Preface
There is an old saying that "the cunning rabbit dies, and the lackey cooks", which implies that it is often difficult for a soldier with high achievements to die well. A former hero, once the lord gains power, often faces the risk of being disposed of. Qin Qiong, as a general who has established outstanding military exploits for Li Shimin, is no exception.
After Li Shimin ascended the throne, Qin Qiong was ill for 12 years. Legend has it that when the imperial physician prepared medicine for Qin Qiong, as soon as the person delivering the medicine left, Qin Qiong told the people around him to pour out the medicine. What is the reason behind this?
1. After the eunuch threw himself into the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, was he rebellious or patriotic?
Who doesn't cherish a peaceful and stable life? Who doesn't yearn for a prosperous and prosperous future? However, in the face of national crisis, Qin Qiong left behind a good life and put on a military uniform without hesitation.
Qin Qiong was born in a family of eunuchs in the turbulent years of the late Sui Dynasty, and her life was undoubtedly comfortable and comfortable. He had no worries about food and clothing, was pampered, and could have lived a comfortable life. Worry-free food and clothing, glory and wealth are all in front of him, this should be the picture scroll he dreamed of.
However, the national fortunes of the dynasty had already seen decline, and Emperor Yang of Sui was fierce and belligerent, vowing to unify the Quartet. Several wars were waged against the Yalu River and Tuyuhun in Goryeo, and the national strength was exhausted. At this time, peasant uprisings broke out one after another, and the country was in turmoil.
Qin Qiong witnessed the turmoil of the motherland and the heavy casualties of the people, he resolutely decided to serve the country, but what could he do? He undoubtedly faced a difficult choice - to show up and participate in the uprising, or to live in secret.
If you don't care about the country and society, you will undoubtedly be spurned as a coward by the world. However, the consequences of standing up and joining the rebels are not optimistic. What role can a mere scholar and eunuch play in the overall situation? Failure also means that the whole family has been in it for a long time.
In the midst of the painful struggle, Qin Qiong still chose to join the army without hesitation. In a desperate gamble, he joined the rebel army of Li Mi in Wagangzhai. At first, Li Mi was brave and fierce, and the rebel army was like a bamboo. For a while, Qin Qiong was greatly excited, and even fantasized about following Li Mi to establish a new dynasty.
However, the good times did not last long, and Li Mi was not the material for the rebellion after all, and he was soon defeated. Qin Qiong quickly judged the situation, and after being captured by Li Yuan, he decisively took refuge in Li Yuan, who later established the Tang Dynasty. In the turbulent times of the rebels at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Qin Qiong could not protect himself, but he relied on his extraordinary political wisdom and skills to open up a way out of the desperate situation.
At that time, it was a turbulent era of rebels at the end of the Sui Dynasty, and the situation was ever-changing and extremely complicated. Qin Qiong went from a scholar and eunuch to suddenly appearing and becoming an important political role, repeatedly weathering storms, but still able to gain a foothold in the troubled times. This series of choices is enough to make future generations awe-inspired.
Second, Li Shimin served under his command, and at the same time laid down future troubles while making great achievements
After a few years of ups and downs in the late Sui Dynasty, Qin Qiongrong's horse career has just begun. With his innate military and political skills, he was quickly appreciated by Li Shimin, and was appointed by Li Shimin as a confidant general. Since then, the long years of conquest have begun.
Qin Qiong was born as a civil servant, but he was brave on the battlefield. He took the lead and built up several times to make great achievements, and he was invincible. Li Shimin relied on him as if he were relying on his right-hand man. Who knows, it was with the assistance of Qin Qiong and other fierce generals that Li Shimin was able to finally defeat his political opponents and successfully seize the throne.
The change of Xuanwumen, the change of the throne, and the survival of the family and country are almost in a thought. In the end, Qin Qiong and other generals made great contributions to Li Shimin, entered the palace, killed Emperor Gong of Sui, corrected Li Shimin, and established the Tang Dynasty. The whole process of seizing power is extremely dangerous, and at the critical moment, these generals show their skills and win more with less, and the difficulty can be imagined.
Especially Qin Qiong, she deserves to be a fierce general. Without his help, Li Shimin's coup was doomed to failure. It can be seen that Qin Qiong played a pivotal role in the seizure of power. However, his achievements may not necessarily bring him a good end. History proves that the road of heroes is far away, and the chances of returning to the hometown are slim.
Third, the arrangement of the list of heroes made Qin Qiong aware of jealousy and deeply hit the emotions of the soldiers
After Li Shimin seized power, in order to praise the heroes, he specially painted a portrait of the heroes in the Lingyan Pavilion. This was originally a good measure to reward those who have made meritorious contributions. The portraits are sorted according to the level of merit, and the higher the status, the greater the depiction. However, what Qin Qiong never expected was that his portrait was ranked in the penultimate position!
This is undoubtedly a slap in the face in public! Qin Qiong has made many achievements for Li Shimin's birth and death. However, the credit was not only not recognized, but was belittled to the extreme. This undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to the hearts of Qin Qiong and the other generals.
Qin Qiong's heart was depressed, and he searched repeatedly on the portrait and compared it with other generals. What was the reason that caused him to fall to this point? After careful consideration, Qin Qiong suddenly realized.
The emperor was afraid of his rising prestige, for fear that the master of high merit would eventually be victimized by himself. At this moment, when the power gap was maximized, Li Shimin decided to deal Qin Qiong a heavy blow and warn him not to dissident.
Fourth, the imperial doctor has just left, and the medicine is poured out, indicating the life of the deep palace that has been forbearance for several years
After a tragic downgrade, Qin Qiong decided to quit politics and live in a deep palace. He refused Li Shimin's summons for several years, insisting that he was unwell. In order to alleviate the contradictions, Li Shimin personally sent the imperial doctor to treat Qin Qiong's illness, hoping that he would recover as soon as possible and return to government affairs.
But it backfired, as soon as the imperial doctor left, Qin Qiong poured out the special medicine together. Xu foresaw Li Shimin's plan, and the effect of this medicine may not be certain. Qin Qiong, who has experienced a hundred battles, how could he easily swallow such arsenic. He understood that this was nothing more than a trick by Li Shimin to win him over to make meritorious service again.
Since then, he has retired to the deep palace, and in the past twelve years, Li Shimin has been repeatedly recruited and sunk into the sea. What Qin Qiong has experienced in these long years, and what changes have taken place in his inner world? We don't know. However, it is certain that he never took half a step out of the palace again, and died here.
V. Conclusion
Through the previous analysis, we can see that Qin Qiong finally chose to grow old in the palace, which was not his original intention. After making great contributions, he should have achieved fame and returned to his hometown. However, history did not give him such a chance.
In fact, many civil and military ministers with high merit cannot escape such a fate. Li Shimin regarded him as a confidant, and adopted suppression and isolation, hoping to eliminate dissent. In the face of the interests of the imperial power, no matter how loyal the old minister is, he can give it up.
After retiring, Qin Qiong never had a bright future. He spent the last days of his life in the deep palace. Throughout his life, Qin Qiong was just a microcosm of the brutal contest between imperial power and heroes. His experience makes people today think deeply and think twice. In the face of a mountain of power, it is not easy to ensure peace for thousands of years.