---
node: emperor_taizong_of_tang
type: person
slug: emperor_taizong_of_tang
title: "Emperor Taizong of Tang"
lead: "Emperor Taizong of Tang (598–649, reigned 626–649), born Li Shimin, was a founding general of the Tang whose Zhenguan era became the classic model of good governance."
published: 2026-07-09
updated: 2026-07-09
image_file: emperor_taizong_of_tang.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TangTaizong.jpg"
image_author: "Unknown artistUnknown artist"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## Who they were

A decisive general in the Tang founding under his father Li Yuan, Li Shimin took power in the Xuanwu Gate incident of 626, killing two of his brothers; his father then abdicated to him.

## What they did

He tolerated and rewarded blunt remonstrance, most famously from the minister Wei Zheng, maintained a strong legal code, and expanded the examination system. After his defeat of the Eastern Turks in 630, steppe leaders honored him as "Heavenly Khagan".

## Legacy

The record of his court discussions, the Zhenguan Zhengyao, was studied by rulers across East Asia for centuries as a handbook of how to govern well.