Preface
In Chinese history, the Ming Dynasty was a glorious and glorious era, and Zhu Biao was one of the shining pearls. As the eldest son of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, he is highly expected to become the next successor to the throne.
However, his life was full of drama and pathos, and his death became a major event that shook the entire dynasty. Zhu Biao, who is known as the "most perfect prince", what kind of encounters did he experience in his life, and what impact did his death have on the Ming Dynasty?
A wisp of green smoke stained the entire Ming Dynasty
In 1355, Zhu Yuanzhang was attacking Jiqing City. This city has always been majestic, standing, and Zhu Yuanzhang's army has not been able to attack it for a long time. Just when he was anxious, a piece of good news came: Zhu Yuanzhang's beloved wife Ma gave birth to a son.
For Zhu Yuanzhang, who only had his first son in his later years, this is simply a gift from God. He was so happy that he almost danced with his hands, thinking that it was this child who brought him good fortune and captured Jiqing City. So he carved eight words on a nearby mountain: "Whoever comes to this mountain will not suffer without heirs."
This child was Zhu Biao, who was later called "the most perfect prince". Zhu Yuanzhang regards him as the pearl in his palm and takes good care of him. Zhu Biao did not live up to Zhu Yuanzhang's expectations, and gradually grew into a benevolent and wise son.
The existence of Zhu Biao brought Zhu Yuanzhang a great sense of stability and happiness. Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to severely punish the heroes and ministers, Zhu Biao would come forward to intercede, and Zhu Yuanzhang would greatly reduce his murderous intent when he thought that his son would be able to control these people in the future.
Zhu Biao's mother, Queen Ma, is also Zhu Yuanzhang's "fire extinguisher". Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to do something to his cronies such as Zhu Wenzheng, Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying and others, Zhu Biao would tell Queen Ma, and Queen Ma would persuade Zhu Yuanzhang again, and Zhu Yuanzhang's anger would be extinguished.
Zhu Yuanzhang's love for Zhu Biao can be seen, and he even arranged some founding heroes such as Li Shanchang, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Feng Sheng and others to Zhu Biao's side and became the prince's subordinates.
In this way, Zhu Biao became the most trusted person under Zhu Yuanzhang and a key pillar to maintain the political stability in the early Ming Dynasty. However, this stability and happiness were shattered by a sudden change in 1392.
When 37-year-old Zhu Biao was ordered to inspect Shaanxi, he unfortunately contracted a cold and became seriously ill, and soon passed away. Zhu Yuanzhang was very sad for the death of his eldest son. Zhu Biao's death brought a series of influences to the Ming Dynasty and quietly changed the fate of the Ming Dynasty.
Heroes suffered
After Zhu Biao's death, Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated again and again, and finally established Zhu Biao's son Zhu Yunwen as the prince, intending to train him to inherit the throne. However, Zhu Yunwen is still young and has an unstable foundation, so he cannot control the ministers around Zhu Yuanzhang like Zhu Biao.
Zhu Yuanzhang originally wanted some heroes such as Lan Yu and others to assist Zhu Yunwen, but Lan Yu had no respect for Zhu Yunwen at all. Lan Yu was once a relative of Zhu Biao and was loyal to Zhu Biao. Before his death, Lan Yu persuaded Zhu Biao to be careful of Zhu Di, because he heard that "Yandi has the spirit of heaven".
Zhu Biao didn't care at the time, thinking that Zhu Di was very respectful to himself and would be fine. But Lan Yu still said: "I hope what I said will not be verified, I hope I don't say it right." It can be seen that Lan Yu sincerely respects Zhu Biao. However, Zhu Yunwen was only Zhu Biao's son after all, and Lan Yu didn't have much respect for him.
When Zhu Yuanzhang designated Lan Yu as Zhu Yunwen's concubine, Lan Yu was very dissatisfied, and secretly said: "Am I not worthy of being a master?" These words reached Zhu Yuanzhang's ears, and Zhu Di once said to him, "The current meritorious princes, many of them act debauchery, do not abide by the law, I am afraid that the tail will not be big in the future, it is best to deal with it properly now", Zhu Yuanzhang's dissatisfaction with Lan Yu is even worse.
