, Li Mi broke off peaceful relations with Yang Tong's regime. However, he did not pay close attention to Wang, and Wang soon defeated him in a surprise attack, seizing most of his troops. Initially, after the defeat, Li Mi considered fleeing to Xu, at Liyang, but was warned by some that Xu had nearly died when he killed Zhai and thus could not be trusted. Instead, Li Mi fled to Chang'an and surrendered to Tang. Xu, upon hearing that Li Mi had fled to Chang'an, took effective control of Li Mi's former territory, and as Li Mi had surrendered to Tang, he decided to submit to Tang as well, but stated to his secretary Guo Xiaoke ( 郭孝恪 ): The Duke of Wei has submitted to Tang. These people and this land are all owned by
4740-453: The Crown Prince had lost the favor of both Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu, over his being overly wasteful (which displeased Emperor Wen) and having many concubines (which displeased Empress Dugu). They therefore considered deposing him and replacing him with Yang Guang. When Empress Dugu hinted as such, Gao Jiong stated clear opposition. Meanwhile, Emperor Wen himself had engaged in sexual relations with Yuchi Jiong's granddaughter, who had been made
4898-521: The Crown Prince, but otherwise refused medical treatment, stating: I was only a farmer east of the [Yao] Mountains. I happened to encounter holy emperors, and I was able to become one of the Three Excellencies . I am also almost 80. Is it not the protection of Heaven? How long a life will be is already preordained. How can I beg for a longer life from doctors? One day, Li Ji summoned his younger brother Li Bi ( 李弼 ) and told Li Bi that he
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5056-452: The Duke of Jie, but soon slaughtered all grandsons of Yuwen Tai, and eventually put the Duke of Jie to death as well. He entrusted most of the important governmental matters to his officials Gao Jiong , Yang Su , and Su Wei . Agreeing with some officials' assertions that Northern Zhou fell because its imperial princes lacked power to protect the central government, he sent his sons out to key provinces with broad powers. He further commissioned
5214-586: The Duke of Wei. If I submit them to Tang, I am benefiting from my lord's defeat and making it into my own accomplishment to receive glory, and I would be ashamed of that. Now, let us record the names of the prefectures and counties, as well as the census rolls of the military as well and submit them to the Duke of Wei. Let him offer them himself, and these will be considered his accomplishments. He therefore sent Guo to Chang'an to report to Li Mi. Emperor Gaozu of Tang heard that Xu had sent messengers, but with no petitions to submit to Tang, only reports for Li Mi, and
5372-737: The Emperor of Song. Li Shiji participated in the campaign against Fu, commanded by Emperor Gaozu's distant nephew Li Xiaogong the Prince of Zhao Commandery. After Tang forces converged on Danyang and defeated Song forces at Mount Bowang ( 博望山 , in modern Ma'anshan , Anhui ), Fu fled, and Li Shiji chased him down and, after he was captured by the gentlemen in the country, delivered him to Danyang, where Li Xiaogong executed him. By 626, Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin were locked in an intense rivalry, and Li Shimin, fearing that Li Jiancheng might be intending to kill him, solicited advice from Li Shiji and another major general, Li Jing , and both refused to speak on
5530-735: The Guangtong Canal ( 廣通渠 ), greatly easing the transport of food and other supplies to the capital region Guanzhong . Nevertheless, on account of a famine in Guanzhong in fall 584, Emperor Wen briefly took up residence in Luoyang . In 586, the officials Liang Shiyan ( 梁士彥 ) the Duke of Cheng, Yuwen Xin ( 宇文忻 ) the Duke of Qi, and Liu Fang the Duke of Shu—all three of whom were friends of Emperor Wen but all of whom believed that they had been slighted by Emperor Wen—were accused of plotting rebellion, and all three were executed. In spring 587, continuing his canal-building regime, Emperor Wen built
5688-422: The Göktürks, and gradually, the strategy worked, causing the Göktürks to be unable to take unified actions against Sui. In 581, Emperor Wen commissioned a major attack on Chen, and while it was initially successful, Emperor Wen withdrew the attack in spring 582 after hearing that Emperor Xuan of Chen had died and believing it wrongful to attack a state whose emperor had just died. In 582, believing that Chang'an
5846-595: The Göktürks. In spring 604, Emperor Wen, as per his custom, went to Renshou Palace to avoid the heat, despite warnings from the sorcerer Zhangchou Taiyi ( 章仇太翼 ) that if he went, he would never return. While there, he grew ill, and in fall 604, he died. He was buried at the Yangling District 's Tailing ( 泰陵 ) tumulus mausoleum, with Empress Dugu (though not in the same burial chamber). Li Shiji Li Shiji (594? – December 31, 669 ), courtesy name Maogong , posthumously known as Duke Zhenwu of Ying ,
6004-489: The Ming River (flowing through Ming Prefecture), and Liu fled to Eastern Tujue. (Liu would return later that year and again take over former Xia territory, before being decisively defeated by Li Shimin's older brother Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince.) Li Shiji subsequently followed Li Shimin in attacking Liu's ally Xu Yuanlang the Prince of Lu, who controlled the modern central and western Shandong ), and after Li Shimin
6162-594: The Prince of Anping and Xiao Huan ( 蕭瓛 ) the Prince of Yixing instead believed that Cui was intending to attack the city, and they took the populace of the city and surrendered to the Chen general Chen Huiji ( 陳慧紀 ), the cousin to Chen's emperor Chen Shubao . In response, Emperor Wen abolished Western Liang, directly seizing its territory, while creating Emperor Jing the Duke of Ju. Emperor Wen, who had been planning to conquer Chen for years, now further enhanced his planning in earnest. In spring 588, Emperor Wen publicly announced
6320-452: The Prince of Handong, in spring 622, and in a battle, Li Shiji's officer Pan Mao ( 潘毛 ) killed Liu's major general Gao Yaxian ( 高雅賢 ), who had persuaded Liu to rise against Tang in the first place. Subsequently, when Liu attacked Li Shiji, Li Shimin tried to come to Li Shiji's aid but was surrounded and nearly captured, being saved only by the heroics of Yuchi Gong . Li Shimin subsequently defeated Liu by flooding Liu's troops with water from
6478-513: The Prince of Jiyin, although Li Gai declined the honor and was subsequently created the Duke of Shu. Li Shiji remained in charge of the Liyang region to resist against Wang and Dou Jiande. Around the new year 619, Li Mi, wanting to revive his independence, rebelled against Tang but was soon killed by the Tang general Sheng Yanshi ( 盛彥師 ). Emperor Gaozu sent messengers to Li Shiji explaining why Li Mi
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6636-500: The Prince of Qi and the general Wang Gui ( 王軌 ) were said to have suggested that Emperor Wu execute Yang Jian, but Emperor Wu resisted. Still, Yang Jian heard rumors and tried to hide his own talent to avoid trouble. It was not until 575 when Emperor Wu involved Yang Jian in a major campaign against rival Northern Qi . Yang Jian also participated in the 576–577 campaign that saw Emperor Wu being able to destroy Northern Qi and seize its territory. In 578, Emperor Wu died, and Yuwen Yun took
6794-652: The Prince of Wei to command a major attack against Ashina Shetu. Yang Shuang achieved a great victory, and part of his army, commanded by the general Yin Shou ( 陰壽 ), defeated Gao, forcing Gao to try to flee to the Qidan , but on the way, Gao was killed by his own subordinates, ending the last bit of Northern Qi resistance. After the defeat, the various subordinate khans further engaged in battles among themselves and against Ashina Shetu, with Sui watching by, refusing to give aid to any side. By 584, Ashina Shetu submitted to Sui, and even
