Ep. 129 | The Incident at Xuanwu Gate
In this episode, we revisit the founding of the Tang Dynasty and focus on the events leading up to, during, and right after the Incident at Xuanwu Gate. This slice of historic theater took place on July 2, 626. It resulted in the victory of Li Shimin over his two brothers. Not long afterward Li Shimin was promoted by his father to the emperorship and reigned as Tang Taizong.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bazhuguo | 八柱国 | The Eight Pillars of the Western Wei |
| Chang’an | 长安 | Ancient capital of the Tang and other dynasties. Located in present day Xian |
| Chen Shuda | 陈叔达 | Ally of Tang Taizong, later became his chancellor |
| Daixian | 代县 | Located in present day Shanxi province |
| Dou Jiande | 窦建德 | Sui rebel general and enemy of the Tang |
| Du Ruhui | 杜如晦 | Chancellor during the reign of Taizong, one of the best it’s said |
| Fang Xuanling | 房玄龄 | Served together Du Ruhui (see below) as chancellor |
| Gao Shilian | 高士廉 | Uncle of Taizong’s wife (Lady Dou), also a high ranking official during his reign |
| Gengshen | 庚申 | A day in the Chinese calendar |
| Jiangdu | 江都 | District of Yangzhou |
| Jiangsu | 江苏 | Rich province in eastern China |
| Li Hu | 李虎 | Grandfather of Li Yuan |
| Li Jiancheng | 李建成 | The Crown Prince also known as the Duke of Longxi |
| Li Mi | 李密 | One of the major rebel generals who helped bring down the Sui |
| Li Shimin | 李世民 | Known as The emperor Tang Taizong 唐太宗, as well as the Prince of Qin and the Duke of Dunhuang |
| Li Song | 李嵩 | Founder of the Western Liang (西凉) |
| Li Tianxi | 李天锡 | Father of Li Hu |
| Li Xi | 李熙 | Grandfather of Li Hu |
| Li Yuan | 李渊 | Known as the emperor Tang Gaozu 唐高祖 |
| Li Yuanji | 李元吉 | Youngest son of Li Yuan, also known as the Prince of Qi |
| Li Zhiyun | 李志云 | Son of Li Yuan from one of his concubines |
| Liu Bang | 刘邦 | Founder of the Han Dynasty (Han Gaozu 汉高祖) |
| Liu Heita | 刘黑闼 | Sui rebel general, served under Li Mi and Wang Shichong (see below) |
| Longxi | 陇西 | Place in easternmost Gansu Province |
| Nanbei Chao | 南北朝 | The Southern & Northern Dynasty Period |
| Niangzijun | 娘子军 | The Army of Women, let by the Princess Pingyang |
| Ouyang Xiu | 欧阳修 | Song dynasty official and all-around universal man featured in CHP-071 |
| Pei Ji | 裴寂 | Official during Sui and Tang Dynaties, served Tang Gaozu and Taizong |
| Pingyang Gongzhu | 平阳公主 | The daughter of Li Yuan, a great military leader |
| Sima Guang | 司马光 | Credited with compiling the The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government |
| Sima Qian | 司马迁 | Considered China’s greatest ancient historian, writer of the Records of the Grand Historian (the 史记） |
| Sui Yangdi | 隋炀帝 | The Sui Emperor Yang |
| Taiyuan | 太原 | Capital of Shanxi Province and power base of the Li Tang clan |
| Tang Huiyao | 唐会要 | The Institutional History of the Tang, written by Wang Pu |
| Tang Shu | 唐书 | The (Old) Book of Tang |
| Tong Dian | 通典 | The Comprehensive Statutes |
| Tuoba | 拓拔 | Clan name for many Xianbei people. The Tuoba’s founded the Northern Wei Dynasty |
| Wang Anshi | 王安石 | Early Song Dynasty official responsible for instituting some major reforms |
| Wang Pu | 王浦 | Credited with the writing of the Tang Huiyao |
| Wang Shichong | 王世充 | First a Sui general, then helped bring Emperor Yang down. Later defeated the other rebel leader Li Mi (see below) |
| Wu Zetian | 武则天 | Concubine of Tang Taizong, wife of Tang Gaozong and later empresss of China |
| Wude | 武德 | The Era name of the Tang Gaozu emperor |
| Xiao Yu | 蕭瑀 | Ally of Tang Gaozu and Taizong, later a high ranking official |
| Xin Tang Shu | 新唐书 | The New Book of Tang |
| Xuanwu men zhi biàn | 玄武门之变 | The Incident at Xuanwu Gate |
| Xue Ju | 薛举 | One of the major rebel generals who helped bring down the Sui |
| Yangzhou | 扬州 | City in Jiangsu |
| Yuchi Jingde | 尉迟敬德 | Later became the Door God (门神), close ally of Taizong, he fired the arrow that killed Li Yuanji |
| Yuwen Huaji | 宇文化及 | General during the Sui, later led a coup against Emperor Yang and delivered the death blow |
| Yuwen Tai | 宇文泰 | Founder of the Western Wei Dynasty |
| Zhang Jieyu | 张婕妤 | Official during time of Tang Gaozu and Taizong |
| Zhangsun Wuji | 长孙无忌 | Served as a chancellor during the time of Taizong and Gaozong |
| Zhao Kuangyin | 赵匡胤 | Song dynasty founder, The Taizu Emperor |
| Zizhi Tongjian | 资治通鉴 | The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government |
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