Zhangsun Wuji (長孫無忌) (d. 659), courtesy name Fuji (輔機), formally Duke of Zhao (趙公), was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty during the reigns of his brother-in-law Emperor Taizong (Li Shimin) (husband of his sister Empress Zhangsun) and nephew Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi). This article is about a year Events By Place Europe Ealdormen in Mercia rebel against Northumbrian rule and A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name ( zì) is a given name to be used later in life The chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝宰相 was an office that was semi-formally designated for a number of high level officials at one time during the Chinese Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后 personal name unknown ( 601 - July 28, 636) formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后 literally "the Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife He was an important assistant of Li Shimin when Li Shimin was the Prince of Qin under his father Emperor Gaozu and helped Li Shimin in killing his rivals and brothers Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince and Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi at the Incident at Xuanwu Gate, eventually enabling Li Shimin to become emperor. Background and early career Li Yuan's seventh-generation ancestor was Li Gao, the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms state Western Liang. Li Jiancheng (李建成 ( 589 - July 2, 626) formally Crown Prince Yin (隱太子 literally "the hidden crown prince" nickname Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Li Yuanji (李元吉 ( 603 - July 2, 626) formally Prince La of Chao (巢剌王 more commonly known by the title of Prince of Qi The Incident at Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變 refers to an incident on July 2, 626, when Li Shimin the Prince of Qin a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang He was also instrumental in Emperor Taizong's selection of Li Zhi as crown prince, and was exceedingly powerful after Li Zhi took the throne as Emperor Gaozong. However, he gradually lost his nephew's favor by failing to support Emperor Gaozong's decision to depose his first wife Empress Wang and replacing her with Empress Wu. Empress Wang (王皇后 personal name unknown (d 655? was an Empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Wu Zetian ( (625 – December 16, 705 In 705 she was overthrown in a coup and Emperor Zhongzong was returned to the throne In 659, Empress Wu's political ally Xu Jingzong falsely accused Zhangsun of treason, and Emperor Gaozong exiled Zhangsun. This article is about a year Events By Place Europe Ealdormen in Mercia rebel against Northumbrian rule and Xu Jingzong (許敬宗 ( 592 - September 20, 672) Courtesy name Yanzu (延族 formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang (高陽恭公 Xu subsequently sent the official Yuan Gongyu (袁公瑜) to force Zhangsun to commit suicide.

Contents 1 Background 2 During Emperor Gaozu's reign 3 During Emperor Taizong's reign 4 During Emperor Gaozong's reign 5 Notes and references

Background

It is not known when Zhangsun Wuji was born, but what is known is that he was older than his sister, the future Empress Zhangsun, who was born in 601. Events By Place Byzantine Empire Peter (Byzantine General defeats the Eurasian Avars. It was written that his ancestors traced their origin to the Xianbei dynasty Northern Wei's founding emperor Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei's 17th generation ancestor Tuoba Kuaili (拓拔儈立) -- that their ancestor was Tuoba Kuali's third son, who took the surname Baba (拔拔), eventually changed to Zhangsun when Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei changed Xianbei surnames to Han surnames in 496. The Xianbei ( were a significant nomadic people residing in Manchuria and eastern Mongolia, or Xianbei Shan. The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or Early life Tuoba Tao was born in 408 while his father Tuoba Si was still the Prince of Qi under his grandfather Emperor Daowu, without having officially been Early life and regency of Emperor Xianwen Tuoba Hong was born in 467 when his father Emperor Xianwen was himself young -- at the age of 13 and not yet ruling by himself The Change of Xianbei family names to Han names was part of a Sinicization campaign to convert Xianbei family names into Han Chinese names Events By Place Europe Battle of Tolbiac: Clovis I defeats the Alamanni, and is baptized into the Catholic ^[1] His father was the Sui Dynasty general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), and his mother was Zhangsun Sheng's wife Lady Gao, the daughter of the official Gao Jingde (高敬德). The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. ^[2] He had at least three older brothers -- Zhangsun Sheng's oldest son Zhangsun Xingbu (長孫行布, who was killed in 604 while resisting the rebellion of Emperor Yang of Sui's brother Yang Liang the Prince of Han), Zhangsun Heng'an (長孫恆安), and Zhangsun Anye (長孫安業). Events By Place Ancient Japan Prince Shotoku issues a Seventeen-article constitution. Background Yang Guang was born in 569 during the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. Yang Liang (楊諒 -- Courtesy name Dezhang (德章 alternative name Jie (傑 nickname Yiqian (益錢 -- was an imperial prince of the (Empress Zhangsun was also born of Lady Gao, while Zhangsun Anye was not; who Zhangsun Xingbu's and Zhangsun Heng'an's mothers were was not recorded in history. ) Zhangsun Sheng died in 609, and Zhangsun Anye, instead of raising his younger brother and sister, expelled them, as well as his stepmother Lady Gao, from the Zhangsun household and sent them back to Lady Gao's brother Gao Shilian, and Gao Shilian raised them. Events By Place Asia Edessa is taken by the Sassanids. The tax Census of the Sui Dynasty Gao Shilian (高士廉 ( 576 - February 14, 647) formal name Gao Jian (高儉 but went by the Courtesy name of Shilian formally

