In this episode we revisit the founding of the Tang Dynasty and focus in on the events leading up to, during and right after the Incident at Xuanwu Gate.  This slice of historic theater took place on July 2, 626.  It resulted in the victory of Li Shimin over his two brothers.  Not long afterwards Li Shimin was promoted by his father to the emperorship and reigned as Tang Taizong.   TERMS FROM THIS EPISODE   Chang’an 长安  Ancient capital of  the Tang and other dynasties.  Located in present day Xian Xuanwu men zhi biàn 玄武门之变 The Incident at Xuanwu Gate Zizhi Tongjian 资治通鉴  The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government Sima Qian 司马迁  Considered China’s greatest ancient historian, writer of the Records of the Grand Historian (the 史记） Sima Guang 司马光  Credited with compiling the The Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修 Song dynasty official and all-around universal man featured in CHP-071. Wang Anshi 王安石 Early Song Dynasty official responsible for instituting some major reforms Tang Huiyao 唐会要 The Institurtional History of the Tang, written by Wang Pu Zhao Kuangyin  赵匡胤 Song dynasty founder, The Taizu Emperor Wang Pu 王浦 Credited with the writing of the Tang Huiyao Tang Shu  唐书 The (Old) Book of Tang Xin Tang Shu 新唐书 The New Book of Tang Tong Dian 通典  The Comprehensive Statutes Li Shimin  李世民 Known as The emperor Tang Taizong 唐太宗, as well as the Prince of Qin and the Duke of Dunhuang Li Yuan  李渊  Known as the emperor Tang Gaozu 唐高祖 Li Jiancheng  李建成 The Crown Prince also known as the Duke of Longxi Li Yuanji  李元吉  Youngest son of Li Yuan, also known as the Prince of Qi Li Zhiyun 李志云 Son of Li Yuan from one of his concubines Taiyuan  太原 Capital of Shanxi Province and power base of the Li Tang clan. Niangzijun  娘子军 The Army of Women, let by the Princess Pingyang Pingyang Gongzhu  平阳公主  The daughter of Li Yuan, a great military leader. Sui Yangdi  隋炀帝 The Sui Emperor Yang Li Hu  李虎 Grandfather of Li Yuan Bazhuguo  八柱国 The Eight Pillars of the Western Wei Yuwen Tai  宇文泰  Founder of the Western Wei Dynasty Nanbei Chao 南北朝 The Southern & Northern Dynasty Period. Li Xi  李熙 Grandfather of Li Hu Li Tianxi  李天锡 Father of Li Hu Li Song  李嵩 Founder of the Western Liang (西凉) Longxi  陇西  Place in easternmost Gansu Province Tuoba  拓拔 Clan name for many Xianbei people.  The Tuoba’s founded the Northern Wei Dynasty Liu Bang  刘邦 Founder of the Han Dynasty (Han Gaozu 汉高祖) Wu Zetian  武则天  Concubine of Tang Taizong, wife of Tang Gaozong and later empresss of China. Daixian  代县 Located in present day Shanxi province Wude  武德 The Era name of the Tang Gaozu emperor Liu Heita  刘黑闼  Sui rebel general, served under Li Mi and Wang Shichong (see below). Dou Jiande  窦建德  Sui rebel general and enemy of the Tang Wang Shichong  王世充  First a Sui general, then helped bring Emperor Yang down.  Later defeated the other rebel leader Li Mi (see below) Xue Ju  薛举  One of the major rebel generals who helped bring down the Sui Li Mi  李密  One of the major rebel generals who helped bring down the Sui.  Yuwen Huaji  宇文化及  General during the Sui, later led a coup against Emperor Yang and delivered the death blow. Jiangdu 江都  District of Yangzhou Yangzhou  扬州 City in Jiangsu Jiangsu 江苏  Rich province in eastern China. Zhangsun Wuji 长孙无忌  Served as a chancellor during the time of Taizong and Gaozong. Yuchi Jingde  尉迟敬德 Later became the Door God (门神), close ally of Taizong, he fired the arrow that killed Li Yuanji. Fang Xuanling  房玄龄  Served together Du Ruhui (see below) as chancellor Du Ruhui  杜如晦  Chancellor during the reign of Taizong, one of the best it’s said. Gao Shilian 高士廉  Uncle of Taizong’s wife (Lady Dou), also a high ranking official during his reign. Gengshen  庚申 A day in the Chinese calendar Zhang Jieyu  张婕妤  Official during time of Tang Gaozu and Taizong Pei Ji 裴寂  Official during Sui and Tang Dynaties, served Tang