In his later years, Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty regretted the tragic death of the crown prince Liu Ju due to the witch curse. He even established a palace of thought in Chang'an to express his sorrows. However, when he learned that Liu Zhi's grandson Liu Aiji was still alive, Liu Che did not take good care of him, but allowed Liu Aiji to suffer in prison. What is the secret of this? What did Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty explain in his edict?
1. Behind the scourge of witchcraft
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Liu Che, reigned for 54 years, making him the longest-reigning emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. Liu Che was eloquent and strategic, creating the heyday after the "rule of Wenjing". However, as Liu Che grew older, the power struggle between the DPRK and China intensified.
In Liu Che's later years, there were many concubines in the harem, each competing for the crown prince for his son. Among them, the eldest son of Empress Wei Zifu Liu Ju was the crown prince at that time, and Liu Fuling, the youngest son born to Mrs. Gou Yi, was Liu Che's favorite. Liu Che named Liu Fuling "Fuling", which means "very extraordinary", which shows that he has high hopes for this son.
In the first three years of Taishi, Mrs. Gou Yi was pregnant for 14 months and gave birth to Liu Fuling. Liu Che thought that this child was similar to the virtuous monarch Yao in ancient times, so he named the gate of Mrs. Gouyi's bedroom "Yao's Mother Gate". This move is undoubtedly announcing to the outside world that Liu Fuling is likely to replace Liu Ju and become the crown prince.
Seeing that Liu Che had the intention of abolishing the prince, Liu Yi felt very panicked. He tried to meet his father many times, but was always prevented. In a desperate situation, Liu decided to raise troops to protect himself. However, this act was regarded as a rebellion by Liu Che, which eventually led to Liu Ju being deposed and dying tragically in prison.
It was against this background that the witchcraft broke out. According to historical records, the son of Prime Minister Sun He was accused of having an affair with Princess Yangshi, and practiced witchcraft to curse the emperor. Liu Che was furious when he heard the news and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. Gongsun He's father and son eventually died in prison, and Princess Yangshi was also executed.
However, this witchcraft has not subsided. Wei Qing's eldest son, Wei Yan, and Cao Zong, the son of Princess Wei Chang, were also implicated and eventually executed. It is worth noting that Gongsun He and Wei Yan are both in-laws of the crown prince Liu Ju and are staunch supporters of Liu Ju.
With Liu Che's political wisdom, it was impossible for him not to know that this witch curse would implicate the crown prince. If he really wants Liu Yi to succeed to the throne, he can completely suppress this matter and prevent it from continuing to expand. However, Liu Che did not do so. Instead, he allowed the situation to develop, which eventually led to the crown prince Liu Ju being involved and dying tragically in prison.
It can be seen from this that the scourge of witchcraft is likely just an excuse for Liu Che to depose the crown prince. His preference for Liu Fuling has long indicated his intention to change the crown prince. And the scourge of witchcraft is just the fuse of this power struggle.
In this struggle, Liu Ju became a victim. His wife and children were almost killed, and only the infant emperor's great-grandson Liu Aiji survived. However, although Liu Aiji escaped, he was also imprisoned and lived in dire straits.
Although Liu Che regretted forcing the prince to death, he did not treat this innocent child well. He allowed Liu to languish in prison, as if this child had nothing to do with him. It wasn't until the eve of Liu Che's death that he ordered an amnesty to the world, and Liu was able to live.
However, Liu Che did not make any arrangements for Liu Aiji's whereabouts. If it weren't for the jailer Bingji who sympathized with Liu Aiji's plight and refused Guo Sui's death order, I am afraid that Liu Aiji would not have escaped death. Although Liu Che regretted forcing the prince to death, he didn't seem to intend to treat Liu Aiji well. What's the secret in this?
Second, Liu is sick and will not die
In the witch curse, the crown prince Liu Ju and his three sons and one daughter, all wives and concubines were killed. In this bloody storm, only the infant emperor's great-grandson Liu Yi has survived. However, although Liu Ai has escaped, he is also imprisoned in the "county prison" and lives a miserable life.
The so-called "county prison" refers to the prison temporarily set up by the princes, kings, and county guards in the mansions of Chang'an. The conditions in these prisons are deplorable, and the prisoners are tortured in them. Although Liu is young, he still has to endure such suffering.
There is no detailed record in the history books about Liu's life in prison. But we can imagine the devastation of a child in a dark, damp, uncared prison. He faced hunger, cold, disease and bullying from his jailers every day. Such a day is undoubtedly a kind of torture for a child.
Just when Liu was already suffering in prison, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che had already died. However, Liu Che did not make any arrangements for Liu's whereabouts in the edict. Liu's fate seems to end in prison like this.
However, fate took a turn for the worse at this time. A jailer named Bingji, sympathetic to Liu's plight, decided to risk his life to save him.