It was said that Zhangsun Wuji was studious, and that he was both intelligent and full of strategies. When his sister later married Li Shimin, the second son of the general Li Yuan, he and Li Shimin became great friends. Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Background and early career Li Yuan's seventh-generation ancestor was Li Gao, the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms state Western Liang. When Li Yuan, at Li Shimin's instigation, rose against the rule of Emperor Yang of Sui in 617 and attacked the capital Chang'an, Zhangsun Wuji went to meet Li Shimin, then serving as a major general of his father's, and he began to serve on Li Shimin's staff, often following Li Shimin on various campaigns. Background Yang Guang was born in 569 during the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. Events By Place Europe Heathens revolt in Kent under king Eadbald. Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history.

During Emperor Gaozu's reign

Li Yuan captured Chang'an in winter 617 and declared Emperor Yang's grandson Yang You emperor (as Emperor Gong), taking power himself as regent. During Emperor Yang's reign Yang You was born in 605 as a son of Yang Zhao, the son and Crown prince of Emperor Yang. A regent, from the Latin regens "who reigns" is a person selected to act as Head of state (ruling or not because the ruler is a minor After he received news in spring 618 that Emperor Yang had been killed at Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu) in a coup led by the general Yuwen Huaji, he had Emperor Gong yield the throne to him, establishing Tang Dynasty as its Emperor Gaozu. Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. Administration The Prefecture-level city of Yangzhou administers 7 county-level divisions. ( Postal map spelling: Kiangsu) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country Background It is not known when Yuwen Huaji was born He was the oldest son of the Sui Dynasty official Yuwen Shu, a close associate of Yang Guang The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Li Shimin was created the Prince of Qin and thereafter became the main general in charge of his father's campaigns to reunify China under Tang rule, which was largely complete by 623, when the last major rival to Tang, Liu Heita the Prince of Handong, was captured and killed by Li Shimin's older brother, Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince. Events By Place Europe Clotaire II, king of the Franks, makes his son Dagobert I king of Austrasia Service under Hao Xiaode Li Mi Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande Little is known about Liu Heita's background and it is not known when he was born Li Jiancheng (李建成 ( 589 - July 2, 626) formally Crown Prince Yin (隱太子 literally "the hidden crown prince" nickname Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. For Zhangsun Wuji's contributions to Li Shimin's campaigns, he was created the Duke of Shangdang.

See also: Incident at Xuanwu Gate

By 623, however, Li Shimin was locked into an intense rivalry with Li Jiancheng, who was supported by another brother, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi. The Incident at Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變 refers to an incident on July 2, 626, when Li Shimin the Prince of Qin a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang Li Yuanji (李元吉 ( 603 - July 2, 626) formally Prince La of Chao (巢剌王 more commonly known by the title of Prince of Qi For the next several years, the rivalry further intensified. By 626, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, apprehensive that Li Shimin might act against them, had falsely accused Li Shimin's staff strategists Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui and military officer Yuchi Jingde and had them removed from Li Shimin's staff. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines defeat the Avars and Slavs, who were besieging Constantinople Fang Xuanling (房玄齡 (579–648 formal name Fang Qiao (房喬 but went by the Courtesy name of Xuanling formally Duke Wenzhao of Liang (梁文昭公 Du Ruhui (杜如晦 (585-630 Courtesy name Keming (克明 formally Duke Cheng of Lai (萊成公 was one of the most celebrated chancellors Yuchi Jingde (尉遲敬德 (585-658 formal name Yuchi Gong (尉遲恭 but went by the Courtesy name of Jingde formally Duke Zhongwu of E (鄂忠武公 It was said that by that time, of Li Shimin's closest confidants, only Zhangsun remained, and that Zhangsun, his uncle Gao Shilian, Hou Junji, and Yuchi advocated acting first against Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji. Hou Junji (侯君集 (d April 29, 643) was a major general and chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, particularly known They persuaded Li Shimin to take action. Li Shimin thereafter set up an ambush for Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, killing them at Xuanwu Gate, and then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to create him crown prince. The Incident at Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變 refers to an incident on July 2, 626, when Li Shimin the Prince of Qin a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang Zhangsun was thereafter made the minister of civil service affairs. Two months later, Emperor Gaozu yielded the throne to Li Shimin, who took the throne as Emperor Taizong.

