"Women can hold up half of the sky", this national discourse indicating the role of women's status, was greatly popular in a period after the founding of New China, and became the slogan of the times to promote women's liberation, which effectively improved women's right to speak.
So in the feudal society that respects Confucian ideas and pays attention to the inferiority of men and women, what about women's right to speak? Can they participate in national politics? Do they have any advantages in social life?
These questions may be answered in the following story. This story takes place during the Ming Dynasty Jiajing period, when men pay attention to the wind and bones, and women value fame and etiquette.
Because her husband was wrongfully imprisoned, a human wife went so far as to plead directly with the Jiajing Emperor, pleading with her to replace her husband in prison, release her husband from prison to honor her elderly father, and at the same time continue the heirs with another concubine.
The life of men and women in the Ming Dynasty
This woman's surname is Zhang, in ancient times, there was no name for Zhang, and her husband was Shen Shu, a famous official of Daming!
1. Without heirs, marry concubines to the husband
Shen Shu , a native of Huiji County , Shaoxing Province , Zhejiang ( present-day Keqiao District , Shaoxing , Zhejiang ) , was born in 1514 ( the ninth year of Emperor Zhengde of MingWu ) .
Shen Shu was born into a family of eunuchs, and his father, Shen Yu, served as the governor of Ying Prefecture (at that time, one of the 4 prefectures and one of the 9 prefectures directly under Shaanxi Province). As a "second generation official", Shen Shu's family education since he was a child was to make meritorious contributions to the country, share worries for the king, and strive to be a good scholar.
Shen Shu has been intelligent and studious since childhood, and has a kind and upright personality. According to the development process of the readers at that time, under the careful cultivation of their families, they took the examination step by step, and gradually obtained the qualifications of children and people.
While studying for the examination, Shen Shu, in accordance with the ancient Chinese cultural tradition of "self-cultivation, family unity, governance of the country, and peace in the world", under the active mediation of the adults, he married the beautiful and kind Zhang Family early.
Both husband and wife are influenced by traditional culture, the male and female protagonists, the identity of the two is clear, the positioning is accurate, and the life after marriage is also a husband singing with the woman, respecting each other as guests!
Fast forward to 1544 (the twenty-third year of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty), Shen Shu participated in the national organization of the examination. And among many candidates, he has achieved good results. The number of students admitted that year was 3 in the first class (the first name was Shen Shu Tongxiang, Qin Minglei in Linhai County, Taizhou, Zhejiang), 93 in the second class, and 216 in the third class. Shen Shu ranked 113th in the third division and was given the title of "TongjinShi Origin".
After Shen Shu passed the examination for the rank of jinshi, he obtained the qualification of being an official and was awarded the Huizhou Pushing Official. The Tuiguan is the second official of each province, generally Zheng Qipin (Suncheonfu, Yingtianfu is congliupin), and the main job is to "rationalize the name of the punishment and praise the code".
Shen Shu did a good job in the position of pushing official, fully affirmed by the upper and lower levels, and after the selection and assessment of the officials, he was promoted to the position of etiquette department, which was equivalent to being transferred to the central department of the capital and working at the emperor's side.
Although the rank of Daming's giving affairs was not high, it formed a system of officials with the Imperial History of the Metropolitan Inspection Bureau, "in charge of the affairs of the six hundred divisions of the attendants, the rules, the supplementary gaps, the collection of the remains, and the inspection of the six departments." "Assisting the emperor in handling the song, promptly stopping and correcting the emperor's immoral and corrupt behavior, and enjoying the right to "refute", it can be said that the power is very large, in line with Shen Shu's upright character.
Shen Shu
Compared with Shen Shu's career, his wife Zhang Shike has always been worried, because although they have been married for many years, they still have no heirs.
In ancient times, it was emphasized that "no filial piety has three, and no queen is greater", and it is a big thing that cannot continue the incense. Because of the virtuous and virtuous character, Zhang Shi is also anxious for her husband!
