Should the famous Ming Dynasty general Lan Yu die?

The proverb "The good birds are hidden in the bows, but the cunning rabbits are cooked by the running dogs." This proverb generally refers to the fact that after the ancient emperors settled the world, they were worried about their heroes and found an excuse to kill them all. To put it simply, it is "Killing the mill and killing the donkey", Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, killed Peng Yue, Han Xin, and Yingbu who had helped him establish meritorious deeds. In this regard, Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin was more open-minded and brought together several brothers who had conquered the world together. After drinking the wine, several old brothers resigned and went to retire, and the emperor and his ministers were all happy.

The most famous hero-killer in history is Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang was also a British leader in history. He started as a commoner, conquered the east and west to pacify the world, and drove away the Mongol rulers. The political power of the Han nation was restored. During his reign, Zhu Yuanzhang worked hard to punish corrupt officials and illegal nobles; militarily, he implemented; economically, he carried out immigration and military settlements, built water conservancy projects, reduced tax burdens, measured the country's land, and carried out household registration checks; culturally, he focused on education, The imperial examination was launched to promote social and economic recovery and development, which was known as the "Hongwu Rule" in history.

But even such a talented and strategic emperor showed no mercy in killing heroes. Two of the famous "Four Major Cases" of the Ming Dynasty involved the killing of heroes. These four major cases are: : 1. In the 13th year of Hongwu (1380), 2. in the 9th or 15th year of Hongwu (1376 or 1382), 3. in the 18th year of Hongwu (1385), 4. in the 20th year of Hongwu Six years (1393). Among them, the "Kongyin Case" and the "Guo Huan Case" are Zhu Yuanzhang's famous cases to curb corruption. The "Lanye Case" and "Hu Weiyong Case" are Zhu Yuanzhang's cases of killing heroes. He was executed because of the "Lanye Case" There were as many as 15,000 people killed, including Yi Gong, Thirteen Marquises, and Second Bo. Almost all the brave generals in the army were killed. Zhu Yuanzhang responded with an imperial edict and recorded it in the "Nie Chen Lu".

Historians have many doubts about the Lan Yu case. They believe that the Lan Yu case was mostly an unjust case. Zhu Yuanzhang used the Lan Yu case to completely eradicate the potential threat to the monarchy from general power and firmly control the general power within himself. There is a premeditated political movement in the hands, and the truth of the matter is no longer known. This article will talk about some of my personal opinions on the "Blue Jade Case" recorded in "History of the Ming Dynasty". Please bear with me.

< p> We first need to know who Lan Yu is.

Lan Yu is the brother-in-law of Kaiping King Chang Yuchun, and Chang Yuchun is the father-in-law of the Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and Lan Yu is the uncle of the Crown Princess. Because of this relationship, Lan Yu tried his best to protect Prince Zhu Biao's status as the crown prince. He once reminded Prince Zhu Biao to pay attention to the King of Yan, Zhu Di, and did not hesitate to antagonize King Yan for this reason. Lan Yu was originally under Chang Yuchun's account. He fought bravely against the enemy and won everyone's recognition for his life-threatening fighting with swords and guns. Chang Yuchun also praised him many times in front of Zhu Yuanzhang

Zhu Yuanzhang's main opponent on the eve of the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. The above are several forces that, like Zhu Yuanzhang, raised troops to resist the Yuan Dynasty, such as Zhang Shicheng who proclaimed himself emperor in Gaoyou, Chen Youliang who occupied Jiujiang and proclaimed himself emperor, etc. In fact, the main force of the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty did not suffer a major blow, but was driven out of the Central Plains by Zhu Yuanzhang. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the main enemy of the Ming Dynasty was the Mongolian forces who fled to the north of the Great Wall. The famous "Tumubao Incident" during the Yingzong period was the result of the Ming Dynasty's failure to completely eliminate the remaining Mongolian forces.

Zhongshan King Xu Da, After the death of Chang Yuchun, King of Kaiping, Lan Yu became Zhu Yuanzhang's first-rate general capable of fighting. Lan Yu himself was very courageous and strategic. He led large armies to fight against the remnants of Mongolia many times and made many meritorious deeds.

