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Incident at Xuanwu Gate: Li Shimin's killing of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji

In summer 626, the Eastern Tujue general Ashina Yushe (阿史那郁设) had entered Tang territory and put Wucheng (乌城, in modern Yulin, Shaanxi) under siege. Usually, Li Shimin would be sent against Eastern Tujue forces, but at Li Jiancheng's recommendation, Emperor Gaozu commissioned Li Yuanji to do so, and the troops under Li Shimin were transferred to Li Yuanji. Li Shimin, fearful that Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji would use this opportunity to act against him, decided to act, particularly at the urging of his brother-in-law Zhangsun Wuji and Yuchi Jingde. He had Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui secretly recalled to his mansion to draw the plans for action, and then one night submitted a secret accusation to Emperor Gaozu, accusing Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji of affairs with Emperor Gaozu's concubines and plans to kill him. Emperor Gaozu was surprised by the accusation and promised to handle Li Shimin's accusation the next day, and summoned the high level officers Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, and Chen Shuda to prepare to act on the accusations.

The next morning, Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji first went to Emperor Gaozu's palace, and secretly took over the command at Xuanwu Gate -- the north gate of the palace. Meanwhile, Emperor Gaozu's concubine Consort Zhang had heard what Li Shimin had accused Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji of, and secretly informed them. Li Yuanji advocated not reporting to the palace, but instead preparing troops for battle, but Li Jiancheng, while mobilizing the troops, wanted to go see Emperor Gaozu to see what the situation is, and so they proceeded toward the palace.

When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji reached the palace, they began to sense that something was wrong, and they, on their horses, began to head back to Li Jiancheng's palace. Li Shimin personally chased them and yelled out, "Big brother!" Li Yuanji fired three arrows at Li Shimin, missing each time. Li Shimin fired an arrow at Li Jiancheng, killing him. Yuchi Jingde then arrived with 70 soldiers, and Li Yuanji fell off his horse. Li Shimin's horse was spooked and took him into a forest. Li Shimin fell off the horse and could not get up. Li Yuanji then entered the forest and tried to strangle Li Shimin with his bow, but at this point Yuchi arrived, and Li Yuanji tried to flee. Yuchi chased him down and killed him with an arrow.

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