Li Shimin started his career with the help of the peasant uprising, and realized that the power of civilians could completely determine the fate of a monarch. In order to avoid repeating the same mistakes, he began to pay attention to dealing with the relationship with the people from the early years of Zhenguan. Li Shimin quoted the ancients as saying: "The ship is not as good as the monarch, and the water is not as good as Li Shu. Water can carry a boat or overturn it. " ("Zhenguan politician? On admonishing princes, "the country is people-oriented" and the support of the people is the key to the survival of the country. In order to achieve "peace and tranquility", we must reduce the complexity, first save the people, "live and work in peace and contentment" and let them "have their own careers". Li Shimin implemented the policy of "tax saving" and "people-oriented", trying to reduce the burden of corvee and tax, so that ordinary people can survive. He said: "Governing the country is like planting trees. Roots do not shake, branches and leaves flourish. If it can be clean, how can the people be uneasy! " ("Zhenguan politician? Regime) Only "the corvee is not prosperous, the people can be happy and the country can have a foundation for peace". He learned from the lessons of history that "profiting from luxury" is the foundation of danger. To this end, at the beginning of Zhenguan, he took a series of measures to practice economy and limit luxury, such as stopping all parties from paying tribute to precious and exotic goods, limiting the construction of palaces, breaking the old custom of heavy burial, and making the funeral system simple. If there is a violation, it will be criminalized according to law. Under his influence, there were many important officials at that time, who generally advocated frugal life and simple style. At the same time, Li Shimin is more aware of people's sufferings and has taken some corresponding "compassionate" measures. These are the general guiding ideology that serves him "peace of mind, peace of the country and people".

Second, "choose people to be officials" and "talented people are the same."

Li Shimin's achievements in this respect are more outstanding and rare than those of emperors in previous dynasties. He emphasized that "politics is important, it is difficult to get people, and it is also difficult to use non-talents." Today's appointments must be based on virtue and knowledge. "("Zhenguan politician? He can really "pull out people without joining the party, and do his best when he is negative." ("Old Tang Book"? As early as the United War, Emperor Taizong paid attention to recruiting talented people. After defeating an armed group, Fang "first accepted these roles and expressed his gratitude to the shogunate." And his advisers in Athens, all with potential Shen Jie, do their best. " ("Old Tang Book"? Fang Chuan) In the fourth year of Wude (AD 62 1 year), it was still said by the King of Qin that "he was immersed in the sea, but he opened a museum in the west of the palace, attracting literary talents from all directions", such as Du Ruhui and Fang, "and he was divided into three parts with his official and bachelor's degree, staying overnight and providing delicious food. People in the world are busy with their affairs and must go