What was the reason why Emperor Taizong decided to locate the mausoleum in Jiuzhang Mountain?

In the northern part of the vast Guanzhong Plain, there is a mountain range that runs through the east and west. The mountains rise and fall, and the peaks stand across, facing the Qinling Mountains in the south of Guanzhong Plain. This mountain range rises abruptly from Liquan and has a peak with an altitude of about1.2km.. Nine ridges are evenly distributed around it, holding it high. Because in ancient times, this small ridge was called Jiuchong Mountain. When Emperor Taizong led his troops to fight and hunt, he passed through Jiuzhang Mountain many times and often admired its tall and straight wonders and beautiful scenery. Later, he set the location of the mausoleum at Jiuzhang Mountain. The reason why the Royal Cemetery was built on Jiuzhang Mountain Peak is said to be because of the eldest grandson. It seems that the first person who proposed "being buried because of mountains" was his eldest grandson. In order to comply with the queen's last words, Emperor Taizong chose Jiuyi Mountain as her tomb, and then decided to make it his own. In 636, the grandson of Emperor Taizong was critically ill. Before he died, he told Emperor Taizong about his funeral: Don't pay too much for this death. And those who are buried, hidden, and want to be invisible. Since ancient times, saints and sages have always advocated frugality and thinness. Only in a world where there is no way, do they make great efforts to save the world and laugh for people of insight. But please be buried because of the mountain. There is no need to raise a grave or a coffin. All the clothes you need are shingles. Don't forget your concubine.

In fact, it may be that before the death of his eldest grandson, Emperor Taizong had already chosen Jiuzhang Mountain as the tomb for himself and the queen, but the queen died first, and she told herself in advance the destination she had discussed with Emperor Taizong.

According to Emperor Taizong, the reason why Emperor Taizong chose Jiuyi Mountain as the mausoleum for himself and the empress was to be thrifty and guard against theft. In addition, the geographical environment of Jiuzhang Mountain fully conforms to the geomantic conditions of the Tang Dynasty. The geomantic omen theory of ancient tombs in China was gradually improved with the continuous expansion of surnames and the spread of the theory of Yin and Yang of the Five Elements. As early as the Southern and Northern Dynasties, more than 100 tomb feng shui works were published. Although the geomantic omen before the Tang Dynasty had their own opinions on geomantic omen theory, they all agreed that the quality of geomantic omen in tombs could determine the fate of future generations, and basically formed a set of theories to evaluate the quality of geomantic omen. Emperor Taizong recognized the cultural position of the theory of geomantic omen and the best conditions of geomantic omen in imperial tombs. First, the mausoleum should be built in a higher place, which can not only show the supremacy of the emperor, but also prevent water from soaking the mausoleum; Second, there must be a mountain on the back of the mausoleum, and there must be water around the back of the mountain. Backing the mountain means that future generations are safe and secure, and water behind the mountain means that generations are rich and inexhaustible; Third, there should be low mountains in front of and on both sides of the mausoleum to set off the mausoleum. The front terrain should be Ma Pingchuan, bright and open, indicating that the world is peaceful; Fourth, there should also be water in front of the mausoleum, as the front boundary of the mausoleum, echoing the water phase behind it. And these conditions, Jiuzhangshan just met all. Located in Weibei Plain, the bottom of the mountain is about 570 meters above sea level. There is a mountain behind the mountain and a raging water mirror. There are many mountains in front of the mountain, and then about the central plain, which is thousands of miles away from Woye. The mighty Weihe River crosses the Guanzhong Plain from east to west and passes under the ancient Chang 'an City, forming a wonderful landscape of "Weihe River runs through the capital". Because of the superior geomantic location and strange beauty of Jiuyi Mountain, Li Shimin decided to build his own mausoleum in Jiuyi Mountain and named it Zhaoling.

When Emperor Taizong proclaimed himself emperor, he asked Feng Shui magicians Li and Yuan Tiangang to travel separately and choose a place for themselves to live in a hundred years. After receiving the order, the two met at the North-South Branch. Li went north and arrived in Liquan, Shaanxi Province, and found Jiuyi Mountain soaring into the sky, showing the domineering spirit of the king. So Jae-Il Lee found an acupoint in the middle of a ridge, buried a copper coin as a symbol, and left. And Yuan Tiangang, to the south, arrived at Liquan. He also thinks that Jiuyi Mountain is a treasure trove of geomantic omen, so he puts a silver needle where he thinks it is satisfactory. After they returned to Beijing, they reported back to the palace together. Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong, was surprised to hear that both of them had chosen Jiuzhang Mountain, so he went to check with them. It turned out that Yuan Tiangang's silver needle was inserted from the copper hole buried by Li. Li Shimin was very surprised, so he decided to use Jiukunshan as the location of the mausoleum.