Misplaced Pages

#284715

36-582: Shaanxi History Museum , which is located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the ancient city Xi'an , in the Shaanxi province of China , is one of the first huge state museums with modern facilities in China and one of the largest . The museum houses over 370,000 items, including murals, paintings, pottery, coins, as well as bronze, gold, and silver objects. The modern museum

72-472: A collection of 370,000 objects. The museum is architecturally in the Tang style, with a "hall in center, storied buildings in corners". It is elegant and dignified, on a large scale, with a combination of traditional architecture and modern technology, which embodies folk tradition and local features. Shaanxi was the ancient imperial capital of China, having been the seat of more than 13 feudal dynasties, including

108-403: A crown prince should worry about is not having enough virtues or enough fame. Why worry about not having enough goods?" It was also said that she rarely got angry with the ladies in waiting and eunuchs who served her. She often gave Emperor Taizong examples from history to inspire him to rule better, and if there was a problem with the decision of Emperor Taizong about the administration, or for

144-510: A stone exterior facade collapsed five decades later. The ruling Empress Wu Zetian had the pagoda rebuilt and added five new stories by the year 704. A massive earthquake in 1556 heavily damaged the pagoda and reduced it by three stories, to its current height of seven stories. The structure leans very perceptibly (several degrees) to the west. Its related structure, the 8th century Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, only suffered minor damage in

180-749: The Empress Zhangsun . The temple complex is open to the public and it receives millions of tourists each year. It can be accessed from the Dayanta station of line 3 of the Xi'an Metro . One entrance is located at the northeast corner of the north plaza. A new entrance has opened during the end of 2017. Empress Zhangsun Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后, personal name unknown, presumably Wugou (無垢) (15 March 601 – 28 July 636 ), formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后, literally "the civil, virtuous, serene, and holy empress") or, in short, Empress Wende (文德皇后),

216-614: The Zhou , Qin , Han , and Tang dynasties. The province is rich in cultural relics. With the completion of the Shaanxi History Museum, it collected over 370,000 precious relics which were unearthed in Shaanxi Province, including bronze wares, pottery figures, and mural paintings in Tang tombs. In particular there are large numbers of pottery Tang dynasty tomb figures from the tombs of the imperial family around

252-517: The 1556 earthquake (unrepaired to this day). The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was extensively repaired during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) and renovated again in 1964. The pagoda currently stands at a height of 64 metres (210 ft) tall and from the top it offers views over the city of Xi'an. The tower sits inside the Daci'en Temple complex ("mercy and kindness"). The Daci'en Temple was built in 648 to honor

288-514: The Emperor of Zheng, and Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia. In doing so, he overshadowed his older brother Li Jiancheng, the crown prince . The brothers developed an intense rivalry. Princess Zhangsun was said to serve her father-in-law Emperor Gaozu carefully, forming friendships with his concubines which she would use to cover up the mistakes of her husband and his faction. Sources state that in 626,

324-509: The Empress family than allowed. Because of Empress Zhangsun, he granted extrajudicial favors to Zhangsun Anye, Zhangsun Shunde, and Zhangsun Chang for their illegal acts, and he lavishly gave gifts, grants and wealth to all empress relatives and friends to such an extent that many courtiers even the empress herself and some of her relatives objected to it. Emperor Taizong would at times try to discuss with empress matters of award and punishment and

360-451: The Prince of Dai emperor (as Emperor Gong). In 618, after news arrived that Emperor Yang had been killed in a coup at Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou , Jiangsu ) led by the general Yuwen Huaji , Li Yuan had Yang You yield the throne to him, thus establishing the Tang dynasty . Li Yuan became the first Tang ruler, Emperor Gaozu. He appointed his son, Li Shimin, as the Prince of Qin, his wife as

396-613: The Princess Yongjia. The chancellor Wei Zheng advised against it, pointing out that this was contrary to Emperor Ming of Han 's observation that his sons should not be as honored as his brothers. Emperor Taizong agreed and also informed Empress Zhangsun, who was greatly impressed with Wei's honest advice, and therefore, after receiving permission from Emperor Taizong, she had her eunuchs send rewards of money and silk to Wei, praising him for his honesty. On another occasion, after Emperor Taizong returned from an imperial gathering, he

SECTION 10

#1732764667285

432-605: The Princess of Qin. The couple would eventually have three sons – Li Chengqian , Li Tai , and Li Zhi – and at least three daughters, who were later named the Princesses Changle, Jinyang, and Xincheng. Li Shimin was Tang's most capable general in its campaigns to reunite China following Sui's collapse, defeating the major enemies Xue Rengao the Emperor of Qin, Liu Wuzhou the Dingyang Khan, Wang Shichong

468-429: The chancellor position. Also in 627, Empress Zhangsun's other brother Zhangsun Anye was implicated in a treasonous plot, along with the generals Li Xiaochang (李孝常), Liu Deyu (劉德裕), and Yuan Hongshan (元弘善). Initially, Zhangsun Anye, like the other conspirators, were to be put to death, but Empress Zhangsun interceded on his behalf, stating that even though Zhangsun Anye deserved death, the people would have thought that she