to the library and invite scholars to discuss literary works, or night is night. " (History as a Mirror (Volume 189), October, Wude four years). During the Zhenguan period, the civil and military ministers included Fang, Du Ruhui and Wuji, the aides of the Qin government who followed him in his early years, and Li's former staff, Wang and Wei Ting, his political opponents. There are Cen Wenben, Dai Zhou, Zhang, etc. And generals such as Li, Qin,, and so on. Who is the farmer? There are both Li Jing, who was born in nobility, and Wei Chijingde, Sean, Ma Zhou and Liu Yue, who were born in poverty. In addition, there are Qiheli, Ashna Sheh and so on. Li Shimin doesn't talk about family with them, regardless of personal relationship, and he doesn't avoid enmity. Before and after, he was meritocratic. As long as he is really talented and loyal to the Tang Dynasty, he can be entrusted with an important task. In order to select talents, he also established a relatively complete system, such as centralizing the power of selecting talents in the central government through the imperial examination system, so as to recruit talents and expand the ruling foundation. According to historical records, Li Shimin "tasted the private fortune, and when he saw the new Jinshi, he went out, and he was happy to say,' All heroes in the world are in the jaws of death' ... So there is a poem saying: Emperor Taizong has really been seeking for a long time and won the hero." ("Tang Yanyan? Li Shimin also knows people and is good at their duties, understands the advantages and disadvantages of civil servants, and can make full use of their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, so that they can do their best. The appointment of Fang and Du Ruhui illustrates this point. He "always said,' You can't make a decision unless it's dark.' "If it is too late, he will use Ling Xuan's strategy. "("History as a Mirror "Volume 193, Zhenguan three years March) Therefore, Li Shimin appointed them as ministers and servants (that is, prime ministers), * * * in charge of state affairs, giving full play to their personal strengths, pooling everyone's wisdom and making things better. Li Shimin also attaches great importance to the appointment of officials, especially local officials. He once said, "As soon as I think about what's going on in the world, I don't have a good night's sleep. I always focus on the foundation of governing the people, not on history. So I write down my name on the screen and lie on the right, so I can get the shape and don't want to be abandoned. "("New Tang Book "? Li Shimin also stipulated that all county orders should be recommended by five or more central officials, while the secretary of state was selected and appointed by the emperor himself. He did this because he realized: "As the ancients said, a king must choose the right person to be an official and cannot make mistakes. What I did today was observed by the whole world; You say a word, and the whole world will hear it. Use the right person and advise the good; Misuse of villains, bad guys compete. Reward your work, and those who fail will retire; Punish their sins and fear evil people. Therefore, rewards and punishments cannot be done lightly, and people should be cautious. " ("Zhenguan politician? Electing officials ")