During Emperor Taizong's reign

Late in 626, when Emperor Taizong personally ranked the contributions of the generals and officials in order to grant them fiefs, Emperor Taizong ranked five of them -- Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Yuchi Jingde, and Hou Junji to be contributors of the highest grade, and Zhangsun was created the Duke of Qi. As Zhangsun was both a great contributor to his victory and a close relative, Emperor Taizong was particularly close to him, allowing Zhangsun to enter the palace frequently.

In spring 627, when the general Li Yi, an associate of Li Jiancheng's, rebelled at Bin Prefecture (豳州, in modern Xianyang, Shaanxi), Emperor Taizong sent Zhangsun to engage Li Yi, although before Zhangsun could arrive, Li Yi was defeated by his own subordinates and killed in flight. Luo Yi (羅藝 (d 627 known during service to Tang Dynasty as Li Yi (李藝 Courtesy name Ziyan (子延 or Ziting (子廷 This article is related to a city for the airport located in the city see Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Xianyang ( Sienyang Hsienyang ( Postal map spelling: Shensi) is a north-central province of the People's Republic of China, and includes portions of the Loess In fall 627, Emperor Taizong, despite opposition from Empress Zhangsun (who feared that the Zhangsun clan was becoming overly honored and would become a target of attack), Emperor Taizong made Zhangsun Wuji Pushe (僕射), one of the heads of the important executive bureau of the government and a post considered one for a chancellor. The chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝宰相 was an office that was semi-formally designated for a number of high level officials at one time during the Chinese Later that year, when Emperor Taizong heard that Eastern Tujue's Jiali Khan Ashina Duobi, who had made a deep incursion to Chang'an when Emperor Taizong first took the throne in 626, was having internal problems with his subordinates, he consulted Zhangsun and Xiao Yu, asking their opinions. Jiali Khan ( Bagatur-Shad Il-khan Chieli Kara-Khieli Hieli Jiele Duobi 咄苾 Illig-Qaghan Kara Kagan) later Tang posthumous title Prince Huang of Guiyi (歸義荒王 Xiao Yu (蕭瑀 (574-647 Courtesy name Shiwen (時文 formally Duke Zhenbian of Song (宋貞褊公 was an imperial prince of the Chinese Xiao advocated an attack on Eastern Tujue, but Zhangsun pointed out that the peace treaty between the two states should not be breached, and Emperor Taizong accepted his suggestion.

Many officials were critical of Zhangsun Wuji's ascension to a chancellor post, and there were secret accusations made to Emperor Taizong that Zhangsun was monopolizing power. Emperor Taizong publicly declared confidence in Zhangsun, but he himself feared that he was a target of resentment. He repeatedly offered to resign, both directly and through Empress Zhangsun, and in spring 628, Emperor Taizong accepted the resignation, although he conferred on Zhangsun the honorific position of Kaifu Yitong Sansi (開府儀同三司) and continued to consult Zhangsun on many important matters. Events By Place Europe Pippin of Landen becomes Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia. In 633, Emperor Taizong conferred on Zhangsun the even greater honor of Sikong (司空) -- one of the Three Excellencies. Events By Place Europe Oswald of Bernicia becomes Bretwalda. Osric becomes king of Deira. The Three Excellencies ( or the Three Lords was the collective name for the three highest officials in the Han Dynasty.

In 637, a major revision of the Sui penal laws, led by Fang but assisted by Zhangsun, was completed, with 500 sections dividing the punishments into 20 grades. Events By Place Europe Battle of Mag Rath Dál Riata influence in Ulster is greatly reduced or ended About 1,600 sections of regulations to implement the laws were also written.

