Preface
In the long course of history, sometimes the connivance and tolerance of the monarch may hide a deeper historical secret. The protagonist of this story is the discerning Emperor Zhang of Han, who connived at the Dou clan during his reign, and the answer to this mystery will be revealed three years before his death. This preface will lead readers to an in-depth understanding of the reasons behind Emperor Zhang's connivance with the Dou family, revealing the conspiracy and historical emotions that may have been involved in this decision.
A behind-the-scenes battle of power and intrigue is about to begin, and this story will present us with a fierce battle of wits in the long river of history. As the story progresses, we will unravel the mystery of this history and consider how the decisions of the monarch affect the political and historical process.
What are the consequences of luring the wolf into the house
In 75 AD, 18-year-old Liu Wei ascended the throne as Emperor Zhang of the Han Dynasty. In fact, he was a power-hungry monarch. At the beginning of his ascension to the throne, Emperor Zhang intended to use the power of his relatives to check and balance the court, and the first thing was to reward several Ma uncles as liehous, and use their support in the court to strengthen the imperial power.
However, this idea fell through. Emperor Zhang's adoptive mother, Empress Ma of the previous dynasty, strictly refused, and she made it clear that her relatives were not allowed to interfere in politics. In her opinion, the scourge of Wang's autocracy is still vivid, and she will definitely not let Ma repeat the mistakes of the past. Emperor Zhang had no choice but to abandon this plan. The only difference between him and Empress Dowager Ma is enough to show the ambition and political skill in Emperor Zhang's bones. This may also become a major reason for him to tolerate Dou in the future.
Within a few years, a woman with a similar lineage to Emperor Zhang was made the new queen - she was the daughter of Dou Xuan, the daughter of Dou's daughter. According to the etiquette, this was not allowed in the first place. However, under the shackles of power, Emperor Zhang still chose to make an exception and integrate her into the palace.
The Dou clan was already a prominent family, and this marriage made them rise in the court and become authoritarian. In order to expand her power, the new empress slandered Emperor Zhang many times, and no one was invincible everywhere she passed. At this time, Emperor Zhang finally saw that the Dou family was the arm he had been looking for. They would unconditionally support the imperial power, allowing Emperor Zhang to consolidate his position.
However, what are the consequences of luring a wolf into the house?
The Dou clan abused the imperial power and acted as a prestige
After the queen gained a foothold, the Dou clan's first priority was to eradicate dissidents. Under her planning, the crown prince Liu Qing was deposed, and his mother Song was driven out of the palace. This is undoubtedly a revenge on the Empress Dowager Ma. Because it was with the support of the Empress Dowager Ma that the Song family was able to be favored and give birth to the crown prince.
In addition to this, there is also Princess Wuyin who was deposed during this period. She also became a thorn in the side of Queen Dou. Because this princess's mother is the half-sister of the Empress Dowager Ma, she is the confidant of the Ma family. To be able to defeat her is tantamount to giving Ma a heavy blow.
In just a few years, Empress Dou was decisive and ruthless, and she actually cut down the strong enemies around Emperor Zhang one by one. And all this, Emperor Zhang watched at the right time and did not ask. He seemed to know this, and even acquiesced in Empress Dou's expansion of his power.
It is conceivable that since then, the Dou family has become even more lawless in the court. Dou Xian, the nephew, is even more domineering. Once, he fell in love with a manor of Princess Qinshui and forcibly took it for himself. Afterwards, Emperor Zhang was furious when he learned the truth, scolded Dou Xian for "pointing a deer as a horse", and threatened that he even dared to bully the princess, I don't know who else would not dare to bully!
However, in the end, Emperor Zhang did not really pursue it. Under Queen Dou's soft grinding and hard bubbles, the entire Dou family escaped punishment. It can be said that at this time, the Dou clan has become a powerful force in the Eastern Han Dynasty that cannot be underestimated. And Emperor Zhang ignored this and seemed to have acquiesced to this fact.
The ruling law is chaotic, and the people are struggling to make a living
During the period when the Dou clan was dominant, the dynasty was corrupted and the government decrees were chaotic. Emperor Zhang himself was addicted to banquets and did not care about government affairs; The Dou family wantonly looted the people's wealth to support their extravagant life.
For example, the Ma family has built many mansions on a grand scale, even more magnificent than the imperial palace. Emperor Zhang was furious when he learned about it and ordered it to be razed to the ground. Because this is undoubtedly a blatant challenge to imperial power. Since then, the Ma family has declined, and the family has been ruined. It can be seen how vicious the revenge after the establishment of imperial power is.
Another example is that the princess's manor was also forcibly occupied by Dou Xian...... And so on and so forth. For this reason, the people suffered greatly and plundered. And Emperor Zhang, as the head of state, has no intention of cleaning up these chaos. He seems to have become numb to this, and let the Dou family do evil.
Of course, there is also the factor of Emperor Zhang's compulsion. You must know that at this time, the Dou clan is huge, and if Emperor Zhang wants to attack them, I am afraid it will be difficult to get the support of other ministers. So in order to protect himself, he could only acquiesce in what Dou did. One can imagine how the people can live and work in peace and contentment in this environment? Moreover, when the people's grievances are boiling, external troubles are also imminent......
In times of crisis, the ministers did not listen to the dispatch
The two Xiongnu in the north and south submitted to the Han Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Zhang. However, there is still a lot of churning between the two. The Southern Xiongnu had repeatedly sacked the horses of the Northern Xiongnu, causing strong dissatisfaction among the Northern Xiongnu. They wrote to the imperial court and asked Emperor Zhang to come forward and adjudicate and demand that the Southern Xiongnu return the lost horses.
This is a government matter that Sikong Sima should deal with. However, the two important members of the Dou clan, Taiwei Zheng Hong and Sikong Wulun, who were in power and opposition, suddenly threw out an unreasonable demand at this time: If Emperor Zhang ruled to return the lost horse, the two officials would resign!
What kind of courtier dared to threaten him with resignation? It was simply an open challenge to the imperial power. Emperor Zhang was annoyed and angry, but after all, he was helpless. Because he understands that if he really turns against these two people, I am afraid that the entire Dou clan will have a clear position. At that time, not only will you lose their arm, but you will also fall into passivity.
Therefore, Emperor Zhang still chose to give in. But this undoubtedly also made his image in the eyes of the ministers plummet. To some extent, this has foreshadowed the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The vertical and horizontal situation of the court, the power of the monarch who gives way and retreats...... At this moment, the importance of the Dou clan to Emperor Zhang's power was finally confirmed. He needed such a force to support himself, which had become a necessary option to consolidate imperial power.
epilogue
Through the above historical facts, it is not difficult to see that the reason why Emperor Zhang tolerated Dou's misdeeds was actually a helpless move under trade-offs. He needs such a seemingly loyal foreign relative to gain a foothold in the complicated situation.
However, this kind of appeasement and treacherous practice eventually backfired and made the situation more and more chaotic. After the death of Emperor Zhang, due to the lack of true loyalty to help, the imperial power of the Han Dynasty declined rapidly, and the Sima clan became emperor of the Han dynasty.
It can be said that the move of luring the wolf into the house back then was the final move. It laid a hidden danger for the future collapse of the Han Dynasty. This also makes us have to think about the fact that in this complex historical process, every decision of the monarch is related to the fate of the world.
What is the price to pay to change an arm? Is it really worth tolerating on the people and the imperial power? This is worth every king's deep thought. Emperor Zhang was sick in bed in his later years, and he must have been reflecting on his past decisions. However, the sky is not forgiving, and it is too late to regret it.