As soon as Zhang Juzheng died, the Wanli Emperor immediately liquidated Zhang Juzheng, not only stripping Zhang Juzheng of his official title, but also raiding his home, and even almost digging up the grave and whipping the corpse. His family's descendants were also all exiled, and many of them starved to death on the road. The officials that Zhang Juzheng reused during his lifetime, the Wanli Emperor also gave the punishment of cutting off his post and even beheading him for his guilt.
(Zhang Juzheng stills)
The Wanli Emperor's blows against Zhang Juzheng were obviously out of a kind of revenge for personal gain. Many people couldn't watch it anymore, and there was a lot of discussion in the government and the opposition. It was precisely because the discussion between the government and the public was too loud that the Wanli Emperor did not dare to further punish Zhang Juzheng. Moreover, after the death of the Wanli Emperor and the succession of his grandson Emperor Zhu Youxiao (who also experienced Zhu Changluo's short-lived imperial career of less than a month in the middle), he immediately restored Zhang Juzheng's official title and gave Zhang Juzheng the treatment he deserved. It can be seen that people, including the Ming Imperial Family, felt that the Wanli Emperor's attack on Zhang Juzheng was really too much.
Since everyone felt that it was excessive, why didn't Empress Li, the mother of the Wanli Emperor, stop this in the first place?
You know, Empress Li greatly admired Zhang Juzheng. After the death of the Longqing Emperor, it was Gao Gong who was the first assistant. However, Empress Li was dissatisfied with Gao Gong's arbitrary behavior and abolished Gao Gong's position as the first assistant and made Zhang Juzheng the first assistant. It can be seen that she is very satisfied with Zhang Ju.
Because of the young age of the Wanli Emperor, Empress Li assumed the responsibility of educating the Wanli Empress. However, the Wanli Emperor was too naughty to study and did not listen to education. Many times, Empress Li had no choice but to move out of Zhang Juzheng and use Zhang Juzheng to scare him. To be honest, Zhang Juzheng was actually not willing to scare the Wanli Emperor. After all, people are emperors, and when you scare, you will inevitably create a shadow in his heart. When the Wanli Emperor became an adult, it was definitely himself who was hurt. However, if Empress Li wanted to do this, Zhang Juzheng had no choice but to act like a person who made the Wanli Emperor afraid according to Empress Li's instructions.
Empress Li also knew that Zhang Juzheng was wronged, and she said to Zhang Juzheng that she should put the country first and educate a good emperor as the most important, and she could only wronged you.
It can be said that without Zhang Juzheng's painstaking education, it would be difficult for the Wanli Emperor to become a talent. Empress Li could see this clearly.
(Wanli Emperor Stills)
Moreover, during Zhang Ju's reign, the Ming Dynasty's treasury was greatly enriched, and its national strength was greatly enhanced, so that the Ming Dynasty, which was already at the end of the road, was revived again. It is precisely because of the national strength that Zhang Juzheng has accumulated that he can withstand the later profligacy of the Wanli Emperor.
Empress Li could also see this clearly.
Since Empress Li knew that Zhang Juzheng was working hard and doing a high job, Zhang Juzheng was jealous of the Wanli Emperor and completely carried the black cauldron for her. So, why didn't Empress Li stop the Wanli Emperor from attacking Zhang Juzheng?
Was Empress Li unable to put the Wanli Emperor out of power?
Not really. Empress Li was actually able to hold the Wanli Emperor. If nothing else, just take the matter of the Wanli Emperor making the crown prince, and you can see the weight of Empress Li in the heart of the Wanli Emperor.
At that time, the Wanli Emperor did not appoint Zhu Changluo as crown prince in any case, but wanted to make Zhu Changxun, the son of Concubine Zheng Guifei, the crown prince. At that time, Empress Li brought him in and asked him why he did not make Zhu Changluo crown prince? The Wanli Emperor said that he was the son of a Duren (palace maid). Empress Li was furious and said, "You are also the son of duren, shouldn't you be emperor?" The Wanli Emperor had no choice but to make Zhu Changluo crown prince. Another point is that at that time, neither the Wanli Emperor nor Concubine Zheng Guifei wanted Zhu Changxun to take the throne, so he told Empress Li that he would wait until Empress Li's birthday was over. Empress Li said to them, "What do you mean, can I also call my son Zhu Yiyi back?" The Wanli Emperor and Concubine Zheng Guifei were unable to do so, so they had to let Zhu Changxun go to the domain.
It can be seen from this that if Empress Li stood up and spoke, the Wanli Emperor would definitely listen to her.
(Empress Li stills)
If this was the case, why was Empress Li attacked Zhang Juzheng, who had devoted his life to the efforts of his old Zhu family, by his son at that time?
I think that the reason why Empress Li did this was out of selfishness.
At the beginning, the reason why she greatly appreciated and reused Zhang Juzheng was because she knew that Zhang Ju was a loyal minister, and he was a conscientious loyal minister. Zhang Juzheng will be devoted to the good of her son, unlike Gao Gong, who controls the government and even tries to seize the throne. Zhang Juzheng will not do this.
Now Zhang Juzheng has passed away, and her son has reached adulthood. Zhang Juzheng has no meaning to her son. Therefore, if you can't hit Zhang Juzheng, there is no harm to her son.
On the other hand, Zhang Juzheng has been in charge of state affairs for so many years, no matter what, he has cultivated a group of forces. If the Wanli Emperor wanted to make his own decisions and want to strengthen the centralization of power, he must crack down on this group of forces. Only by suppressing this power group can the throne of the Wanli Emperor not be affected.
Zhang Juzheng may not rebel, but it is difficult to guarantee that Zhang Juzheng's successor will not rebel. In Empress Li's view, this practice of the Wanli Emperor was completely consistent with the practice of the Han Dynasty, when Emperor Xuan of Han purged Huo Guang's descendants after Huo Guang's death. Since Emperor Xuan of Han did a good job, so did her son.
Therefore, Empress Li would not stop the Wanli Emperor from doing this at all.
(Reference: History of the Ming Dynasty)