The Ming Dynasty is a feudal dynasty in China's feudal history that has achieved great unification, and its founding emperor Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang's life experience is the most legendary among the founding emperors of all dynasties. Looking at the entire 276-year history of the Ming Dynasty, among the 16 emperors, the only emperor who can compete with Zhu Yuanzhang is probably Ming Chengzu Zhu Di.
Portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang
However, during the reign of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, the two emperors, they both used a certain degree of heavy canonization. Even for the hundred officials and ministers of the dprk, this was no exception. For example, during Zhu Yuanzhang's reign, there were many major cases involving a wide range of cases (both the Blue Jade case and the Hu Weiyong case). Zhu Di also killed many Jianwen courtiers in the Battle of Jingnan, among which Fang Xiaoru, who was cursed by the Ten Tribes, was a typical case.
Portrait of Zhu Qizhen
Of course, many friends may think that this is related to the specific temper and disposition of each emperor himself. Because, in history, there are indeed some emperors who are naturally murderous. However, in fact, this is only a very small part of the reason. After all, such sayings as "accompanying the king is like accompanying the tiger" and "one will achieve ten thousand bones" are not the patent of a certain emperor.
Portrait of Yu Qian
Simply put, if the "loyalty" of a courtier is questioned by the emperor. Then any emperor in any dynasty will use some measures and means to solve this hidden danger. Even, sometimes even an upright minister who is loyal to the society, if he cannot take into account his loyalty to the emperor, there will be no good ending. For example, yu Qian, a famous minister of the Ming Dynasty who I want to introduce to you today, his life is the best evidence of this view.
Yu Qian Gong Ancestral Hall
Friends familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty should know that Yu Qian can be said to be a well-known loyal minister in the history of the Ming Dynasty. However, it was such a loyal minister who had been loyal to the great tomorrow all his life, but in the end he was sentenced to death by Emperor Mingying Zhu Qizhen for the crime of rebellion. So what exactly was the reason for Yu Qian's killing? Next, Xiaobian will come to everyone to say it carefully.
The Transformation of the Civil Fort
In fact, the reason why Yu Qian was convicted of the great crime of rebellion had to start from the "change of tumu fort" that Zhu Qizhen insisted on driving the imperial conquest and single-handedly caused. It is recorded that Zhu Qizhen not only lost about 200,000 elites of the Ming army in the famous historical event of the "Change of Tumu Fort", but also was captured by the enemy army. Until the time when the Wala army fought all the way to the capital of Daming, Yu Qian, as a major minister of the imperial court, first tried to prevent the southward migration, and then personally put on armor and led a 220,000-strong army to resist foreign enemies. In the end, he insisted on the arrival of the Qin King's army in various places, which forced the Wala army to defend Kyoto.
Stills of Zhu Qizhen
Moreover, at that time, the Wala army also took Zhu Qizhen out as a hostage to threaten Yu Qian. However, Yu Qian moved out of the avenue of "social justice is important, and the king is light", and united with his courtiers to establish a new emperor (that is, Emperor Zhu Qiyu of the Ming Dynasty). It can be seen from this that Yu Qian was indeed a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty. However, this "loyalty" of his was not loyal to Zhu Qizhen, but loyal to the Jiangshan Sheji of the Ming Dynasty.
With the defeat and retreat of the Wallachian army, Zhu Qizhen was soon released. Moreover, it also set off a "change of seizing the door" to regain his throne in one fell swoop. According to the Ming dynasty, after zhuqi town was successfully restored in 1457 through the "change of the door", there was also a special discussion on how to deal with Yu Qian. After all, Yu Qian's reputation in the hearts of the people of the Ming Dynasty is extremely high, and he can also be regarded as a hero who saved the Ming Dynasty in a critical moment. Therefore, even if Zhu Qizhen wanted to kill him, he had to weigh it.
However, although Zhu Qizhen said that he was indeed somewhat forced to deal with Yu Qian's issue. However, he eventually killed Yu Qian at Xu Youzhen's suggestion. The reason for this is not difficult to understand, because the ancients always paid attention to a famous teacher. And Zhu Qizhen, who has just launched the "change of seizing the door", naturally needs someone to carry this pot. Therefore, Yu Qian was soon convicted of the crime of conspiracy against the great sin.
Yu Qian's tomb
Well, let's talk about today's historical topic here. So if you travel back to ancient times, do you want to be loyal to the society or to the emperor when you are an official? Feel free to leave your views and opinions below.