Zhu Yuanzhang has always been obsessed with the question of heirs. He knew that the rise and fall of many dynasties in history were inextricably linked to the struggle for the throne, so he decided to lay the groundwork for his successor in advance. He searched for the most qualified candidate in the dynasty at that time, and finally decided to make Zhu Biao crown prince.
Zhu Yuanzhang greatly admired his talent and character and believed that he could be a good successor. However, Providence tricked people, and Zhu Biao suddenly fell ill during an inspection trip, became seriously ill, and eventually died tragically. Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply saddened and even more anxious about the succession of the crown prince.
Zhu Yunjiang
Zhu Yuanzhang's sons were very eager for the throne, which made him even more worried. He knew that without a clear heir, the struggle for the throne would inevitably bring endless suffering. In order to avoid this, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to choose another grandson as an alternative heir for his crown prince. After careful consideration, he chose Zhu Biao's son Zhu Yunjiang.
But Zhu Yunjiang was still young and needed some people to assist him. Zhu Yuanzhang decided to carefully select ministers to ensure their loyalty and reliability, and paved the way for Zhu Yunjiang's accession to the throne. However, the process is not easy. Some of the generals who had distinguished themselves did not agree with Zhu Yunjiang's status, and they wanted themselves or their sons to inherit the throne, which became Zhu Yuanzhang's biggest hidden danger.
To avoid unnecessary danger, Zhu Yuanzhang made the difficult decision: to kill these generals who were disloyal to his court. This decision made Zhu Yuanzhang's heart even heavier, he felt that this was not his ideal way, but it was what he had to do. This sweep away dissidents made Zhu Yuanzhang's position more politically more solid and laid a solid foundation for his grandson's accession to the throne.
Zhu Yunjiang looked out the window, his eyes showing worry. Although he has become the Emperor of Daming, it does not mean that Jiangshan is stable. Political factional strife within the court, combined with the ambitions of his uncles, disturbed him greatly.
He knew that the power of those clan kings was expanding day by day, and they all had a strong armed force and a group of loyal generals. If he does not take measures, I am afraid that the Daming Dynasty will face disaster.
Therefore, he began to actively consult the ministers around him. Fang Xiaozi, Lü Zhen and others believed that only by cutting the domain could the stability of the Daming Dynasty be guaranteed. Although Zhu Yunjiang was reluctant, he still listened to their opinions and decided to cut the clan.
This decision was not easy, because his uncles were all powerful lords, and some of them also controlled heavy military areas. But he still began the plan to cut the domain without hesitation.
In the imperial court at that time, Zhu Di the King of Yan had the strongest strength, and he had followed the emperor to fight many times, making great battle achievements and gaining fame. However, the ministers in the imperial court were somewhat jealous, believing that the Yan king had too much power and that if he could not control it, it might have an immeasurable impact on the imperial court.
Therefore, at a political meeting, some ministers discussed privately and decided to suppress and depose several weaker clan kings in order to weaken the clan kings and increase the ruling power of the imperial court. These princes were deposed or forced to commit suicide, shocking the entire court.
However, these actions aroused the dissatisfaction and concern of Zhu Di, the king of Yan. Realizing that he might be the next target to be suppressed, he began to conspire with some of his cronies to protect his position and power.
In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, the death of Empress Ma made Zhu Yuanzhang's heart heavy. In order to remember Empress Ma's achievements, he decided to invite the princes of various clans to Nanjing to pay their respects. After the funeral, Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for a group of monks to chant for Empress Ma. Among these monks was a monk named Yao Guangxiao, who was ordered to accompany Zhu Di, the king of Yan, back to his residence.
Yao Guangxiao
Yao Guangxiao walked with Zhu Di, looking at the young clan king in front of him, he suddenly felt an indescribable sense of intimacy. He knew that the young prince was destined to become a great emperor. So, he whispered to Zhu Di: "King Yan, you take me away, and I will send you a white hat." ”
Zhu Di didn't care too much at that time, but as time went by, he gradually understood that he was the king of Yan, and the word Wang plus a white character was the emperor's emperor. Therefore, when Zhu Di left the capital and returned to the fiefdom, he specially took Yao Guangxiao away.
