Having learned a lesson from the downfall of the Sui Dynasty, Taizong knew very well that unless the peasant classes were content, they could prove to be a very dangerous opposition under the leadership of anyone prepared to make a stand against the government. Taizong would remind himself of this frequently: the waters can both float and capsize a vessel.
Starting with political reconstruction of the state, he gave first priority to appointing people on their merits and seeking advice from able and worthy men, which became a major factor of his successful reign. He adopted and perfected the examination system that had been set up by the Sui. In this way men of talent, regardless of their class or background, had an opportunity to gain positions within the administration. Promotion of those who had achieved progress in office was decided. Possibly his most outstanding appointment was that of Wei Zheng, a former member of the Crown Prince's retinue. Wei Zheng had actually recommended the Crown Prince, brother of Li Shimin, to do away with Li Shimin only to be killed by the latter.
Tang Taizong worked out various systems and decrees favorable to the development of economy. He also advocated frugality, opposed corruption, and lightened the burden on the people. Policies adopted like: simplification of bureaucracy, strict control of expenses, elimination of corruption; inauguration of irrigation schemes, the enhancement of agricultural productivity, a fair system of taxation (Zu yong diao) coupled with the reintroduction of the land equalization system and reduction of corvee, and reformation of the penal code, eliminating the harsh laws of the Sui Dynasty.
Before long the Tang Empire presented a scene of general prosperity in which people lived and worked in such peace and contentment that no one would take any articles left by the wayside and doors were not bolted at night. This period was later referred to as "The Prosperity of Zhenguan".
After the domestic political and economic situation took favorable turn, Tang Taizong confidently started wars to unify border areas. He properly handled his relations with various nationalities by carrying out enlightened policies towards them, keeping their practices and customs unchanged, and appointing the former leaders there as local officials. Besides, he adopted the policy of cementing relations with rulers of minority nationalities in border areas by marrying daughters of the Han imperial family to them, which he did many times. For instance,he married Princess Wen Cheng to Songtsen Gammpo, leader of the Tubo, which is the ancestry of the Tibetan ethnic minority inhabited the Tibetan Plateau.
The unification and stability in border areas and the close relations among various nationalities helped promote economic and technical interchange between the Han nationality and ethnic minorities.
Furthermore, political, economic and cultural contacts between the Tang Empire and foreign countries became more and more frequent. Diplomatic envoys, merchants, scholars, artists, monks and priests from Asia, Europe and Africa came to visit the Tang Empire constantly. Tang Taizong set up special organizations and accommodations to receive them, and allowed them to stay over a long period of time and to marry Tang women. By means of exchange, a lot of strains of plants such as pepper, spinach, cardamom, tulip, etc. were brought to China in succession, and China's silk, porcelain, tea and paper were sold abroad in large quantities. It was also at this time that the paper-making technology, one of China's "Four Great Inventions", was introduced to foreign countries. Meanwhile, a large number of people of the Tang Empire visited other countries all over the world. It was from this time on that overseas Chinese began to be called "Tangren", i.e. Tang people.
Emperor Taizong ruled for twenty-three years and brought about the most prominent era of peace and prosperity in China's feudal society. For this, he is considered to be one of the most outstanding figures among China's feudal emperors. Under the management of Tang Taizong, the Tang Empire emerged as the most powerful feudal empire in the world.
Following his death in 649 at the age of fifty-three, he was buried in the Zhaoling Tomb located near today's Xi'an City in Shaanxi Province.
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