6952-514: The Prince of Yue and their sons to death, and after Yuchi was defeated, he began to slaughter the Yuwen clan in earnest. He also had Emperor Jing promote his titles quickly, and he changed his surname back to Yang. Around the new year 581, his title was promoted to Prince of Sui ( 隨王 ). In spring 581, he had Emperor Jing yield the throne to him, ending Northern Zhou and establishing Sui dynasty, as its Emperor Wen. (His use of "Sui" as his new dynasty name
7110-486: The Prince of Yue emperor) and at Li Mi's headquarters. The enemies made peace, with Li Mi nominally submitting to Yang Tong, as both sides prepared for a joint confrontation with Yuwen. As part of this arrangement, Xu also received a major Sui general title. Li Mi, who had become somewhat alienated with Xu due to Xu's criticism that he was not sufficiently rewarding the soldiers, put Xu in charge of defending Liyang Storage, and Yuwen subsequently put Liyang under siege, but Xu
7268-593: The Princess Anyi had died, and Emperor Wen married another daughter of a clansman, whom he created the Princess Yicheng ( 義成公主 ), to marry Ashina Rangan. Soon thereafter, Ashina Yongyulü was assassinated, and Ashina Dianjue declared himself Bujia Khan. In summer 600, Ashina Dianjue attacked Ashina Rangan, and Sui forces fought off Ashina Dianjue's attack, further causing Ashina Rangan to be grateful to Sui. In fall 600, with Yang Guang and Yang Su forming
7426-644: The Princess Dayi was still resentful of him, Emperor Wen had the official Pei Ju inform the cousin and subordinate khan to the Göktürks' Dulan Khan , Ashina Yongyulü, the Tuli Khan Ashina Rangan (son of Ashina Chuluohou) that he would let Ashina Rangan marry a Sui princess if Ashina Rangan was able to get Princess Dayi killed. Ashina Rangan, in response, accused Princess Dayi of adultery, and Ashina Yongyulü killed her and requested another marriage with Sui. Instead, Emperor Wen agreed to marry
7584-647: The Shanyang Canal ( 山陽瀆 ) between the Yangtze River and the Huai River to improve the transport of material between those two rivers. In fall 587, Emperor Wen summoned Western Liang's Emperor Jing to Chang'an to meet him. Emperor Jing complied with the direction. While Emperor Jing was away, however, Emperor Wen, believing that Jiangling would not be guarded well, sent his general Cui Hongdu ( 崔弘度 ) to Jiangling. Emperor Jing's uncle Xiao Yan ( 蕭巖 )
7742-552: The Song capital Danyang (丹楊, in modern Nanjing , Jiangsu ) directly, Li Xiaogong, perhaps with Li Jing's suggestion, confronted Feng and Chen, initially using the weaker segment of his forces to battle Feng and Chen and, after initial losses, draw Feng and Chen in deeper, and then attacked them, defeating them decisively, with the aid of Li Fuwei's subordinate general Kan Leng (闞稜). After the victory, Li Xiaogong and Li Jing attacked Danyang. Fu, in fear, abandoned Danyang and fled east, but
7900-488: The Song generals at multiple battles. Fu ordered his generals Feng Huiliang (馮慧亮) and Chen Dangshi (陳當世) to take up position at Mount Bowang (博望山, in modern Ma'anshan , Anhui ), preparing for the assault, instructing Feng and Chen not to engage Li Xiaogong, but to wear him down. However, Li Xiaogong cut off their supply route, and when Feng and Chen's food supplies ran low, they challenged Li Xiaogong. Against suggestions by some officers that he bypass Feng and Chen and attack
8058-411: The Sui general Wang Shichong , whom Emperor Yang had sent to reinforce Luoyang, Li Mi created Xu the Duke of Donghai. At Xu's suggestion, Li Mi captured a major food storage—Liyang Storage ( 黎陽倉 , in modern Hebi , Henan )—and after doing so, opened up the storage to allow people in the region suffering from famines to take food. As a result, more than 200,000 men joined Li Mi within about 10 days, and
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#17327728186008216-425: The Sui had control. The Northern and Southern dynasties period was over, and Sui had united China. Much as how he had torn down Yecheng after Yuchi defeat, Emperor Wen tore down Jiankang, establishing only a minor garrison at the nearby Shitou as Jiang Province ( 蔣州 ). In 590, apparently jealous of the talent of the official Li Delin , who had been key in his takeover of power as regent and who had contributed to
8374-550: The Tang general Fu Gongshi , who had served as the deputy of the powerful general Li Fuwei the Prince of Wu as the military governor of the lower Yangtze region, rebelled against Tang rule while Li Fuwei was at Chang'an, declaring himself the Emperor of Song. Emperor Gaozu commissioned Li Xiaogong to attack Fu, again making Li Jing, who was then in charge of the modern Guangdong and Guangxi region, Li Xiaogong's assistant, and also sending other generals Huang Junhan (黃君漢) and Li Shiji to attack Fu from other fronts. Before his army
8532-467: The account that Consort Wu had previously been a concubine of Emperor Taizong and therefore having her as a wife would be considered incest , and on the account that Empress Wang was from an honored clan while Consort Wu, while herself from a noble family, was not as highly born—with the conspicuous exceptions of Li Ji, Zhangsun Wuji, and Yu Zhining , each of whom was silent, although Zhangsun and Yu showed their disapproval. The opposition from Chu Shuiliang
8690-546: The armies in the rest of his territory. He, again possibly with Li Jing's suggestion, floated the Liang ships that he captured down the Yangtze, to confuse the approaching Liang relief forces into believing that Jiangling had fallen already. Xiao, not knowing that the relief forces were only a few days away, surrendered to Li Xiaogong. By the suggestion of Xiao's official Cen Wenben , who had persuaded Xiao to surrender, Li Xiaogong strictly prohibited pillaging and retribution against Liang generals. The Liang provinces, upon hearing
8848-576: The atypical title of "Emperor Tianyuan" ( Tianyuan Huangdi ), but continued to exercise imperial powers. On one occasion, he became so suspicious of Yang Jian that he stated to Empress Yang, "I will surely slaughter your clan!" He then summoned Yang Jian to the palace, with instructions to kill him if his expressions betrayed any worries, but Yang Jian arrived without showing any unusual emotions, and avoided being killed. On another occasion, Empress Yang displeased Emperor Xuan, and Emperor Xuan ordered her to commit suicide. When Duchess Dugu heard this, she went to
9006-468: The beginning of his reign, Sui faced the threat of the Göktürks in the north, neighbored Tibetan tribes in the west, Goguryeo in the northeast, and Champa (Linyi) in the south. By the end of Emperor Wen's reign, the Göktürks had split into an eastern and a western khaganate, the eastern one being nominally submissive to Sui, as was Goguryeo. Champa was defeated and, while not conquered, did not remain
9164-502: The campaign, this precipitated a conflict between Goguryeo and Baekje. Also in 598, Cuan Wan rebelled again, and Yang Xiu accused Shi of accepting bribes from Cuan earlier. Emperor Wen considered executing Shi, but ultimately chose only to remove him from his posts, and it appeared soon after Shi was restored to his post. In 599, after Ashina Rangan reported that Ashina Yongyulü was planning to attack, Emperor Wen took preemptive action and had Gao Jiong, Yang Su, and Yan Rong ( 燕榮 ) command
9322-510: The capital Chang'an , declaring Emperor Yang's grandson Yang You the Prince of Dai emperor (as Emperor Gong), Li Yuan made Li Xiaogong in charge of a campaign to persuade or capture the region south of the Qinling Mountains . Li Xiaogong was able to persuade some 30 commanderies to submit to Li Yuan, and he also defeated the rebel leader Zhu Can in battle, after which he, against the advice of his subordinates, refused to slaughter