Shen Shu was promoted to Beijing, and Zhang Shi was not idle in his hometown. In her personal dominance and activeness, she chose a concubine for her husband, named Pan.
Just as Zhang Was preparing to take the Pan family to the capital and share the heavenly lun as a family, Shen Shu had an accident.
2. Offended Yan Song, and Shen Shu was unjustly imprisoned
At this time, Yan Song, the "Prime Minister of Qingzi", continued to win the trust of the Jiajing Emperor, and his wings gradually became full.
In 1548, because of the discussion on whether to recover the Hetao area, Yan Song, Xia Yan, Zeng Qiao and others launched a fierce struggle. As a result of the struggle, the governor of Shaanxi Province, Shilang Zeng, was killed in the spring of that year, the university scholar Xia Yan was also beheaded in the winter of that year, and Xia Yan's cronies were either degraded or punished.
Yan Song was once again highly regarded by the Jiajing Emperor and served as the first assistant to the cabinet, and thus began his career as a dictatorship.
Previously, Yan Song's son Yan Shifan, during his tenure as the governor of the Later Military Governor's Office, was reprimanded by the governor of the capital, Zhou Shangwen, and wanted to be impeached. After Yan Song apologized to his face, Yan Shifan was spared, but he was adjusted from the capital to the middle of the rule. Yan Song has always held a grudge against this matter, and constantly wants to find opportunities to attack Zhou Shangwen.
In the spring of 1549, the northern Region invaded the South again. In the Battle of Caojiazhuang, Zhou Shangwen led his troops to resist the enemy and was made crown prince by the Jiajing Emperor. But not long after, Zhou Shangwen died of his injuries.
Invasion of the South
In the summer of 1549, the imperial court discussed the matter of compensating and commending Zhou Shangwen. Because Yan Song had an old hatred for Zhou Shangwen, he obstructed it and cooperated with his henchmen to shelve Zhou Shangwen's pension and commendation.
Shen Shu, as a courtesy officer, out of duty and character, wanted to uphold justice and came forward to uphold justice for Zhou Shangwen, so he said to the Jiajing Emperor:
Zhou Shangwen, as a general, promised himself loyalty and righteousness. Recently, the enemy cavalry penetrated deep into Senegal, and after Zhou Shangwen heard the alarm, he rushed to the front line, bravely charged forward, and killed and captured many enemy soldiers, which was also a momentary miracle. Zhou Shangwen should be knighted and continued to his descendants. ...... What is used by the officials in power today to give and slash at will, to impersonate people who are lucky to get favored, and to be loyal and diligent in opposing abandonment?
Shen Shu's letter is full of responsibility and justice, which is also due to his upright and kind character.
However, Shen Shu did not take into account the special political environment at that time. This letter not only rebuked Yan Song, but also scolded Yan Song as a "person who pretended to be an abusive person", saying that Yan Song "got the grace by chance", thus completely offending Yan Song. At the same time, Song Shu also alluded to the fact that the Jiajing Emperor did not know people clearly, employed people improperly, rewarded and punished people, and did not administer the government effectively.
Yan Song was already very good at using the Jiajing Emperor to fight dissidents, and when he saw the moment of Song Shu, he understood that he did not need to take action on his own. Sure enough, the Jiajing Emperor was furious when he saw it, and ordered Shen Shu to be sentenced to the punishment of a court staff, and went down to the Zhao Prison to be imprisoned.
At this time, the Zhang family was in their hometown, busy marrying a concubine Pan for Shen Shu, so that the Shen family could inherit the lineage. When he learned this news, it was undoubtedly a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and he didn't have time to think about it at that time, so he rushed to the capital with Pan.
