Li Shimin loved his son Li Ke very much, why didnt he make him the crown prince?
2024-05-04 22:52:30 中文版

Li Shimin, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, led a legendary life. His son, Li Ge, was also a talented individual. However, despite Li Shimin's deep affection for Li Ge, he was not named the crown prince. The reasons behind this decision were both historical necessities and personal complexities.

Firstly, we must understand that the ancient system of imperial succession was not solely determined by the emperor's personal preferences. In feudal society, there were strict rules governing the succession of the throne, typically favoring the eldest son or the most talented son. As Li Ge was not Li Shimin's eldest son, being the second son of Li Shimin and Wu Zetian, he was already at a disadvantage in the succession race.

Secondly, Li Ge's intelligence and talent, while admired by Li Shimin, also elicited jealousy and dissatisfaction from other princes. Li Ge's prominence in the court made him a target of attacks from his brothers. If Li Shimin had chosen to make Li Ge the crown prince, it would have undoubtedly sparked unrest and conflicts within the court.

Furthermore, Li Shimin himself had carefully considered the issue of imperial succession. He understood that the succession of the throne was not just a personal matter, but also crucial to the stability and development of the entire nation. Therefore, in choosing a crown prince, he had to consider the interests of the country above his personal affections.

Lastly, we cannot overlook the influence of Wu Zetian. As Li Shimin's queen, she undoubtedly had a significant say in the matter of imperial succession. Historical records suggest that Wu Zetian did not particularly favor Li Ge, which could have been an important factor in Li Shimin's decision not to make him the crown prince.

In conclusion, Li Shimin's decision not to make Li Ge the crown prince was determined by various factors, including historical necessities and personal complexities. Although he deeply loved Li Ge, he had to make a choice between his personal feelings and the interests of the country. This was a painful and helpless decision, but also a wise one.

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