Also in 637, as part of Emperor Taizong's scheme to bestow prefectures on his relatives and great generals and officials as their permanent domains, Zhangsun's title was changed to Duke of Zhao, and he was given the post of prefect of Zhao Prefecture (趙州, roughly modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei), to be inherited by his heirs. Events By Place Europe Battle of Mag Rath Dál Riata influence in Ulster is greatly reduced or ended Shijiazhuang ( literally "The Stones' Village" is a Prefecture-level city and the Capital of Hebei province, China ( Postal map spelling: Hopeh) is a northern province of the People's Republic of China. Many officials opposed the plan, with the strongest opposition coming from Zhangsun, who also had his daughter-in-law, Princess Changle (Emperor Taizong's daughter) submit oppositions on his behalf as well, and Emperor Taizong cancelled the scheme, although Zhangsun's title remained Duke of Zhao. In 642, Emperor Taizong changed Zhangsun's honorific from Sikong to Situ (司徒). Events By Place Europe August 5 — In the Battle of Maserfield, Penda, king of Mercia defeats and In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Zhangsun's was one of the portraits commissioned -- indeed, Zhangsun's portraits was ranked first. Events By Place Europe Rothari King of the Lombards, issues the Lombard law code The Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion (凌煙閣畫像 refer to the 24 portraits that Emperor Taizong of Tang commissioned the great painter Yan Liben to paint on Lingyan

Later in 643, Li Chengqian the Crown Prince (the oldest son of Emperor Taizong and Empress Zhangsun, who had died in 636), locked into an intense rivalry with his younger brother Li Tai the Prince of Wei, who was also born of Empress Zhangsun and was Emperor Taizong's favorite son, was discovered to have plotted to overthrow Emperor Taizong, along with Hou Junji and Emperor Taizong's sons-in-law Zhao Jie (趙節) and Du He (杜荷, Du Ruhui's son). Li Chéngqián (李承乾 (619?- January 5, 645) Courtesy name Gaoming (高明 formally Prince Min of Hengshan (恆山愍王 Events By Place Byzantine Empire August 20 — Battle of Yarmuk: Khalid ibn al-Walid 's victory against the Li Tai (李泰 Pinyin: Lǐ Tài (618- December 15, 652) Courtesy name Huibao (惠褒 nickname Qingque (青雀 formally Emperor Taizong put the investigation in the hands of Zhangsun, Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, Li Shiji, and the officials in charge of the supreme court and the legislative and examination bureaus of government, and they determined that, indeed, Li Chengqian had plotted to overthrow Emperor Taizong. Li Shiji (李世勣 (594- December 31, 669) né Xu Shiji (徐世勣 later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji Li Chengqian was deposed, while his coconspirators were executed.

A succession question immediately arose. Li Tai was Emperor Taizong's favorite son, and Emperor Taizong almost immediately promised to him that he would be created crown prince, an idea concurred in by the chancellors Cen Wenben and Liu Ji. Cen Wenben (岑文本 ( 595 - May 10, 645) Courtesy name Jingren (景仁 formally Viscount Xian of Jiangling (江陵憲子 Liu Ji (劉洎 (d January 18, 646) Courtesy name Sidao (思道 was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang However, Zhangsun did not concur, and instead recommended that Emperor Taizong make his ninth son Li Zhi, also by Empress Zhangsun, crown prince instead; Zhangsun was supported in this suggestion by Chu Suiliang. Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife Chu Suiliang (褚遂良 (597-658 Courtesy name Dengshan (登善 formally Duke of Henan (河南公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Further, when Emperor Taizong interrogated Li Chengqian personally, Li Chengqian admitted guilt but blamed Li Tai's machinations for leading him to fear for his own safety and thus plot rebellion. Emperor Taizong thereafter resolved to create Li Zhi crown prince -- a decision that he initially secretly informed only Zhangsun, Fang, Li Shiji, and Chu, in addition to Li Zhi himself -- and he exiled both Li Chengqian and Li Tai. Subsequently, Zhangsun, along with Fang and Xiao, were made senior advisors to the new crown prince. Thereafter, however, Emperor Taizong began to doubt whether his decision was correct -- believing that while Li Zhi was kind, he was also weak in personality, and unsure whether he would be fit to be emperor. He discussed with Zhangsun the possibility of making another son, Li Ke the Prince of Wu (by his concubine Consort Yang, a daughter of Sui's Emperor Yang), who was older than Li Zhi and considered more capable, crown prince instead. Li Ke (李恪 (d March 6, 653) posthumously known as the Prince of Yulin (鬱林王 often known by his greater title as the Prince of Wu Concubinage is the state of a woman or youth in an ongoing quasi-matrimonial relationship with a man of higher social status Zhangsun strenuously opposed this idea, and Emperor Taizong did not carry it out. Zhangsun further often praised Li Zhi's kindness. Thereafter, a deep enmity developed between Zhangsun and Li Ke.