9480-527: The capital and had him interrogated, but after insufficient evidence was shown against him, released him and made him the minister of imperial clan affairs—a high-level position that, however, had relatively little power. He later successively served as the commandant at Liang Prefecture (涼州, roughly modern Wuwei, Gansu ) and prefect of Jin Prefecture (晉州, roughly modern Linfen , Shanxi ). After Li Shimin became emperor in 626 (as Emperor Taizong), his title
9638-456: The capital. After Yang Xiu arrived at the capital, Yang Guang further manufactured evidence that Yang Xiu had cursed Emperor Wen and Yang Liang. In anger, Emperor Wen reduced Yang Xiu to commoner rank and put him under house arrest. In 603, Ashina Dianjue, faced with rebellions from the Tiele and Pugu ( 僕骨 ) tribes, surrendered to Ashina Rangan. By now, Ashina Rangan became the undisputed khan of
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#17327728186009796-467: The captives, and it was said that because of this, more rebels were willing to surrender to him than before. After Emperor Yang was killed in a coup at Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou , Jiangsu ) in 618, Li Yuan had Yang You yield the throne to him, establishing the Tang dynasty as its Emperor Gaozu. He made Li Xiaogong the commandant at Xin Prefecture (信州, later name changed to Kui Prefecture (夔州), modern eastern Chongqing ). As Li Xiaogong's territory
9954-480: The chief of the aborigine people in Gui Province (桂州, roughly modern Guilin , Guangxi ), also rebelled. Emperor Wen sent the generals Wang Shiji ( 王世積 ) and Zhou Fashang ( 周法尚 ) against Li, and Zhou was able to defeat and kill Li. However, in the fall, Li Shixian ( 李世賢 ), who might have been related to Li Guangshi, rebelled at Gui Province, and Emperor Wen sent Yu Qingze the Duke of Lu to attack Li Shixian; Yu
10112-400: The chieftains and to hold them as collateral for their loyalty. In fall 621, Emperor Gaozu commissioned Li Xiaogong, with Li Jing as his assistant, to launch a major attack on Xiao Xian's Liang state, with a cousin of Li Xiaogong's, Li Yuan (李瑗) the Prince of Lujiang and the other generals Tian Shikang (田世康) and Zhou Faming (周法明) attacking on other fronts. At that time, the Yangtze River had
10270-415: The city of Huojia (in modern Xinxiang , Henan ), held by Wang Shichong (who had by that point had Yang Tong yield the throne to him, ending Sui and establishing a new state of Zheng) and captured much goods and persons to present to Dou, including Dou's childhood friend Liu Heita . Dou began to trust him. Li Shiji then suggested to Dou that he should attack the agrarian leader Meng Haigong ( 孟海公 ), who
10428-631: The commandant at Yi Province (roughly modern Chengdu , Sichuan ). However, just 68 days after Yuchi rose in rebellion, the general Wei Xiaokuan defeated Yuchi, and Yuchi committed suicide. Wang was also soon defeated, and Sima fled to Chen. To prevent Yuchi's headquarters at Yecheng to be used again as a base of opposition against him, Yang Jian had Yecheng (Northern Qi's old capital) torn down. During Yuchi's campaign, Zhou princes like Yuwen Xian Prince of Bi and Yuwen Zhao made attempts to assassinate Yang, but failed. In response, Yang put Yuwen Xian, Yuwen Zhao and Zhao's younger brother Yuwen Sheng ( 宇文盛 )
10586-492: The designation of official music styles for Sui. In anger, He Tuo accused Su Wei of factionalism, and after investigation by Emperor Wen's son Yang Xiu and the official Yu Qingze (ted zhang), Su Wei was removed from office. After Su Wei's removal, Yang Su and Gao Jiong became effectively the co-prime ministers. When Heruo Bi, who believed that he should have been prime minister, complained, Emperor Wen removed him from his post as well and stripped him of his ducal title, but restored
10744-498: The ducal title a year later. (Su Wei, however, was back in his post at the latest by 595.) Also in 592, Emperor Wen, reacting to an overflowing abundance of food and silk in the governmental stores, reduced the taxes heavily, and he also sent messengers around central China, redistributing land to give the poor farming land. In 593, Emperor Wen commissioned a summer vacation palace, Renshou Palace (仁壽宮, in modern Linyou County , Shaanxi ), away from Chang'an , with Yang Su in charge of
10902-553: The engagement with Dou's forward troops, Li Shimin had Li Shiji, Chen Zhijie ( 程知節 ), and Qin Shubao lead the troops, and they were able to defeat Dou's forward troops. Li Shimin then wrote Dou to persuade him to stop aiding Zheng, but Dou did not relent. In summer 621, Li Shimin engaged Dou at the Battle of Hulao , defeating and capturing him. Wang, believing further resistance to be futile, surrendered. Li Shimin spared Wang, but put
11060-564: The entirety of North China after the Xianbei people conquered the region from the Liu Song dynasty (not counting the brief reconquest by Emperor Wu of Liang ). Generally speaking, Emperor Wen's reign was a great period of prosperity, not seen since the Han dynasty . Economically, the nation prospered. It was said that there was enough food stored for 50 years. The military was also powerful. At
11218-547: The fact that Ashina Duobi claimed to then seek peace, attack Ashina Duobi, defeating him again and capturing most of Ashina Duobi's remaining forces. (Ashina Duobi himself fled further and was later captured by forces under the command of Emperor Taizong's cousin Li Daozong the Prince of Rencheng County.) Meanwhile, as Emperor Taizong's son Li Zhi the Prince of Jin was made the nominal commandant of Bing Prefecture (but did not actually report to Bing), Li Shiji's title became
11376-510: The fall of the city all residents would be slaughtered. In fall 645, unable to capture Ansi, with food supplies running low, Emperor Taizong ordered a withdrawal, with Li Shiji and Li Daozong serving as rear guard. In 646, with Xueyantuo in internal turmoil due to the cruelty of the Duomi Khan Bazhuo (Yi'nan's son), Emperor Taizong sent Li Daozong to launch a major attack on Xueyantuo, defeating Xueyantuo forces. Bazhuo fled, but
11534-519: The floor—and Emperor Taizong responded, "I did so for the empire, not for you. You do not need to thank me." Further, on one occasion, when Li Shiji was attending an imperial feast, Emperor Taizong stated: "I am selecting, among the great achievers, one that I can entrust an orphan [(i.e., the Crown Prince)] to, and no one is more suitable than you are. You did not turn your back on Li Mi, and I know that you will not turn your back on me." Li Shiji
11692-431: The former Empress Wang and Consort Xiao.) Empress Wu soon became dominant at court, installing officials who favored her ascension in chancellor posts and carrying out a near complete purge of the officials who opposed her or showed disapproval, even including Zhangsun (who, as Emperor Gaozong's uncle, was a major advocate for his having been made crown prince), but Li Ji, not having opposed her, escaped such actions. (Li Ji
11850-428: The general in charge of Luoyang. (As Emperor Gaozong also, at the same time, declared naming taboo was to be observed as to the characters shi and min (Emperor Taizong, as his name had two common characters, previously only ordered that naming taboo was to be observed against the use of shimin consecutively), thereafter, Li Shiji became known as Li Ji.) Almost as immediately, Emperor Gaozong repromoted him back to
12008-413: The generals serving under him, Pang Tongshan ( 龐同善 ), Gao Kan ( 高侃 ), and Xue Rengui , also defeated Yeon Namgeon's forces. However, the fleet commanded by Guo Daifeng ( 郭待封 , Guo Xiaoke's son) ran into problems with food supplies, and wanted to seek aid from Li Ji, but was fearful that if his request fell into Goguryeo hands that his weakness would be revealed, so he wrote the request in code, written as
12166-609: The gods of Mount Tai and therefore would not have time for military action, launched a major attack against Tang's vassal, the Qilibi Khan Ashina Simo, whom Emperor Taizong had created the khan of a reestablished Eastern Tujue in 639. Ashina Simo could not resist, and withdrew within the Great Wall to Shuo Prefecture (roughly modern Shuozhou , Shanxi ). Emperor Taizong launched armies, commanded by five generals, including Li Shiji, to aid Eastern Tujue. Around
