Page 26 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol V

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Persians, Arabs, Japanese, and Koreans lived among the ers and collected taxes accordingly (approximately one-
Chinese in Changan and in southern port cities. Their fortieth of income), in kind. He was frugal in his expen-
food, clothing, arts, and the religion of Buddhism became ditures and adopted a conciliatory foreign policy in his
part of the Tang culture, while Chinese silk, goods, and early reign to avoid wars.
technology spread to the other lands. He also established a bureaucracy based on merit,
responsible officials, and thoughtful policy (state policies
Life were prepared and reviewed by different offices before
TangTaizong (actually the emperor’s reign title; his birth implementation). He discussed policy with chief ministers,
name was Li Shimin) came from a aristocratic family from appointed officials and generals based on their ability,
northern China. His mother and his wife were both of regardless of class, ethnicity, or personal connections,
non-Chinese descent but they were known for Confucian and he held civil-service exams with questions based on
propriety and were skilled in Chinese literature or callig- the Confucian classics. Many of his most accomplished
raphy. Shimin was the second son of LiYuan, a provincial and devoted officials and generals had been on the staff of
governor under the Sui dynasty (581–618). In 617 Li his former enemies or rivals. Independent examiners reg-
Yuan rebelled against the unpopular Sui emperorYangdi. ularly reviewed officials; the emperor tolerated no abuses
Modern historians questioned the traditional account of even from his own kinsmen. He also encouraged criticism
Shimin’s pivotal role leading to the uprising, but all agree of any of his policies or behavior that people judged inap-
that in the next four years Shimin defeated various con- propriate. His most outspoken critic was Wei Zheng
tenders for the throne.At age twenty-four, he secured the (580–643), who had once served one of the emperor’s
empire for his father, who established the Tang dynasty. brothers. It was not always easy for a powerful and highly
Shimin excelled in cavalry and was an excellent strate- accomplished monarch to hear disagreement, frank criti-
gist and commander. His exceptional achievements, how- cism, or interventions, but the emperor restrained himself
ever, led to fierce rivalry with his elder brother, who was and rewarded his critics when their arguments were rea-
the crown prince, and with his younger brother. In 626 sonable and sound. He kept Zheng at his side and referred
Shimin triumphed over both brothers, who were killed, to him as his mirror that allowed him to see his mistakes.
and ascended the throne at the age of twenty-nine when In fact, he creditedWei Zheng and other officials for mak-
Li Yuan retired. ing him a fine ruler. Throughout his reign, the emperor
and his officials remained vigilant, consciously preserving
Domestic Affairs good rule and bequeathing it to their descendants.
Taizong created perhaps the finest administration in Chi- Taizong also ordered the revision and compilation of
nese history.To rejuvenate a land devastated by wars, he a penal code; the revised code reduced cruel punishments
adopted a benevolent rule. He distributed land to farm- and became the foundation for later Chinese penal codes.

1803