The Zhenguan Reign

This film (drama)Also known as贞观之治，is aMainland ChinaProducerbeauty live，At2006Released in year 。The dialogue language isMandarin Chinese，Current Douban rating9.3(For reference only)。

In the year 620, the third year of the Tang Wu De era, in July, Li Shimin, the second son of Emperor Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, was ordered by his father to march east to conquer Luoyang. Luoyang was the eastern capital of the previous Sui Dynasty, holding significant importance in politics, military, and economics. The Battle of Luoyang thus became the most crucial battle for the unification of central China by the Tang Dynasty. After several months of siege by Li Shimin's army, Luoyang had run out of strength to resist the Tang forces, and its leader, Wang Shichong, could only pin his hopes on reinforcements. Dou Jiande from Hebei led hundreds of thousands of troops to march toward Luoyang to break the siege. Li Shimin ordered his brother, Prince Li Yuanji, to stay behind at the base camp while he personally led troops to confront Dou Jiande's army. Li Shimin fully utilized the advantages of the terrain, defeating Dou Jiande's large force with just a few thousand men and capturing Dou Jiande himself. Seeing the situation was hopeless, Wang Shichong had no choice but to surrender. Li Shimin's victory over the two most powerful enemies of the Tang Dynasty spread his fame throughout the world. To commend Li Shimin's achievements, Li Yuan conferred upon him the title of General of Tian Ce and granted him various privileges, elevating his status nearly equal to that of the crown prince. Li Shimin's rapid expansion of power caused jealousy from Li Yuanji and anxiety in the crown prince, Li Jiancheng. Li Yuanji’s greed for power and status grew stronger; he appeared reckless but had actually devised a grand conspiracy. He decided to first unite with the crown prince to overthrow his brother Li Shimin, then usurp the throne from the crown prince. Li Yuanji exploited Li Jiancheng's suspicions of Li Shimin and took the opportunity to sow discord. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji publicly suppressed Li Shimin while secretly building their own forces. The conspiracy brewed gradually, and eventually, Li Yuanji formulated a complete and specific action plan to eliminate Li Shimin. When the news reached Li Shimin, he, after discussing with his advisers, decided to strike first. Early the next morning, Li Shimin captured Xuanwu Gate, cutting off the connection between Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji, and the army outside the city. A bloody battle ensued. During the confrontation, Li Shimin personally killed his two brothers. This is the famous Xuanwu Gate Incident in history. Li Shimin, as he wished, became the crown prince and assumed control of the government. He did not eradicate the remnants of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji but instead brought some capable talents into his service, including the renowned adviser Wei Zheng, known for his integrity and straightforwardness. From then on, Li Shimin could hardly escape being reprimanded face-to-face by Wei Zheng. In order to demonstrate his determination for reconciliation under heaven, Li Shimin not only issued an edict prohibiting further investigation into the remaining loyalists of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji but also sent Wei Zheng as an envoy to Hebei to convey his intentions. In the year 626, the ninth year of Wu De, on the eighth day of the eighth month, Li Yuan passed the throne of the Tang Emperor to Li Shimin, becoming the retired emperor. On the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month of the ninth year of Wu De, the Turks invaded the Central Plains due to the instability of the Tang Dynasty’s government, reaching the banks of the Weishui River in Guanzhong and directly pressing towards Chang'an. Li Shimin understood that, given the current strength of the Tang, it was not yet able to confront the Turks and chose to compromise and pay tribute to the Turks in exchange for peace in the Central Plains. After ascending to the throne, Li Shimin deeply felt the significant difference between ruling the world and conquering it. He changed the state title, replacing the original "Wu De," which represented martial merits, with "Zhenguan," symbolizing tolerance and benevolence, officially beginning the era known as the "Zhenguan Reign," which lasted for over twenty years. In order to promote new policies, Li Shimin began to eliminate some significant obstacles on his path of governance. One of these was the granting of titles to various nobles. When the retired emperor