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Xuanwu Gate Incident

Type Event Region China Time 626

On the second day of the seventh month of Wude 9 (626), Prince Qin Li Shimin ambushed and killed Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and Prince Qi Li Yuanji at…

Timeline

  1. 626Chang'an · ShaanxiLi Shimin had long been at odds with his brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji over the succession and military-political power; Consort Yang of Prince Qi accused Prince Qin of treasonous plotting; Li Yuan summoned his three sons to reconcile but failed, and the conflict had become irreconcilable.
  2. 626Xuanwu Gate · ShaanxiLi Jiancheng and Li Yuanji entered the palace on summons and were attacked at Xuanwu Gate by Li Shimin's ambush force led by Yuchi Jingde; the crown prince and Prince Qi were killed on the spot, and the troops of the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's mansion were subsequently subdued.
  3. 626Taiji Palace, Chang'an · ShaanxiYuchi Jingde entered armed before Li Yuan to announce the coup's outcome; Li Yuan issued an edict naming Li Shimin crown prince and entrusting him with military and state affairs; partisans of the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's mansion were executed or exiled, and the coup was swiftly settled.

Sources