12324-469: The governor of Ying Province, Wei Chong ( 韋沖 ), fought off the Goguryeo attack, Emperor Wen was angered. He sent his son Yang Liang the Prince of Han and Wang Shiji to serve as commanding generals, with Gao Jiong serving as Yang Liang's assistant, and the former Chen general Zhou Luohou ( 周羅睺 ) serving as the commander of the navy, to attack Goguryeo. However, the forces ran into food supply problems, and
12482-458: The heaven and earth gods at Mount Tai . Emperor Wen declined to carry out a full set of ceremonies due to its costs, but in spring 595 carried out an abbreviated version to seek blessings from the gods due to the ongoing drought. Also in spring 595, Emperor Wen ordered that no weapons be held by private individuals and that all of them be collected and destroyed, although he exempted the border provinces from this edict. In 596, Emperor Wen created
12640-481: The imperial family name "Li". He later participated in destroying Xu Yuanlang and Fu Gongshi , two of the Tang Empire's competitors in the campaign to reunify China. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu's son and successor, Emperor Taizong, Li Shiji participated in the successful campaigns against the Göktürks and Xueyantuo , allowing the Tang Empire to become the dominant power in eastern Asia, and also served as
12798-474: The legally prescribed punishment was too light in comparison to the degree of misconduct. Further, also believing that there was too much theft and robbery throughout the realm, he increased the punishment for theft to death—a law that he subsequently abolished. Also in 597, Emperor Wen's son Yang Jun the Prince of Qin, the commandant at Bing Province (并州, roughly Taiyuan , Shanxi ), was poisoned, but not to death, by his jealous wife Princess Cui. After Yang Jun
12956-430: The matter, drawing respect from Li Shimin for their unwillingness to be involved in an internecine struggle. In summer 626, Li Shimin ambushed Li Jiancheng and another brother, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi, who supported Li Jiancheng, at Xuanwu Gate and killed them. He then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to first create him crown prince and then yield the throne to him (as Emperor Taizong). After Emperor Taizong took
13114-643: The navy numbering 40,000 soldiers, heading directly toward the Goguryeo capital Pyongyang . Emperor Taizong himself trailed them. In spring 645, Li Shiji reached You Prefecture ( 幽州 , roughly modern Beijing ), and then headed into Goguryeo territory. Together with Li Daozong , he captured Gaemo ( 蓋牟 , in modern Fushun , Liaoning ), and then put the important city of Liaodong/Yodong ( 遼東 , in modern Liaoyang , Liaoning ) under siege. After Emperor Taizong himself arrived, Liaodong fell. Tang forces then continued heading southeast, toward Yalu River , putting Ansi ( 安市 , in modern Anshan , Liaoning ) under siege. When
13272-430: The new year 641, Li Shiji engaged Xueyantuo forces, under the command of Yi'nan's son Dadu ( 大度 ), at Nuozhen River ( 諾真水 , flowing through modern Baotou , Inner Mongolia ), defeating Xueyantuo forces and forcing them to flee. (Based on comments that Li Shiji made in 644 while advocating a campaign against Goguryeo , it appeared that Li Shiji wanted to advance further to try to destroy Xueyantuo, but Emperor Taizong, at
13430-541: The news of Jiangling's fall, soon largely submitted to Tang. Li Xiaogong delivered Xiao to Chang'an, where Emperor Gaozu executed him. Emperor Gaozu made Li Xiaogong the commandant at Jing Prefecture (荊州, i.e., Jiangling), in charge of the former Liang territory. It was said that Li Xiaogong comforted the people, encouraging the soldiers to settle and farm, and made presses for copper coins to encourage commerce. Subsequently, his headquarters were moved to Xiang Prefecture (襄州, roughly modern Xiangfan , Hubei ). In fall 623,
13588-410: The next emperor. Xu Shiji and another close associate of Zhai's, Wang Bodang ( 王伯當 ), thus persuaded Zhai to support Li Mi as leader. Zhai agreed, and after the victory over Zhang, the rebels approached the eastern capital Luoyang and declared Li Mi their leader, with the title of Duke of Wei. Xu was given a major general title, while Zhai served as prime minister. After Xu achieved a victory over
13746-514: The official Pei Zheng ( 裴政 ) to carry out a project of simplifying the penal code and decrease the penalty from the harsh laws—a reform that was later largely accepted by the succeeding dynasties. Emperor Wen did not maintain as submissive a relationship with the Göktürks, which brought resentment from the Göktürks' Ishbara Qaghan . The qaγan's wife, the Xianbei princess Qianjin , Yuwen Zhao's daughter, particularly hated Emperor Wen for destroying
13904-475: The order, departed without hesitation. The modern historian Bo Yang , commenting on this incident, opined that this showed that, down inside, neither Li Shiji nor Emperor Taizong actually trusted each other, as Li Shiji was too capable for Emperor Taizong's liking. Another explanation is that the Taizong was playing an age-old trick to test Li Shiji's loyalty. While he's alive, he was able to handle Li Shiji; he
14062-510: The palace to beg Emperor Xuan's forgiveness, and Emperor Xuan eventually spared Empress Yang. In summer 581, with Emperor Xuan intending to conquer Chen dynasty , he sent Yang Jian to be the commandant at Yang Province (揚州, roughly modern Lu'an , Anhui ) to prepare for the campaign against Chen. Before Yang Jian could depart, however, Emperor Xuan suddenly grew seriously ill. Two of Emperor Xuan's close associates, Liu Fang ( 劉昉 ) and Zheng Yi ( 鄭譯 ), who were friends of Yang's, summoned Yang to
14220-561: The palace to prepare to serve as regent, overriding the desire of another closet associate, Yan Zhiyi ( 顏之儀 ), to have Emperor Xuan's uncle Yuwen Zhao ( 宇文招 ) the Prince of Zhao appointed regent. Emperor Xuan soon died, and Zheng and Liu issued an edict in Emperor Xuan's name appointing Yang regent. Yang immediately pleased the officials at the capital by abolishing the wastefulness and cruel policies of Emperor Xuan, and he himself demonstrated both hard work and frugality, which impressed
14378-468: The people. Fearful of the intentions of the general Yuchi Jiong , who was then the commandant at Xiang Province (相州, roughly modern Handan , Hebei ), he summoned Yuchi back to the capital. Yuchi, however, refused, and believing that Yang's intentions were to usurp the throne, rose at Xiang Province against Yang. He was supported by the generals Sima Xiaonan ( 司馬消難 ), the commandant at Xun Province (勛州, roughly modern Xiaogan , Hubei ) and Wang Qian ( 王謙 ),
14536-481: The pledge they made to die on the same day, however, Li Shiji stated to him that he had already offered his body to the service of the state and that the body was no longer his—and that, if he died as well, no one would be around to take care of Shan's wife and children—therefore refused to die as well, but cut off a piece of his leg muscle, cooked it, and had Shan eat it, stating, "Let my flesh turn to dust along with you, my brother. By this, I can at least fulfill part of
14694-504: The pledge." Later that year, when Li Shimin returned to Chang'an, and Emperor Gaozu let his troops march in succession in great honor, Li Shiji was one of the 25 generals honored, permitted to wear the same golden armor that Li Shimin was clad in and to offer the captives at Tang's imperial ancestral temple. He was also united with his father Li Gai, who managed to survive the collapse of the Xia regime and return to Tang territory. Xia territory
