Using copper as a mirror, you can straighten your clothes; using ancient times as a mirror, you can know the ups and downs; using people as a mirror, you can understand gains and losses. This was the emotional realization of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty after the death of Wei Zheng. became a widely circulated saying. Tang Emperor Li Shimin's mirror theory helped him assist Li Yuan in destroying the Sui Dynasty and establishing the Tang Dynasty, and then created the grand cause of the Zhenguan rule. And when all this becomes history, the Li family and his son will also become a mirror that shines on future generations. However, looking at the mirror of history is not as simple as sitting in front of a bronze mirror and arranging one's appearance, because history may indeed be like an obedient girl, being smeared and modified.
Reading "Da Tang Business Notes" (hereinafter referred to as "Da Tang Notes"), we can at least get a unique glimpse of the Li family and his son, especially in relation to the new and old "Tang Dynasty Notes" revised by later generations. A different side of the book.
First of all, about the rebellion against the Sui Dynasty. "New Book of Tang: The Benji of Emperor Gaozu":
Emperor Yang traveled south to Jiangdu, causing robberies in the world. The people of the world, the emperor's son, knew that the Sui Dynasty would be destroyed, so they secretly formed a conspiracy with heroes, recruited deserters, and planned a major event with Liu Wenjing, the commander of Jinyang. The plan has been decided, but Gao Zu didn't know it yet, so he wanted to express his love, but he was afraid that he wouldn't hear. Emperor Gaozu stayed in Taiyuan and served as the eunuch of Jinyang Palace, and Pei Ji, a good guest of his, was appointed as the deputy eunuch. The people of the world conspired with Ji, and Ji Yin chose a person from Jinyang Palace to serve Gaozu personally. Gaozu was drinking wine in Jiji, and he was drinking in a leisurely manner. Jigu told him about important events, and Gaozu was shocked. Ji said: "I am serving the people of the palace, and I should be punished for this." Because the people of the world were also involved in Bai's affairs, Emperor Chuyang refused to allow it. He wanted to take care of the people and send him to the official position, so he promised it, saying: "I love you, how can I bear to sue you?"
This piece of material shows us a completely different image of Li Yuan and his second son Li Shimin. Li Shimin was far-sighted and even had no foresight; he knew that the Sui Dynasty would be destroyed, so he secretly launched a series of preparations for rebellion. He conspired with heroes and recruited deserters. In order to persuade his father, he also planned to cut off his escape route and force him to Liangshan. On the other hand, Li Yuan was not only passive and clueless when it came to raising troops, but was led by Li Shimin step by step. His confidant (Pei Ji) and his son were secretly preparing to rebel, and he had no idea about it. When the conspiracy turned into a conspiracy, Li Shimin was stupid enough to ask for help. Did he think that the laws of the Sui Dynasty would be lenient to his father, the Duke of Tang and the leader of the rebellion? Fortunately, when the historian wrote this sentence, he embedded the word "yang" before "forbidden", which slightly saved our emperor Gaozu's face.
"Zi Zhi Tong Jian" records that the Li family and his son raised an army, which is roughly the same as the two "Tang Shu". The mastermind was Li Shimin, and Li Yuan just sighed at the last moment; what should be done if things are like this. , just follow the ear. However, the incident of raising soldiers recorded in "Lijuzhu" is quite different from the two Tang books and "Zizhi Tongjian". Volume 1 of "Daily Notes":
In the thirteenth year after Emperor Yang's reign, he ordered the emperor to stay in Taiyuan... The emperor was secretly overjoyed, and said to his second son, King Qin, and others: "Tang is solidifying our country. Taiyuan is its place. I am here today for the sake of God. Giving without taking away will bring disaster. ...Later the Turks...invaded Mayi several times...(the governor of Mayi County) Rengong and others disobeyed the emperor's instructions and were defeated by the Turks...The Sui Lord...sent his commander to the post office to kill Rengong in line with the emperor. ...At that time, the crown prince was in Hedong, and only the King of Qin was attentive to him. He said to the king: "The Sui Dynasty is about to end, and my family has inherited the destiny. If you don't start the army early, Brother Gu'er has not gathered his ears." Now that we have suffered a calamity, Erkunji must join forces with the Allied Forces. He must not suffer the slaughter together. His family will be ruined and he will die, and he will be laughed at by the heroes.
According to the records in "Daily Notes", Li Yuan was the mastermind and commander-in-chief of the uprising, while Jiancheng and Shimin were only supporting actors. Li Yuan's rebellion was not only the general trend of the current situation, but also accidental. If the Turks had not been defeated and Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty had not blamed Li Yuan and Wang Rengong, even if Li Yuan had long been interested in rebelling, he might have needed a more appropriate time. Therefore, judging from the logic, the military affairs recorded in "Li Shizhu" are more recent, and the history books compiled by later generations are suspected of exaggerating and beautifying Li Shimin.
Secondly, about Li Yuan’s talents.