Third, "open the way to speak frankly" and listen to what can be coached.

Li Shimin knew that it was impossible to govern the country by one person alone, and it was impossible to gain inner peace without the help of loyal and wise ministers. Therefore, he attached great importance to "admonition" and "accepting sages", which were beyond the reach of emperors in previous dynasties. He very much agrees with Wei Zhi's view that "everything is clear when you listen to it, and it is dark when you listen to it", and he knows that "knowing the Lord is short-sighted and good, and the Tibetan Lord is always stupid" ("Zhenguan dignitaries? The truth of asking for advice He said: "If you want to look at yourself, you must look in the mirror; If the Lord wants to know, he must follow the loyal minister. If the Lord is self-righteous, if the minister is not right, how can he get it if he wants to avoid danger and defeat? " "A gentleman must be loyal to his ministers and assist them in order to be peaceful." ("Zhenguan politician? Therefore, Li Shimin took Yang Di's refusal to remonstrate as a warning, and especially emphasized the requirements of civil servants' remonstrance. He has said many times: "Every time I think about it, if I want to be a monarch and a minister for a long time, the country will not be in danger and the monarch will violate it." ("Zhenguan politician? Fortunately, I am responsible for today's safety. ..... However, seeing all directions, listening to all directions, and sending it to your generation means that justice is one, and we want Qi Xin to work together. What's wrong, but we can also say nothing. It is a great harm to the country that the monarch and the minister are suspicious and unable to be loyal. " "Male, but can speak out, politics and religion, and finally not make faces, but blame. I obey the law more than make a decision when the law comes. The public thought it was a trivial matter and said nothing. All major events begin with minor events. Regardless of minor events, major events are irreversible and society is in danger. "("Zhenguan politician? Li Shimin was basically able to match his words with his deeds in the early period of Zhenguan. Under his advocacy, the early admonition of Zhen Guan and coachable became a common practice. For example, Zhang's suggestion to stop the meditation, Zhang's suggestion to stop the repair of Luoyang Palace, Dai Zhou's suggestion to set up a warehouse, and Li Baiyao's suggestion to stop cracking the soil and enfeoffment were all adopted. As far as Naxian and coachable are concerned, the relationship between Li Shimin and Wei Zhi is typical. Li's subordinates suggested that Li get rid of the king of Qin. After the change of Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin summoned Wei Zhi and asked him, "Why did you alienate my brother?" Wei Zhi calmly replied without fear: "If the prince had said earlier, there would be no disaster today." Li Shimin didn't get angry and didn't punish him, but "changed it into a gift and called it the master book of James". The reason is that he "emphasizes his talents". (History as a Mirror 19 1, June 9, Wude) He once commented on Wei Zhi and his relationship with Wei Zhi, saying: "Wei Zhi's past was indeed my enemy, but he did what he did wholeheartedly, and he was good enough. I can use it. Why should I be ashamed of Guile? I am not allowed to do anything wrong, so I value it very much. " For example, Wei Zhi once said to Li Shimin, "People say that your majesty wants to make money in Nanshan, but everything is strictly completed, but he can't. Why? " Emperor Taizong replied with a smile: "I did have this intention at first, and I was afraid of getting angry, so I turned a deaf ear." On another occasion, Li Shimin "raised a good harrier and came from his arm. He saw Levy and hid it in his arms; I have been chanting for a long time, and I died in my arms. " ("History as a Mirror" (Volume 193, October of Zhenguan two years) Sometimes Li Shimin can't control himself. He came to the palace after a strike and said angrily, "You must kill this Tian She Weng." The eldest grandson queen asked who to kill? Li Shimin said, kill Wei Zhi! Because he "humiliated me every time." Empress Grandson returned to the harem and put on her dress again to see Li See Shimin. He was surprised to ask why, and the eldest grandson said, "I heard that the Lord is wise and the minister is straight;" Today, Wei, due to your understanding, dare not congratulate me! This compliment turned Li Shimin's anger into joy. (History as a Mirror 194, Zhenguan March 6th) In short, Li Shimin "compared himself to gold" and Wei Zhi "was a good worker". Wei Zhi also "likes to be the master of every bosom friend and tries his best". In the early years of Zhenguan alone, Wei Zhi put forward more than 200 suggestions, all of which were adopted by Li Shimin. Therefore, Li Shimin said, "Before Zhenguan, Ling Xuan's achievements have been lost since I pacified the world and dealt with difficulties and obstacles. After Zhenguan, he devoted himself to serving me, the country and the people, and became today's achievement, which is known by the world, but only Wei Zhi. "When Wei Zhi died, Li Shimin" personally mourned "and said to the courtiers:" My husband can dress himself with bronze as a mirror; Taking history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall; Take people as a mirror, you can know the gains and losses. I have kept these three mirrors in case I pass by. Now Wei Zhi is dead, he died in the mirror! " ("Zhenguan politician? Naxian ")

Fourthly, Li Shimin attaches great importance to the formulation and implementation of laws.

