Preface
The son of a corrupt official successfully sought his father's pardon with the help of his family's iron ticket to avoid death, while another founding hero was destroyed on suspicion of rebellion. What kind of twist of fate is this? Is the Iron Ticket a Passport to Life, or a useless piece of paper?
In the feudal dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, the iron coupon was once a highly symbolic reward, representing the emperor's special favor to his courtiers. However, the extent of its effectiveness often depends on the emperor's personal wishes and interests.
Chapter 1 The Qian Family's Iron Ticket to Avoid Death
In the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu (1391), Qian Yongqin, the prefect of Jianchang, was exposed for corruption and was soon arrested by officers and soldiers. Qian Kui, the son of this corrupt official, took out a family heirloom iron coupon to avoid death at the critical moment when his father was about to be beheaded, and hurried to the capital to see Zhu Yuanzhang.
This death-free iron coupon can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty more than 500 years ago, and was personally given by Tang Zhaozong when Qian Biao, the ancestor of the Qian family, was rewarded for his merits. The iron coupon is engraved with nine characters that read, "Qing forgives nine deaths, and children and grandchildren are exempt from three deaths", which means that the holder can be exempted from nine capital crimes, and his descendants can also be exempted from three capital crimes. For an ordinary official like the Qian family, it is really commendable to be able to receive such an honor.
At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang's deep hatred for corrupt officials was well known. After he ascended the throne, he used iron-fisted methods to deal with corruption, and once officials were found to be corrupt, they would be severely punished. In this context, the iron ticket has become a highly controversial existence.
Zhu Yuanzhang was also very puzzled after learning about Qian Kui's intention. He issued a limited number of death-free tickets, and he knew where each one went. In his memory, the Qian family was not eligible for the reward of the Iron Ticket for Freedom from Death. Could it be that Qian Kui dared to forge iron coupons to deceive the king?
However, when Zhu Yuanzhang carefully checked the death-free iron coupon handed over by Qian Kui, he found that this was indeed a genuine product. The handwriting and imprints on the iron coupon prove its authenticity, and its history dates back to the Tang Dynasty 500 years ago. Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, as if he was thinking about how to deal with this tricky matter.
After he knew that Qian Yongqin was the hero of the rebellion and rebellion, he also understood the particularity and importance of the iron coupon to avoid death. In the end, after weighing the pros and cons, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to give Qian Yongqin a chance to reform himself.
So, just before the execution, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Qian Yongqin's death penalty and released him home. This move undoubtedly made the Qian family grateful, and at the same time, it also made other officials and people see Zhu Yuanzhang's benevolence and wisdom.
However, the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang did this was not entirely out of benevolence, but out of self-interest. He knew that even if he didn't kill money and worked hard, he would not pose any threat to himself, but he could win a good reputation and popular support through this matter.
This incident undoubtedly greatly improved Zhu Yuanzhang's image in the hearts of the people. As an emperor from the grassroots, he is well aware of the importance of the people's hearts. Through this act of forgiveness, he can not only show his kindness, but also strengthen the trust and support of the people in him. This is undoubtedly a good political means for an emperor who has just ascended the throne.
At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang also understands that even if Qian Yongqin has made meritorious contributions, if he is really corrupt, he must be severely punished. Therefore, after pardoning Qian Yongqin, Zhu Yuanzhang did not relax his supervision, but asked him to reform himself, otherwise he would still be severely punished. This practice of both forgiveness and severe punishment undoubtedly reflects Zhu Yuanzhang's wisdom and skill as an emperor.
Chapter 2: The Tragedy of Lee Sun-chang
In the thirteenth year of Hongwu (1380), the Hu Weiyong case broke out, implicating many officials, including Li Shanchang. As one of the founding heroes, Li Shanchang has always been highly valued and trusted by Zhu Yuanzhang. However, in the Hu Weiyong case, Li Shanchang was accused of colluding with Hu Weiyong to rebel.
Although someone interceded for Li Shanchang and took out his iron ticket to avoid death, Zhu Yuanzhang did not pardon him because of this. On the contrary, he resolutely executed Li Shanchang and executed more than 70 of his wives, daughters, brothers and nephews.
Li Shanchang also struggled and pleaded before he died, but to no avail. When he took out the iron coupon to avoid death and hoped to get a glimmer of life, Zhu Yuanzhang asked him to read the words written on the iron coupon - "Seek rebellion". These four words mean that even if you have an iron ticket to avoid death, rebellion is an unforgivable crime.