504-579: The city. Since the opening of the museum, it has followed the policy of collecting, conservation, publicizing, education, and scientific research, using its many historical relics, and conducted various types of display. The relics have also been exhibited overseas in cities in Japan, France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany. Highlights of the museum include: The address of

540-582: The crown prince Li Jiancheng and another brother, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi, who supported Li Jiancheng, set out to ambush the rising Li Shimin. But Li Shimin heard about this trap, and organized a counter-coup, walking into the trap with several of his own most trusted and skilled soldiers. Princess Zhangsun attended the council held by Li Shimin regarding the coup plot, and in all the strategies used by her husband, she supported him and even expressed of her opinions. When Li Shimin mobilized his personal troops within his mansion, and as he did so, Princess Zhangsun

576-409: The idea to the chancellor Fang Xuanling , who reported it to Emperor Taizong. Emperor Taizong considered issuing a general pardon, but Empress Zhangsun again refused. As she came close to death (at a time that Fang had drawn anger from Emperor Taizong and was temporarily relieved of his post and returned to his mansion), she bid Emperor Taizong goodbye with these words; She died in 636. After she died,

612-403: The museum is 91 East XiaoZhai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Giant Wild Goose Pagoda One of the pagoda 's many functions was to hold sutras and figurines of Gautama Buddha that were brought to China from India by the seventh-century Buddhist monk , scholar, traveller, and translator Xuanzang . Today, the interior walls of the pagoda feature engraved statues of Buddha by

648-503: The officials and officers, she respectfully asked him to change the decision. Her influence over him was such that she interceded on behalf of condemned criminals and changed his harmful decisions with gentle counsel. One time, when Emperor Taizong got angry at a servant, she pretended to be angry as well and asked to personally interrogate them and hold them in custody; she then waited until his anger had subsided, and then begin to plead on their behalf, thus reducing improper punishments within

684-432: The palace authorities submitted Empress Zhangsun's writings—a 10-volume compilation of the good deeds of ancient women titled Examples for Women (女則, Nü Ze ), and a commentary criticizing Han dynasty's Empress Ma – to Emperor Taizong. When Emperor Taizong read her works, he was greatly saddened, and he stated: He summoned Fang back to his chancellor position, and then he buried her with honors due an empress, but reduced

720-412: The palace. It was said that whenever Emperor Taizong's concubines would be ill, she would personally visit them and reduce her own expenditures to treat them. When one of Emperor Taizong's concubines died giving birth to a daughter, Empress Zhangsun raised the daughter, Princess Yuzhang, as her own. Emperor Taizong always loved Empress Zhangsun. After ascending the throne, he often showed more favor to

756-399: The reason was. She responded, "I have heard that only a most able emperor will have subordinates who have integrity. Wei shows this much integrity because you are an able emperor. How can I not congratulate you?" Emperor Taizong's anger turned to happiness, and he did not punish Wei. Later that year, on an occasion when Emperor Taizong and she personally visited Emperor Gaozu (who had then taken

SECTION 20

#1732764667285

792-621: The renowned 7th-century artist Yan Liben . This pagoda was added to the World Heritage List , along with many other sites along the Silk Road , as part of the " Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor " site in 2014. The original pagoda was built during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (r. 649–683), then standing at a height of 60 metres (200 ft). This construction of rammed earth with

828-476: The suggestions of the officials on important matters and even confidential government information to see what she opined, but each time she refused to do so, stating that it was not her place to do so. She to him replied, "The crowing of hens in the morning is a sign of family trouble. As a woman, how dare I be informed of government affairs and give an opinion about it?"; However, Taizong's insistence forced her to tell him what she thought. As her brother Zhangsun Wuji

864-499: The throne to Li Shimin, who took the throne as Emperor Taizong. Princess Zhangsun, consequently, became empress, and their oldest son, Li Chengqian, became crown prince. As empress, Empress Zhangsun was said to be frugal and not wasteful, taking only the supplies that she needed without living luxuriously. When Li Chengqian's wet nurse the Lady Sui'an stated that his palace lacked sufficient goods and requested more, she replied, "All

900-463: The title of Taishang Huang (retired emperor)) at his Da'an Palace (大安宮), they personally served a feast to him. Emperor Taizong, for several years, had often suffered from severe illnesses, and Empress Zhangsun often attended to him day and night, carrying poison within her belt and resolving to commit suicide if the emperor should die. Empress Zhangsun herself was said to suffer from severe asthma , and her conditions were exacerbated in 634 when she

