He was born in 599 as Li Shimin to the Empress Dou, the second son of Emperor Gaozu. He married EmpressWende. Taizong is his temple name, given posthumously. It means "Supreme Ancestor." He had 14 sons. Before he became emperor, he was known for his military successes under his father. He is described as a man of exceptional character with a keen rational intelligence. He is highly esteemed for his scholarly and administrative qualities. He was well educated in the classics. His reign is described as the epitome of Confucian rule. He was an excellent scholar and calligrapher, attracted able ministers, had close relations with his advisors, accepted criticism and lived frugally. His interests included the arts and natural history.

 

It is recorded that he had a phenomenal capacity for work and was solicitous of his subjects’ welfare as he limited public works with their burden of taxes. Taizong’s approach to politics was pragmatic, he used Daoism and Buddhism to supplement Confucianism. He sponsored state academies, improved the examination system and used ancestor worship to strengthen the legitimacy of the ruling family. He created a Bureau of History to oversea the keeping of records. He used military force and strategy to change the balance of power in northern Asia, destroying the Eastern Turks and gaining control of the Ordos and Inner Mongolian regions. The capitol, Changan (modern day Xian) was the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world in the 7th century. Taisong’s reign was marked by foreign trade, vitality and openness to new ideas, and religious tolerance. In addition to Buddhist temples there were Muslim mosques, Jewish synagogues and Nestorian Christian churches. After 630, however, he became increasingly extravagant and embarked on grandiose public works. Li Cheng Qian, his eldest son, became obsessed by his Tartar ancestry. After he was involved in a plot against Taizong’s favorite son, Tai, the emperor chose empress Wende’s youngest son, Li Zhi, as his heir.

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