Evaluation of Li Shimin’s merits and demerits

Li

Shimin has two famous self-evaluations.

A paragraph comes from the ninth year of Zhenguan (635).

He said: "Since ancient times, those who can achieve emperorship in troubled times are all forty years old. Among the above-mentioned middle-aged men, only Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty, started the rebellion at the age of thirty-three. He started his army at the age of ten and settled the world at the age of twenty. Two

I became emperor at the age of nineteen. In terms of martial arts,

I was already better than the ancients when I was young

I didn't have time to study. After I ascended the throne, I could not put down the scroll. I understood the basics of education and politics. After a few years, the world was under great rule and customs were changed. Filial piety

I am loyal, so I am better than the ancients in terms of civil administration. From the Zhou Dynasty to the Qin Dynasty, neighboring nations have invaded from time to time.

Nowadays, neighboring nations have invaded. They have all surrendered, which means that from the perspective of Huaiyuan people, I have surpassed the ancients. How can my personal character be worthy of these three achievements?

Now that we have achieved such a feat, how can we not be cautious and

take everything from beginning to end?"

Self-affirmation in these three aspects is actually determined.

This set the tone of high praise for Zhenguan and Li Shimin since the Tang Dynasty.

There is also a passage in the 21st year of Zhenguan (647).

Li Shimin said: "Although the emperors in ancient times pacified China, they

could not conquer the surrounding nations. . My talents are not as good as those of the ancients,

but my achievements surpass those of my predecessors.

I don’t understand the reason. You can use your own theories

Explanation Just tell me?" Although he inspired everyone to praise the emperor, the people present still couldn't understand the point. Li Shimin had no choice but to sum it up himself: "The reason why I can achieve what I have achieved This achievement is mainly due to five reasons. First, since ancient times, emperors have been jealous of those who are stronger than themselves, but I think

I appreciate the merits of my subordinates as if I also have these advantages. Secondly, it is difficult for people to have both character and ability. I can give up their shortcomings and take advantage of them. Third, as a monarch, I often want to win over wise people as my confidants, and I want to completely abandon those with poor character.

When you see those with good moral character, you respect them; when you see those who are less

less, you pity their misfortune. This makes the virtuous and unworthy

Everyone can get their own way. Fourth, most monarchs in ancient times hated honest people and either killed them openly or framed them secretly. There has been no dynasty without this kind of thing since I came to the throne.

Everyone who stands in the imperial court is an upright person.

I have never deposed or reprimanded an upright person.

Fifth, since ancient times. They all value people from the Central Plains and belittle people from neighboring ethnic groups. However, I love all ethnic groups the same way, so all ethnic groups rely on me like children to their fathers.

My mother has deep emotions. These five things are the reasons for my achievements

" After finishing speaking, Li Shimin looked at Chu Suiliang and said. : "You have served as the historian of this dynasty. You see

my summary of these five points can be considered to be the essence?" Chu Suiliang said: "Your great contribution There are too many great achievements to count, but you only

cite these five. It’s because you are too humble, Your Majesty!”

This paragraph mainly talks about the magnanimity of employing people and the people

Two major issues in ethnic policy. His ability to achieve achievements beyond those of his predecessors is indeed directly related to his magnanimity in these two aspects. Li Shimin’s successful experience is worth summarizing and worthy of reference and inheritance.

These evaluations are generally not bad, but what I want to say here is that his self-evaluation is somewhat high.

Let’s look at several inexplicable cases during the Zhenguan period

Case 1: In the fifth year of Zhenguan (631), there was a mentally disturbed person named Li Haode who said some random things because

Politically sensitive topics require thorough investigation

by edict. At that time, the competent judicial department was Dali Temple. Zhang Yungu, the official in charge of Dali Temple, concluded that Li Haode was ill and the evidence was clear. Therefore, the basis was

According to law, Li should not be held criminally responsible. At this time, an official came out and said: Zhang Yungu's hometown is in Xiangzhou, and Li's virtuous brother happened to be the "top leader" in Xiangzhou. So

there is a problem with Zhang Yungu's conclusion, because they are colluding

with one another. When the emperor's most hated ministers formed a clique for personal gain, Li Shimin was very angry when he heard such a report and immediately ordered Zhang Yungu to be executed. Although Li Shimin later expressed regret as usual, the impact was worse than the previous case. It directly affects the attitude of judges in judging cases in a period. There are records that since the Zhang Yungu case came out, legal officials have tried their best not to reduce the prisoner's sentencing and punishment. Because,

Those who appropriately sentence the guilty and fail to give them the punishment they deserve

are not responsible for the officials, while those who absolve the criminals

will be implicated. Li Shimin consulted Liu Dewei, the head of Dali Temple: Why has the law been enforced more strictly recently? Liu Dewei said: The responsibility lies with the emperor. . If the monarch likes the criminal law to be lenient, then the criminal law will be lenient. If the monarch likes the criminal law to be severe, then the criminal law will be strict.

According to the law: if the prisoner is guilty but the judge does not give

the punishment he deserves, then the judge will also be sentenced to that sentence

a penalty reduced by three levels; The judge reduced the prisoner's crime