When you talk about Wang Zhen, you don't have to talk about "changes in civil engineering". Sometimes you can read something interesting just by looking at Wang Zhen. I don't comment on Wang Zhen's merits and demerits, but I just want to talk to you about whether the great eunuch in my eyes conforms to the cruel and evil young emperor image in your impression.
The controversy about Wang Zhen is so great that even when and how he entered the palace, there are two versions.
One said that Wang Zhen used to be a teacher in a county school, but later she almost lost her job because her performance appraisal failed to meet the standard. It happened that during the Yongle period, Judy set up an inner hall in the palace and found a teacher to teach the little eunuch to read and write. So Wang Zhen volunteered to enter the palace.
On the other hand, Wang Zhen entered the palace in Yongle since childhood. When he was a child, he studied in the inner library, and he was very good at literature and ink, and he also knew a little about history. Because of his personal ability, he was appreciated by several monarchs, including Judy, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji.
If you compare the sources of the two statements, you will find that the first statement is more common in the rhetoric of literati after the middle of the Ming Dynasty, while the second statement is clearly written in official historical materials and the memoirs of the emperor.
Personally, I tend to think that Wang Zhen has been in the palace since he was a child.
First, the appearance of the inner bookstore is really a Yongle thing. But Judy found several people to teach the little eunuch, and there was no need to find a school teacher from the county. In fact, after the mid-Ming Dynasty, almost all the teachers in the Inner Book Hall were imperial academy Jinshi.
Second, at that time, medical technology was underdeveloped, and the age at which men were castrated into the palace was actually particular. Although some Wei Zhongxian later wanted to enter the palace to find a way out as an adult, the palace generally chose/kloc-boys under 0.
Third, the credibility of official historical materials is relatively higher. But also mixed with the literati's contempt for the eunuch group. Scholars say that the eunuch Zhen, who was in power in the ruling and opposition parties, actually "defected" from our literati group.
Therefore, Wang Zhen, who entered the palace since childhood, was more in line with the historical facts at that time. Why do you want to emphasize the fact that I entered the palace since I was a child?
Because from small to large, although they are all eunuchs, their feelings for the emperor are different. The former highlights the loyalty of domestic slaves, while the latter is more utilitarian.
Many people think that Wang Zhen, as the "great companion" of Ming Yingzong and Zhu Qizhen, took care of Zhu Qizhen since childhood, so he soared after Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne and became a eunuch in power in the ruling and opposition parties. This statement is right or wrong.
He said he was right because Wang Zhen really had a deep relationship with Zhu Qizhen. He really began to formally take to the center of the political arena after Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne. Wrong, because before this, Wang Zhen's ability has been recognized by several emperors.
Beijing Zhihua Temple is a temple funded by Wang Zhen. It was built in the orthodox eight years, that is, six years before the "National Revolution". After the temple was built, Wang Zhen wrote an inscription in which he described some things in his palace, including saying that he owed Judy and Zhu Gaochi.
Considering that Wang Zhen may be boasting, we can squeeze out some water, combine some historical materials and the research of later generations, and roughly outline Wang Zhen's life track before the orthodox years.
Wang Zhen has been in the palace since he was a child. He should be no more than ten years old. After that, I entered the inner library to study, with excellent grades and good handwriting.
Judy saw that the child was clever and sent him to Prince Zhu Gaochi. Zhu Gaochi's life in Yongle is very difficult, and everything is cautious. Wang Zhen is thoughtful and has been recognized by Zhu Gaochi.
Zhu Gaochi did it for less than a year, and his son Zhu Zhanji came to power. Zhu Zhanji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty in the Ming Dynasty, promoted Wang Zhen as a huge wave in the East. What is Dong Lang? He is the eunuch accompanying the prince, who is responsible for enlightening the little prince and taking care of his life. This prince is Zhu Qizhen.
At the same time, before Zhu Qizhen became the eunuch of Jian, Wang Zhen worked in Jian during the Xuande period and once became the core figure of Jian. Silijian is the confidential secretary department of the emperor, responsible for transmitting official documents with foreign countries, and sometimes "approving red" (making decisions) on behalf of the emperor at the order of the emperor.
Wang Zhen was entrusted with such an important task by Zhu Zhanji of Ming Taizu during Xuande period, which shows Zhu Zhanji's trust and recognition.
A eunuch who entered the palace in his early years, studied in the library, had a certain cultural accomplishment, was careful and cautious, and was trusted by several generations of monarchs. This is the image that Wang Zhen showed in the eyes of the world years ago.
In the first month of the tenth year of Xuande, Zhu Zhanji, Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty, died, and Zhu Qizhen, who was only nine years old in nominal age, acceded to the throne in the same year. That is, in this year, Wang Zhen officially became the handprint eunuch of Silijian.