It turned out that before the death of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, he had ordered the confessor to order Guo Sui to go to the prison in Chang'an, copy the names of all the prisoners, and execute them all, regardless of the size of the crime. Guo Sui came to the county prison to include Liu Yi in the death list.
However, Bingji believes that Liu is young and innocent and should not be punished in this way. He stepped forward and refused Guo's request. Guo Sui and Bingji confronted each other all night, but finally failed to take Liu Zhi away.
Guo Sui had no choice but to return, report the matter to Liu Che, and impeach Bingji. However, what is surprising is that Liu Che did not hold Bingji accountable after hearing this, but instead ordered an amnesty to the world.
This amnesty edict is undoubtedly a lifesaver for Liu's illness. Because of this edict, Liu Ai has been able to survive in prison. Although he lost his parents and his honorable position, he at least saved his life.
Bingji's act of risking his life to save Liu is undoubtedly admirable. In that turbulent era, it took a lot of courage and a sense of justice to stand up and protect a child's life. Although Bingji is only a jailer, he shows the character of a scholar.
However, Bingji's rescue only allowed Liu Ai to escape death temporarily. Although Liu has been granted amnesty, he does not have a clear identity and status. He could no longer return to the palace and had nowhere to go.
Seeing Liu's condition, Bingji decided to send him to Jing Zhao Yin and let Jing Zhao Yin settle his place. However, Jing Zhaoyin did not dare to take in this sensitive child, and sent Liu Zhi back.
In this way, Liu Yi has begun a life of tossing and turning. Although he was free, he did not have a place to live. As a descendant of the royal family, he should have been admired by thousands of people. However, because of a political struggle, he fell into such a situation.
Liu's experience reflects the cruelty of that turbulent era. In the face of power struggles, human life seems insignificant. Innocent children can also fall victim to political struggles. Although Liu Ai was lucky to survive, his life was completely changed because of this.
3. Consideration of the edict of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty
Before his death, Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty ordered an amnesty to the world, which made Liu Zhi survive in prison. However, what is puzzling is that although Liu Che regretted forcing the prince to death in his later years, he did not make proper arrangements for Liu's whereabouts in the edict.
To understand Liu Che's decision, we need to analyze it from the political situation at the time. First of all, although Liu Che regretted forcing the crown prince to death, he did not change his decision to let Liu Fuling succeed him. In the edict, Liu Che clearly designated Liu Fuling as the crown prince and asked the ministers to assist the new monarch.
This decision is undoubtedly well thought out. During Liu Che's reign, he considered abolishing the crown prince Liu Ju many times and replacing his youngest son Liu Fuling. This is not only a preference for Liu Fuling, but also a political consideration. In Liu Che's later years, the power of the DPRK and China had changed. Although the group of relatives represented by Wei Qing and Huo Quzhi has been hit, it still has a certain strength. The "upstart" group represented by Zhao Feiyan and Shangguan Ji rose rapidly with the support of Liu Che.
In such a situation, Liu Che chose to let the young Liu Fuling succeed him, undoubtedly in order to consolidate the position of the "upstart" group. A young emperor must rely on the assistance of his ministers. And these ministers are the "upstarts" that Liu Che trusts. By supporting Liu Fuling, Liu Che is actually clearing the way for the "upstart" group to govern.
In contrast, if Liu has already succeeded to the throne, the situation is much more complicated. Although Liu Yi is young, he is the grandson of the crown prince Liu Ju after all. His succession to the throne will undoubtedly be supported by the princelings' party. And these people are exactly what Liu Che wants to target.
Therefore, from a political point of view, it is impossible for Liu Che to let Liu Ai succeed to the throne. So, can he make some arrangements for Liu Aiji's life in his testament? For example, give him a title, or give him some fiefdoms, so that he can stay away from the political whirlpool and enjoy his old age in peace.
However, Liu Che did not do so in the end. In his edict, he simply mentioned that he would adopt Liu Yi in the Ye Court, and ordered Zongzheng to enter his name into the royal genealogy. Such an arrangement seems to be protecting Liu Aiji, but in fact it puts him in an embarrassing situation.
The so-called court is a place in the palace dedicated to raising princes and princesses. Although Liu Ai has been adopted here, he is neither a prince nor a princess. His position is undoubtedly extremely delicate. And the genealogy is the royal genealogy. The entry of Liu's name into the genealogy, although acknowledging his royal lineage, did not give him any actual status and power.
Such an arrangement precisely reflects Liu Che's concerns. He was reluctant to give Liu Ying any actual power, for fear that the child would covet the throne when he grew up. However, he can't completely abandon Liu Yiji, because this is his son Liu Ju's bloodline after all.
Therefore, Liu Che chose a compromise approach. He nominally recognized Liu's royal status, but did not give him any actual power. He kept Liu Ai away from the political center, but he did not give him a stable home.
Such an arrangement is undoubtedly a trade-off. Liu Che made a difficult choice between his son and grandson, between politics and family affection. Although he regretted forcing the crown prince to death, he did not have the courage to completely change the established political landscape.
