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Li Jiancheng
Tang crown prince killed by Li Shimin at the Xuanwu Gate
Mural of the event “Xuanwu Gate Incident”, which this person took part in.
After the founding of Tang, Prince of Qin Li Shimin's military exploits were brilliant and his prestige was high, deeply unsettling Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji. The two camps launched a brutal imperial succession contest at court.
Also known as Crown Prince Jiancheng · Prince Yin
Li Jiancheng, the eldest son of Li Yuan, Gaozu of Tang, was born in 589 and made crown prince in 618. He led the defence against Turkic raids and took part in the campaign against Liu Heita, using lenient policies to pacify Shandong. His rivalry with Li Shimin sharpened with the Yang Wengan affair of 624, and in the Xuanwu Gate incident of 626 Li Shimin shot him dead. He was later named Prince of Xi with the posthumous name Yin, and is known as Crown Prince Yin. The source is the Old Book of Tang.
Life and times
Dates c. 589 CE–626 CE
- 626Xuanwu Gate IncidentTook part
- 626Li Shimin Coup at Xuanwu Gate