The Virtuous and Selfless Empress Changsun

"Able to lead the troupes during war time and able to give wise advice during peace time," "married to an unequaled emperor," and "a generation’s virtuous Empress" were descriptions of Empress Changsun's life (601 – 636 AD). Others have speculated that Emperor Tang Taizong’s magnificent rule was not only due to his vast cabinet of shrewd advisors and strong generals, his virtuous and kind wife, Empress Changsun, also played a key role.

Empress Changsun was born into an aristocratic family. Her father was Changsun Cheng, a general in the Sui Dynasty. Her grandfather on the mother’s side, Gao Jingde, was the governor of Yangzhou City. She was given a traditional education during childhood, and this made her the sensible, virtuous, gentle, honest and the kind person she was known for. When she was very young, a fortune-teller said that she "carried the power of creation, had boundless virtue, if she let things follow the natural way, she would be very lucky and prosperous."

Changsun married Li Shimin, Taiyuan governor Li Yuan's second son, at the age of 13. Li Shimin (Emperor Tang Taizong’s original name) was only 17. Although she was young, she already lived by a woman's ethics, devotedly served her parents-in-law, helped her husband and educated her children. She was a very good daughter-in-law.

Li Shimin was young, very talented, and proficient in strategies and military tactics. At the age of 18, he rescued his father from a heavily armed enemy camp. When he was 20 years old, he already demonstrated the demeanor of a king. He was courteous and supportive of scholars. He spared no money to hire outstanding people. At the age of 21, he and his father Li Yuan staged a military coup and captured the capital city, Chang'an. Li Yuan declared himself Emperor Gaozu and established the new Tang Dynasty. After Li Yuan declared himself Emperor, he granted Li Shimin the title King of Qin and put him in charge of the Guandong military. Within a few years, Li Shimin conquered all of the rebels and established a united China. Emperor Gaozu thus made him the Tian-Ce Commander, a position above all other kings, as Li Shimin secured the empire. Changsun was by his side all this time, taking care of his daily needs, allowing Li Shimin to dedicate himself to battle.

In Tang Gaozu Wude's ninth year (626 A.D.), Emperor Gauzu renounced his throne and Li Shimin became Emperor Tang Taizong. Changsun became the Empress. This fulfilled the prediction of her "carrying the power of creation." As Empress, Changsun was not arrogant. She remained very humble and virtuous. She respected and diligently served her father-in-law, the former emperor. Every morning and night she paid her respects to him, and frequently reminded the palace maids of how to take care of him. She was just like an ordinary daughter-in-law, showing great filial piety. Changsun was very tolerant and obliging towards the imperial concubines. Her great virtue influenced everyone in the entire palace positively. Thus Emperor Taizong was able to focus on important state matters. Although Changsun was born into a high-ranking and rich family, she remained thrifty and lived a simple life. Her clothes and daily needs were unassuming and not expensive. Her diet and way of life was not extravagant nor costly. Therefore, a simple lifestyle in the palace became the norm.

Because of Empress Changsun's grace and virtue, Emperor Taizong paid great respect to her. He often discussed with her important state affairs and details about awards and punishments. Changsun held her own opinions, but she did not wish to interfere in important national affairs. She thought that men and women were different, thus should serve different duties. When Taizong insisted that she speak her mind, Changsun would respond, but only after careful consideration, "It can only suggest that we should think about danger when living in peace, and recruit capable people who are open to different opinions. Other than that, I cannot suggest anything else." She shared the principle, because she did not want to take up her emperor husband's time with detailed suggestions. She was very confident in the ability of Li Shimin's assistants.


贤淑无私的长孙皇后

有人用“上马能战下马能谋”、“嫁给了绝世帝王”、“一代贤后”来形容长孙皇后的一生。也有人评价说，唐太宗大治天下，除了依靠他手下的一大批谋臣武将外，也与他贤淑温良的妻子长孙皇后的辅佐是分不开的。

长孙皇后是隋朝骁卫将军长孙晟的女儿，母亲高氏之父高敬德曾任扬州刺史；长孙皇后生长在官宦世家，自幼接受了一整套正统的教育，形成了知书达礼、贤淑温柔、正直善良的品性。在她年幼时，一位卜卦先生为她测生辰八字时就说她“坤载万物，德合无疆，履中居顺，贵不可言。”

长孙氏十三岁时便嫁给了当时太原留守李渊的次子、年方十七岁的李世民为妻。她年龄虽小，但已能尽行妇道，悉心侍奉公婆，相夫教子，是一个非常称职的媳妇。

李世民少年有为，文武双全，十八岁时就单枪匹马突入敌人阵营之中，救出身陷重围的父亲；二十岁时便有王者之风，能折节下士，疏财广招天下豪杰；二十一岁随父亲李渊在太原起兵，亲率大军攻下隋都长安，使李渊登上天子宝座，成为大唐王朝的开国之主──唐高祖。李渊称帝后，封李世民为秦王，负责节制关东兵马，数年之内，李世民就挥兵扫平了中原一带的割据势力，完成了大唐统一大业；唐高祖因而加封他为天策上将，位置在其他诸王公之上。在李世民征战南北期间，长孙王妃紧紧追随着丈夫四处奔波，为他照料生活起居，使李世民能专心作战。

唐高祖武德九年八月，李渊禅位给太子李世民，李世民成为唐太宗。长孙王妃成为母仪天下的长孙皇后，应验了“坤载万物”的预言。做了至高无上的皇后，长孙氏并不因之而骄矜自傲，她一如既往地保持着贤良恭俭的美德。对于年老赋闲的太上皇李渊，她十分恭敬而细致地侍奉，每日早晚必去请安，时时提醒太上皇身旁的宫女怎样照顾他的生活起居，像一个普通的儿媳那样力尽著孝道。对后宫的妃嫔，长孙皇后也非常宽容和顺，凭著自己的端庄品性，影响和感化了整个后宫的气氛，使唐太宗不受后宫是非的干扰，能专心致志料理军国大事。虽然长孙皇后出身显贵之家，如今又富拥天下，但她却一直遵奉着节俭简朴的生活方式，衣服用品都不讲求豪奢华美，饮食宴庆也从不铺张，因而也带动了后宫之中的朴实风尚。

因为长孙皇后的所作所为端直有道，唐太宗对她十分器重，常与她谈起一些国家大事及赏罚细节。长孙皇后虽然很有见地，但她不愿以自己特殊的身份干预国家大事。她认为男女有别，应各司其职，唐太宗却坚持要听她的看法。长孙皇后拗不过，说出了自己经过深思熟虑而得出的见解：“居安思危，任贤纳谏而已，其它妾就不了解了。”她提出的是原则，而不愿用细枝末节的建议来束缚皇夫，她十分相信李世民手下的谋臣贤士。