Of course, Liu Che's decision is also related to his state of mind in his later years. After the witch curse, Liu Che's body and mind were greatly traumatized. He began to doubt his own judgment and began to grow tired of power. In such a state of mind, he may well have lost interest in the political struggle and only wanted to solve the problem of succession to the throne as soon as possible.
Therefore, he chose a seemingly compromised, but in fact a negative approach. He did not completely solve the problem of Liu Aiji, but left this problem to future generations. Although he explained the whereabouts of Liu Aiji in his testament, he did not give a clear plan.
Such a decision is undoubtedly regrettable. However, it also reflects Liu Che's helplessness and exhaustion in his later years. In the whirlpool of power, even a generation of male lords will inevitably feel confused and helpless. At the last moment of his life, Liu Che made an imperfect, but reasonable choice.
Fourth, the unintended impact of the edict
Although the arrangement of Liu Che in the edict of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was an expedient measure, it had an unexpected impact on the subsequent history.
First, this edict inadvertently provided legitimacy for Liu Ai's future succession. According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, only the prince was eligible to inherit the throne. Although Liu Ai is the grandson of the emperor, he is not the prince of the grandson. It stands to reason that he is not qualified to become emperor.
However, Liu Che mentioned in his edict that he would adopt Liu Zhi to the Ye Court, and ordered Zongzheng to enter his name into the royal genealogy. These two moves are actually acknowledging Liu Aiji's royal status. Although Liu Che did not explicitly designate Liu Ai as his heir, he did provide a legitimate reason for Liu Ai to succeed to the throne in the future.
In fact, after the death of Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty, Liu Fu was able to succeed to the throne smoothly, and this edict played a key role. At that time, the ministers of the court and the central government were arguing about the succession to the throne. Some people advocate that Liu Fuling's son succeed to the throne, while others advocate changing the establishment of the children of the clan.
However, the Empress Dowager Wang Zhengjun stood up and invoked the edict of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, believing that Liu Ying was already the legitimate heir. She pointed out that Liu Yi was not only a royal family relative, but also adopted by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in the Ye Court, and his name was also entered into the genealogy. All these prove Liu Aiji's right to inherit the throne.
With the support of Wang Zhengjun, Liu Ying finally succeeded in ascending the throne and became Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty. Although this result was unexpected by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it objectively fulfilled his last wish to "recognize Liu Ai's royal status".
Secondly, Liu Ai's succession to the throne also fulfilled the wish of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to "keep Liu Ai away from politics" to a certain extent. Although Liu Yi had become emperor, he rarely intervened in political affairs during his reign.
This is not only due to Liu's personal personality, but also due to his growth experience. Liu has lost his parents since he was a child, and has lived in the court for a long time. This experience has allowed him to develop a humble, thrifty, and unassuming character. Even after becoming emperor, he did not change these habits.
During his reign, Liu Delegated a great deal of power to the Prime Minister and the Third Duke. He himself focused on self-cultivation and lived a simple life. He didn't like luxury, he didn't like extravagance, and even the number of palace maids was greatly reduced. He often wore cloth clothes and ate coarse food, no different from the common people.
Such an emperor naturally does not interfere too much in politics. Under his rule, the government was basically controlled by the prime minister and the three dukes. Although this was not the original intention of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, it objectively realized his wish to "keep Liu Ai out of the political whirlpool".
In the end, Liu Aiji's succession to the throne also laid the foundation for the Zhongxing of the Han Dynasty. During his reign, although he was not too concerned with political affairs, he appointed a group of wise ministers. These ministers, such as Ji Di, Wei Xuancheng, Li Xun, etc., were all talented and insightful politicians.
Under their rule, the politics of the Han dynasty gradually got on the right track. Agriculture was restored, commerce developed, and society flourished. In particular, in terms of taxation, Liu Zhi has adopted the minister's suggestion to reduce the tax burden of the people. This move greatly alleviated social contradictions and laid the foundation for the revival of the Han Dynasty.
Of course, the political clarity of Liu's illness is also related to his personal frugality. Since Liu was no longer fond of luxury, the expenses of the imperial court were greatly reduced. In this way, the state has a surplus that can be used to reduce taxes and other measures to benefit the people.
In short, this edict of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty before his death, although it was only an expedient measure, had a profound impact on the subsequent history. It not only provided legitimacy for Liu Aiji's succession, but also fulfilled the wish of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to "keep Liu Ai away from politics" to a certain extent. More importantly, it laid the foundation for the Han dynasty's resurgence, allowing the Han dynasty to return to the path of prosperity after turmoil.
This may be the wonder of history. A seemingly inconspicuous decision can change the fate of a dynasty. In the last moments of his life, Emperor Wu of Han made an imperfect, but far-reaching choice. This choice not only changed the trajectory of Liu Aiji's life, but also changed the historical course of the Han Dynasty.