Courtiers always scold Wang Zhen for his bad influence on Zhu Qizhen and failing to teach the emperor well, so that the emperor was not close to courtiers when he grew up. This is actually a bit of a hooligan.
In the Ming Dynasty, the age when a prince officially became a monk and went to school was generally around 13- 16. Nine-year-old Zhu Qizhen didn't become a monk before he became king. Unmarried means that he has not received a systematic Confucian education, and no stable and qualified courtiers have been his teachers.
Nine-year-old Zhu Qizhen, whose previous studies were conducted under the guidance of Wang Zhen, can barely be regarded as "pre-school education". Wang Zhen only studied in the Inner Library for a few years. How can his talent be compared with that of officials who have studied hard in North Korea for decades? Later, Zhu Qizhen's cultural level was not high, and he didn't get close to the minister. It's really not entirely Wang Zhen's fault.
At the same time, did Wang Zhenying sound Zhu Qizhen? At least during the period from the first year of orthodoxy to the seventh year of orthodoxy, Wang Zhen did his duty as an accompanying eunuch and "great companion" of Zhu Qizhen.
Zhu Qizhen is playful, and Wang Zhen persuades him whenever he sees it, even at the expense of the Queen Mother. Wang Zhen also told Zhu Qizhen that your father, grandfather and great-grandfather can control courtiers, so you should read more books and learn how to control courtiers.
Do you think these examples are of the same nature as Liu Jin's temptation to eat, drink and be merry in Ming Dynasty?
In the early years of orthodoxy, although the "Three Sheep" were in charge and Zhang Taihou was in charge of the overall situation, Zhu Qizhen was never taught how to be an emperor.
Wang Zhen just told Zhu Qizhen how the monarchs he saw in Yongle, Hongxi and Xuande were in power. What's inside is right or wrong. Wang Zhen can understand this for the time being, but we can't say that Wang Zhen is leading Zhu Qizhen astray.
Therefore, Zhu Qizhen's feelings for Wang Zhen are described in the history books with the words "respect and fear". What do you mean? Respect and fear, this should be touched.
After all, Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne for the first time in the Ming Dynasty. Wang Zhen's political position has been greatly improved, which has gradually aroused the vigilance of ministers. This is for sure, because when the emperor was young and unable to govern, the biggest beneficiary was the civilian group.
This kind of vigilance actually comes from the administrative functions of the six departments. In the early years of orthodoxy, the empress dowager was in charge of the overall situation, but not directly. But by the "Sanyang" cabinet director, Li Si overseers headed by Wang Zhen with the "red batch", and finally directly handed over to six departments for implementation.
These administrative yamen, who only work but don't have much political right to speak, are beginning to be unwilling. However, the Empress Dowager Tai is there, and the qualifications and abilities of "Sanyang" are beyond their control. Director Li Si naturally became their best target.
So there was the famous "command meeting" in the early years of orthodoxy.
At that time, Empress Dowager Cixi held a meeting with Zhu Qizhen, "Sanyang" and Zhang Fu present, which was the core decision-making circle of the empire at that time. At the end of the meeting, Wang Zhen was stopped by the old lady.
As soon as Wang Zhen stepped into the hall, the old lady accused Wang Zhen of not taking good care of Zhu Qizhen's diet and daily life, and wanted to kill Wang Zhen. Then Zhu Qizhen and several ministers pleaded, and Wang Zhen was pardoned.
Many people say that this incident happened after the old lady Wang Zhen was beaten, because after this incident, Wang Zhen obviously kept a low profile. But I think this is the old lady saving Wang Zhen.
Who's Zhang Taihou? Judy's daughter-in-law, Queen Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Zhanji's biological mother and Zhu Qizhen's grandmother.
You can check the history to see how much and how much Zhang helped. How can such a woman not understand the care of detained people? How could I not know the importance of Wang Zhen to Zhu Qizhen?
The Empress Dowager understands that Wang Zhen, the emperor's personal eunuch, is someone that Zhu Qizhen can really trust in the future. She wants to suppress Wang Zhenbao. So there was the move mentioned above.
It looks like it's for Wang Liwei, but it's actually for courtiers. Don't worry too much about things. Wang Zhen didn't have the courage. Now I hold him down. When the emperor grows up, he will be in charge of himself. Nothing belongs to Wang Zhen. After all, Wang Zhen is just a "nanny" around the little emperor.
However, Wang Zhen's behavior of being a man with his tail between his legs later gave courtiers the illusion that Wang Zhen was not a worrying person.
But this balance will eventually be broken, because Zhu Qizhen is in daily growing.
