Preface:
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the vast Central Plains was changing, and peasant uprisings rose one after another. The Dashun army led by Li Zicheng was like a day in the sky for a while, and even broke through the city of Beijing. However, just as he was witnessing the dawn of victory, Li Zicheng mistakenly killed his henchman Li Yan in the midst of internal strife.
Li Yan's death became a turning point in the defeat of the Dashun army, but the reasons for this were far from superficial, and the tide of history often hid invisible undercurrents. Let's explore why this lush strategist's lifelong ambition ended so sadly.
First, he was framed for saving the people, and Li Yan defected to Li Zicheng
(1) Li Yan siphoned off wealth and actively provided relief to the disaster-stricken people
Li Yan, formerly known as Li Xin, was a native of Henan and was born into a wealthy landowning family. He grew up from a well-to-do family, was well educated, and was a true reader. Although he came from a solid background, Li Yan was full of sympathy for poor peasants and often used his own efforts to help them in difficulty.
In 1637, Henan suffered a major drought that had not been seen in a century, and Li Yan saw it in his eyes and was anxious. He took the initiative to take out 1,000 stones of grain from his warehouse to help the victims, and also composed the "Song of Exhortation", in which he expressed his concern for the victims. Li Yan did this out of a kind heart of compassion for the poor, and he hoped that his actions would influence other rich households and help more hungry people.
At that time, Henan was severely affected by drought, destroying a large amount of farmland, and the victims wept in despair. Seeing their desperate looks, Li Yan's heart was full of compassion, and he strengthened his belief that he must save these suffering people.
Therefore, he resolutely took a pen to the imperial court, requesting that troops be sent to open a warehouse for disaster relief. At the same time, he moved quickly and took out his 1,000 stone grain to open a warehouse for relief. Li Yan also traveled around, mobilizing friends around him to donate food and silver to help the victims.
(2) Li Yan appealed for disaster relief but was falsely accused and imprisoned
Li Yan's good deeds should have touched everyone with a conscience, so that they also stood up to help the victims through the difficulties. However, the local powerful landlords did not have the slightest sympathy, but were jealous that Li Yan's good deeds would affect his prestige. Therefore, they joined forces to frame Li Yan for "buying people's hearts and plotting against people", and finally put Li Yan in prison.
The moment Li Yan was imprisoned in the cell, his heart was full of stunned and helpless. He did not understand that he was clearly dedicated to the people, but he was framed by such slander.
At this time, the jailer pushed a bowl of moldy rat porridge to him, and Li Yan barely ate a few mouthfuls with tears in his eyes, and he felt dizzy. He thought to himself that he might be locked up in this dark and damp cell for the rest of his life, never to see the light of day again.
Li Yan spent several months in prison boring and painful. He often washed his face with tears, laughing at his original naivety and naivety. He has obviously seen through this dark world, but he still has a glimmer of hope, wants to touch people's hearts, and finally ends up being framed by every plan. At this time, Li Yan heard that Li Zicheng was raising an incident in Henan, and decided to go to join him once he was released to help him in his great cause.
Second, Li Yan's policy has promoted Li Zicheng's strength
(1) Li Yan put forward policies such as the release of land in the fields
At this time, Li Zicheng was in Henan, and after Li Yan was released, he went to join and became an important adviser under Li Zicheng. Li Zicheng saw that Li Yan was knowledgeable and strategic, and relied on him very much, and even personally renamed him "Yan" as a reward. Two like-minded people finally joined forces, and Li Zicheng's career opened a new chapter of vigorous progress.
At the beginning of Li Zicheng's uprising, the rebel army was often surrounded and suppressed by the Ming army, and at one point only a dozen people remained to flee to the mountains singing empty city plans. After Li Yan joined, he deeply analyzed the current plight of the peasant rebel army, and put forward policies and guidelines such as "releasing land on average" and "exempting grain taxes", which immediately enhanced Li Zicheng's reputation among the peasants.
Through visiting the people, Li Yan learned that the most fundamental reason why peasants are living in misery is that land annexation is serious, and a large amount of land is occupied by a small number of powerful landowners. To this end, he proposed the practice of "equal land and desolation", demanding that the land occupied by rich households and landlords be divided equally among ordinary peasants, so that they can regain their fields and improve their livelihoods.
In addition, all kinds of exorbitant taxes also seriously exploited the peasants, so Li Yan proposed the policy of "exempting grain taxes" in an all-round way. After the tenant farmers handed over most of the harvest from the landlord as land rent, they also had to pay various taxes, and life was very difficult. The introduction of exemption from grain taxes can greatly ease the economic burden of peasants.
(2) Li Yan's policy has achieved remarkable results, and the Dashun army has grown
In accordance with Li Yan's suggestion, Li Zicheng implemented the system of equalizing land, distributing the land of landlords and rich peasants equally to poor peasants, and at the same time abolishing all kinds of exorbitant taxes and taxes, and the peasants' burdens were suddenly lightened a lot.
Li Yan also suggested that Li Zicheng should recruit talents and recruit more soldiers to assist the peasant army. Li Zicheng adopted this suggestion, and the soldiers came to vote, and the strength of the Dashun army increased greatly.
Driven by Li Yan's series of policies, Li Zicheng's army grew to more than 100,000 people, becoming the largest peasant army in the north at that time. The peasants who were originally hiding in the deep mountains and old forests heard that Li Zicheng's army was exempt from harsh taxes and divided fields, and they took up agricultural tools and fled, strengthening the strength of the rebel army.