Zhu Di knew very well in his heart that if he wanted to seize the throne, he had to make sufficient preparations. Therefore, he decided to pretend to be crazy and sell fools to avoid the eyes and ears of Emperor Jianwen. Since then, Zhu Di has lived a life of turning black and white upside down in the Yan King Mansion. He pretends to be crazy and stupid all day, and sometimes runs naked to live in the pigsty, which makes people feel very strange to watch.
In the evening, Zhu Di discussed countermeasures with Yao Guangxiao and his son Zhu Gaozhi. They were always ready to revolt, but Emperor Jianwen never let them go. One day, Emperor Jianwen sent people to the Yan palace to investigate, but the envoy saw a strange sight - Zhu Di lived naked in a pigsty, which was filthy. The envoy was shocked and hurriedly went back to report to Emperor Jianwen, and after Emperor Jianwen listened, his vigilance against Zhu Di relaxed a lot.
After the Battle of Jingjian began, Zhu Di also experienced many setbacks and blows. His general Zhang Yu was killed in the Battle of Liaocheng, Shandong, and Zhu Di was very sad. He even wanted to give up directly, but Yao Guangxiao's words cheered him up again. "These failures are small things, as long as you arrive in Nanjing, everything will be fine" Yao Guangxiao's words made Zhu Di suddenly cheerful, and he regained his spirit and prepared to go out again.
Under the leadership of Zhu Di, the army marched to Nanjing. He fought one victory after another, and finally captured Nanjing and ascended the throne.
After Zhu Di ascended the throne as emperor, his heart was always concerned about the whereabouts of Zhu Yunjiang, the Jianwen Emperor. He had heard that Emperor Jianwen had been killed by fire, but there was always an uneasiness in his heart, and he could not determine whether Emperor Jianwen was really dead. He was afraid that his nephew would suddenly appear against his throne, which made him feel uneasy.
In order to determine the whereabouts of Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Di began to search for clues. He sent his officials and spent a lot of time and energy looking for news of Emperor Jianwen. He even promised to reward those who provided information on Emperor Jianwen's whereabouts at any cost. But, either way, he didn't get any useful clues, which made him even more uneasy.
Until one day, he heard that a monk named Puqia had taken in Emperor Jianwen. So, he found an excuse to imprison Puqia. He hoped to learn about Emperor Jianwen's whereabouts by interrogating Pu Qia. The interrogation lasted a full fifteen years. Zhu Di has been waiting for Pu Qia's explanation, but he has never received the answer he wants.
Zhu Di sat on the dragon chair with his brows furrowed, and his heart was extremely irritable. The elderly minister, Yao Guangxiao, has always been respected and grateful because he helped him ascend the throne. But in recent years, Yao Guangxiao has been living in the temple, not accepting any rewards, and eating fasting Buddha. Zhu Di couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, his thoughts about this person became more and more elusive.
Until one day, Yao Guangxiao's son came to see Zhu Di and told him that his father's physical condition was very critical and he could no longer go to the court. After Zhu Di heard the news, he always felt sorry, because this old courtier had been helping himself in his most difficult time. So he decided to visit Yao Guangxiao in person.
When he entered the temple where Yao Guangxiao lived, he saw that the former minister was now gray-haired and skinny. He sighed infinitely in his heart, and also felt that this old courtier deserved respect and praise.
Suddenly, Yao Guangxiao broke the silence and asked Zhu Di for a final wish. He hopes to release his friend Puqia Monk. When Zhu Di heard this request, he deeply felt the importance that this old courtier attached to friendship and faith, and also felt the helplessness and helplessness of this old courtier who was about to die.
Looking at Yao Guangxiao's gradually emaciated body, Zhu Di decided to agree to his request. He remembered what happened to Emperor Jianwen many years ago, and remembered that loss and sadness. But he also understood that this old courtier deserved respect and trust, and he also knew that this old courtier hoped to fulfill his last wish.
Eventually, the monk Puqia was released from prison, and he knelt by Yao Guangxiao's bedside to thank him and say goodbye. Yao Guangxiao looked at this monk, his eyes full of gratitude and respect. He knew that his time was running out, but he was still using his last days to guard his faith and friendship.
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