In 644, when Emperor Taizong, at an imperial gathering, stated to his key officials their strengths and weaknesses, he spoke, with regard to Zhangsun:

Zhangsun Wuji is overly worried about appearance of conflict of interest. Events By Place Asia The Tang dynasty of China begins the invasion of Goguryo. He is dexterious and decisive beyond the wisdom of the ancients, but commanding an army in the battlefield is not his strength.

See also: Emperor Taizong's campaign against Goguryeo

Later in 644, when Emperor Taizong launched a major attack against Goguryeo, he had the generals Li Shiji and Li Daozong lead the forward forces, while commanding the main forces himself, assisted by Zhangsun, Cen, and Yang Shidao. Emperor Taizong of Tang (r 626 - 649) the second emperor of Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, asserting that a campaign against Goguryeo or Koguryo was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and Li Daozong (李道宗 (603?-656? Courtesy name Chengfan (承範 was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Yang Shidao (楊師道 (d 647 Courtesy name Jingyou (景猷 formally Duke Yi of Ande (安德懿公 was a chancellor during the reign In summer 645, at a major battle against the main Goguryeo forces commanded by the generals Gao Yanshou/Go Yeonsu (高延壽) and Gao Huizhen/Go Hyezin (高惠真) engaged Tang forces, Emperor Taizong had Li Shiji command 15,000 men to serve as decoy, and when Goguryeo forces attacked Li Shiji, Zhangsun Wuji attacked them from behind with 11,000 men, and Li Shiji and Zhangsun, as well as Emperor Taizong himself, defeated Goguryeo forces, forcing their surrender. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines recapture Alexandria from the Arabs Asia He then considered directly attacking Goguryeo's capital Pyongyang itself, but Li Shiji believed that if Anshi/Ansi (安市, in modern Anshan, Liaoning) was not captured first, the general in command of Ansi (a capable general known in Korean popular legends as Yang Manchun, although whether that was his real name is unknown), might attack Tang forces from the rear. Pyongyang (pʰjʌŋjaŋ is the Capital and largest City of North Korea, located on the Taedong River, at. ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Yang Manchun is the name given to the Goguryeo commander of Ansi fortress in the 640s. Emperor Taizong agreed, and therefore put Ansi under siege again. However, the commander at Ansi was a capable defender, and the resolve of the defenders was strengthened when Li Shiji, in anger, declared that after the fall of the city all residents would be slaughtered. With the Tang forces bogged down in sieging Ansi, a number of officials suggested skipping past Ansi and attacking Wugu (烏骨, in modern Dandong, Liaoning) and then head toward Pyongyang. Dandong ( Wade-Giles Tan-Tung is a city in the Liaoning province China. ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Zhangsun opposed, believing the strategy to be too risky without first capturing Ansi and Jian'an (建安, in modern Yingkou, Liaoning) first. Yingkou ( is a Prefecture-level city of Liaoning province in northeastern China. ( is a northeastern province of the People's Republic of China. Emperor Taizong agreed and continued sieging Ansi, but still could not capture it. In fall 645, with winter approaching, Emperor Taizong was forced to withdraw. (The Song Dynasty historian Hu Sansheng, the commentator to the Zizhi Tongjian, commented that overcautiousness was what cost Emperor Taizong the victory, indirectly blaming Zhangsun for opposing the strategy to attack Pyongyang directly. The Song Dynasty ( Wade-Giles: Sung Ch'ao was a ruling dynasty in China between 960&ndash1279 CE it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Hu Sansheng ( 1230 &ndash 1302 born Hu Mansun (胡滿孫 Courtesy names Shenzhi (身之 Meijian (梅澗 and Jingcan (景參 The Zizhi Tongjian ( was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography. ) As the army retreated, Zhangsun was responsible for building a temporary bridge over the Liao River to allow the army to cross. The Liao He (遼河 Liao River is the principal River in southern Manchuria (1345 km