14852-626: The post of chancellor de facto . He then further made him Puye (Executive State Secretary). In winter 650, Li Ji requested to be relieved of the post of Puye . Emperor Gaozong agreed, but had him remain as chancellor de facto . In 653, Emperor Gaozong bestowed the highly honorific title of Sikong ( 司空 , Minister of Works) on Li Ji, who continued to be chancellor de facto . In 655, with Emperor Gaozong having lost favor in his wife Empress Wang and greatly favoring his concubine Consort Wu , he wanted to depose Empress Wang and create Consort Wu empress. Almost all high level officials opposed—on
15010-409: The project. The palace was far more luxurious than Emperor Wen expected, and its construction cost many lives. (When it was completed in spring 595 and Emperor Wen visited the palace, he was initially very displeased with Yang Su, but Empress Dugu persuaded him that Yang Su knew that he had little other entertainment, and she awarded Yang Su much treasure to show appreciation.) Also in 593, knowing that
15168-512: The rebellions, and the rebels were no match for Yang Su; within the year, the rebellions were put down. In 591, Tuyuhun sought peace and, as per custom, its khan Murong Shifu ( 慕容世伏 ) offered his daughter to be a concubine for Emperor Wen. Emperor Wen accepted the peace offer but declined the offer of Murong Shifu's daughter. (It was, however, around this time that he did take Chen Shubao's sister and another woman from Jiankang, Consort Cai, as concubines, although it appeared likely that Consort Cai
15326-620: The reign of Emperor Ming's brother Emperor Wu , Yang Jian was further promoted in military authority. After Yang Zhong's death in 568, he inherited the title of Duke of Sui. In 573, Emperor Wu took Yang Jian's daughter Yang Lihua to be the wife and crown princess of his son Yuwen Yun the Crown Prince , and further honored Yang Jian. It was said that, however, that Yang Jian was so unusual in his appearance that some of Emperor Wu's close associates suspected Yang Jian of eventually harboring treasonous intent. Both Emperor Wu's brother Yuwen Xian
15484-513: The resentful Princess Qianjin referred to Emperor Wen as "father." He created her the Princess Dayi. In summer 584, believing that the Wei River , on account of its sandbars and treacherous waters, was becoming too difficult of a route for food transport to Daxing, commissioned the official Yuwen Kai ( 宇文愷 ) to construct a canal between Daxing and Tong Pass , parallel to the Wei River, named
15642-505: The same Chinese character "Shi". Li Shiji is also referred to as Xu Maogong (his original family name and his courtesy name combined) and Xu Ji in the historical novels Shuo Tang [ zh ] and Sui Tang Yanyi [ zh ] . Li Shiji was initially a follower of Li Mi , one of the rebel rulers rebelling against the preceding Sui dynasty , and he submitted to the Tang Empire after Li Mi did so, upon which Emperor Gaozu, impressed with his loyalty to Li Mi, granted him
15800-414: The same day. Meanwhile, Li Mi , the strategist for the Sui general Yang Xuangan , who unsuccessfully rebelled against Emperor Yang in 613, was visiting rebel generals in the region, seeking to sell his grand strategy to destroy Sui. As Li Mi was of noble birth, and there had been prophecies that the next emperor would be named Li, there began to be thoughts among the rebels that Li might be destined to be
15958-509: The secretary general of Bing, but he continued to effectively serve as commandant. In 637, as part of Emperor Taizong's scheme to bestow prefectures on his relatives and great generals and officials as their permanent domains, Li Shiji's title was changed to Duke of Ying, and he was given the post of prefect of Qi Prefecture ( 蘄州 , roughly modern Huanggang , Hubei ), to be inherited by his heirs, but Li Shiji remained at Bing and did not actually report to Qi. Soon, however, with many objections to
16116-408: The ships ran into a storm and suffered great losses. Both at sea and on the ground, Goguryeo forces inflicted heavy losses on the Sui forces. Nevertheless, King Yeongyang ceased his raids into China and so Emperor Wen called off the campaign against Goguryeo, unable to commit yet another enormous force to punish Goguryeo after the recent losses. As King Wideok of Baekje offered assistance to Sui during
16274-517: The south. Su Wei further wrote a work known as the Five Teachings (五教, Wu Jiao ) which is no longer extant but thought to be a work about loyalty to Sui and ordered that all former Chen subjects read and memorize it, leading to further resentment. When a rumor spread that Sui would move Chen subjects into the Guanzhong region in 590, nearly all of former Chen realm rose in rebellion, but in an unorganized manner. Emperor Wen sent Yang Su to quell
16432-444: The strategies in conquering Chen, Emperor Wen, believing in several false accusations against Li, removed Li from his office and made him a provincial governor. Li would not return to the central government for the rest of his life. After Chen was conquered, Sui began to apply its laws over Chen's former territory—which brought resentment from the gentry, as they had been treated preferentially under Chen and its predecessor dynasties in
16590-422: The supreme court, the legislative bureau, and the examination bureau, investigate. They confirmed Li Chengqian's guilt. Emperor Taizong thus deposed Li Chengqian and, believing that Li Tai's machinations were responsible for Li Chengqian's downfall, also demoted Li Tai and exiled them both, creating Li Zhi crown prince instead. Li Shiji was given the additional title as the new crown prince's head of household, and
16748-493: The system, the strongest of which came from Zhangsun Wuji , Emperor Taizong cancelled the scheme, although Li Shiji's title remained Duke of Ying. In 641, when discussing about Li Shiji, whom historical accounts indicated that the people obeyed without complaints, Emperor Taizong made the comment: Emperor Yang of Sui labored the people to build the Great Wall to defend against Tujue attacks, but did no good. All I had to do
16906-404: The throne as Emperor Xuan. Emperor Xuan immediately began to show erratic behavior, and while he created Yang Jian's daughter Crown Princess Yang empress , he suspected Yang Jian deeply, although he made Yang Jian the minister of defense. In 579, Emperor Xuan passed the throne to his young son Yuwen Chan (by his concubine Consort Zhu Manyue ) (as Emperor Jing) and became retired emperor (with
17064-638: The throne, he made Li Shiji the commandant at Bing Prefecture ( 并州 , roughly modern Taiyuan , Shanxi ). In 629, when Emperor Taizong launched a major attack against Eastern Tujue's Jiali Khan Ashina Duobi (a.k.a. Jieli Khan or Illig Qaghan), commanded by Li Jing , Li Shiji was one of the major generals under Li Jing's command and was in charge of one of the four prongs of attack. In spring 630, after Li Shiji defeated Eastern Tujue forces at Baidao ( 白道 , in modern Hohhot , Inner Mongolia ) and after Li Jing defeated Ashina Duobi's main forces and forced Ashina Duobi to flee, he met with Li Jing and decided to, despite
17222-440: The title of the Duke of Chengji County ( 成紀縣公 ). In 557, Dugu Xin , impressed with Yang Jian, gave his daughter, Empress Dugu Qieluo, to Yang and made her his wife. He was 16, and she was 13. After Yuwen Tai's son Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou came to the throne later that year, Yang Jian was made the vice minister of internal affairs, and he was created the greater title of Duke of Daxing Commandery ( 大興郡公 ). Subsequently, during
17380-477: The urging of Wei Zheng , ordered him to stop.) Li Shiji subsequently returned to Chang'an to serve as minister of defense. In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Li Shiji's was one of the portraits commissioned. In spring of that year, when Emperor Taizong's son Li You ( 李祐 ) the Prince of Qi, angry at his secretary general Quan Wanji ( 權萬紀 ), killed Quan and then declared
