In 1464, in the Daming Imperial Palace, Zhu Qizhen, who was only 38 years old, closed his eyes, and when he was about to die, this poor emperor left two "extremely wise" edicts:
First, abolish the system of martyrdom of concubines since the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty;
Second, release the "Jianshu people" who have been imprisoned since Yongle, that is, Zhu Wengui, the son of Zhu Yunjiang, the Jianwen Emperor.
In 1435, the midday sun was like a ball of fire, baking the entire palace hot. Noisy voices and footsteps arose one after another, as if the entire dynasty was preparing for a grand ceremony. However, the dressing room was quiet, and only a few eunuchs were dressing a thin young man.
"Your Majesty, please raise your arm." A eunuch carefully draped him in a magnificent dragon robe.
This skinny young man is none other than 9-year-old Ming Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, who has just succeeded his father Ming Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji on the throne, and today is his enthronement ceremony.
"Has Xu officially become the Son of Heaven?" Zhu Qizhen asked with some unease.
"Back to Your Majesty, Providence is clear, you deserve to become the master of a new generation." The eunuch replied respectfully.
Zhu Qizhen nodded, and the uneasiness in his expression eased slightly. He knew that his father had already chosen Daming's successor, and he was naturally the best candidate. What's more, there are important ministers such as the Empress Dowager and "Sanyang" to assist, and there will be no storms above the court for the time being.
Zhu Qizhen, who was dressed neatly, came to the Taihe Hall with slow steps, and saw that Wen Chen and Wuchen Xungui had been neatly arranged on both sides, with solemn expressions. Empress Dowager Zhang was dressed in luxurious clothes, and her eyes under her eyebrows were full of deep meaning.
"Xu officially succeeded to the throne and became the new monarch of Daming." Zhu Qizhen solemnly announced under Zhang's gaze.
"Long live Your Majesty, long live long live!" The whole hall suddenly resounded with thunderous cheers.
A burst of comfort and pride surged in Zhu Qizhen's heart - he finally stood in this position and became the Ming monarch who carried on the past and the future, and brought the Ming Dynasty to its peak!
However, the good times did not last long, and an uninvited guest soon disturbed the tranquility of the court. This character is Wang Zhen, a fallen show talent who later entered the palace as a eunuch. With his great insight and rich knowledge, Wang Zhen was soon reused by Emperor Xuanzong of Ming and sent to serve his prince Zhu Qizhen.
Wang Zhen seems to have an endless thirst for power, and he always follows Zhu Qizhen step by step.
Although Empress Dowager Zhang rebuked Wang Zhen many times, Zhu Qizhen had absolute trust in him. Gradually, Wang Zhen's influence grew in the court, almost to the extent that it could rival the emperor.
Just when the elders of the Ming Dynasty thought that Zhu Qizhen could grow into a wise monarch, in 1449, bad news disrupted everyone's lives—the Mongol Tile Thorn Ministry came to demand seals and rewards.
"Your Majesty, the minister suggests that you personally command the army to drive the imperial conquest, and shame before the snow." Wang Zhen advised Zhu Qizhen, who was tired of dealing with imperial politics.
Zhu Qizhen hesitated. He knew he had never been on the battlefield and knew nothing about military affairs. However, Wang Zhen firmly stated that as long as the emperor personally conscripted, the tile thorn would be defeated.
At the instigation of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen finally decided to lead his army to face the battle. The results, however, were catastrophic. Not only did the Ming army fail to win, but Zhu Qizhen himself was captured by the tile thorn and reduced to a prisoner. Wang Zhen was even hacked to death by the Ming army.
"You are useless, and the Ming Dynasty no longer needs you." The leader of the tile thorns sneered and said to Zhu Qizhen. Only then did Zhu Qizhen learn that his mother Sun had made his younger brother Zhu Qiyu emperor.
The year-long imprisonment made Zhu Qizhen feel unprecedented despair and helplessness. Fortunately, the younger brother of the leader of the Watts, Boyan Timur, often talked to him and made him get through the most difficult times.
In 1450, the "useless" emperor was returned. Returning to the Ming Dynasty was already a different world, and Zhu Qizhen was once again imprisoned in the deep palace.
However, the thirst for power was stimulated during these years of ordeals. In order to regain power, Zhu Qizhen secretly contacted his henchmen, and finally staged a successful coup d'état in 1457 to regain the throne.
"I know that that position always belongs to Xuan!" Zhu Qizhen looked at his imprisoned brother, and his heart was filled with the pleasure of revenge.
Zhu Qizhen, who became emperor again, seems to have changed the past and began to use Zhongliang, bringing prosperity to the Ming Dynasty. Even under his leadership, the Ming dynasty abolished the barbaric custom of martyrdom of concubines after the emperor's death.
However, the good times did not last long, and in 1464, Zhu Qizhen's health deteriorated. As he entered the final stage of his life, he said to his son Zhu Jianshen with a firm gaze:
"There are two edicts, one is to cancel the burial of the concubine, and the other is to release Zhu Wengui... I hope you will follow your wishes. ”
Saying that, the mayor of Zhu Qi, who died young, breathed a sigh of relief and passed away. Zhu Jianshen knelt in front of his father, tears running down his face. He knew that this was his father's opportunity to atone for his sins and a deliverance for those whose fate was in trouble.
"The son will obey his father's will!" Zhu Jianshen choked and said.
As people later said, even though Zhu Qizhen was tormented by fate many times in his life, his edict still shook the entire Ming Dynasty and changed the fate of countless people forever. Even a prisoner in a cage can eventually turn into a free bird.
