Preface
Zhu Qiyu of the Ming Dynasty was a legendary emperor in the history of the Ming Dynasty. During his reign, he successfully resolved many political crises, allowing the Ming Dynasty to turn the tide of safety.
However, it is strange that despite his outstanding intelligence and ruling ability during his reign, he was posthumously treated with far less treatment than other Ming emperors, and even the Ming Tombs were not buried.
So, how did he rely on his talent and determination to save the Ming Dynasty from the crisis, and what caused him to end up in a tragic situation?
1. Zhu Qiyu made great efforts to revitalize the national fortunes
Severely punish corruption and safeguard people's livelihood rights and interests
At the beginning of Zhu Qiyu's succession, the Ming Dynasty was in chaos. The shortcomings left over from the previous dynasty, coupled with the invasion of Warat, plunged the country into an unprecedented crisis. In the face of all this, Zhu Qiyu was not afraid and decisively adopted a series of reform measures.
First of all, he severely punished corrupt officials and safeguarded the rights and interests of people's livelihood. In ancient times, it was a common phenomenon for officials to embezzle and accept bribes, but this kind of behavior would undoubtedly increase the burden on the people. Zhu Qiyu knew this very well, so he punished a group of corrupt officials without mercy to demonstrate the majesty of the royal family and safeguard the rights and interests of the people.
Some of these corrupt officials have even accumulated considerable wealth and power in the previous dynasties, and they use the power in their hands to wantonly oppress the people and make their lives miserable. Zhu Qiyu ordered a strict investigation of the crimes of these people, not only confiscated their illegal property, but also severely punished them.
This made those greedy officials feel the deterrent power of the imperial power, and also made the people feel Zhu Qiyu's sense of justice and determination to serve the people. At the same time, Zhu Qiyu also adopted some measures to directly protect the interests of the peasants. For example, he guaranteed the rights and interests of the original owners of the land and returned the land occupied by the officials to the peasants.
This also reduces the burden on farmers and is conducive to the development of agriculture. In the social environment at that time, this approach was undoubtedly very brave and just, reflecting Zhu Qiyu's importance to people's livelihood.
Limit the power of eunuchs and rectify the rule of officials
On the other hand, Zhu Qiyu also noticed the growing influence of eunuchs in the court. In the previous dynasty, the eunuch Wang Zhen once monopolized power, which led to the weakening of the country. In order to prevent this from happening again, Zhu Qiyu imposed strict restrictions on the eunuchs, depriving them of the power to interfere in court affairs.
The reason why these eunuchs were able to act recklessly in the court before was mainly because they had the eyes and ears of the emperor and could manipulate the emperor's decision-making at will. After Zhu Qiyu took office, he decisively cut off their ties with the emperor, so that these eunuchs could no longer continue to interfere in court politics. At the same time, he also strictly limited the scope of eunuchs' powers, not allowing them to interfere in political affairs across the border.
This practice greatly weakened the power of the eunuchs, so that they no longer dared to act recklessly. At the same time, Zhu Qiyu also reformed Ma Zheng, requiring the officials of Ma to remain honest and not to oppress the people. These measures are conducive to rectifying the administration of officials and maintaining social order.
Attach importance to military construction and enhance combat strength
In the face of the invasion of Warat, Zhu Qiyu realized the importance of a strong military force. Therefore, he actively listened to the suggestions of his ministers, adopted the "regimental battalion" training method proposed by Yu Qian, and asked him to implement it in the army.
Under the leadership of Zhu Qiyu, the combat strength of the Ming army was greatly improved. Not only were they equipped with the most advanced weapons of the time, such as artillery, but they were also well-trained and more skilled in the use of tactics. This powerful army was not only able to effectively resist the attack of Warat, but also took the initiative to attack and deal a heavy blow to the other side.
It was with this powerful army that the Ming Dynasty was able to finally repel the attack of Warat and save the country from peril. This not only allowed Zhu Qiyu to win a military victory, but also allowed him to establish prestige in the hearts of the people and enhance the people's confidence in the Ming Dynasty.
2. Zhu Qiyu's "unjust" act caused public resentment
Zhu Qizhen was placed under house arrest and seized the throne
Although Zhu Qiyu has made outstanding contributions to the governance of the country, some of his "unjust" actions have also brought him many disasters.
The most criticized is that he placed the former emperor Zhu Qizhen under house arrest. At that time, Zhu Qizhen was captured alive by Wara, but with the efforts of Zhu Qiyu and Yu Qian and others, he was finally rescued and returned. However, Zhu Qiyu was worried that Zhu Qizhen would regain the throne, so he put him under house arrest.
Such behavior is undoubtedly contrary to morality and ethics. As the head of a country, Zhu Qiyu should lead by example, rather than unscrupulous means for selfish desires. He was supposed to respect the previous emperor, live in harmony with him, and work together for the development of the country. But out of his own selfishness, he put Zhu Qizhen under house arrest, which is undoubtedly an extremely unrighteous act.
