Li Shimin was king for twenty-four years. Why is the topic only twenty-three years?

Li Shimin has been emperor for twenty-four years, but his title is only twenty-three, mainly because at the beginning of his reign, Li Shimin's throne has not been consolidated, and there are still many opposition forces in the dark. In order to avoid conflict, he continued to use the title of Tang Gaozu that year. In addition, in ancient times, there was a ritual system of the handover of the throne, and the new emperor could not use the title until the second year of his accession to the throne, which caused Li Shimin's title time to be one year less than that of his reign.

Li Shimin is a very talented and resourceful emperor in the history of China, who initiated the rule of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty. The scene of the prosperous Tang Dynasty took shape in his hands, but it still can't cover up the criticism of his improper throne. In 262 AD, he staged a coup in Xuanwu Gate, killing the then Prince Li and Qi King Li Yuanji. Two months later, Li Yuan abdicated and became the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

According to Li Shimin's great achievements, he could have used his own title, but he still used Tang Gaozu's? Wude? The title of the year is mainly because he himself knows that his throne is wrong. In addition to his former minister of Qin Gong, there are many forces against him in the DPRK, including Li, the chief of staff, and even the senior minister of the DPRK. In order to avoid the intensification of contradictions, Li Shimin chose to postpone the change of title in those years, so that people all over the world could have a buffer period for his accession to the throne, which could also reduce his image of seeking power and usurping the throne in front of people.

Secondly, there was a clear ceremony system for the handover of the throne in China feudal society. If it is not the founding emperor, the new heir to the throne will continue to use the title of the old emperor, which is a kind of respect or mourning for it. All dynasties followed it, and Li Shimin was no exception. Although he had the power and ability to change his title, he still didn't do so, so this caused the reason that he was in office for 24 years but only 23 years.