Preface
Yang Pu, the first assistant minister of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, his life was low-key and successful, and he was imprisoned for ten years, but it caused the concern of the two emperors, and even after his death, the Ming Dynasty stopped for a day because of his merits, which can be described as extraordinary among ordinary people.
Yang Pu's story is not only emotional, but also thoughtful. How did he keep a low profile in the political arena, and how did he gain respect and reverence for what he did? How did he survive ten years in prison but still stand, and why did he win the emperor's admiration despite his low status?
Yang Pu's early experience
Yang Pu was born in Shishou, Hubei Province, and his family background is extraordinary. His ancestors had accumulated a lot of family wealth in the troubled times at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and were famous in the township for their good deeds. Yang Pu has been brilliant since he was a child, and he can read and write at the age of five or six, and there is a story among the people that "Yang Pu redressed his father's grievances at the age of ten". Although this story may be a little exaggerated, it vividly shows Yang Pu's wisdom and sense of justice in his youth.
Yang Pu was born in a famous family and had a superior family background, but he was not arrogant and conceited because of this. On the contrary, he developed a humble and courteous character from an early age. This may have something to do with his family's teachings, after all, the Yang family has always been known for being kind to others and being kind to others.
In that turbulent era, the Yang family's kindness undoubtedly brought hope and warmth to those around them. This family style must have also influenced Yang Pu's values and way of behaving in the world. During the Jianwen period, Yang Pu was admitted to the Jinshi as Huguang Xie Yuan and entered the Hanlin Academy. This was undoubtedly an important turning point in his life.
From then on, he stepped into the official career and began his magnificent political career. In the court of Emperor Jianwen, Yang Pu quickly attracted Zhu Di's attention with his talent and morality, and was elected to the East Palace and became the staff of the crown prince Zhu Gaochi. This is a rare opportunity for a young jinshi.
Yongle Dynasty was imprisoned
However, Yang Yi's fate took a sharp turn at this time. In the twelfth year of Yongle, Zhu Gaochi hesitated slightly, and Zhu Gaochu and others took the opportunity to sow discord and tried to take the opportunity to replace Zhu Gaochi and become the new prince. Zhu Di was furious and imprisoned all the staff of the East Palace, and Yang Pu unfortunately fell victim.
This prison disaster was a huge blow to Yang Pu. He was suddenly reduced from a favored minister of the East Palace to a prisoner, and his future was ruined. What is even more heart-wrenching is that family visits have been denied, and supplies have been cut off in prison, and Yang Pu is on the verge of death. In that era, people who were imprisoned often could not escape death, and Yang Pu's situation could be described as very dangerous.
However, Yang Pu was not defeated by this catastrophe. Instead, he studied hard in prison, chewing on the classics word by word. As the saying goes, "there is a golden house in the book", Yang Pu draws the courage to live from the book. He firmly believed that as long as he maintained his integrity, he would one day see the light of day again. This indomitable spirit is the most valuable quality of Yang Pu.
Re-emergence
Finally, after Zhu Di's death, Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, and he immediately released Yang Pu. The new emperor attached great importance to this loyal old minister, and not only reinstated the official, but also granted him the high position of Taichang Siqing. This is undoubtedly a kind of praise and affirmation for Yang Pu after going through the ordeal.
It's a pity that the good times didn't last long, Renzong was weak and died soon. This is undoubtedly another blow to Yang Pu, who has just re-emerged. But instead of being discouraged, he worked harder to put himself into his work. In Xuanzong's court, Yang Pu sat side by side with Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong, forming the famous "Three Yangs" cabinet.
Sanyang Cabinet
These three people are all old people in the early Ming Dynasty, who have experienced several dynasties, read poetry and books, and can be called the leaders of the world. In the era of the "rule of Renxuan", they presided over state affairs and made outstanding contributions to the development of the Ming Dynasty. Among them, Yang Shiqi is known for his outstanding talents, and Yang Rong is known for his rich military experience.