Li Yuan's literary and military strategy, both "Tang Shu" and "Zizhi Tongjian" are understated and not very meaningful. Many times, Li Yuan is just used as a foil to King Qin Li Shimin. For example, after the rebels rise and enter the pass, capturing Huoyi is a key battle. "Old Tang Book·The Chronicles of Emperor Gaozu":
In the Sui Dynasty, Wu (Tiger) Yalang sent Song Laosheng to camp in Huoyi to resist the righteous army. The rain will fall evenly, and the transportation will not be provided. Emperor Gaozu ordered the master to spin, but Emperor Taizong stopped admonishing him.
"The Chronicles of Taizong":
Gaozu discussed with Pei Ji and returned to Taiyuan in order to move forward. Taizong said: "In order to promote great righteousness and save the common people, we must first go to Xianyang and give orders to the world. When we encounter small enemies, we can immediately disband the disciples who are afraid of following the righteousness and still defend the city of Taiyuan. This is a thief's ear. Why?" Self-protection? Emperor Gaozu refused to accept it and issued an order. Taizong then cried outside, and heard it in the tent. Emperor Gaozu summoned him to ask him the reason, and said to him: "Today's troops are moving with righteousness. If they advance into battle, they will be defeated, and if they retreat, they will be dispersed. If the people are scattered in front, the enemy will take advantage of the rear, and they will die in a moment." When it comes, it is sad for the ears. Emperor Gaozu stopped when he realized it.
The description in "Zizhi Tongjian" is more detailed, but it is the same as focusing on highlighting Shimin and belittling Li Yuan. The "Old Book of Tang" only says that Gaozu only stopped after enlightenment, and "Zi Zhi Tong Jian" quotes Li Yuan's words: "My success or failure all depends on you. I don't know what to say. Only what you do, Li Yuan is completely successful." puppet. But when we open "Notes on Daily Life", the situation is completely different.
Volume 2 of "Notes on Daily Life":
In Renxu, it rained heavily, so we camped at Jiahu Fort... The King of the Song Dynasty who stayed in Xijing sent the brave general Beast (Tiger) Yalang to lead Song Laosheng with 20,000 elite soldiers to refuse to defend. He also sent Zuo Wuhou General Qu Tutong to seize the Liaodong soldiers and Xiaoguo and tens of thousands of people in Hejiang to influence the old people... Hearing this, the emperor laughed and said: "Billions of people are separated from each other, what is this?" Old students have bad smells, they don’t know the master’s plan, they are timid in bending and protruding, they have no worries about bending and suddenness, and they guard themselves against underestimating the enemy. This is the case with two sons. When the foreign minister is in charge, it is not the case... If I slow down and hold on, he will treat me as his own. Out of cowardice, I can catch him by surprise, but it will only take a month or two to catch him, so I have no worries. At that time, the autumn rain had not stopped and the road was deep in mud. The emperor ordered his assistants Shen Shuan, Cui Shanwei and others to send soldiers to Taiyuan and transport a month's grain to wait for the start of the day.
It can be seen from this material in "Daily Notes" that Li Yuan had a clear strategic understanding of the battle of Huoyi and had a good understanding of the enemy generals. It's just that God was not very good at this time, and Qiulin affected the course of the battle to a certain extent, and the following events further demonstrated Li Yuan's talents as a military commander. Volume 2 of "Daily Notes":
Liu Wenjing's envoy to Fanye arrived late, and the Turkic troops and horses had not yet arrived. There were rumors that the Turks wanted to go south with Wu Zhou and took advantage of the weakness to attack Taiyuan. The emperor gathered civil and military officials, Dalang, Erlang, etc., and said to them: "...What do you mean by the princes?" The debaters said: Laosheng and Turk are not far from each other, Li Mi is cunning and deceitful, and his plot is unpredictable. The Turks act when they see an advantage, while the Wu Zhou are those who serve the barbarians. At the meeting in the capital of Taiyuan, the families of the volunteers were present. The foolish man is worried and listens to the teachings. Emperor Gu said to Dalang, Erlang and others: "How are you doing?" He said to him: "Wu Zhou was extremely powerful and full of ambitions, but the Turks had little faith and were greedy for profit. Although they were attached to each other on the outside, they suspected each other on the inside... They must not have conspired together... If they were to return now, the armies would not know the reason and would be even more afraid of each other." , there must be changes... Li Mi is in love with Cangmi, and he has not neglected his long-term strategy. He is always irritable and impatient, and he has no doubts about breaking it. He is determined to gain prestige, and now he will decide. Everyone protects their families and loves their lives. It is said that those who say it, and their sons and daughters sacrifice their lives to fight, can be said to be those who do it... After the rain comes, if we march forward and take Huoyi without killing the old people, our sons will dare to die in thanks. The emperor said happily: "If you plan to get it, I will make the decision."
Liu Wenjing's mission to Tibet was on Li Yuan's order to show favor to the Turks and become their vassals in order to obtain military assistance from the Turks. When the Turkic soldiers and horses were not seen for a long time, rumors spread that the Turks and Liu Wuzhou were going to jointly go south to attack Taiyuan. It happened that the continuous autumn rain was not conducive to the attack, so Li Yuan held a military meeting to brainstorm, and finally adopted the suggestions of Li Shimin and others, put aside the worries of Taiyuan for the time being, and captured Huoyi first, and finally succeeded. Although "Daily Notes" also wrote about the importance of Li Shimin and others' suggestions in this battle, after all, it was the commander-in-chief Li Yuan who made the decision.