In 647, when Zhangsun's uncle Gao Shilian died, Emperor Taizong, who had just recently himself recovered from an illness, wanted to attend Gao's wake, but Zhangsun lay down in the path of his horse, blocking him, reasoning that as someone who had recently recovered, it was inappropriate for Emperor Taizong to attend the wake. For the Canadian area code see Area code 416/647. Events By Place Asia A stone tower Astronomical Emperor Taizong, due to Zhangsun's opposition, relented. In summer 647, Emperor Taizong made Zhangsun the commandant at Yang Prefecture (i. e. , Jiangdu), but did not actually send him to Yang Prefecture. In fall 647, when a commoner named Duan Zhichong (段志沖) submitted a petition to Emperor Taizong, asking him to yield the throne to Li Zhi, Li Zhi became concerned that Emperor Taizong would suspect that the proposal came from him, and Zhangsun requested that Duan be executed. Emperor Taizong, however, was unfazed, and took no actions against Duan.

In spring 648, Emperor Taizong made Zhangsun the acting head of the legislative bureau -- also a chancellor post -- and further gave instructions that he also be in charge of the other two main bureaus of government, the executive and the examination bureaus, effectively putting Zhangsun in command of all of the government. Events By Topic Religion Pope Theodore I excommunicates Patriarch Paul II of Constantinople

In summer 649, Emperor Taizong was seriously ill, while at the summer palace Cuiwei Palace (翠微宮). Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. He summoned Zhangsun and Chu to his bedside and entrusted Li Zhi to them. He soon died, and by Zhangsun's orders, his death was kept a secret until his casket, accompanied by Li Zhi, was returned to Chang'an. Li Zhi then took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong).

During Emperor Gaozong's reign

After Emperor Gaozong took the throne, he changed Zhangsun's honorific title to Taiwei (太尉), also one of the Three Excellencies, and ordered that he continued to be in charge of all three bureaus, although Zhangsun declined the responsibility over the executive bureau. Emperor Gaozong also gave him the chancellor de facto designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品). Early in Emperor Gaozong's reign, it was said that, while there were other men with chancellor designations, Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang controlled the government, but that they served faithfully and were extending the efficient governance that Emperor Taizong instituted during his "Reign of Zhen'guan. " However, perhaps challenging Zhangsun's authority and/or faithfulness, the Tufan king Songtsän Gampo wrote a letter to Zhangsun, stating, "The Son of Heaven has just taken the throne. Definitions of Tibet See also Definitions of Tibet Name In English The English word Tibet, like the word for Tibet in most European Songtsän Gampo ( Tibetan: སྲོང་བཙན་སྒམ་པོ་ Wylie: Srong-btsan The Emperor of China ( refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning since the founding of the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC until the fall of If there are unfaithful subjects among the officials, I will lead an army to the capital to destroy them. " However, Emperor Gaozong trusted both Zhangsun and Chu greatly, and in 650, when a commoner named Li Hongtai (李弘泰) accused Zhangsun of treason, Emperor Gaozong had Li Hongtai immediately beheaded. Events By Place Asia The first Chinese Paper money is issued yet these banknotes will not become government-issued

In 651, another revision of the laws, with Zhangsun in charge, was completed, and was promulgated by Emperor Gaozong. Events Europe Clovis II, king of Neustria and Burgundy, marries the future Saint Bathilde.

In 652, with Emperor Gaozong's wife Empress Wang being sonless, her uncle Liu Shi, also a chancellor, suggested to her that she propose that Emperor Gaozong's oldest son, Li Zhong, whose mother Consort Liu was of low birth, be made crown prince, believing that Li Zhong would be grateful to her. Events By Place Europe Rodoald succeeds his father Rothari as king of the Lombards. Empress Wang (王皇后 personal name unknown (d 655? was an Empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Liu Shi (柳奭 (d 659 Courtesy name Zishao (子邵 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Li Zhong (李忠 ( 643 - January 6, 665) Courtesy name Zhengben (正本 formally Prince of Yan (燕王 was a Liu Shi also lobbied Zhangsun to make the request for her. Emperor Gaozong agreed, and in fall 652 created Li Zhong crown prince.

