Li Shimin: Wise King or Tyrant?

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China, one the of ancient countries remained on earth with approximate five thousand years of rich history. In the period of five thousand years, China had been repeating with the three-steps-cycle: unified as country, then, separated with different ideas and conflicts which lead to wars; however, united as one once again afterward whoever won the battle. Everytime China unified as a one country, the new dynasty is formed and there are almost twenty dynasties has formed and failed. Moreover, some of these dynasties could divide with south and north and many small kingdoms like Jin Dynasty (Western - 265-317 A.D and Eastern - 217-420 A.D) and Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960 A.D). Tang dynasty is one of significant dynasty and widely influenced in Chinese history, because this is one of dynasty that are rich and powerful. Even today, most of Chinese people like to call themselves as “Tang People 唐人“. When we ask Chinese people anything about the Tang dynasty, people would speak out with several different things such as: Li Shimin, the Emperor Taizong of Tang, Xuan Jia Jun “玄甲军”, Wu Zetian “ Empress Wu”, Government Reform, Rebellions and fictional dramas of Tang Taizong’s life.
The Tang Dynasty was founded by Li Yuan, the Emperor Gaozu of Tang at 618 A.D. he was Duke of Tang and governor of Taiyuan in Sui Dynasty. In 617 A.D, a year before Tang Dynasty uprise, the Sui government was collapsing and failed in the Korean campaign that cause peasant uprising. Like any other rebel leaders during this period of time, Li Yuan form his own armies and rebel. Among all others rebel groups, he successfully occupied Sui capital - Chang’an and support Yang You, the grandson of Emperor Yang, as a new Emperor. Afterward, Emperor Yang Y...

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...ne the law and Department of State the place to enforce the law. These three positions are the top level of government position and they are right under the Emperor. Under Three Departments there are call Six Ministries which are Ministry of Personnel the place control promotion and demotion of office, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Works.
Li Shimin also defeats the neighboring country, such as East Gokturks, Tibetan and Uighur to show the Tang military power. Because Tang military defeat them to show the respect these neighboring countries would call him “Heavenly Khan” Even Though, Tang military
Li Shimin one of great Emperors in Chinese history. Even though he made mistakes and that mistake is forbidden to the Chinese people but we should not forget what he contributed to entire Chinese people.

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