Most Chinese will not be unfamiliar with the titles of ancient emperors such as Taizu and Taizong, but not many people know the meaning of these titles. In fact, these imperial titles have an exclusive name - temple number. The so-called "temple number" refers to the name of the emperor who was posthumously honored when he was enshrined in the Taimiao Temple by his descendants after his death, in order to show the meaning of eternal temple sacrifice. Temple numbers are not arbitrarily taken, but in accordance with the provisions of the feudal etiquette system. The temple number consists of two characters, which represent the evaluation of the merits and demerits of the emperor before his death. Reading the history books tonight, I will use the topic of temple numbers to talk about Emperor Renzong in Chinese history.
"Renzong" means generosity and benevolence. In Chinese history, there were 6 emperors with the title of Renzong, and if you exclude Li Renxiao of Western Xia renzong and Yelü Yilie of western Liao as regional emperors, they are: Zhao Zhen of Song Renzong, Ai Yu Li Bali Bada of Yuan Renzong, Zhu Gaozi of Mingrenzong, and Ai Xinjue Luo of Qing Renzong. Let's focus on how these four Emperor Renzong of the Great Unification Dynasty ruled the world with benevolence.
Portrait of Song Renzong
Emperor Renzong of Song was the first Emperor Renzong in history. During his reign, the economy, culture, science and technology of the Northern Song Dynasty reached unprecedented heights, and later generations called his reign "Renzong Shengzhi". In particular, it is worth mentioning that Emperor Renzong's dynasty was full of talents, and fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Su Shi, Su Xun, Su Rui, Bao Zheng, Wang Anshi, Zeng Gong, Di Qing, Bi Sheng and other well-known historical figures were active during the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song.
However, there were also many mistakes during Song Renzong's reign, the most important of which was related to his hesitant personality. Many of the looming military and state events could not be implemented because of Song Renzong's indecision. In his book "Treatise on Song", the thinker of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties called Song Renzong "amorphous", and these three words can be described as the key points of the straight.
Song Renzong stills
Song Renzong's personal ability was not strong, so although the Northern Song Dynasty achieved certain achievements during his reign, it did not solve many hidden dangers. However, as an emperor, Song Renzong did achieve the ultimate in the word "ren". He was one of the most tolerant and benevolent emperors in Chinese history. The palace eunuchs made a little mistake, and he not only did not care, but also helped the palace eunuchs to conceal their mistakes, so that they would not be punished. Ministers are outspoken, sometimes say something very excessive, and he will not deal with these ministers because of it. There was even a time when Bao Zheng accidentally splashed the spit in his mouth on Song Renzong's face when he was speaking bluntly, and as a result, Song Renzong just wiped his face with his sleeve and continued to listen to Bao Zheng's complaints. History has thus given rise to an extra term called "spit".
Song Renzong was in the most prosperous period of the Northern Song Dynasty's economy, but he was extremely frugal. At one court banquet, there was a dish of 28 crabs, but when Song Renzong learned that each crab cost a thousand dollars, he became angry on the spot, and Song Renzong never touched a crab since then. Before his death, Emperor Renzong of Song summoned the ministers into the Great Inner Funing Hall to explain the aftermath. However, when the Zaizhi entered the emperor's palace for the first time in their lives, they were stunned by the simple furnishings in front of them, but Song Renzong said to the crowd very plainly: "In the palace of the Emperor, I will stop myself from doing so." This is also the anointing blood of the people, can it be lightly spent? ”
Song Renzong had virtues such as being good at taking advice, being diligent and thrifty, and practicing benevolent government, but he also had shortcomings such as lack of courage and hesitation in making decisions. In the "History of Song", there is a very appropriate evaluation of Song Renzong: "To be a king, to stop at benevolence, and the emperor is sincere." ”
Portrait of Emperor Yuanrenzong
Yuan Renzong was the fourth emperor of the Yuan Dynasty, and he was familiar with Confucian classics since childhood and had a deep cultural accomplishment. Emperor Yuanrenzong pursued a Confucian rule, and during his reign vigorously carried out reforms, reducing redundant personnel and rectifying the imperial program, especially mentioning that he restored the long-interrupted imperial examination system. The Qing dynasty historian Wei Yuan, in his book "New Compilation of Yuan History", commented that Yuan Renzong was "benevolent, courteous, frugal, and kind, and had the style of Emperor Wen of Han".