The Ming army had no choice but to retreat to the city. By the spring of 1644, Li Zicheng finally led a peasant army into Beijing and overthrew the decadent Ming dynasty.
Third, Beijing's strategy caused disagreements, and Li Yan was suspected by Li Zicheng
(1) Li Yan put forward a four-point Beijing strategy
After occupying Beijing, Li Yan put forward four suggestions to Li Zicheng. First, it was suggested that Li Zicheng take the throne as emperor; Second, treat the old officials of the Ming Dynasty differently, retain meritocracy, and punish traitors; Third, the army is stationed in the suburbs to avoid disturbing the people; Finally, he suggested that Li Zicheng make crown prince of Ming crown prince and negotiate a truce with the Southern Ming court.
Li Yan believed that Li Zicheng had already achieved a great victory and that it was time to establish a new dynasty. He suggested that Li Zicheng ascend the throne as emperor to stabilize the hearts of the army and the people, and continue to retain some of the Ming Dynasty's virtuous officials to consolidate his rule.
On the other hand, the entry of the army into the city will inevitably disturb the people and damage the people's hearts, and they should be transferred to the suburbs for garrison. Finally, he hoped that Li Zicheng could make peace with Nanming and avoid more bloody conflicts.
These suggestions were all made by Li Yan's careful consideration, but Li Zicheng had a misunderstanding.
(2) Li Zicheng angrily vetoed the proposal and became suspicious of Li Yan
The first three suggestions Li Zicheng gladly adopted, but the last one angered him. Li Zicheng's uprising was to overthrow the corrupt Ming dynasty, and now that he has finally broken into Beijing, how can he still make the crown prince of Ming king? This is simply self-defeating. As a result, Li Zicheng completely rejected Li Yan's four-point proposal, and doubts began to grow in his heart.
Li Zicheng believed that Li Yan was a scholar from a wealthy family, and he must still remember the old Ming dynasty, so he proposed to keep the Ming Dynasty.
He began to doubt Li Yan's loyalty, fearing that he would install a new master. Li Zicheng was already suspicious, and at this time, he fell into jealousy, thinking that Li Yan would definitely be unfavorable to him.
At this time, Niu Jinxing and others whispered rumors in Li Zicheng's ear, saying that Li Yan had evil intentions and would definitely endanger the great cause. Li Zicheng listened to these rumors and was determined to get rid of Li Yan, a henchman. In this atmosphere of mutual distrust, tragedy has quietly brewed and is striking them.
Fourth, Niu Jinxing designed to kill Li Yan and accelerate Li Zicheng's failure
(1) Niu Jinxing regarded Li Yan as a thorn in his side
Niu Jinxing was originally a down-and-out scholar, who mixed into Li Zicheng's army, bent on turning over and changing his fate. Niu Jinxing was jealous of Li Yan's talent, and just when Li Zicheng was suspicious of Li Yan, he took the opportunity to enter rumors, resulting in Li Yan being killed.
Niu Jinxing saw that Li Yan was heavily relied on by Li Zicheng, but his status was excluded, and his heart was full of jealousy and resentment. He secretly thought that Li Yan, a rich scholar, would only be an expedient measure to meet Li Zicheng, and he might betray him one day.
Therefore, Niu Jinxing took advantage of Li Zicheng's doubts about Li Yan and did everything in his power to enter into rumors, which finally made Li Zicheng completely lose trust in Li Yan.
Niu Jinxing took advantage of the victory to pursue, and then slandered Li Yan in front of Li Zicheng, saying that he was seeking personal interests in Beijing and vainly trying to return to Henan to claim the throne. Niu Jinxing looks loyal on the surface, but secretly he is designing to frame Li Yan. He knew that Li Yan had no two hearts, but in order to achieve his goal, he still cruelly put Li Yan to death.
(2) After Li Yan was killed, the Dashun army collapsed
After Li Yan's death, Li Zicheng was quickly defeated and retreated to the northwest, and Niu Jinxing did not turn over, but was killed by the Qing army. This tragedy caused the Dashun army to lose Li Yan as the mastermind, and also caused Li Zicheng to lose a deadly supporter. After all, Li Zicheng suspected that Li Yan was from a rich family and did not believe his loyalty, so he would believe Niu Jinxing's rumors.
Without Li Yan's plan, the Dashun army soon lost its organization, and all rebel armies surrendered or were defeated. Li Zicheng struggled to support himself in the northwest for more than a year, and tried to make a comeback, but in the end he was defeated and captured.
Soon, Li Zicheng was executed by the Qing army and disappeared from the stage of history. Li Yan was dedicated to serving the people, but he was killed by a tyrant, his creations and ambitions died with the wind, and his life ended in tragedy.
Li Yan's death became a turning point in Li Zicheng's defeat, and also became a regret that the peasant uprising failed to succeed. It is precisely because Li Zicheng's infighting is too deep that it is difficult to achieve great causes. After Li Yan's death, Li Zicheng also stepped on the road of no return of defeat, and soon collapsed in the northwest. History is often full of regrets, and Li Yan's death was a major regret of the peasant uprising in the late Ming Dynasty.
Epilogue:
After Li Yan's death, Li Zicheng soon disappeared in the northwest. One peasant rebel army after another also failed, and the land of the Central Plains was once again trampled on by the iron feet of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. As one of the advisers of the peasant uprising, Li Yan's fate is really sighing.
History does not lack benevolent people, but their ideals and ambitions are ultimately difficult to escape the bad luck of the times. We cannot rewrite the outcome of history, but only draw wisdom from the experiences of these ancestors so that our efforts today can become the light of tomorrow.