17538-604: The young ones. Look over them carefully. If any of them think in dangerous ways or associate with people without virtues, batter them to death, and then report to the Emperor. He spoke no further, and not long after, around the new year 670, he died. He was buried with extraordinary honors near Tang Zhaoling , the tomb of Emperor Taizong; by Emperor Gaozong's orders, his tomb was made into the shape of several great mountains within Eastern Tujue and Xueyantuo territory, to commemorate his victories over them. The tomb now shares
17696-532: Was Lady Lü, who gave birth to him in a Buddhist temple in Pingyi (馮翊, in modern Weinan , Shaanxi ). A Buddhist nun was impressed with Yang Jian's appearance, and raised him in his early years. Yang Jian attended the imperial college for the sons of the nobility and high officials. When he was 14 years old, he was appointed to serve in the military under Yuwen Tai. In 555, on account of Yang Zhong's accomplishments, Yang Jian received several official ranks, including
17854-544: Was Li Ji able to cross Yalu River and advance to Pyongyang and put the city under siege. The King Bojang , Yeon Namgeon's younger brother Yeon Namsan , and a number of officials surrendered, but Yeon Namgeon continued fighting. A few days later, though, his general, the Buddhist monk Shin Seong ( 信誠 ), opened the city gates and surrendered. Yeon Namgeon tried to commit suicide, but was captured and saved by Tang forces. This
18012-484: Was a Chinese military general and politician who lived in the early Tang dynasty . His original family name was Xú , but he was later given the family name of the Tang imperial clan, Li , by Emperor Gaozu , the Tang dynasty's founding emperor. Later, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong , Li Shiji was known as Li Ji (i.e. the "Shi" in his name was omitted) to avoid naming taboo because the personal name of Emperor Gaozong's predecessor, Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) , had
18170-431: Was a member of the landed gentry, and both he and Xu Shiji were said to be generous, using the food yields of their land to help others regardless of whether those were related to them. Around 616, Zhai Rang gathered a group of men to resist the rule of Emperor Yang . Xu Shiji joined Zhai, and suggested to him that instead of pillaging the people of the region, which Zhai had done to maintain himself and his own men, it
18328-542: Was a member of the northwestern Chinese military aristocracy which had arisen during the previous period of division, and he had served as a general under the Xianbei -led Northern Zhou . Yang Jian's family was the Yang clan of Hongnong ( 弘農楊氏 ), which had Han origins but had intermarried with the Xianbei for generations. Yang Jian's clan specifically claimed descent from the Han dynasty general Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen's eighth-generation descendant Yang Xuan ( 楊鉉 ) served as
18486-684: Was able to fight his way out, but several days later, because his father Li Gai had been captured, surrendered to Dou. Dou made Li Shiji a general and still kept him in charge of Liyang, but took Li Gai back to the Xia capital Ming Prefecture ( 洺州 , in modern Handan , Hebei ) to serve as a hostage. He also put Li Shentong under house arrest, as an honored guest. Li Shiji soon considered how he could again submit to Tang, but worried that Dou would kill his father Li Gai. Guo Xiaoke suggested to him that he needed to first gain Dou's trust by accomplishing things for Xia. Li Shiji agreed, and in winter 619, he attacked
18644-497: Was accused of cursing Emperor Wen, but when the sentence of death was recommended, Emperor Wen commented that he could not kill Gao soon after killing Yu and Wang, and therefore only reduced Gao to commoner rank. In winter 599, Emperor Wen created Ashina Rangan Qimin Khan, and commissioned Zhangsun Sheng to build the city of Dali (大利, in modern Hohhot) to house Ashian Rangan's people, and also sent an army to protect Ashina Rangan. By now,
18802-582: Was advancing from the west down the Yangtze, and Yang Jun was stationed in the middle Yangtze region, cutting off any Chen forces that might have been able to come to the aid of Chen's capital Jiankang . Heruo soon defeated and captured the Chen general Xiao Mohe , who was making a final attempt to repel Heruo and Han's forces from Jiankang, and Jiankang fell immediately after. Chen Shubao was captured but not harmed. Rather, he and his clan members were transported to Chang'an, where Emperor Wen treated them as honored guests. Some Chen generals briefly resisted, but soon
18960-424: Was afraid that his son would not be able to do so after his death. He intentionally demoted Li Shiji to test his response. If Li Shiji showed any hesitation or unhappiness, he would have been executed and the new emperor would not have to deal with him. If Li Shiji didn't show any emotion about the demotion, the new emperor can promote him to show he liked him so Li Shiji would be loyal to him. This turned out to be
19118-504: Was also given a newly created title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin ( 同中書門下三品 ), which title designated him as a chancellor de facto . Historical accounts indicated that at one point, when Li Shiji was suddenly ill, medical books indicated that ashes from beards could benefit him, and therefore Emperor Taizong cut off his own beard and burned it to mix it with the medicine. After Li Shiji grew better, he bowed to thank Emperor Taizong—so greatly that he bled from his forehead by pounding on
19276-539: Was always successful. He always selected, as his officers, those with proper appearances and who were tolerant and serious. When asked why, his response was, "Those who are of ill fortune will not be successful." His reign over his household was strict but loving. Once, when he was Puye , his sister was ill, and he personally cooked porridge for her. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the flame, which burned his beard. His sister said, "You have many male and female servants. Why do you have to labor yourself?" He responded, "It
19434-525: Was awaiting his wife Empress Cao 's giving birth and did not arrive for a while. Meanwhile, Cao Dan was insulting and pillaging the other rebel leaders south of the Yellow River who had submitted to Xia, and the rebel leaders were all resentful. One of them, Li Shanghu ( 李商胡 ), and Li Shanghu's mother Lady Huo, urged Li Shiji to carry out his plan as soon as possible, and when Li Shiji hesitated, Li Shanghu and Lady Huo acted on their own, ambushing Cao Dan, but while they killed many of Cao's generals, Cao himself
19592-570: Was captured by the local men and delivered to Danyang. It was after Fu Gongshi was delivered to Danyang that Li Xiaogong began to undertake actions that historians found questionable. Before he executed Fu, Fu, who despised Kan for refusing to follow him, accused Kan of actually conspiring with himself. Meanwhile, Li Xiaogong was confiscating the properties of Fu's adherents, and in doing so, he also confiscated properties owned by Li Fuwei (who had died earlier that year), Wang Xiongdan (王雄誕, Fu's lieutenant who had refused to follow him in rebellion and who
19750-501: Was changed to Prince of Hejian, and he was made the minister of ceremonies. It was said that Li Xiaogong lived luxuriously, having more than 100 dancing and singing girls at his mansion, but it was also said that he was humble and forgiving and therefore was honored by Emperor Taizong. During this period, he once made a comment to friends, suggesting that he might have intentionally lived luxuriously in order to show that he did not have ambitions: In 640, Li Xiaogong died suddenly while at
19908-414: Was contiguous with another rebel ruler, Xiao Xian the Emperor of Liang, he offered Emperor Gaozu suggestions on destroying Liang. Emperor Gaozu created him the Prince of Zhao Commandery and, in spring 621, made the general Li Jing his assistant and strategist, preparing a major assault on Liang. He commissioned the sons of many of the non- Han chieftains of the area as officers, both as a way to placate