In order to stabilize the country, Li Shimin has set the principle of making legislation broad and simple. He said: "national laws and regulations should be simple, and we can't do several things for one crime. Since there are many formats, officials can't remember them completely, which is even more treacherous. " ("Zhenguan politician? Legislation should be simple and complicated, but also heavy and light, that is, "the deceased can not be regenerated, and the law should be lenient and simple." ("Zhenguan politician? Criminal Law) He particularly emphasized that once a law is enacted, it is necessary to make progress steadily, and it cannot be "changed" or "imperial edicts cannot be lightly issued". "If the format of imperial edicts is not always fixed, people will feel confused and treacherous." We should be cautious about legislation or amending laws, and should not change laws easily. Under the guidance of this thought, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, Wuji, Fang and others revised the Law of Military Morality, and promulgated the Law of Zhenguan in the 11th year of Zhenguan, and at the same time edited and deleted a large number of decrees, forms and tables as supplements to this law. * * * "The law is five hundred, and the criminal name is twenty, which is ninety-two less than Sui Law and seventy-one less than hipsters. Those who cut off troubles and fade away are invincible. " ("Zi Jian? Ji Tang X), especially the death penalty. At first, it was suggested that hanging belongs to 50 articles, and the right toe should be cut off. Later, the toe-cutting method was changed to exile, and the method of "brothers sitting in fear of death" was deleted. In this way, compared with the previous death penalty regulations, it is almost reduced by half. In a word, judging from the basic tendency of legislation, it is to strive for leniency, to some extent, it overcomes the disadvantages of severe punishment and harsh laws at the end of Sui Dynasty, which has a certain positive effect on alleviating the suffering of working people from judicial repression and has a direct impact on later feudal legislation. ""Zhenguan rule "is an era when the legal system is well implemented. The formation of this situation is inseparable from Li Shimin's legal thoughts of "conviction according to regulations" and "cautious punishment and cautious killing". He said: "The ancient emperors ruled the country with benevolence and righteousness, and the country was able to continue. Although the rule of law has a temporary disadvantage, it also promotes its downfall. " "For the country, we must care for righteousness? Naturally quiet. " ("Zhenguan politician? Benevolence and Righteousness) The problem cannot be fundamentally solved by severe punishment. Only by carrying out the policy of benevolence and righteousness, making every effort to sympathize with the punishment and killing cautiously, can the people gradually become ashamed, the officials and the people will be the law, and the number of thieves will decrease day by day. It is important for law enforcement personnel to act in strict accordance with the law. Whether a case can be judged according to law is by no means a trivial matter, it is related to the survival of the country. Li Shimin said to the courtiers, "We can't always decide things like laws, but the public thinks it's a trivial matter, so they don't play. Everything is small and big, which is the end of danger. " ("Zi Tongzhi Jian? Tang Ji x) He encouraged his lieutenants to dare to protest against the emperor's disobedience, instead of taking it for granted. Only when the monarch and the minister can judge the crime according to law can they be "free from injustice". Therefore, Li Shimin can respect the seriousness and relative independence of the law, even at the expense of its own authority. If there is a "big election", he orders those who "cheat false rank capital" to surrender or be executed. After the fraudsters were detected, Daizhou, Shao Qing, Dali was "intercepted according to law". Li Shimin thought it was against his promise. Dai Zhou said: "Buddhism, the country, therefore, spreads great trust in the world; At that time, the speaker was angry. Your majesty was angry with the dynasty, but he promised to kill it. Because he knew it was impossible, he took it to law. This is to endure small anger and keep big faith. Hearing this, Li Shimin withdrew his order and said, "I lost my law. If you can correct it, what am I worried about? " ("Zhenguan politician? Fair ")

Fifth, restore and develop the economy.

Li Shimin realized that "the country is people-oriented, and food is the most important thing for the people, so as not to delay time. A husband who has lost time can hear it in a simple and quiet way. " "People-oriented, people eat for the sky. If the crops are not planted, then the trillion will not belong to the country. " ("Zhenguan politician? Therefore, starting from the idea of "the country is people-oriented", he adopted the policies of "agriculture-oriented", "not robbing the farming season", "sharing interest with the people" and "frivolous and generous" while promoting the system of equal land. In order to "not rob the farming season", Li Shimin implemented the "flat rent system", and used flat labor instead of hard labor, so as to minimize the collection of corvees. In order to encourage reclamation, it is stipulated that returning exiled farmers can reduce or exempt taxes, set up voluntary warehouses, and give certain food relief to those in need; In order to promote population proliferation and increase labor force, it is stipulated that young men and women should get married at the right time, widows should be encouraged to remarry, maids should be released to start a family freely, and children sold by farmers due to famine and population plundered by Turks should be redeemed with "imperial treasures"; In order to develop production, some water conservancy projects have been built. All these played a positive role in the rapid recovery and development of social economy at that time.

In addition, many achievements have been made in military, diplomatic and ethnic relations, especially in cultural construction. The Tang Dynasty was a powerful empire that everyone in the world expected at that time. Of course, Li Shimin was a feudal emperor, which inevitably had his limitations and defects. This article is not a comprehensive evaluation of Li Shimin, but a description of "Zhenguan rule", which can be used for reference by future generations.