Although Yang Pu has a low status in the "Three Yangs", his official style is the most praised. The emergence of the "Sanyang" cabinet undoubtedly marked that the Ming Dynasty had entered a golden period of Wenjing rule. Under their auspices, the government is clear and the people's livelihood is healthy.
This situation of "the rule of benevolence" has also been admired by later historians. It can be said that Yang Pu, as a member of the "Three Yangs", made indelible contributions to the prosperity and development of the Ming Dynasty.
Yang Pu's official style
Among the "Three Yangs", Yang Pu's status is not the highest, but his official style is the most praised. He is humble and polite, and always bows his head and walks quickly when he goes to court, for fear of provoking criticism. Once, Yang Pu's son complained to him that a magistrate was rude to him. Yang Pu not only did not punish that person, but promoted him to reuse.
It turned out that Yang Pu valued that person's talent, not power. He knows very well that a true gentleman should convince people with virtue, not oppress people with power. This style of humility, courtesy, and kindness to others has won Yang Pu the respect of many colleagues in the court.
Yang Pu's way of being an official is also reminiscent of what Confucius said, "Virtue is not lonely, there must be neighbors". He used his character and integrity to influence the people around him, and won their support and trust. This practice of "convincing people with virtue" is a portrayal of Yang Pu's life. Even at the pinnacle of power, he never forgot his original intention and always maintained a humble and cautious heart.
The low profile of the Yingzong Dynasty
After the death of Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong one after another, Yang Pu became a veteran of the cabinet. Yingzong ascended the throne at a young age, and the eunuch Wang Zhen gradually became authoritarian by virtue of his close relationship with the emperor. Although Yang Pu has the highest status, he has a gentle personality and is unwilling to clash head-on with Wang Zhen. Some people believe that it was Yang Pu's inaction that led to Wang Zhen's later disaster of Tumubao.
But we can't simply define Yang Pu as a "mediocre official". The reason why he was reluctant to confront Wang Zhen was not out of cowardice, but out of consideration for the overall situation. Yang Pu knew that the power struggle within the imperial court often led to greater turmoil, which was a huge hidden danger for the Ming Dynasty, which had just come out of the shadow of civil war.
Therefore, Yang Pu chose to deal with it in a low-key manner, trying to maintain the stability of the imperial court. He understood that even if he could not completely curb Wang Zhen's ambitions, as long as he could keep the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, someone else would one day be able to correct this mistake. This cautious and far-sighted approach also reflects Yang Pu's wisdom as an old minister.
Yingzong's appreciation
However, Yingzong was not disappointed by Yang Pu. On the contrary, he greatly appreciated this "loyal and reliable" old minister. In the eleventh year of orthodoxy, Yang Pu died, and Yingzong not only gave him the highest title of Taishi, but also personally stopped for a day to show his condolences. This is undoubtedly the highest praise for Yang Pu's lifelong loyalty.
It can be said that although Yang Pu was a little low-key in the political struggle in his later years, he always maintained his integrity and principles. He is not moved by power or confused by interests, but serves the country and the people with a sincere heart. This kind of morality naturally won Yingzong's sincere admiration.
Yingzong's move also shows that the Ming emperor attached great importance to his loyal ministers. At that time, there were not many people who could receive such an honor as an emperor. This also shows that even at the peak of power, Yang Pu still maintains his true colors and is not corrupted by power. This is undoubtedly the greatest achievement of his life.
epilogue
Throughout Yang Pu's life, he has experienced ups and downs and tribulations, but he has never given up on himself. Ten years in prison tempered his will and made him more humble and courteous, and although he was not of high status, he won the emperor's admiration for his virtues.
Yang Pu is the low-key and influential minister, and he used his life to interpret the truth of "virtue is not lonely, there must be neighbors". In that era of the rule of Wenjing, Yang Pu was the most shining pearl.
His story teaches us that a person's worth does not lie in his status and power, but in his character and integrity. Even in the whirlpool of power, as long as you maintain your true nature, you will eventually win the respect and trust of others. This is exactly what Yang Pu has practiced all his life, and it is also what we should learn.