In the 20th year of Hongwu, Lan Yu followed the general to conquer the remaining Mongolian forces and stationed himself in Tongzhou. Lan Yu took advantage of the heavy snow and led Qing. The cavalry attacked decisively, defeated the Yuan army, killed Pingzhang Shi Guolai, and captured Guolai's son Bu Lanxi back alive. When General Feng Sheng was found guilty, Taizu took away his general seal and ordered Lan Yu to use it as general. Soon after he was promoted to the rank of military officer, Lan Yu was awarded the title of general in the army, and Lan Yu entered the stage of history. Lan Yu, who became the general, moved his troops to Jizhou.

The grandson of Emperor Yuan Shun at that time. After inheriting the throne, he continued to harass the Ming border fortress. In March of the 21st year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Lan Yu to lead an army of 150,000 to attack the Yuan army. Lan Yu led the army to Qingzhou and learned through intelligence that Emperor Yuan was there. We traveled day and night from the small road and took advantage of the night to reach the south of Yu'erhai. The enemy's military camp was still more than eighty miles northeast of Yu'erhai. Lan Yu ordered Wang Bi to be the forward, marched quickly, and approached the enemy camp. The enemy believed that the Ming army lacked water and food and could not attack deeply, so they were unprepared. In addition, there was a strong wind at that time, blowing up the yellow sand, and it was dark during the day. The army moved forward, but the Yuan army did not notice it. The Ming army suddenly arrived in front of the Yuan army camp. The Yuan army was shocked and hurriedly fought. The Ming army defeated the Yuan army.

Lan Yu achieved great victory in the battle of "Capturing Erhai". Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy to hear the news, saying that Lan Yu was Huo Qubing in the Han Dynasty and Li Jing in the Tang Dynasty.

Lan Yu does have his own style and characteristics in fighting, brave and strategic. Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang also treated him generously. The continuous military achievements and Zhu Yuanzhang's favor made Lan Yu slowly develop arrogance. Domineering character.

To what extent Lan Yu's arrogance has reached, Volume 132 of "History of the Ming Dynasty" records: Returning from the Northern Expedition, they detained Xifeng Pass at night. The officials at the pass accepted it from time to time and sent troops to destroy the pass and enter. The emperor was unhappy when he heard about it. The meaning of this passage is that Lan Yu won the battle and arrived at Xifeng Pass of the Great Wall at night. The official who opened the door was a little slow, so Lan Yu destroyed the pass and entered. Zhu Yuanzhang was very unhappy when he heard the news.

Lan Yu also did the last thing he should do, raping a captured concubine of the Yuan Dynasty. The concubine Yuan could not bear the humiliation and committed suicide in shame. All these things made Zhu Yuanzhang very unhappy. Lan Yu forgot that although the princess of the Yuan Dynasty was a prisoner, she was also a "princess".

With his achievements, Lan Yu began to be proud and complacent. Zhu Yuanzhang named Lan Yu "Liang Guogong" and deliberately changed the "Liang" in the pillar to "Liang Guogong", which was said to have a "cool heart". Zhu Yuanzhang was dissatisfied with Lan Yu, and ordered people to carve out Lan Yu's faults and give them to Lan Yu, so that he could understand his good intentions. However, Lan Yu didn't take it seriously and still went his own way. This made Zhu Yuanzhang dissatisfied with him. getting bigger and bigger.

Volume 132 of "History of the Ming Dynasty" also records Lan Yu: "He indulged himself in arrogance, kept many village slaves and fake sons, and took advantage of the situation to be tyrannical. He tried to occupy the people's fields in Dongchang, and the censor asked about it. Yu was angry and drove him away. Censor. "Lanyu also accepted many fake men, raised dead soldiers, promoted officials in the army without principles, and went rampant in the countryside, bullying men and women. The imperial censor investigated these matters, but Lan Yu not only refused to cooperate but also arrogantly drove away the imperial officials who came to investigate. Lan Yu also repeatedly lied, thinking that the reward given to him by Zhu Yuanzhang was too low, and Lan Yu thought that he "didn't listen more than he told me to do something, which made him more unhappy."

