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The story between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen is a controversial and celebrated story in the early history of the Ming Dynasty. The story is full of dramatic and historical elements involving intrigue, loyalty, ambition and ultimately a tragic ending.
Liu Bowen, as a person who joined Zhu Yuanzhang's army halfway, became an important adviser to Zhu Yuanzhang with his outstanding wisdom and military talent. His contributions were instrumental in the establishment of the Ming regime by Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, and he was known as the minister who "fought the rivers and mountains". However, despite his undoubted talent, Zhu Yuanzhang was never able to fully trust him.
Zhu Yuanzhang's wariness of Liu Bowen mainly stemmed from two aspects. First, Liu Bowen joined later, unlike Zhu Yuanzhang's early supporters. Second, Liu Bowen's resourcefulness and commanding ability gave him an important position in the actual governance of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang desperately needed to rely on Liu Bowen to consolidate his rule, but he also feared that Liu Bowen would threaten his dominance in the future. This ambivalent mentality led to a series of tense relationships between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen.
In one incident, Zhu Yuanzhang tried to eliminate another general, Li Shanchang, through Liu Bowen's hands, but Liu Bowen insisted on not making a move and stuck to his principles. This further deepened Zhu Yuanzhang's distrust of Liu Bowen. Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind to get rid of Liu Bowen.
At this time, Empress Ma played an important role. She sent a basket of fruits containing only two dates and a pear. This seemingly ordinary gift has a deep meaning. Liu Bowen understood the empress's painstaking intentions, which was a hint that Zhu Yuanzhang already had the intention to kill him. In order to protect himself, Liu Bowen asked Zhu Yuanzhang to return home, hoping to avoid this dangerous power scheme.
Zhu Yuanzhang may have been glad of Liu Bowen's decision, but he still cautiously arranged for a henchman to visit Liu Bowen to confirm his situation. Soon after, Liu Bowen died at home.
Before his death, Liu Bowen left a will, telling his son Liu Lian to give a book of heaven to Zhu Yuanzhang and a basket full of live fish. These two relics seemed meaningless at the time, but their meaning became apparent 17 years later in the events of the Battle of Yasukawa.
Zhu Yuanzhang's descendants, the second emperors of the Ming Dynasty, were caught up in infighting and killing in order to compete for the position of crown prince. As predicted by Liu Bowen, the descendants of this basket of fish fought each other in a small space, which eventually led to the outbreak of the Battle of Jing and the killing between families.
The story reflects the brutality and complexity of power politics. Although Zhu Yuanzhang needed Liu Bowen's intelligence, he was deeply wary of him. Liu Bowen hoped to contribute to Zhu Yuanzhang and the rise of the Ming Dynasty, but eventually had to choose to protect himself. This tragic ending also makes people think that intrigue and betrayal are common in history.
In short, the story between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen is a microcosm of the political and historical changes of power schemes. It reflects the eternal conflict between power and loyalty, ambition and wariness. Liu Bowen made great efforts for the rise of the Daming regime, but in the end he could not escape the trap of fate. This story also reminds us that great deeds in history are often accompanied by intrigue and sacrifice, and are complex and multifaceted.