Analysis Of The Period Of Zhenguan In The Tang Dynasty

Introduction

The period of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty is one of the most powerful and prosperous period in the long history of ancient China. During the period of Zhenguan, the politics was bright, the populations of people increased obviously, the communications with foreign countries in Asia and European were frequent, the agriculture and handicraft developed, and China became the most powerful countries in Asia. It is amazing that the period of Zhenguan appeared just after thirty-one years after the establishment of the Tang Dynasty in 618. To analyze the inconceivable appearance of the period of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) was the person who could not be ignored, because he was the second emperor

By reading the history of the previous dynasties, he realized that the fading of each dynasty was caused by the fatuity of Emperors and the ignorance of unconscious tyranny. Listening to only one side and currying favor were the causes of the fatuity and ignorance of emperors, so he wanted his ministers to supervise him to do the right things and followed the Tang Laws. He encouraged all his ministers to give advice to build the country better and point out the mistakes he made in his domination. This decision created the period of Zhenguan as a honest political period, because they could supervise the emperor, who was the core of the feudal government to do the right things, instead of blinding the eyes by his achievements. For instance, Emperor Taizong of Tang liked hunting very much, though he had declined the times of hunting after became the emperor, he would still do some huntings in several years. Once he went out of palace to hunt in forest and lived in a small poor village, unfortunately, it started to rain when he was hunting, so the receptionist of the small village held an umbrella for him. However, the rain was so heavy that the small umbrella could not prevent the rain pouring down, so Emperor Taizong of Tang’s clothes became wet. He was unsatisfied with the rain and the person who held the umbrella for him, but his complain was heard by his minister Wei Zhen. Wei Zhen pointed out that Emperor Taizong of Tang should not complain, because his hunting journal had disturbed the citizen’s life in the village, and the receptionist had gave the best treat to him, instead, Emperor Taizong of Tang should apologize to the receptionist. Emperor Taizong of Tang realized his hobby had disturbed his citizens, so he apologized for what he had said to the receptionist and in the later years, he tried his best to decline the times to go hunting. This event showed