What Zhu Yuanzhang did to Lan Yu The matter was well understood, but Zhu Yuanzhang adopted a tolerant attitude towards Lan Yu. On the one hand, Lan Yu was indeed a talent, and on the other hand, Lan Yu had a very good relationship with Prince Zhu Biao. Although Lan Yu was unruly, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to leave Lan Yu's talents to the next crown prince Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao was generous and kind, and had a very harmonious relationship with the ministers in the court. "History of the Ming Dynasty" records: The prince was friendly. The kings of Qin and Zhou had their faults several times, and they often took care of them and returned them to their countries. Someone reported the King of Jin's conspiracy, and the prince wept in tears, and the emperor realized it. Prime Minister Hu Weiyong was involved in the treason case and Zhu Yuanzhang took the opportunity to go on a killing spree. Prince Zhu Biao told his father Zhu Yuanzhang not to kill anyone again. Zhu Yuanzhang threw a thorny thorn on the ground and asked the prince to pick it up. The prince was embarrassed when he saw the thorny thorn. Zhu Yuanzhang picked it up and pulled out the thorns on the thorns and said to Taizu earnestly, "Plug out these thorns and you can pick them up."

But an unexpected incident disrupted Zhu Yuanzhang's plan. Prince Zhu Bioying Zhu Yuanzhang, who died young and was in great pain, could only let the emperor's grandson Zhu Yunwen succeed him as heir apparent.

The situation has undergone fundamental changes, but Lan Yu is obviously not aware of the danger at hand, and does not know how to restrain himself. He usually talks nonsense, especially when his in-law, Jingning Hou Ye Sheng, is involved in the Hu Weiyong rebellion case. Being killed by Taizu made Lan Yu feel like "the city gate is on fire and the fish in the pond are affected." The "History of the Ming Dynasty" records: The confession of Dong Han, the commander of the Xingwu Guards on Jin Affairs, said: "An official (referring to Lan Yu) said to him :'My in-laws, the Marquis of Jingning, conquered the south and the north. He suffered so much that he was able to achieve the status of a prince. He also became a Hu Party member and the whole family was ruined. I came back from the expedition. When I saw the superiors, they were suspicious of me. I thought he must have recruited someone. I'll do it. Why don't I make a move now to avoid future troubles? I've already discussed it with Ku Jun and other guards. I wonder what your officials think?" This is probably the most powerful factor that prompted Lan Yu's rebellion. evidence.

As a result, Lan Yu's tragedy inevitably happened.

Volume 132 of "History of the Ming Dynasty": In February of the 26th year, Jinyiwei commanded Jiang Huan (huan) to accuse Yu of treason, and sent an official to interrogate him. Someone reported that Lan Yu was treason, and Zhu Yuanzhang captured Lan Yu in court. The next day, he beheaded Lan Yu and merged with the Yi clan.

Zhu Yuanzhang killed the hero Lan Yu with lightning speed and without hesitation. It can only be said that Zhu Yuanzhang had wanted to kill Lan Yu for a long time. In fact, the death of Prince Zhu Biao heralded Lan Yu's death. If the backer falls, Lan Yu will definitely die.

Lan Yu’s death was actually caused by his own character. Zhu Yuanzhang started his army with a commoner, relying on these Huaixi fellows to dominate the world, but taking the world immediately does not mean that he can defend the world immediately. Zhu Yuanzhang, who was born at the bottom of society, understood it more deeply than anyone else, and these Huaixi Group who won the world The powerful people believed that they had contributed to the Ming Dynasty and could do whatever they wanted, including the previous rebellion by the Huaixi Group headed by Hu Weiyong. None of these made Zhu Yuanzhang worry. These behaviors were not allowed in any dynasty. Lan Yu indeed contributed to the Ming Dynasty, but Lan Yu's arrogance and domineering violated Zhu Yuanzhang's bottom line, and Lan Yu's death became inevitable.

There is a plot in the TV series "Zhu Yuanzhang". Lan Yu and Li Shanchang were escorted to the execution ground. Lan Yu, who was tied up with five flowers, cursed Zhu Yuanzhang for not being loyal. Li Shanchang scolded Lan Yu and said, "The superior (Zhu Yuanzhang) is an eternal king. If I were Being an emperor will also kill you." This is of course required by the plot of the TV series, but from one aspect it can also be seen that Lan Yu does have his own personality flaws.

Although Lan Yu did not blatantly rebel, Lan Yu, who had a large number of soldiers, had the "possibility" of rebellion. This could not help but arouse Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion. Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to ensure that the Ming Dynasty he established would last forever. The slightest mistake or omission, the slightest disturbance will make the sensitive Zhu Yuanzhang raise the butcher's knife.