20066-443: Was executed by him), and Kan. Kan argued with Li Xiaogong on this matter, using sharp language. Li Xiaogong, in anger, accused Kan of treason and executed him. Moreover, he then, accepting Fu's propaganda that Li Fuwei had ordered him to rebel, reported the propaganda to Emperor Gaozu as the truth, and Emperor Gaozu, in turn, posthumously stripped Li Fuwei of his titles and seized Li Fuwei's wife and children as servants. Li Xiaogong
20224-531: Was faithful. What sin did his father have?" Dou then spared Li Gai. In spring 620, Li Shiji served under Emperor Gaozu's son Li Shimin the Prince of Qin in resisting a major offensive by Liu Wuzhou the Dingyang Khan, and in an engagement against Liu's general Song Jin'gang ( 宋金剛 ), Li Shiji was unsuccessful, but was saved by Li Shimin. Li Shimin eventually defeated Liu, forcing Liu to flee to Eastern Tujue. In winter 620, with Li Shimin having launched
20382-573: Was feeling better that day, and should summon all of his relatives to hold a feast. At the end of the feast, he stated to Li Bi: I know that my illness will not be cured. This feast is a farewell to you all. Do not cry, but listen to me. I saw with my own eyes how Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui worked hard all their lives and established their fame, but they encountered wicked descendants who overturned their clans, without further hope. All of my sons and grandsons are here, and I entrust them to you. After I die and am buried, move to my bedroom and care for
20540-435: Was greatly saddened. Thereafter, he began to engage in sexual relations with his concubines, favoring Consort Chen and Consort Cai. Also in 602, Yang Guang, believing that Yang Xiu would eventually create trouble for him, had Yang Su collect evidence of Yang Xiu's wastefulness and use of items that were only appropriate for emperors. Yang Su submitted the evidence to Emperor Wen, and Emperor Wen, in anger, recalled Yang Xiu to
20698-628: Was inappropriate to be robbing people of their homeland. Rather, he suggested that, as there were plenty of travellers on the Grand Canal , they should rob travellers instead. Zhai agreed, and their pillaging raids instead targeted travellers and official messengers. Many people joined Zhai, and when the key Sui general Zhang Xutuo ( 張須陀 ), who had defeated many agrarian rebels, attacked, Xu killed Zhang in battle late in 616, allowing Zhai to become even more acclaimed. Around this time, he also became close friends with another general under Zhai, Shan Xiongxin ( 單雄信 ), swearing to be brothers and to die on
20856-475: Was killed. Li Shiji mourned Li Mi and requested that he be allowed to bury Li Mi with honor. Emperor Gaozu agreed and sent Li Mi's body to Li Shiji. Li Shiji, still using ceremonies due a ruler, buried Li Mi in a grand funeral south of Liyang. In fall 619, Dou Jiande, then with the title of Prince of Xia, launched a major offensive, set to affirm his control of the territory north of the Yellow River , as
21014-406: Was never able to have sexual relations with Emperor Wen while Empress Dugu was alive; Consort Chen , as the sister of a submissive former sovereign, might have had sexual relations with Emperor Wen on an infrequent basis, but it is not clear.) In spring 592, the official He Tuo ( 何妥 ), who, despite his senior status over Su Wei's son Su Kui ( 蘇夔 ), was losing out against Su Kui over a debate as to
21172-426: Was nominally put in charge of the investigation during false accusations against Zhangsun for treason (brought by Empress Wu's associate Xu Jingzong ), but it does not appear that he was actually responsible for Zhangsun's demise.) In 663, Li Ji was in charge of the corruption probe against another associate of Empress Wu's, the chancellor Li Yifu , leading to Li Yifu's removal, although, again, Li Ji's own involvement
21330-488: Was not captured first, the general in command of Ansi (a capable general known in Korean popular legends as Yang Manchun , although whether that was his real name is unknown), might attack Tang forces from the rear. Emperor Taizong agreed, and therefore put Ansi under siege again. However, the commander at Ansi was a capable defender, and the resolve of the defenders was strengthened when Li Shiji, in anger, declared that after
21488-554: Was not clear. Around new year 667, after Yeon Gaesomun's death and infighting between Yeon's sons Yeon Namsaeng and Yeon Namgeon , leading to Yeon Namsaeng's fleeing to Tang, Emperor Gaozong launched an army, commanded by Li Ji, with Yeon Namsaeng (by this point renamed Cheon Heonseong/Quan Nansheng, as Yeon ( 淵 ) was the same character as Emperor Gaozu's name and therefore unusable per naming taboo) serving as his guide. In fall 667, Li Ji first captured Sinseong ( 新城 , in modern Fushun , Liaoning ), and then advanced further. Meanwhile,
21646-411: Was not harmed and soon prepared to counterattack. Li Shanghu notified Li Shiji and asked him to attack Cao, but Li Shiji, saw that Cao had already taken precautions, fled to Tang territory with Guo. Cao soon defeated and killed Li Shanghu, but when Dou's officials suggested that Li Gai be executed, Dou remarked, "Li Shiji was a Tang subject. He was captured by us, but still remembered his former lord and
21804-402: Was not only able to withstand the siege but further fought Yuwen outside, defeating him. Later in 618, Wang Shichong, who had opposed the peace agreement with Li Mi, killed the other key officials Lu Chu ( 盧楚 ) and Yuan Wendu ( 元文都 ), who had advocated peace with Li Mi. Another official who supported the peace, Huangfu Wuyi ( 皇甫無逸 ), fled to Chang'an and surrendered to the newly established
21962-445: Was one of the few Tang generals who achieved great independent success without being associated with Emperor Gaozu's talented son Li Shimin , and he enjoyed great reputation among the soldiers. As he was put in charge of the lower Yangtze region after defeating Fu, he rebuilt the important Southern Dynasties fortress of Shitou (near Danyang), which led to accusations that he was planning treason himself. Emperor Gaozu recalled him to
22120-580: Was only to execute Zhai Rang, and no one other than the Zhai clan was to worry. He personally attended to Xu's injuries, and had Xu, Shan, and Wang Bodang take over Zhai's troops. In spring 618, Emperor Yang was killed at Jiangdu (in modern Yangzhou , Jiangsu ) in a coup led by the general Yuwen Huaji . Yuwen soon abandoned Jiangdu and headed back north, toward Luoyang, with the elite Xiaoguo ( 驍果 ) Army, leading to comprehension both at Luoyang (where Sui officials had declared Emperor Yang's grandson Yang Tong
22278-546: Was overly severe, Emperor Wen responded to Yang Su: Also in 597, Ashina Rangan arrived at Chang'an, and Emperor Wen gave him the daughter of a clansman, whom he created the Princess Anyi, to be his wife, and awarded Ashina Rangan with much treasure, to try to break the bond between him and Ashina Yongyulü. From this point on, whenever Ashina Yongyulü would prepare to attack, Ashina Rangan would report his plans to Emperor Wen, allowing Sui forces to become prepared. In 598, King Yeongyang of Goguryeo attacked Ying Province, and while
22436-430: Was particularly fervent. However, when Emperor Gaozong summoned Li Ji to ask his opinion, Li Ji responded, "This is your family matter, Your Imperial Majesty. Why ask anyone else?" Emperor Gaozong therefore deposed Empress Wang and her ally Consort Xiao to commoner rank and created Consort Wu empress instead, having Li Ji serve as the ceremonial emissary. (Later, at Empress Wu's request, Emperor Gaozong further executed
22594-418: Was posturing toward taking the throne herself, Li Jingye rose in rebellion. In reprisal, Empress Dowager Wu destroyed Li Ji's tomb, posthumously stripped him of his titles, and slaughtered most, but not all, of his descendants. In 705, after Emperor Zhongzong was restored following a coup against his mother (who was then ruling as "Emperor" of her state of Zhou), Li Ji's tomb and titles were restored. Li Shiji
