Emperor Gaozu

Emperor Gaozu – Tang Dynasty

Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty (other aliases: Xingming, Kao-tsu, Shude) ruled from 618-626 C.E after his son replaced him as the emperor. He founded the Tang Dynasty after leading a rebellion and overthrowing the Sui Dynasty.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E) was famed as the greatest imperial dynasty of ancient China. Several of modern China’s traditions and policies stemmed from the reforms and cultural advancements of the Tang Dynasty.

Moreover, known inventions such as gunpowder, gas stoves, printing; And the developments of medicine, technology, and literature are the legacy of this imperial Chinese dynasty.

Emperor Gaozu was responsible for unifying China after the fall of the Sui Dynasty. While he adopted some of the policies of the previous dynasty, he also laid out new foundation systems of social, economical, and political policies that changed the Chinese history.

This Chinese imperial dynasty was considered to be the golden age of ancient China. The Tang dynasty was not only known in its home country during its reign. All the more, it made China the most prosperous country in the world back in its time.

Who is Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty?

Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty was the son of the Duke Ren whom he inherited the title of Duke of Tang upon his father’s death in 572 C.E. Gaozu claimed that he was of Chinese descent. However, his family has roots from the nomadic tribes of Northern China.
When the Sui Dynasty rose in power, Gaozu was allowed to retain his dukedom as he was the nephew of Emperor Wendi’s wife. He was eventually made a governor under the Sui Dynasty. He then became a military general; and during his tenure, he gained much military experience and support.
As he was slowly building a name in the military, he also became a governor in the city of Taiyuan in 615 C.E, where he garnered power and support from its people. Using his influence, he was able to develop peaceful relations with Gokturs, the nomads dominating the Silk Road.

It was also around this time of the destabilization of the Sui Dynasty under Emperor Yang. Gaozu then began planning rebellion as what his son, Li Shimin was suggesting.

He was then able to strengthen his troops in the guise of the Eastern Tujue threats. Moreover, he also built a puppet government with the face of Emperor Gong, Yang’s grandson in the capital of Chang’an.

Since he was an official of the Sui Dynasty, he was responsible for suppressing revolts by Turkish nomads. He made an ally out of them after such success. This allyship helped him seize the throne, and a year after, the institution of the Tang Dynasty.

As the new Tang Dynasty emperor, Li Yuan took the name Gaozu, which means “High Founder or Progenitor”.

First Years of the Golden Age

The emperor’s first agenda was reformation and coinage. This was because of China’s devastating condition after the disturbances and downfall of the Sui Dynasty.

Emperor Gaozu thereafter reformed policies from the previous dynasty. He executed bureaucratic practices that were still widely used today in China.

Emperor Gaozu also centralized the government. This was to increase the government’s efficiency. He not only used a good number of officials that were loyal to Tang, but also used officials from the Sui Dynasty for the positions in the government.

This action provided continuity and experience for the newly founded dynasty. However, its purpose was to also serve the old elites.

He also spearheaded the reformation of over-taxation against peasant farmers and the redistribution of land parcels. He imposed a policy that was against labor overworking.

These policies were almost all of Sui’s origin. However, he still used and reformed these policies in his dynasty that were once abused by the previous one.

Gaozu was known for creating the Tang Legal Code in 624 C.E. This was widely used by the future dynasties. Moreover, neighboring countries Vietnam, Korean, and Japan copied and applied this code to their own governments.

Military Campaigns of Gaozu

Because of Emperor Gaozu’s military background, it was without a doubt that military power, its operations and campaigns flourished.
But he faced challenges in his field of expertise in the early years of the Tang Dynasty. There were uprisings from different parts of the country, all of which were defeated by Li Shimin’s armies. This resulted in conquering new regions in the Tang Dynasty.
Furthermore, the only frequent threats were from Eastern Tujue, who were near Chang’an. But these foregin threats were overshadowed because of the rivalries between his sons.

Of Rivalries and Retirement

His sons’ rivalries were the center of attention in the last days of his reign. After his son, Li Shimin ambushed his brothers, Emperor Gaozu named his son the Crown Prince. After two months, he gave the throne to Li Shimin.
Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty was left with little control and influence in the dynasty after his retirement. But he still lived with the new Chinese emperor, even leading a celebration after defeating the Eastern Tujue.
Despite establishing the Tang Dynasty, Gaozu was not without his critics. He was mostly known for succumbing into his pleasures–hunting and music than being a good ruler. He was said to be impulsive, and guilty of nepotism.
The founding Tang Dynasty emperor fell ill and died in 635.