After all, Zhu Qizhen is the previous emperor, and he has a certain status and prestige in the hearts of the people and courtiers. And Zhu Qiyu's approach is undoubtedly trampling on this status and prestige, which has caused dissatisfaction among everyone. This also laid the groundwork for what happened to him in the future.
Depose the crown prince and set up his own heir
In addition, Zhu Qiyu also deposed Zhu Qizhen's son Zhu Jianshen and renamed his son as the crown prince. This is undoubtedly a family power struggle and has nothing to do with national interests.
As the former emperor, Zhu Qizhen naturally hoped that his son could inherit the throne. However, Zhu Qiyu, out of his own selfishness, deposed Zhu Jianshen and renamed his son as the crown prince. This practice is also undermining the orthodox order of the imperial court and causing dissatisfaction among everyone.
It's a pity that neither Zhu Qiyu nor his son lived long, and they died one after another. In this case, the courtiers had to invite Zhu Qizhen out and reinstate him. This is a kind of humiliation and punishment for Zhu Qiyu, and it also makes his "unjust" behavior spurned by everyone.
was spurned by everyone and ended miserably
Zhu Qiyu's "unjust" actions naturally aroused everyone's dissatisfaction and spurning. Especially the Empress Dowager Sun, who hates him even more. In the end, Zhu Qiyu not only failed to be buried in the Ming Tombs, but also did not even have a decent nickname, but was posthumously named "戾".
Such an end is undoubtedly caused by Zhu Qiyu's own actions. If he could put the interests of the country first and abandon selfish distractions, perhaps he would not have ended up so miserable. But we can't completely deny Zhu Qiyu's contribution.
After all, under his rule, the Ming Dynasty once came out of the crisis and rejuvenated. It's just that some of his "unjust" actions finally made him spurned and condemned by everyone. This also shows that even if a monarch is talented, if he cannot govern the country in a just and honest manner, he will inevitably suffer defeat and destruction in the end.
Third, Zhu Qizhen is mediocre and incompetent, and the country's fortunes are declining
Credulous traitors purge heroes
After Zhu Qizhen was reinstated, he should have governed the country well, but instead made a series of mediocre and incompetent decisions, which led to the decline of the national fortunes of the Ming Dynasty.
The most criticized thing is that he believed the slanderous rumors of some traitors and villains, and purged Yu Qian and others with outstanding achievements. Yu Qian was the hero who repelled Wara, but in the hands of Zhu Qizhen, he was wronged.
The reason why these traitors and villains were able to gain Zhu Qizhen's trust was mainly because they were good at clever words and could skillfully use Zhu Qizhen's weaknesses to make him suspicious and suspicious of heroes. And Zhu Qizhen himself lacks the ability to make independent judgments, so it is easy to be fooled by these villains and make wrong decisions.
This behavior undoubtedly ruined the foundation of the Ming Dynasty. Talents with outstanding merits are purged, and they are replaced by some traitorous villains, and the country will naturally find it difficult to become strong. This also made the national strength of the Ming Dynasty decline day by day, and the people were not able to make a living.
Conniving at eunuchs, the country's strength is declining
On the other hand, Zhu Qizhen also connived at the power of eunuchs in the court. During the Zhu Qiyu period, the power of eunuchs was greatly restricted. But here in Zhu Qizhen, these restrictions have been gradually lifted.
As the power of eunuchs grew, they naturally intervened in the government and influenced the country's decision-making. These eunuchs often only seek temporary selfish interests, and do not really care about the interests of the country and the people. They will use the power in their hands to seek more benefits, and even collude with some traitors and villains to plot misdeeds.
In addition, Zhu Qizhen himself was also mediocre and incompetent, unable to effectively control these eunuchs, and the country's national strength naturally declined day by day. This also plunged the people of the Ming Dynasty into dire straits, and their lives became increasingly difficult.
The country's strength is declining, and the people are struggling to make a living
In this way, under the rule of Zhu Qizhen, the national strength of the Ming Dynasty was declining, and the people were struggling to make a living. The reforms and achievements made during the Zhu Qiyu period have also been completely destroyed.
It can be said that if it weren't for Zhu Qiyu's previous efforts, the Ming Dynasty might have fallen long ago. And Zhu Qizhen's mediocrity and incompetence are the root cause of the Ming Dynasty's complete decline.
Under the rule of Zhu Qizhen, the national power of the Ming Dynasty continued to weaken, and the lives of the common people became increasingly difficult. This not only greatly reduced the prestige of the country, but also greatly damaged the people's confidence in the Ming Dynasty. Eventually, this situation will inevitably lead to the fall of the Ming Dynasty and become a tragic story in history.
epilogue
Zhu Qiyu and Zhu Qizhen, the fates of the emperor's brothers are worlds apart. Zhu Qiyu, with his talent and determination, once saved the Ming Dynasty from the crisis, but some of his "unjust" actions also brought him a tragic end.
In contrast, although Zhu Qizhen showed some benevolence at the beginning of his reinstatement, he soon revealed his incompetence, which eventually led to the decline of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, we should draw lessons from history, cherish the hard-won peace and tranquility, and work together for the prosperity of our country. Only in this way can our country be able to maintain long-term peace and stability and never decline.