And Zhou Shangwen's pension commendation? Because of Yan Song's obstruction, it was finally unable to be implemented at that time. It was not until Emperor Jiajing's son, Emperor Mingmuzong Zhu Zaiquan, ascended the throne that he posthumously awarded Zhou Shangwen the title of Taifu (太傅) and his courtesy name Wuxiang (武襄).
3. Husband and wife have a deep affection, and go to Beijing to work and provide support
Zhang Shi took the Pan family and his entourage to the capital with him, wading through the mountains and rivers and tirelessly. Here are their husbands, and he is now suffering in prison!
Prison
What is a prison? The zhao prison is a prison directly controlled by the emperor, and the criminals in it are all convicted by the emperor himself. In Daming, the prison is managed by Jinyiwei or the East and West Factories, and is called "not the ancient system" by the world, and many people say that "good people go in to peel off their skins, and normal people go in to become crazy", which is terrible to imagine.
The Zhang clan naturally had also heard of the zhao prison, and now it was Shen Shu's turn to be imprisoned, this family was equivalent to losing the top pillar, and the fear in their hearts was indescribable.
After Shen Shu was imprisoned, his treatment was naturally canceled. Without Lumi, without housing, without servants, alone in prison, not only is it difficult to protect itself, but it also needs some necessary help from the outside world.
After Zhang Shi arrived in the capital, he couldn't find a place to live, what to do? He could only live with Pan in the inn. In ancient times, it was no better than now, comfort is not to say, only women can not show their faces at will, this inconvenience in life, is a big problem.
When Shen Shu first went to prison, there were some colleagues and friends who provided financial support, but after a long time, many people began to slowly forget. In order to survive, the second daughter of the Zhang family had to earn money by working as a female worker and weaving, and in addition to supporting themselves, they also had to provide food and clothing for Shen Shu in prison.
In addition to them and Shen Shu, there is also their father-in-law, Shen Shu's father, Shen You, who retired at home because of his old age and frailty, and also needed someone to take care of him.
As time passes, their lives are very difficult. And the belief that keeps them alive is their husbands in prison who are in trouble. One is the deep love between husband and wife, but for Pan, they have never met.
Pan's idea of marrying Shen Shu is unknown to us. In the feudal society that emphasized Confucianism, the social status of concubines was different from that of the right wife. Although Pan married under the advice of Zhang, and Zhang was indeed very good to her, the difference in social status is still very obvious. Moreover, Pan And Shen Shu have never met, and the two have not yet had sex together.
Zhang Shi was also aware of Shen Shu's situation and felt sorry for Pan Shi, who had advised Pan to remarry. However, at that time, the woman valued fame and dignity, and the concept of the end had long been remembered, and Pan immediately swore that she would never remarry.
Although the days were like years, the days always had to pass, and finally survived to 1564!
Shen Shu was imprisoned in Zhao prison for 16 years, and the Zhangs also lived in a hotel and supported him for 16 years by making textiles.
How did Shen Shu live in prison? I can't say yes, but because of the Care and Support of the Zhang Family, at least it is still passable. 16 years has smoothed out his edges and corners, changed his temperament, and that young man who is prosperous has faded into an uncle who knows his destiny!
Shen Shu also concentrated on two things in prison, and achieved great results. The first is to devote himself to the study of "Zhou Yi" and author of "Zhou Yi Tong Xie", which is a big person. The second is to practice the unique skill of carving with one hand, he made a foot-long nan wood into "stationery one, large box three, small box seven, wall lock two", and several pieces of brown bamboo into fans, its degree of refinement, even professional craftsmen are lamenting that they are inferior.
《Zhou Yi》
And all this is also due to the hard work of the second daughter of the Zhang family, which provides him with the necessary living conditions.
4. Life is hard, risk death to save
Time back 2 years, 1562!
At this time, Yan Song was 82 years old, and the Jiajing Emperor was tired of Yan Song's father and son for a long time, and his favor gradually decreased. Xu Jie and many other ministers were dissatisfied with Yan Song's father and son, and the call for "falling strict" was getting higher and higher, and Yan Song's position was precarious.
