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Li Jiancheng

Tang crown prince killed by Li Shimin at the Xuanwu Gate

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

  1. c. 589 CEBornNorthern and SouthernSuiTang
  2. 626Xuanwu Gate IncidentTook partLi Shimin ambushed and killed his brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji at Xuanwu Gate, securing control of the succession.
    1. Li Shimin Coup at Xuanwu GateLi Shimin secured imperial power in the Xuanwu Gate coup, taking the throne as Emperor Taizong to launch the Golden Era.
  3. 626 CEDied

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Li Yuan
    Father
    Li ShiminRival for the succession, Younger brother
    Princess PingyangSister
    Li YuanjiYounger brother
    Li Jiancheng

Connections

  1. Shared events1
    1. Yuchi Gong585 CE–658 CE