From the seventh year of orthodoxy, we finally saw Wang Zhen's "true face". Wang Zhen began to seize power, accept bribes, pervert the law, form political parties for personal gain, and suppress dissidents. The courtiers were surprised to find that the eunuch dictatorship they were most worried about at first still happened.
The orthodox seven years is a turning point, because the queen mother died of illness in this year, and the "Sanyang" in the cabinet is getting old, either dead or retired. But why didn't anyone ask how old Zhu Qizhen was after seven years of orthodox education? Sixteen years old.
Compare a few more data. Ming Wuzong Zhu Houzhao 15 years old ascended the throne, and Liu Jin was authoritarian; Zhu Youxiao/Kloc-acceded to the throne at the age of 0/6, and Wei Zhongxian took power. So what role did Wang Zhen play when 17-year-old Ming Yingzong died and began to lead the country in fact?
If we put aside the prejudice against the eunuch group for the time being, and look at the imperial power and the eunuch's domestic slave attribute, we can draw a conclusion: Zhu Qizhen seized power through Wang Zhen.
An emperor wants to establish his supreme authority, the first thing to do is to control the court personnel. Wang Zhen's cronyism is that Zhu Qizhen is cultivating his own clique team, diluting Xuande and the right to speak of the old officials in the DPRK during the "Sanyang" period.
Although Wang Zhen's methods are a bit rough, there are also many bad behaviors in the process, and it is objective to take bribes and bend the law, but I have to deny that Wang Zhen is very loyal and resolute in this matter.
The struggle in the early Ming Dynasty was far less fierce and cruel than that in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. First of all, the atmosphere is not bad enough to drive away the losers. Secondly, the contradiction between the emperor and the courtiers did not intensify to the later "incompatibility." But it also left many hidden dangers for Zhu Qizhen, which led to the incompleteness of imperial power and a long and tedious process.
The best proof is that on the eve of the "National Revolution" in the fourteenth year of orthodoxy, Zhu Qizhen wanted to use personal expedition.
The opposition of courtiers is reflected in the uncoordinated deployment of military logistics materials. This is why Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen went to war, and they had to carry a large number of civilian workers to transport food all the way.
From the orthodox seven years to the orthodox fourteen years, although Zhu Qizhen has been able to carry out his will in the imperial court, he still can't avoid being deceived by the civil service group from behind. The same thing can't happen in the eunuch era of Wei Zhongxian. This also proves from the side that Wang Zhen's ability to help the emperor seize power is not as good as that of several later generations.
I won't talk about "Ma Gong incident" and "civil engineering change" here, because it is too big, and I have written it specially before. Interested friends can go and have a look. Let's talk about Zhu Qizhen's feelings for Wang Zhen.
Zhu Qizhen experienced "civil strife" and was captured. After returning to the palace, his younger brother Ming Daizong Zhu Qiyu was put under house arrest. Finally, the throne was restored through the "change of seizing the door" and the title was changed to "Tianshun".
Zhu Qizhen, who has just returned to the throne, will soon begin to rehabilitate Wang Zhen. First create public opinion, then rehabilitate some so-called "Wang Zhenyu Yu Party", and finally whitewash Wang Zhen. The most representative event is that in the third year of Tianshun, Zhu Qizhen set up a sacrificial monument for Wang Zhen in Zhihua Temple, and praised Wang Zhen throughout.
I have to sigh again, the atmosphere in the early Ming Dynasty is really good. If you look at what happened to Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian later, you will feel that Wang Zhen really met a good man, and Zhu Qizhen is really a nostalgic person.
The biggest beneficiary of "civil reform" is basically Wang Zhenbei. This was doomed in Zhu Qizhen's time, because if Wang Zhen didn't recite it, then Zhu Qizhen himself would be nailed to the shame column of history. This pot is too big. Hundreds of thousands of Daming's main forces and dozens of court officials directly interrupted the rise of Daming's national strength. In addition to Wang Zhen, there really is no second suitable person.
Only when Wang Zhen carries this pot, can the uproar about the "civil change" be calmed down, things can pass, and the thrones of Zhu Qiyu in Ming Daizong and Zhu Qizhen in Ming Yingzong can be secured; Only when Wang Zhen took the blame, the courtiers could reach a settlement with the emperor again, and Daming's core power circle could be balanced again.
It's just that sometimes I can't help asking, is it true that Wang Zhen took Zhu Qizhen to use personal expedition? Did Wang Zhen change his route on his way home? Did Wang Zhen keep the army in the civilian fortress?
There must be something wrong with Wang Zhen. Later generations didn't really wronged him, but what about those courtiers who looked hypocritical? What about Zhu Qizhen who finally killed Yu Qian? During an avalanche, not a snowflake is innocent.
A word from the family, chatting to relieve boredom.