Late in 652, there was a major dispute between Fang Xuanling's oldest son and heir Fang Yizhi (房遺直) and his younger brother Fang Yi'ai (房遺愛), as well as Fang Yi'ai's wife, Emperor Taizong's daughter Princess Gaoyang. Princess Gaoyang accused Fang Yizhi of assaulting her, while Fang Yizhi accused Fang Yi'ai and Princess Gaoyang of treason. Emperor Gaozong ordered Zhangsun to investigate, and Zhangsun discovered that Fang Yi'ai, Princess Gaoyang, the general Xue Wanche (薛萬徹), and another brother-in-law of Emperor Gaozong's, Chai Lingwu (柴令武), had considered to support Emperor Taizong's younger brother Li Yuanjing (李元景) the Prince of Jing as emperor. Fang Yi'ai, knowing that Zhangsun had long wanted to kill Li Ke, whom he viewed as a threat to Emperor Gaozong's throne, falsely implicated Li Ke in the plot as well, hoping that Zhangsun would spare him. Zhangsun, however, used this opportunity to carry out a purge -- and in spring 653, Zhangsun persuaded Emperor Gaozong to issue an edict executing Fang Yi'ai, Xue, and Chai, while ordering Li Yuanjing, Li Ke, and Princesses Gaoyang and Baling (Chai's wife) to commit suicide. Events Sigeberht II the Good succeeds Sigeberht I the Little as king of Essex. Further, Zhangsun also had the chancellor Yuwen Jie (a friend of Fang Yi'ai's), Li Daozong (who had long had a rivalry with Zhangsun and Chu), and the general Zhishi Sili (執失思力), Xue's brother Xue Wanbei (薛萬備) as well as Li Ke's mother Consort Yang and Consort Yang's younger son Li Yin, reduced to commoner rank and exiled. Yuwen Jie (宇文節 Courtesy name Dali (大禮 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during (For these actions, he was heavily criticized by Liu Xu, the lead editor of the Book of Tang, who commented that perhaps it was karmic that eventually Zhangsun himself would be falsely accused. The Book of Tang ( or the Old Book of Tang (舊唐書/旧唐书 is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. Karma ( Sanskrit: कर्म, kárman - "act action performance" Pali: kamma) is the concept of "action" ^[3] Indeed, when Li Ke died, he cursed Zhangsun, stating: "Zhangsun Wuji has stolen imperial power and falsely accused the faithful. The imperial ancestral spirits are watching. Soon your own clan will be slaughtered. ")

By 654, Emperor Gaozong had become enamored with Consort Wu -- whom he had, against Confucian definitions of incest, taken as a concubine even though she had been a concubine of Emperor Taizong's. Events By Place Europe Rhodes is invaded by an Arab force remains of the Colossus of Rhodes are sold off Wu Zetian ( (625 – December 16, 705 In 705 she was overthrown in a coup and Emperor Zhongzong was returned to the throne (Empress Wang, who had been jealous of Emperor Gaozong's then-favorite concubine Consort Xiao, had suggested that he take Consort Wu as a concubine, in order to divide Consort Xiao's favors, but as Emperor Gaozong's favors became exclusively concentrated on Consort Wu, she turned to ally with Consort Xiao against Consort Wu, to no avail. Consort Xiao, imperial consort rank Shufei (蕭淑妃 personal name unknown (d ) In 654, after Consort Wu had killed her own daughter but falsely accused Empress Wang of doing so, Emperor Gaozong began considering deposing Empress Wang and replacing her with Consort Wu, but feared opposition from the high level officials. He visited Zhangsun's mansion along with Consort Wu, bestowing lavish gifts on Zhangsun and making Zhangsun's three sons mid-level officials, and used the opportunity to bring up the topic of replacing Empress Wang with Consort Wu. Zhangsun pretended not to understand and took no actions to endorse Consort Wu, and persisted in this stand despite later lobbying by both Consort Wu's mother Lady Yang and fellow chancellor Xu Jingzong. Xu Jingzong (許敬宗 ( 592 - September 20, 672) Courtesy name Yanzu (延族 formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang (高陽恭公 However, soon, Xu, Li Yifu (who became chancellor over his overt support for Consort Wu), as well as other key officials Cui Yixuan (崔義玄) and Yuan Gongyu, formed an alliance in support of Consort Wu. Li Yifu (李義府 (614-666 was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.