Li Yuan conquered the world, in order to win over the hearts of the people, he randomly promoted various factions and granted titles. Although some were honorary positions, many lords monopolized vast resources and land and received generous salaries each year. Li Shimin's plan to reduce the nobility had not been publicly announced when it already caused a huge stir in the court and among the people. Reducing noble titles affected the direct interests of many lords and nobles. The Prince of Yi'an, Li Xiaochang, allied with other opponents to attempt to use the excuse of purging the court to intimidate Li Shimin with force. Li Shimin had already grasped their movements and swiftly shattered their conspiracy, subduing the officials with his authority. A severe drought struck Guanzhong. Li Shimin, in hopes of moving heaven, carried a burdensome wood and prayed for rain. However, his sincere efforts did not alleviate the drought. Li Shimin, feeling helpless, opened the gates to allow the disaster-stricken people to venture outside the walls to beg for food. Xuanzang also set out with the refugees, beginning his journey to the Western Regions to seek scriptures. After several years of development, the state power of the Tang Dynasty had accumulated a certain strength. To address border issues, Li Shimin decided to conquer the Turks. On the nineteenth day of the eighth month of the third year of Zhenguan, Li Shimin appointed Li Jing, the Minister of War, as the overall commander to campaign against the Turks. At that time, the Turks were experiencing serious internal conflicts, with fierce infighting between two Khans. With a slight exertion, Li Jing's army completely routed the Turkish forces. After pacifying the Turks, more than twenty surrounding countries in the northwest came to pay homage. At the suggestion of the King of Gaochang, Li Shimin was revered as "Heavenly Khan" by various nations. In a short time, various commercial and diplomatic routes from the Central Plains to the Western Regions sprang up, and Chang'an became a true international metropolis. With the continuous strengthening of state power, Li Shimin had to turn his gaze to the future. An intricate problem arose before him — whom to choose as his successor. Although the crown prince, Li Chengqian, was the eldest son and trustworthy in ability, he was unwilling to study, had a strange temperament, and was perpetually indulging in wine and pleasure. The second son, Li Tai, was very calculating and gained Li Shimin's favor in various aspects with the support of several capable individuals. The ministers in the court also made their choices; some supported Li Chengqian while others backed Li Tai. Only Changsun Wuji favored the weak and loyal Li Zhi and provided him with immense assistance. Wu Meiniang, who was favored by Li Shimin — later known as Empress Wu Zetian — had an unusual relationship with Li Zhi. She advised Li Zhi that although both Li Chengqian and Li Tai were powerful now, they could potentially create a situation where each contended against the other, and at that time, they could simply sit back and reap the benefits. Li Chengqian increasingly felt the pressure from both Li Shimin and Li Tai. Eventually, under the duress of the situation and the prodding of others, Li Chengqian decided to kill his father and brother. However, his immature plan was thwarted before it even began. Li Shimin, unwilling to kill family, exiled Li Chengqian. With the efforts of Changsun Wuji and Wu Meiniang, Li Shimin did not appoint Li Tai as the crown prince, but rather established Li Zhi as the crown prince. After a long journey of over a decade, Xuanzang returned to Chang'an after seeking scriptures. With Li Shimin's support, Xuanzang embarked on the first major foreign cultural translation project in Chinese history at Hongfu Temple. A rebellion in the northern desert led to Li Shimin personally leading troops to quell it. However, the harsh weather caused heavy losses to the Tang army, and Li Shimin was never able to recover from this failed war. Li Shimin's health no longer permitted him to continue handling state affairs. He entrusted the country's political matters to Li Zhi. However, thinking about the responsibility Li Zhi would have to bear after his departure, he remained uneasy. He entrusted Li Zhi to Changsun Wuji to assist the future new emperor. Important ministers like Fang Xuanling and Li Jing passed away, leaving Li Shimin to face his final days in solitude. On May 26, 649, in the twenty-third year of Zhenguan, the second emperor of the early Tang, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin, passed away. What followed was a prosperous era for the Tang Dynasty.