Ten years ago, when Zhu Yuanzhang first learned that Li Shanchang was related to Hu Weiyong, he chose tolerance and trust, and spared Li Shanchang from the death penalty. However, ten years later, when the old matter was brought up again, Zhu Yuanzhang was no longer willing to give Li Shanchang any chance, but resolutely executed him.
This change not only caused Li Shanchang's family to suffer a catastrophe, but also made other officials and ordinary people see Zhu Yuanzhang's sternness and determination in dealing with the issue of rebellion.
Li Shanchang's tragedy undoubtedly made other officials feel terrified. As the founder of the country, he could not escape death, which undoubtedly made them realize that even the most favored ministers could not fully rely on the emperor's favor.
In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, rebellion is an absolutely unforgivable crime, even if it is a hero. The reason why he chose to forgive Li Shanchang ten years ago may be because the political environment at that time was not very stable, and he needed to rely on these founding heroes to consolidate his rule. But as time went by, Zhu Yuanzhang's position became more and more stable, and he no longer needed to rely too much on these heroes.
Therefore, when the old matter was brought up again, Zhu Yuanzhang did not hesitate to order Li Shanchang to be executed. This not only shows his zero tolerance for rebellion, but also shows his absolute power as emperor. He can dispose of any courtier at will, even the most favored hero at the beginning cannot escape his justice.
This practice has undoubtedly caused consternation among other officials. They realize that even with a death-free ticket, they can't fully guarantee their safety. As long as the emperor's taboo is violated, even the greatest merit cannot be exchanged for forgiveness. This situation of life and death hanging by a thread shrouded the entire court in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Chapter 3 Limitations of Death-free Iron Coupons
From the different endings of Qian Yongqin and Li Shanchang, we can see that although the death-free iron coupon has a certain particularity and importance, it is not a universal artifact. Its effectiveness depended on the emperor's personal wishes and interests, as well as various factors such as the political environment and social background at the time.
In feudal dynasties, emperors had supreme power and status, and their thoughts and decisions were often difficult for ordinary people to understand and speculate. Therefore, even a meritorious person or nobleman who holds an iron ticket to avoid death cannot fully guarantee his safety and fate.
Zhu Yuanzhang showed an iron-fisted approach and resolute attitude in dealing with corrupt officials and rebellion, reflecting his absolute power as a feudal monarch. Not only was he able to pardon or execute his courtiers at will, but he could also decide the validity of the death penalty according to his own wishes.
This mode of absolute monarchy has also made the special reward of the iron coupon for avoiding death gradually lose its original meaning and value. It was no longer a pass to life, but more of a symbolic gift, depending on the emperor's bounty.
The main reason why the validity of the Iron Ticket is so uncertain is that its issuance and use depend entirely on the personal will of the emperor. As a feudal monarch, Zhu Yuanzhang has absolute power, and he can decide whether to pardon a courtier according to his own interests and needs.
For Zhu Yuanzhang, the iron ticket to avoid death is not an insurmountable obstacle. Even if a person holds such a special gift, if he violates his taboo, he will not escape death. As he did to Li Shanchang, even the founding heroes could not escape punishment with the iron ticket to avoid death.
This practice has undoubtedly caused consternation among other officials. They realize that even with a death-free ticket, they can't fully guarantee their safety. As long as the emperor's taboo is violated, even the greatest merit cannot be exchanged for forgiveness. This situation of life and death hanging by a thread shrouded the entire court in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
This mode of absolute monarchy has also made the special reward of the iron coupon for avoiding death gradually lose its original meaning and value. It was no longer a pass to life, but more of a symbolic gift, depending on the emperor's bounty. This is undoubtedly a microcosm of the feudal dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, and it is also a historical lesson that we must ponder.
epilogue
The rise and fall of the iron coupon to avoid death reflects the characteristics of the feudal dynasty of the Ming Dynasty. It not only represents the special favor of the emperor to his courtiers, but also embodies the game of life and death under the absolute rule of the monarchy.
The story of Qian Yongqin and Li Shanchang vividly shows the limitations of the iron coupon for avoiding death in the Ming Dynasty. Its effectiveness was not absolute, but depended on the emperor's personal will and interests. Even holding such a precious gift does not fully guarantee one's safety and destiny.
This situation of life and death hanging by a thread not only made the courtiers always fearful, but also shrouded the whole society in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. This is undoubtedly a microcosm of the feudal dynasty of the Ming Dynasty, and it is also a historical lesson that we must ponder.
We should draw lessons from this and reflect on the shortcomings of feudal autocracy. Only by getting rid of this situation where life and death hang by a thread can we truly realize social fairness and justice, so that everyone can live with peace of mind and pursue their ideals and dreams. This is not only the goal we should strive for, but also the direction we should strive for.