22752-437: Was recalled to Chang'an, he continued the campaign against Xu Yuanlang with Li Shentong and Ren Gui ( 任瓌 ). By spring 623, Xu was desperate and abandoned his capital Yan Prefecture , in modern Jining , Shandong ), and he was killed in flight. Li Shiji took his head and sent it to Emperor Gaozu. Later in 623, the general Fu Gongshi rebelled against Tang at Danyang ( 丹楊 , in modern Nanjing , Jiangsu ) and declared himself
22910-429: Was set to depart Xiang Prefecture, Li Xiaogong held a feast, when, for reasons unexplained, Li Xiaogong's cup, filled with water, suddenly appeared to be filled with blood, which was considered an ill omen and causing the generals at the feast to lose heart. However, Li Xiaogong calmly stated: He drank the blood-water with ease, impressing and calming his generals. He then sailed down the Yangtze, attacking and defeating
23068-473: Was so thankful that he wept and bit his finger so hard that he bled. Also at that feast, when Li Shiji became drunk and fell asleep, Emperor Taizong took off his own imperial robe to cover Li Shiji. In spring 644, when the Tang emissary to Goguryeo, Xiangli Xuanjiang ( 相里玄獎 ), returned from Goguryeo, indicating that the Yeon Gaesomun , the Goguryeo general who then controlled the political scene there,
23226-441: Was successful in suppressing the rebellion. Subsequently, however, Yu's brother-in-law Zhao Shizhu ( 趙什住 ), who had an affair with Yu's concubine, falsely accused Yu of treason, and around the new year 598, Yu was executed. Also in 597, Emperor Wen felt that the punishment for official misconduct was too light, and authorized that supervising officials would be permitted to batter their subordinates with large canes if they felt that
23384-463: Was surprised. He summoned Guo and questioned him, and Guo relayed what Xu's intents were. Emperor Gaozu was impressed and stated, "Xu Shiji remembers his lord and surrenders his accomplishments, and is really a pure-hearted subject." He thus bestowed the imperial clan name of Li (which he shared with Li Mi) on Xu, who thereafter would be known as Li Shiji. He also created Li Shiji the Duke of Cao and his father Xu Gai (thereafter known as Li Gai as well)
23542-429: Was taken back to Chang'an for treatment, Emperor Wen discovered that Yang Jun had been wasteful at his post, and removed him from all of his offices, allowing him to only retain the title of imperial prince. When Princess Cui's poisoning was discovered, Emperor Wen ordered Yang Jun to divorce her, and subsequently ordered her to commit suicide. When Liu Sheng ( 劉昇 ) and Yang Su suggested that the punishment against Yang Jun
23700-585: Was temporarily taken over by Tang, but in fall 621, Liu Heita rose against Tang, declaring that he was avenging Dou (whom Emperor Gaozu had executed). Liu quickly captured most of former Xia territory, and when Liu approached the former Xia capital Ming Prefecture, Li Shiji, who was then at nearby Zongcheng ( 宗城 ), abandoned Zongcheng and entered Ming to assist its defense, but despite that, Liu defeated him and captured Ming, seizing it as his capital and forcing Li Shiji to flee. Li Shiji subsequently served under Li Shimin in attacking Liu, who had by now declared himself
23858-492: Was the end of Goguryeo. Later that year, after Li Ji returned to Chang'an, a great procession was held in his honor, and around the new year 669, when Emperor Gaozong offered sacrifices to Heaven, he had Li Ji sacrifice after he did—an extraordinary honor. Later in 669, Li Ji grew ill. Emperor Gaozong summoned all of Li Ji's brothers and sons who were serving outside the capital back to Chang'an to attend to him. Li Ji took only medications given him by Emperor Gaozong and Li Hong
24016-637: Was the founding emperor of the Chinese Sui dynasty . As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state. He is regarded as one of the most important emperors in Chinese history, reunifying China proper in 589 after centuries of division since the independence of the Cheng-Han and Han-Zhao dynasties from the Western Jin dynasty in 304. During his reign, the construction of
24174-522: Was then attacked and killed by Huige , which took over Xueyantuo territory. Xueyantuo's remaining forces supported Yi'nan's nephew Duomozhi as Yitewushi Khan . Duomozhi offered to submit, but Emperor Taizong, fearful that Xueyantuo might recover and create more trouble later on, sent Li Shiji with an army toward Duomozhi's location. Duomozhi surrendered, and Li attacked the remaining forces unwilling to submit, defeating and capturing them. He delivered Duomozhi to Chang'an, where Emperor Taizong made Duomozhi
24332-463: Was then nominally submitting to Zheng, arguing that if Xia could first capture Meng's holdings, it could then next have designs on Zheng. Dou agreed, and he sent his brother-in-law Cao Dan ( 曹旦 ) south across the Yellow River, joining forces with Li Shiji. Dou himself would follow, and Li Shiji planned that, as soon as Dou himself arrived, he would ambush Dou's camp and kill him, and then try to find and save his father Li Gai. However, at this time, Dou
24490-406: Was to put Li Shiji at Jinyang [(i.e., Bing Prefecture)], and there would not even be dust flying in the air. Is he not a more impressive Great Wall? in winter 641, Emperor Taizong promoted him to the post of minister of defense. Soon, however, even before Li Shiji could leave for Chang'an, Xueyantuo 's Zhenzhu Khan Yi'nan, believing that Emperor Taizong was about to carry out a major sacrifice to
24648-534: Was too small of a city, Emperor Wen built a new capital nearby, which he named Daxing, and in spring 583 he moved the capital to Daxing. (From that point forward, Daxing and Chang'an became interchangeable names, although by the time of succeeding Tang dynasty , the new capital was known again just as Chang'an.) Also in 582, Emperor Wen, thankful for the refusal by the vassal Emperor Ming of Western Liang to support Yuchi Jiong in 580, withdrew his forces from Western Liang 's capital Jiangling , permitting Western Liang
24806-1324: Was typical of Chinese historical dynastic transitions—using the old fief name as the new dynasty's name—but he, believing that the character for his fief Sui ( 隨 ) to contain a "辶" radical , denoting "walking" and therefore a lack of permanence in the regime, removed "辶" from the character, rendering it "隋".) The Book of Sui records Emperor Wen as having withdrawn his favour from the Confucians , giving it to "the group advocating Legalism and authoritarian government." Emperor Wen abolished Northern Zhou's governmental organization of six departments, instead establishing five main bureaus—executive bureau ( Shangshu Sheng ( 尚書省) ), examination bureau ( Menxia Sheng ( 門下省) ), legislative bureau ( Neishǐ Sheng ( 內史省) ), Palace Library , and eunuch bureau ( Neishì Sheng (內侍省—note different tone and character versus 'legislative bureau')), with two additional independent agencies, 11 other independent departments, and 12 military commands. He posthumously honored his father Yang Zhong and mother Lady Lü as emperor and empress. He created his wife Duchess Dugu empress and their oldest son Yang Yong crown prince; he created his brothers and his other sons imperial princes. He initially created Northern Zhou's Emperor Jing
24964-470: Was unwilling to stop his attacks against Silla , then a Tang vassal, Li Shiji advocated an attack against Goguryeo, and Emperor Taizong agreed, despite opposition by other officials, including Chu Suiliang . Emperor Taizong, after several months of preparations, launched a two-pronged attack against Goguryeo in winter 644, with Li Shiji in charge of the land army containing 60,000 soldiers, heading toward Liaodong Peninsula , and with Zhang Liang in charge of
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