Taizong (or T’ai-Tsung) (600-49 CE) was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty and is revered as one of the greatest of all Chinese Emperors. Born under the name Li Shih-min, he was the second son of the Emperor Gaozu, who was the founder of the Tang Dynasty. Although some historians consider Li Shih-min to have had a leading military role in the establishment of the dynasty, this is controversial and other records suggest his role was minor. In any case, he became emperor after the disgrace of his elder brother and the subsequent abdication of Gaozu in 626.
At once, the court was amazed by his intelligence and energy. He launched into a whirlwind of activity and it is said that officials had to work in shifts in order to keep pace with the flurry of new edicts, poems and books of learning he initiated. Unfinished paperwork was pasted around his bedroom so that he could read it in preference to sleeping. His poetry was renowned and his calligraphy shows a powerful, authoritative yet elegant style that still pleases the eye today – examples have been found in the Dunhuang hoards as exactly copied by official scribes. He was popular among the people, too, for his willingness to limit public works so as to reduce the burdens of taxation and corvée labour placed upon them. Under his rule, China reasserted her reputation as a leading player in East Asia and her fame spread far and wide. Both Korean and Japanese statesmen revered his example and considered him a model. Under Taizong’s rule, the first attempts were made to rein in the Turkish peoples of Central Asia and to establish control over the rich oases of the Silk Road.
Taizong was a pragmatist and a realist. He was not averse to religious ideas and debate but subjugated Buddhist and Taoist ideas to those of Confucianism and only employed them in support of promoting national interests. Stability was emphasized and the imperial examination system improved to make social mobility more possible and ensure the cream of the empire was brought into public service – for boys, at least. Taizong’s charisma and powerful personality meant that he was able to deal with powerful officials and mandarins on a personal basis and argue with them on the basis of reason, rather than hiding behind his position. However, this personal dominance changed during his reign so that he eventually became domineering and overbearing, perhaps as a result of becoming impatient with the fallibility of those with whom he had to deal.