However, Emperor Yuanrenzong did a very unkind job in the matter of succession to the throne. Originally, his throne was passed to him by his brother Emperor Yuanwuzong, and it was agreed that "brothers will inherit each other, and uncles and nephews will follow each other". According to this agreement, Emperor Yuanrenzong was supposed to pass the throne to Emperor Yuanwuzong's son after his death, but he violated the agreement and passed it to his son. This move not only violated morality and deserved the title of Emperor Renzong, but also caused two decades of political chaos and court struggle in the Yuan Dynasty.
Portrait of Akihito
Akihito reigned for less than a year. According to common sense, an emperor who has been in power for such a short time should have little sense of existence, but Akihito is an exception. Although his reign was short, he did many great things. For example, the cancellation of a number of major plans and projects under construction; the end of the imperial court's unrestricted expropriation of gold, silver, timber and other commodities; the issuance of edicts to allow the people who had fled to exile during the Yongle years to escape too heavy land and labor to return to their hometowns, exempt them from all taxes they owed, and give the policy of exempting them from land and labor for the next two years... With the efforts of Akihito, in just a few months, the Ming Dynasty quickly emerged from the state of people's livelihood, and a new atmosphere of vitality appeared throughout the country. This laid a solid foundation for the later prosperity of his son Ming Xuanzong during his reign.
During Akihito's reign, a number of very capable officials were promoted, and these ministers played a very important role in the two dynasties of Emperor Renzong and Emperor Xuanzong, and became the biggest promoter of the "rule of Renxuan". At the same time, he also eliminated a large number of dispensable officials, reduced the financial burden of the imperial court, and was more conducive to creating a clear political environment.
Akihito had a generous personality and was good at advice. He encouraged ministers to be outspoken and not to fear reprisals. Although at times excessive accusations would annoy him, he was always able to reflect on himself and ask for forgiveness from his ministers afterwards, a quality rare among emperors in Chinese history. In addition, Emperor Akihito ordered the forgiveness of those "criminal officials" and their families who had been punished for their loyalty to Emperor Jianwen, and returned their confiscated property.
The History of Ming praised Akihito for "reigning for one year, employing people for administration, and being good at books." Make the year of heavenly leave, the recuperation of Han Hao, the prosperity of virtue, and the prosperity of Wen and Jingbi Longya. ”
Portrait of Emperor Qingrenzong
Emperor Renzong of Qing was the seventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty, and later generations were more accustomed to calling him the Jiaqing Emperor. Qing Renzong reigned for twenty-five years, which is relatively long among the Chinese emperors, but the main impression he left on the world was only the punishment and punishment.
Qing Renzong was a typical mediocre tianzi, and he was not at fault, but he did not do anything. He was diligent in government affairs, but due to his limited ability, he did not bring any surprising changes to the country. As a result, the Qing Dynasty, which was already in a state of twilight, fell irretrievably during his reign.
Among the above four Emperor Renzong, Song Renzong and Ming Renzong are more in line with the image of a generation of Renjun. However, although Song Renzong had many virtues, as an emperor, he did not have the courage to be resolute and arbitrary, often hesitated in major policies, and his military performance was even more messy. Song Renzong was a good man, but not a good emperor.
Akihito was an enlightened Confucian monarch who adhered to the ideals of simplicity, benevolence, and sincerity, and promptly corrected many harsh and unpopular policies during the reign of his father, the Yongle Emperor. Although he did not achieve great military achievements like his grandfather Zhu Yuanzhang and father Zhu Di, for the people of the Ming Dynasty, an emperor like Akihito was the great tomorrow they really longed for. Akihito was a good man and a good emperor, and although he reigned for just over eight months, he left many valuable legacies for the Ming Dynasty. According to the night reading history books, of all the Emperor Injong, Akihito was the most numerous.