Han Xin of the Han Dynasty was also executed in Weiyang Palace by Empress Lu for treason. Sima Guang said in his "Zi Zhi Tong Jian": Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty used deception to capture Han Xin in Chendi, saying that he There is some mistreatment; however, Han Xin also has his own fault. At the beginning, the King of Han and the King of Chu were at a stalemate in Xingyang. Han Xin destroyed the Qi State, but instead of reporting to the King of Han, he declared himself king. Later, the King of Han pursued the King of Chu to Guling, and made an agreement with Han Xin to attack the King of Chu together, and Han Xin Stand still; at that time, Emperor Gaozu already had the idea of ??killing Han Xin, but he just didn't have the strength to do it. When the world is at peace, what else can Han Xin rely on? Seizing opportunities to seek benefits is the ambition of a villain in the market; establishing great achievements to repay kindness is the ambition of a gentleman who is aspiring to acquire knowledge. Isn't it too difficult for Han to seek benefits for himself with the ambition of a villain in the market and ask others to repay him with a gentleman's mind?

Sima Qian also summarized Han Xin's death in "Historical Records", saying, "If Han Xin had been allowed to learn the ways of a monarch and his ministers, be humble and courteous, not boast about his achievements, and not be reserved about his talents, the situation would probably be different!" His contribution to the Han family can be compared with Zhou Gong, Zhao Gong, Taigong Lu Shang and others, and future generations can enjoy sacrifices! Instead of doing this, he plotted rebellion when the world was settled, and his clan was exterminated. , isn’t it a matter of course! "

When people read history, they think that Zhu Yuanzhang was a tyrant who killed his heroes. Zhu Yuanzhang went from a commoner to a king of more than ten thousand people. He must not use a simple one. The summary of "tyrant" certainly has its merits. We use our modern thinking to look at historical issues scientifically and rationally. If the things recorded in "History of the Ming Dynasty" are true, Lan Yu is like a spoiled child. , holding a bomb that is about to explode without knowing when it will explode, will become a "problem boy" with no way to save it when it develops to a certain extent. The only way is to let it perish, and it will be done to everyone it encounters.

"History of Ming Dynasty." "The Legend of Lan Yu" concluded with a paragraph, which can basically explain Zhu Yuanzhang's reasons for killing these arrogant and powerful generals: There is no way to govern the world, but when the grass is ignorant, the laws are still sparse, and in the days of peace, the laws are getting closer and closer, and the situation dictates it. The commentators always lamented that the bird was gone and the bow was hidden, saying that it was due to the conjecture of the British master, but it was not a matter of understanding the governance of the body. The world is so peaceful, and its power is as secure as a rock. It can command troops thousands of miles away, and it can run in fear of the enemy. Why should you be suspicious and spare no effort? Also, the warriors of Jiezhou are unruly and untamable, and by taking advantage of their sharpness, they are able to establish their size on the battlefield. When one is surrounded by wealth and honor, he is full of ambition. When he is close, he will use arrogance to cause danger, and when he is far away, he will defend the website with resentment. The master cannot abolish the law and bend it completely, and it is out of necessity rather than for personal gain. People like Liangzu and below not only do not know how to protect themselves wisely, but also violate the principle of restraint and prudence. They kill them with their heads turned, and they are doing nothing for themselves.

The world cannot be governed without laws. The laws were not perfect when the country was first established, but they will gradually become stricter over time. This is also an inevitable trend. People who talk about history always say that the bird hides itself behind the bow, or that the monarch is jealous. This is not a rational statement. When the world was as stable as a rock, these arrogant soldiers and generals were unruly and contented with their ambitions in the land of wealth and wealth. If you are too close to them, they will be proud, if you are far away from them, they will be resentful. It is impossible for the master to abolish the law for them. This is a last resort, and it is not to cut them off for his own selfishness. Zhu Liangzu and other people did not know the principle of protecting oneself wisely, and they did not restrain themselves from being low-key. These people were killed together, and it was their own fault.

Modern historian Cai Dongfan also said, "I invite my family members to favor me, and I am full of ambition. I can neither retreat bravely nor surrender respectfully, so that the rabbit will die and the dog will be cooked, and the neck will be killed." De, Lan also Gu En. "It can be said to be extremely insightful.

Although the tragedy of Lan Yu was caused by Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion and murderous intentions, the flaw in Lan Yu's character was the main reason for this tragedy.