936-426: Was Tuoba Kuali's third son, who took the surname Baba (拔拔), eventually changed to Zhangsun when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei changed Xianbei surnames to Han surnames in 496. In 617, Li Yuan, aided by Li Shimin and his older brother Li Jiancheng , among others, rebelled at Taiyuan (太原, in modern Taiyuan , Shanxi ), and later that year captured the capital Chang'an , declaring Emperor Yang's grandson Yang You

972-484: Was a Chinese essayist and an empress of the Chinese Tang dynasty . She was the wife of Emperor Taizong and the mother of Emperor Gaozong . She was well educated, and her ancestors were of Xianbei ethnicity. Their original surname was Tuoba , later changed to Zhangsun. During her tenure as empress, she served as a loyal assistant and honest advisor to her husband, Emperor Taizong. The future Empress Zhangsun

1008-411: Was a major strategist who contributed much to his victory over Li Jiancheng, he wanted to make Zhangsun Wuji a chancellor , and Empress Zhangsun declined on Zhangsun Wuji's behalf, stating: Emperor Taizong initially disagreed and made Zhangsun Wuji chancellor anyway in fall 627, but with Zhangsun Wuji himself also repeatedly declining, Emperor Taizong relented in spring 628 and removed Zhangsun Wuji from

1044-489: Was also born of Lady Gao, while Zhangsun Anye was not; who Zhangsun Xingbu's and Zhangsun Heng'an's mothers were was not recorded in history.) Zhangsun Sheng died in 609, and Zhangsun Anye, instead of raising his younger brother and sister, expelled them, as well as his stepmother Lady Gao, from the Zhangsun household and sent them back to Lady Gao's brother Gao Shilian , and Gao Shilian raised them. The future Empress Zhangsun

1080-428: Was angry and yelled, "Let me find a chance to kill this country-bumpkin!" Empress Zhangsun asked whom he was referring to, and he replied, "I am referring to Wei Zheng. He always finds a way to insult me in front of everyone in the imperial hall!" Empress Zhangsun retreated to her bedchambers and put on the official empress gown; standing solemnly, she prepared to bow to Emperor Taizong. He was surprised, and asked her what

1116-526: Was born on 15 March 601. Her father was the Sui dynasty general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), and her mother was Zhangsun Sheng's wife Lady Gao, the daughter of the official Gao Jingde (高敬德). She had at least four older brothers—Zhangsun Sheng's oldest son Zhangsun Xingbu (長孫行布, who was killed in 604 while resisting the rebellion of Emperor Yang of Sui 's brother Yang Liang the Prince of Han), Zhangsun Heng'an (長孫恆安), Zhangsun Anye (長孫安業), and Zhangsun Wuji . (Zhangsun Wuji

Shaanxi History Museum - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-472: Was built between 1983 and 2001 and its appearance recalls the architectural style of the Tang dynasty . Shaanxi History Museum was constructed from 1983. It was opened to the public on 20 June 1991. The museum is in an area of 65,000 square metres (700,000 sq ft), with a building area of 55,600 square metres (598,000 sq ft), cultural relics storerooms of 8,000 square metres (86,000 sq ft), exhibition halls of 11,000 square meters, and

1188-728: Was ill, but nevertheless attended to Emperor Taizong when he was forced to wake up in the middle of the night and put on armor and weapons due to an emergency report by his brother-in-law, Chai Shao (柴紹) the Duke of Qiao. By 636, her conditions were severe, and Li Chengqian suggested to her that, as the doctors appeared to have done everything they could, Emperor Taizong declare a general pardon and encourage commoners to become Buddhist or Taoist monks, to try to gain divine favor. Empress Zhangsun, knowing that Emperor Taizong had long disapproved of Buddhism and Taoism and herself believing overuse of pardons to be improper, refused. Li Chengqian instead told

1224-428: Was personally made an appearance before the troops to encourage them. Her brother Zhangsun Wuji was one of Li Shimin's major strategists in this matter. Li Shimin was able to counter Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji at Xuanwu Gate and kill them, and then essentially forced Emperor Gaozu to appoint him crown prince. Princess Zhangsun was accordingly named crown princess. Two months later, on 4 September, Emperor Gaozu yielded

1260-568: Was retaliating for his ill treatment of her and Zhangsun Wuji when they were little. Emperor Taizong agreed and spared Zhangsun Anye, only exiling him to Xi Prefecture (巂州, roughly modern Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture , Sichuan ). In 632, Emperor Taizong was about to marry the Princess Changle to Zhangsun Wuji's son Zhangsun Chong (長孫沖). As the princess was born of Empress Zhangsun and was his favorite daughter, Emperor Taizong ordered that her dowry had to exceed that for his sister,

1296-504: Was said to be studious and proper in her actions. In 613, she married Li Shimin , the second son of the general Li Yuan the Duke of Tang. Li Shimin was 15, and she was 13 (both ages are by East Asian reckoning). It was written that the ancestors of Zhangsun family traced their origin to the Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei 's founding emperor Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei 's 17th generation ancestor Tuoba Kuaili (拓拔儈立) — that their ancestor

#284715