The morning sun shining on the Forbidden City had not completely dispelled the haze of the night, and Zhu Gaochi had already begun his busy day. He oscillates between a life of pleasure and the burden of being the ruler of a country, and this contradiction makes his image more complex and insoluble. Whether to continue to indulge in the singing and dancing of the court, or to face the responsibilities of being an emperor, his choice always seems to be revealed at the last minute.
Inside and outside the court, everyone was speculating on the king's next move. The ministers whispered, and the people were curious. In this suspenseful story, every decision made by Zhu Gaochi may lead the Ming Dynasty to a different future.
1. The Long Prince's Road: Zhu Gaochi's early career
Zhu Gaochi, Renzong of the Ming Dynasty, spent most of his political career under his father, Zhu Di (Emperor Yongle). As the crown prince, he experienced many changes in the politics of the Ming Dynasty and fierce power struggles within the family. This long career as a prince had a profound impact on Zhu Gaochi.
During the Yongle period, Zhu Gaochi's daily life strictly followed the rules of the royal family. Every morning, he began his daily routine in the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace. As a future emperor, he received a comprehensive education that included a subset of scripture and history, martial arts, and political Xi. These courses were designed to lay a solid foundation for his later reign.
In addition to studying Xi, Zhu Gaochi often participated in government activities. He often accompanied Zhu Di to court meetings, and although he did not have the right to speak, he gradually understood the operations and various political strategies within the court through observation and listening. On these occasions, Zhu Gaochi witnessed his father's skill and wisdom in handling state affairs, and also appreciated the complexity and cruelty of court politics.
Zhu Gaochi also needed to participate in various court ceremonies and activities, which were not only part of court life, but also an extension of political activities. On these occasions, he had to come into contact and communicate with different ministers and officials, which played an important role in his understanding and grasp of the power relations within the imperial court.
One night during the Yongle period, Zhu Gaochi had a private conversation with a senior minister in the imperial garden. The minister whispered: "Your Highness, the power struggle between the court and China is becoming increasingly fierce, you must be careful. Zhu Gaochi responded: "I understand, thank you for reminding me." Through these conversations, Zhu Gaochi became more deeply aware of the intrigues in the court.
In addition, Zhu Gaochi often participated in the hunting activities held by his father Zhu Di. During the hunt, he not only Xi learned the art of mounted archery, but also gradually built his own network of power through communication with his father and other members of the royal family. These hunting activities were extremely important in strengthening the relationship between the prince and his father, as well as the connection between the prince and other members of the royal family.
2. Heart knot: The estrangement between Zhu Di and Zhu Yunwen
Zhu Di, Ming Chengzu, has always had a deep resentment towards the mysterious disappearance of his nephew Zhu Yunwen. Zhu Yunwen's disappearance not only caused deep psychological trauma to Zhu Di, but also brought a series of chain reactions at the political level. In the face of this frustration and anger, Zhu Di was unable to express his emotions directly, and his dissatisfaction and frustration were thus transformed into cruelty to Jianwen's former ministers.
In the early days of Zhu Di's reign, news of the interrogation of Jianwen's former ministers could often be heard in the court. Zhu Di personally supervised these interrogations, ensuring that every former minister was subjected to strict scrutiny. During these interrogations, many former ministers were severely punished because they were suspected of having ties with Zhu Yunwen.
Once, at a court meeting in the Taihe Palace, an old Jianwen minister was brought to Zhu Di. Zhu Di asked coldly: "Are you still loyal to Zhu Yunwen?" The old minister replied tremblingly: "I am loyal to the Ming Dynasty." Despite this, the former minister was ordered to leave the court and was subjected to further scrutiny and punishment.
Zhu Di's actions were not limited to the interrogation of Jianwen's former ministers, he also purged the court of those who might pose a threat to his power. These actions attracted widespread attention both inside and outside the imperial court, and many remained silent out of fear.
In addition to the blows to Jianwen's former ministers, Zhu Di also strengthened his control over the imperial court in order to consolidate his power. He reformed the administrative system of the imperial court and strengthened the supervision of local officials. These measures have allowed Zhu Di to run the country more effectively, while also reducing the space for the opposition.
In this high-pressure political atmosphere, tension and fear were rife in the imperial court. The ministers were extra careful in front of Zhu Di, for fear that their words and deeds would accidentally anger the emperor. At the court meeting, the ministers were cautious in their words and did not dare to express their opinions easily.
During this period, Zhu Di also intensified his military operations on the frontier to demonstrate his strong military power. These military actions not only strengthened the frontier defenses of the Ming Dynasty, but also diverted domestic attention to a certain extent and reduced political pressure within the imperial court.
3. Détente: Zhu Gaochi's leniency
When Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne as Mingrenzong, his first task was to resolve the contradictions and rifts within the imperial court that had arisen due to the long-term political struggle. His first important decision was to pardon a large number of former Jianwen ministers, a decision that marked a different way he and his father, Zhu Di, dealt with political issues.
Under Zhu Gaochi's orders, many former Jianwen ministers who had been demoted or imprisoned for political disputes were released. These former ministers were recalled to the imperial court and re-ordained. In the process, Zhu Gaochi ordered a thorough examination of the cases of these former ministers to ensure their innocence and restore their reputations impartially.
At a court meeting, Zhu Gaochi announced his decision. He said to the ministers: "From this day onwards, all the former ministers who have been wronged will be rehabilitated and restored to their former posts. Ministers were surprised by the decision, but they also agreed.
Zhu Gaochi's policy is not only a kind of forgiveness for the old ministers, but also a kind of political reconciliation. In this way, he tried to repair the rift in the court caused by the long-term struggle, hoping to stabilize the political situation through this tolerant attitude.
In addition, Zhu Gaochi also ordered compensation for the families of the victims, in order to put an end to the injustices they had suffered over the years. As a result, these families were compensated accordingly, and their social status and economic status were restored to a certain extent.
Zhu Gaochi also held many banquets and invited these former ministers and their families to participate in the event of reconciliation. At these banquets, Zhu personally apologized to these former ministers and promised to support them in their future.
On the political front, Zhu Gaochi began to attach importance to listening to different opinions. He often held small meetings to discuss national affairs with his ministers and encouraged them to present their views. This openness made the decision-making process of the imperial court more democratic and inclusive.
Zhu Gaochi also paid attention to strengthening the building of the legal system in order to prevent similar political persecution in the future. He ordered the law to be amended to strengthen its impartiality and authority and to ensure that all officials and civilians were treated fairly before the law.
In terms of foreign policy, Zhu Gaochi adopted a relatively moderate attitude. He reduced his military operations and focused instead on diplomatic relations with his neighbors, and maintained the country's stability and prosperity through peaceful means.
4. Zheng He's Voyage to the West: The True Purpose of Exploration
Soon after Zhu Gaochi succeeded to the throne, he decided to terminate Zheng He's plan for a sea voyage. This decision attracted widespread attention both inside and outside the imperial court at the time. Zheng He, as a famous eunuch explorer, made his seven voyages to the West make the prestige of the Ming Dynasty spread far and wide, but Zhu Gaochi had different considerations.
At a court meeting, Zhu Gaochi announced the decision. He said to the ministers present: "Zheng He's mission to the West will be officially terminated today. This announcement caused the officials present to look at each other and talk about it.
After receiving this news, Zheng He personally came to Zhu Gaochi's face. He asked, "Your Majesty, why did you stop the voyage?" Zhu Gaochi replied: "Zheng He, I am deeply aware of your merits, but now the imperial court has more important matters to pay attention to. ”
Zhu Gaochi believes that the main purpose of Zheng He's trip to the West was not just for cultural exchanges or to show the national strength of the Ming Dynasty, but for his father Zhu Di to find the missing Zhu Yunwen. However, Zhu Gaochi did not see any practical benefit to Daming or himself in continuing such a mission. He believes that continuing to invest huge resources in sea voyages will not benefit the country's economic and political stability.
Zhu Gaochi's decision meant a major shift in the maritime activities of the Ming Dynasty. Prior to this, Zheng He's fleet had sailed to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and even Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, establishing trade and diplomatic relations with countries in these regions. These voyages not only strengthened the influence of the Ming Dynasty overseas, but also brought a great deal of wealth and rare goods to the country.
However, Zhu Gaochi believes that instead of flexing his strength overseas, it is better to concentrate on domestic governance and development. He ordered that the resources and funds that would have been used for the voyage be diverted to strengthening border defenses, developing agriculture and improving people's livelihoods. This decision marked a major adjustment in the Ming Dynasty's foreign policy, from overseas expansion to internal stability.
In the days that followed, although Zheng He no longer sailed to sea, he still held important positions in the imperial court and assisted Zhu Gaochi in government affairs. His experience and wisdom were used to focus more on domestic issues, such as the management of foreign trade and the strengthening of coastal defenses.
This decision of Zhu Gaochi also affected the relations between the Ming Dynasty and other countries. Although the end of sea voyages reduced direct contact with distant nations, the Ming Dynasty still maintained contact with foreign countries through land trade and envoy exchanges. Zhu Gaochi focused on maintaining peace through diplomatic means, rather than demonstrating national prestige through military force.
5. Pleasure and benevolent government: Zhu Gaochi's later years
After Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne as Akihito, his lifestyle changed significantly. He began to indulge more in the pleasures and lusts of the court, which were known within the court at the time. Zhu Gaochi often held various banquets and entertainment events in the palace, inviting singing and dancing to celebrate his reign.
At a court banquet, Zhu Gaochi sat on a high dragon chair and watched dance and music performances. The banquet hall is brightly lit, full of music, singing and dancing. On such an occasion, Zhu Gaochi relaxed and enjoyed the happiness and freedom brought by the imperial power.
Although the entertainment in the court was rich and colorful, Zhu Gaochi did not neglect his duties as emperor. In addition to enjoying himself, he still pays attention to the country's politics and people's livelihood. He held regular court meetings to discuss state affairs with ministers and listen to their opinions and suggestions.
In dealing with state affairs, Zhu Gaochi showed his ability and wisdom as the king of a country. He implemented a number of policies to improve people's living conditions, such as reducing taxes, building water conservancy projects, and promoting agricultural technology. These policies have greatly improved the people's living standards and strengthened their support and trust in them.
Zhu Gaochi also attached importance to the development of education and culture. He encouraged the flourishing of culture and art, and financed the creation of many literary and artistic works. He set up academies in the court and hired scholars and literati to teach at the court, providing education not only for the court personnel, but also for himself and the members of the royal family to learn Xi.
In terms of foreign relations, Zhu Gaochi has adopted a relatively moderate foreign policy. He communicates with neighboring countries through envoys to maintain peace and stability. These diplomatic activities not only strengthened the friendly relations between the Ming Dynasty and other countries, but also promoted economic and cultural exchanges to a certain extent.
Within the court, Zhu Gaochi also worked hard to maintain the stability of the court. He imposed a strict system of supervision over internal officials, while also providing certain promotion opportunities and benefits to ensure the efficiency and loyalty of the imperial court.
Zhu Gaochi's philosophy of governing the country largely embodies the image of a capable monarch. While he enjoyed himself, he did not forget his duty as the king of a nation. His policies and decisions have improved the living standards of the people to a certain extent and enhanced the stability and prosperity of the country. Even though his private life was rather indulgent, this did not affect his achievements and reputation as an emperor.
In Zhu Gaochi's later years, although he was immersed in the pleasures of the court, he still maintained his attention to and management of state affairs. Through his policies and decisions, he succeeded in maintaining the stability of the Ming Dynasty, making it one of the most powerful and prosperous countries in the world at that time. His reign has left a deep mark on history, showing the art of balancing pleasure and statecraft among a monarch.
"Records of Akihito Sect"