Zhu Yuanzhang realized that Lan Yu didn't take Zhu Yunwen seriously at all, and if he didn't get rid of him, it would be difficult for Zhu Yunwen to dominate the world in the future. As a result, the "Blue Jade Case" that implicated countless people began.
Although Lan Yu has a domineering personality, he does have some exploits, such as breaking the Yuan army in the Fishing Sea, and his military exploits are impressive. Zhu Yuanzhang didn't do anything to him immediately, and maybe he still retained some love for talent. However, once Lan Yu showed contempt for Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yuanzhang could no longer tolerate him.
Zhu Yuanzhang's disposal of Lan Yu can be said to be out of consideration for Zhu Yunwen's inheritance. However, this move set off a chain reaction that eventually led to the decline of the Ming Dynasty.
The Battle of Jingjing
Before Zhu Biao's death, he had a very good relationship with his younger brothers and trusted each other. If Zhu Biao was to deal with this matter, he would definitely adopt a more gentle way to avoid intensifying the contradictions, and he would not force Zhu Di to rebel.
After all, Zhu Biao is Zhu Yuanzhang's most trusted person, and he has always been cautious in his handling of ministers, and he has never been as blunt as Zhu Yunwen. However, Zhu Biao's death made this critical moment lose his mediating role.
Zhu Yunwen was still young, and he lacked Zhu Biao's wisdom and means, which eventually led to the tragedy of the Battle of Jingjing. This war not only caused a large number of casualties, but also seriously shook the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. It can be said that if Zhu Biao was still alive, the Battle of Jingyan might not have happened, and the fate of the Ming Dynasty would not have declined.
Zhu Biao's death made the Ming Dynasty lose a wise monarch who was very likely to appear, and also made Zhu Yuanzhang lose his most trusted person. This accident brought irreparable losses to the Ming Dynasty.
The change of the civil fort
Because of the "good saint grandson", Zhu Di finally passed the throne to Zhu Gaochi. Zhu Gaochi passed the throne to the "good saint grandson" Zhu Zhanji. Zhu Zhanji doted on Concubine Sun Guifei and passed the throne to Zhu Qizhen of Ming Yingzong.
Zhu Qizhen, a Warat student, thought that he was a genius, so he made a desperate bet, and as a result, he lost most of Daming's family. Not to mention the loss of the economy and talent pool.
All of this starts with Zhu Biao's death. If Zhu Biao was still alive, the Battle of Jingyan might not have happened, Zhu Di would not have ascended the throne, and the Ming Dynasty would not have gone into decline.
Zhu Biao once persuaded Zhu Yuanzhang not to kill the minister easily. He believed that as long as there was a virtuous monarch above, there would naturally be virtuous courtiers below. However, Zhu Biao's death has broken this balance. Zhu Yuanzhang's treatment of the minister became more radical, which eventually led to a series of tragic consequences.
If Zhu Biao is still alive, perhaps he can continue to play his mediation role and resolve the contradictions between Zhu Yuanzhang and the minister. He may be able to persuade Zhu Di not to act rashly and maintain the rule of the Ming Dynasty. In this way, the fate of the Ming Dynasty may not go into decline.
epilogue
It is unbelievable that a person's life and death can have such a huge impact on a dynasty. Zhu Biao's death not only deprived Zhu Yuanzhang of the pearl in his palm, but also deprived the Ming Dynasty of a wise monarch who was very likely to appear.
From Zhu Biao's death to Lan Yu's execution, from the Battle of Jingyan to the change of Tumubao, the wheel of fate was pushed into the abyss. If Zhu Biao was still there, maybe the Ming Dynasty would not have declined.
History is so tortuous and bizarre, life is so impermanent, we should cherish the present, grasp the present, and strive to become a person who contributes to society.