摘要
THE Tang Dynasty (618-907) is a glorious chapter in Chinese history. It was when Emperor Taizong (named Li Shimin) (597-649) led China into a period of unprecedented political and social harmony, as well as economic and cultural prosperity. Scholar and court official Fan Zuyu (1041-1098) of the succeeding Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), commented on and summarized the successes and failures of each Tang Dynasty emperor in his book Tang Jian (The Mirror of the Tang Dynasty). He presented the volume to the Northern Song emperor in the hope that the lessons it con-
THE Tang Dynasty （618-907） is a glorious chapter in Chinese history.It was when Emperor Taizong（named Li Shimin）（597-649）led China into a period of unprecedented political and social harmony.