In fall 655, after an imperial gathering, Emperor Gaozong summoned Zhangsun, Li Ji (i. Events By Place Europe November 15 — Northumbrian king Oswiu defeats Mercian king Penda in the e. , Li Shiji -- he had dropped the character "Shi" by this point by Emperor Gaozong's orders that naming taboo was to be observed as to the characters Shi and Min, not just the sequence "Shimin" as Emperor Taizong had ordered), Chu, and Yu Zhining to the palace -- an order that Chu correctly guessed that was intended to call them into a meeting in which he would try to persuade them to agree with his desire to replace Empress Wang with Consort Wu. Naming taboo is a cultural taboo against speaking or writing the given names of exalted persons in China and neighboring nations in the ancient Chinese cultural sphere Yu Zhining (于志寧 (588-665 Courtesy name Zhongmi (仲謐 formally Duke Ding of Yan (燕定公 was a chancellor of the Chinese Li Ji declined to enter. When Zhangsun, Chu, and Yu attended the meeting, Emperor Gaozong did indeed propose to replace Empress Wang with Consort Wu. Chu objected strenuously, while Zhangsun and Yu did not speak but showed no approval. Later, fellow chancellors Han Yuan and Lai Ji also showed opposition, but when Emperor Gaozong asked Li Ji, Li Ji responded, "This is your family matter, Your Imperial Majesty. Han Yuan (韓瑗 (606-659 Courtesy name Boyu (伯玉 formally Duke of Yingchuan (潁川公 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Lai Ji (來濟 (610-662 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. Why ask anyone else?" Emperor Gaozong, after demoting Chu to a commandant post at Tan Prefecture (潭州, roughly modern Changsha, Hunan), deposed Empress Wang and Consort Xiao to commoner rank and created Consort Wu as empress to replace Empress Wang. Changsha ( is the Capital city of Hunan, a province of south-central China, located on the lower reaches of Xiang river a branch of the ( is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning (Soon, by Empress Wu's orders, the former Empress Wang and Consort Xiao were tortured and killed. )

By 659, Empress Wu's position was secure, and she resented how Zhangsun and Yu had shown implicit disapproval of her ascension -- and Xu, who had been repeatedly rebuked by Zhangsun over this matter, also resented Zhangsun. This article is about a year Events By Place Europe Ealdormen in Mercia rebel against Northumbrian rule and Xu thereafter, when investigating a report of factionalism by the low level officials Wei Jifang (韋季方) and Li Chao (李巢), manufactured evidence that Zhangsun had plotted treason with them. Emperor Gaozong wanted to interrogate Zhangsun personally, but at Xu's suggestion -- pointing out that Zhangsun had been experienced at quick reactions as demonstrated by his achievements -- in summer 659, suddenly stripped Zhangsun's posts and fief, and while he officially gave Zhangsun the title of commandant at Yang Prefecture, he instead exiled Zhangsun to Qian Prefecture (黔州, modern southeastern Chongqing) under house arrest. Chongqing ( Postal map spelling: Chungking; Wade-Giles: Ch'ung-ch'ing) is the largest and most populous of the People's Republic of China Zhangsun's sons were also exiled. In fall 659, Emperor Gaozong further reopened the investigations, putting Li Ji, Xu, Xin Maojiang, Ren Yaxiang, and Lu Chengqing in charge of investigating the alleged plot. Xin Maojiang (辛茂將 (d January 3, 660) was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor Ren Yaxiang (任雅相 (d March 9, 662) was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor Lu Chengqing (盧承慶 (595-670 Courtesy name Ziyu (子餘 formally Duke Ding of Fanyang (范陽定公 was an official of the Chinese Xu took this opportunity to send Yuan Gongyu to Qian Prefecture, where Yuan forced Zhangsun to commit suicide. His wealth was confiscated. (As part of the same reprisal transactions, Empress Wang's uncle Liu Shi was also executed in exile. Members of the Zhangsun and Liu households, as well as those of Han's, were forced to hard labor, while several relatives of Zhangsun's were also executed. ) Later in Emperor Gaozong's reign, in 674, Emperor Gaozong restored Zhangsun's titles posthumously and allowed Zhangsun's great-grandson Zhangsun Yi (長孫翼) to inherit the title of Duke of Zhao. Events By Place Europe Dagobert II and Theuderic I succeed Childeric II as king(s of the Franks He also had Zhangsun's casket returned to Chang'an, to be buried near Emperor Taizong's tomb.

Notes and references

• Book of Tang, vol. The Book of Tang ( or the Old Book of Tang (舊唐書/旧唐书 is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. 65. [2]
• New Book of Tang, vol. The New Book of Tang ( is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi (宋祁 and other official scholars of the 105. [3]
• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. The Zizhi Tongjian ( was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography. 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, zh:s:資治通鑑/卷200.

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic