During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, a dispute over the succession to the throne was quietly staged, and the central figures were Zhu Changxun and Zhu Changluo. Did you know that this struggle not only lasted for fifteen years, but also shook the foundation of the Ming Dynasty? Why did Zhu Yijun have to go against the tide and make him the crown prince? Today we will uncover this dusty historical secret and take a look at the power games and imperial power struggles hidden behind it.
In the harem of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty, Concubine Zheng Guifei is undoubtedly a special existence. She is not only beautiful, but also extremely favored by Emperor Wanli. Her son, Zhu Changxun, has also received extraordinary attention because of this. Although Zhu Changxun was not born to the queen, his status was unmatched for a while, and he was even expected to ascend to the throne of the crown prince. The story behind this is far more complex than we think.
Having said that, the Ming Dynasty's succession rule has always been "primogeniture", that is, if the empress has a son, the empress's son will inherit the throne, and if not, the eldest concubine. Theoretically speaking, Zhu Changxun does not meet the primary conditions for becoming a prince, because he is not the oldest concubine, and that person should be Zhu Changluo.
What is love? Wanli's love for Zheng Guifei has almost reached the point of blindness. This was undoubtedly a bombshell in the political environment at that time, and many ministers felt incredible about it, and even opposed it.
The opposition of the ministers was not unreasonable, after all, in the long run, the abolition of the elders and the youngsters could lead to instability in the court, and even open and secret strife between brothers. But Emperor Wanli's attitude was resolute, and his preference for Zhu Changxun was almost to the point of obsession. He repeatedly overturned the opinions of the ministers and insisted on appointing Zhu Changxun as the crown prince.
The tug-of-war lasted fifteen years, beginning in 1586 and ending in 1601. In these fifteen years, because of the issue of the crown prince's position, the struggle within the court was extremely fierce. A large number of officials were dismissed for disagreeing with the emperor, and some even lost their lives.
In the twenty-ninth year of Wanli, that is, in 1601, things finally took a turn for the better. Under the double attack of many pressures and actual situations, Emperor Wanli had to make concessions and finally chose Zhu Changluo as the crown prince. This decision, although a little late, can be regarded as a return to the traditional rules of succession, stabilized the situation in the imperial court, and calmed the fifteen-year-long controversy.
Zhu Changxun's fate has also changed, from a high position that almost ascended to the throne of the prince, to finally having to take a back seat, the ups and downs in between, I am afraid that only he knows best. And although Concubine Zheng Guifei lost the last opportunity to fight for her son's throne, her influence in the palace should not be underestimated.
Every change of power in the court was accompanied by countless schemes and sacrifices. For those who are in it, every step can be a watershed moment in heaven or hell.
The whole incident also reflects that despite the supremacy of imperial power, the emperor's personal preferences and emotional decisions can also have a huge impact on the political direction of the entire country. This kind of situation of influencing the country's major politics with the will of individuals is not uncommon in history, and each time, the consequences are unpredictable.
By looking back at the dispute between Zhu Changxun and Zhu Changluo for the crown prince, we not only see how the preference of an emperor can change the course of history, but also witness the ruthlessness of history and the complexity of human nature. In Game of Thrones, there are no permanent winners, only ever-changing players. Zhu Changxun's story reminds us that in the face of power, reason and tradition are sometimes necessary to maintain stability.
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