Emperor Tang Taizong of China (598 - May 26, 649), born Li Shimin (李世民), was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China from 627 to 649. He helped his father, Li Yuan started the uprising that established the Tang Empire. However, many now consider Taizong the true founder of Tang. Taizong conquered several neighbouring tribes, which call him Heavenly Khan (天可汗). Under his reign, the famous rule of Guanzhen (貞觀之治) took place (his era name was Guanzhen). His posthumous name was Wenhu-dasheng-daguang Xiao Huangdi (文武大聖大廣孝皇帝 "Filial Emperor who is Civil and Martial, Greatly Holy, and Greatly Expansive").
Taizong was born in Wugong (武功, today in Shaanxi) to Li Yuan and Dou-shi (竇氏), and was one-quater Xianbei (by his grandmother). After the establishment of Tang, he was appointed the King of Qin (秦王) by his father. The original crown prince was his elder brother Li Jiancheng (李建成). However, he killed Jiancheng and his forth youngest brother, Li Yuanji, Prince Qi (齊王李元吉) on June 4, 626 in Xuanwu Gate Rebellion (玄武門之變). Two days later, he was made the new crown prince. Two months later, he became the emperor.
He died in Hangfeng Hall of Cuihui Palace (翠微宮含風殿) and was married in August in Zhao Mausoleum (昭陵, in today Quandong, Shaanxi).
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Family
He was married to:
He has fourteen sons (in order):
He has twenty-one daughters (not in order):
Literature
He was the subject of 64-chapter (in eight volumes) The Novel of the Great Tang King of Qin (大唐秦王詞話 Datang Qin Wang Cihua) by Zhu Shenglin (諸聖鄰) of the Ming Dynasty. The novel is also known as The Biography of the Tang King of Qin (唐秦王本傳 Tang Qin Wang Benzhuan), Romance of Tang (唐傳演義 Tang Chuan Yiyan), and Romance of the Tang King (秦王演義 Tang Wang Yanyi).