One day, the Jiajing Emperor asked the Daoist priest Lan Dao to help him. Lan Daoxing was famous for his ability to support servants in Yanjing, and was trusted by the Jiajing Emperor. Lan Daoxing played the result of the support, saying that "there are traitors playing things today", just as Yan Song was passing by, the Jiajing Emperor had the idea of expelling Yan Song.
This idea of the Jiajing Emperor was revealed by the internal servants to Yushi Zou Yinglong, who was sheltering from the rain in his home. Zou Yinglong was clever and quickly impeached Yan Song's son Yan Shifan.
In 1562, on the 19th day of the fifth lunar month, the Jiajing Emperor quickly imprisoned Yan Shifan according to Zou Yinglong's performance, and at the same time ordered Yan Song to retire and Chi Yi to return home.
The so-called "strict party" that has controlled the government for more than ten years at this time "fell down and scattered." "The imperial court pattern was reorganized, the Jiajing Emperor reused Xu Jie, and the government began to be clear.
Zhang Shi was more than forty years old at this time, and Pan's age was gradually increasing, seeing that Shen Shuzi's heirs had not yet landed, coupled with the hardships and hardships of life, they were "very anxious" in their hearts.
In the spring of 1564, Zhang Shi really couldn't afford to wait, and after repeated discussions with Pan Shi, he finally plucked up the courage to risk his life to the Jiajing Emperor:
The husband of the subject, Shen Shu, had an eighty-nine-year-old father, who was physically ill and precarious. In the past, because Shen Shu was childless under his knees, the subject married a concubine Pan Shi for him, and when the subject and the Pan clan came to Beijing, Shen Shu had already been imprisoned. Pan swore not to remarry, and we lived together in the inn, relying on textiles to make money to supply Shen Shu with food and clothing, and the years were long and painful. If you want to return to your hometown to serve your father-in-law, you can't take care of Shen Shu's porridge; if you want to stay in Beijing to provide for Shen Shu, your father-in-law's life will be over. Thinking about it repeatedly, there is no way to retreat. The subject was willing to go to prison on behalf of his husband, so that Shen Shu had to send his father home to the end, and still return to prison after the funeral, which was indeed a great kindness of His Majesty.
In the song, Zhang Shi explained the illness of the old husband, she continued to marry Shen Shu's concubines, Pan swore not to remarry, they lived in a sojourn hotel, relying on textiles to make money to support Shen Shu's hardships, and now living in misery, the dilemma of helplessness, willing to go to prison on behalf of her husband, let her husband out of prison for her father's filial piety, sincerity can be learned.
Think about their 16 years of life, the two thin "weak women" are incomparably great, they are not only "women can stand up to half the sky", but also topped the entire sky of the Shen family, but also supported Shen Shu's life and future. It can be said that the song is in tears, and people can't help but sigh after watching it! The Ming Tong Jian is fully documented.
Ancient textile drawings
After the song was presented, the people of the Punishment Department were also greatly moved, they were in the environment at that time, and they could better understand the difficulty of the second daughter of the Zhang family, so the Punishment Department also interceded for Shen Shu.
5. Touched Jiajing, the family recounted the heavens
After the Jiajing Emperor saw it, his heart was also very touched. However, as a case he had decided, if he wanted to overthrow himself and release Shen Shu, for the dignity of the emperor, Jiajing needed a reason and a time.
Although the Jiajing Emperor did not immediately release Shen Shu, he paid more attention to Shen Shu. He ordered the jailers who imprisoned Shen Shu to report shen Shu's food and accommodation every day, which was called "prison stickers" at that time. Sometimes, when there is no special situation, Shen Shu's witty words are reported.
Time passed unconsciously, and in the blink of an eye, it was 1566!
