In the previous article, we talked about the original copy of the Yongle Canon compiled by Zhu Di, which is currently a copy re-copied by the Jiajing Emperor, and as for where the original went, it is still an unsolved mystery. Today, I continue to introduce you to the mystery of the Ming Dynasty, about the death of Zhu Changluo of the Ming GuangZong.
Zhu Changluo was one of the most legendary emperors of the Ming Dynasty, reigning for only one month, and he was the shortest-reigning emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Changluo's ability to become emperor was an accident in itself, and his mother was a palace girl with an underground status.
Although he was the eldest son of the Wanli Emperor, after all, his father was born by chance in the palace, so he did not get his father's love from a young age. The Wanli Emperor favored the precious concubines, and even regarded the son of the two men, Zhu Changxun, the Prince of Fu, as the pearl in his hand.
After a long time, the Wanli Emperor had the idea of abolishing Chang Liyou. As we all know, standing on the throne is an ancient ancestral system, and even the emperor who is high above does not dare to easily violate it. The Wanli Emperor struggled for more than ten years, until the twenty-ninth year of the Wanli Dynasty (1601 AD), under the strong advice of the empress dowager and his ministers, the Wanli Emperor reluctantly made Zhu Changluo the crown prince.
Although Zhu Changluo was made an emperor, the Wanli Emperor was not satisfied with him, but fortunately, Zhu Changluo performed well, and the Wanli Emperor could not depose the crown prince for a while. In August of the 48th year of the Wanli Calendar, the Wanli Emperor died and Zhu Changluo took the throne.
After many years of fear and trepidation, Zhu Changluo finally sat on the throne, "changing the august of the 48th year of the Wanli calendar to the first year of Taichang." As mentioned earlier, Zhu Changluo only served as emperor for one month, but he also did some things, mainly abolishing the mining tax, raising military salaries to reward the soldiers guarding the border; and appointing and dismissing some upright ministers. The "History of Ming" also has a more objective evaluation, "Guangzong Qiande Jiuzhang, Hai Nei belongs to Wang, and he serves January, the day does not leave the year, the measures are not unfolded, the three cases are disputed, the party is in trouble, and the mournful husband is also a husband!" ”
Zhu Changluo is ready for something, but he has a fatal hobby, lust. After Zhu Changluo ascended the throne, the wanli emperor's precious concubines voted for him and chose eight beautiful women to give to Zhu Changluo to enjoy, and as a result, Zhu Changluo fell ill eight days after he ascended the throne.
After the imperial doctor diagnosed that the emperor was weak and hot, so he prescribed a pair of laxatives. It is said that after Zhu Changluo took laxatives, he leaked more than 30 times in a day, was mentally weak, and was at risk of death at any time. What to do? At this moment, Li Kezhuo of the Hongxu Temple offered two red pills, and Zhu Changluo felt good after taking one.
In the evening, Zhu Changluo asked to continue taking, and as a result, he died not long after taking it, which was the "red pill case" of the Ming Dynasty. Because Zhu Changluo had only been on the throne for thirty days when he died, he was also called "The Son of Heaven in January".
References: "Ming Shilu Guangzong Benji", "Daming "Red Pill Case""