Li Shih-Min

(posthumous title, T’ai-tsung). Born Jan. 23, 599; died July 10, 649. Chinese emperor (from 627) of the T’ang dynasty.

Li Shih-min removed his father, Li Yüan, from power. He made some concessions to the peasantry, the lesser and middle-ranking feudal lords, and the merchants. The formation of a feudal centralized state was completed in his reign. The centralization was based on a reorganization of the state apparatus, the introduction of obligatory state examinations for the selection of civic officials, the strengthening of the army, and the compilation (beginning in 631) of a law code. Li Shih-min waged wars of conquest, including wars against Koguryo and against the states northwest of the T’ang territories.