In the spring of that year, the famous "Hai Rui Shangshu" incident occurred in history. Hai Rui, the head of the household department, saw that the Jiajing Emperor had not been in the court for many years, but was concentrating on cultivating the Jai, and the courtiers also offered Fu Rui one after another, so they advised him.
When the Jiajing Emperor saw Hai Rui's sonata, he became furious and "threw him to the ground" and asked people to "grab him quickly, don't let him run!" After that, Hai Rui was sent to the Zhao Prison, and Song Shu stayed in the inner court for several months, thinking about it repeatedly.
Seeing Hai Rui, who was slandering him, Jiajing thought of Shen Shu, who was still imprisoned in Zhao, Yan Song, who was abusive and corrupt, recalled Shen Shu's blunt words 18 years ago, and Zhou Shangwen, a hero who had not yet been praised.
After Hai Rui was imprisoned, some of the so-called "clear streams" among the courtiers were constantly seeking help. One day, He Yishang, the secretary of the Household Department, remembered his friendship with Hai Rui, admired Hai Rui's wind bones, and was also rescued by Shang Shu.
Stills from Harry
In 1566, on the twenty-fourth day of the tenth month of the lunar calendar, magpies chirped outside Shen Shu's window. Shen Shu said smoothly, "Is there still a happy event that has befallen the prisoner?" After the jailer's "prison sticker" was reported, the Jiajing Emperor was moved!
Just at this time, the head of the household department, He Shangshen, was also sent to save Hai Rui, and the Jiajing Emperor was furious after seeing it, and ordered He Yishang to be given a staff and imprisoned. At the same time, Shen Shu was immediately released and dismissed from his post as a civilian.
Shen Shu was held in prison for 18 years, but was not convicted until the end. Zhang And Pan waited for him outside prison for 18 years, and Pan was still a virgin at this time, but Shen Shu was old and had no heirs. Although Zhang's wish was empty, but 18 years of hardships have been rewarded, the family finally ushered in the day of reunion, their mood at this moment, I believe that no beautiful language in the world can express it!
Shen Shu returned to his hometown, his father had died, and he finally failed to fulfill his long-cherished wish to send his father to the end, which may also be the price he should pay for the young sloppiness.
Two months later, the Jiajing Emperor died and Emperor Mingmuzong took the throne. Shen Shu was taken up from his original post, he did not take office; later he was summoned to the capital to give things, and soon promoted to Nanjing Right Tongzheng, he also resigned from illness, returned to his hometown with Zhang and Pan to clothe and vegetables, and embrace his own happiness!
In 1581, Shen Shu died. Zhang Presided over the funeral and asked Zhang Yuanchen to make an epitaph for him, using the boxes and fans made by Shen Shu himself.
Ming Dynasty epitaph
epilogue:
Through this story, there are still four questions worth further thinking about!
1. Zhang Shi called himself a "subject" in the Shangshu to the Jiajing Emperor, not a "grass people", let alone a "slave", indicating that at that time it was based on Shen Shu's official status, and also gave his family Zhang a similar identity, and Daming was also relatively enlightened in adhering to the feudal hierarchy.
2. Zhang Shi took the initiative to take a concubine for Shen Shu after having no heirs, and although Pan and Shen Shu never met, they waited outside prison for 18 years without remarrying, indicating that the ruling culture of Daming establishing the country with Confucianism and ruling the country with filial piety has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
3. The Zhang couple lived in a hermit hotel and relied on textiles to support Shen Shu for 18 years, although the conditions were not as convenient as now, but they also maintained a basic life. It shows that at that time, the handicraft industry had developed to a certain extent, and the social atmosphere and public security environment were better.
4. This story also shows that even in ancient feudal society, there were many capable women. Their traditional virtues of loyalty and patriotism, filial piety to parents, husbands and godsons, and virtuousness and squareness are always worthy of our continued inheritance.
References: "History of Ming", "Ming Tongjian", etc., relevant pictures from the Internet, infringement contact deleted.