Reading summary of "Those Things in the Ming Dynasty" 17

2. Wang Zhen

Wang Zhen (?-1449) was from Yuzhou (now Yuxian County, Hebei Province). In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the eunuch was originally a failed scholar, with a brief knowledge of the classics. Later he became an instructor, passed the imperial examination, and was rumored to have castrated himself into the palace. He was observant and loved by Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty. He was awarded the title of Lang of the East Palace Bureau. He served the prince Zhu Qizhen (Ming Yingzong) and was called Wang Banban. In the tenth year of Xuande's reign (1435), Yingzong ascended the throne and promoted Wang Zhen to the post of chief ceremonial supervisor and eunuch in charge of seals. He advised the Yingzong to govern the country with strict laws in order to prevent ministers from being disrespectful. However, because the Yingzong's grandmother, the Queen Mother Zhang, and her cabinet ministers "San Yang" and others worked together to assist the government, they could not interfere in political affairs. In the seventh year of Zhengtong (1442), Empress Dowager Zhang died, and the "Three Yangs" also died of old age one after another. Wang Zhen then colluded with internal and external officials and was good at imposing authority. He built a luxurious mansion in the east of the capital, carried out extensive construction projects, and held exclusive power for eight years. He was called "Sir" by Ying Zong. The ministers and ministers called him father-in-law, and they all tried to cling to him. In the 14th year of Zhengtong (1449), Oara invaded on a large scale, and Wang Zhen urged the Ying clan to conquer it personally. On the way, he invited Yingzong to visit his residence in Yuzhou, which delayed his trip. When he arrived at Tumubao, he was chased by Ola soldiers. The entire army was wiped out, Yingzong was captured, and Wang Zhen was killed. After the restoration of Yingzong in the first year of Tianshun (1457), an edict was issued to rectify Wang Zhen's name and use fragrant wood as a statue of Wang Zhen to bury him and summon his soul. The Jingzhong Temple was built in the north courtyard of Zhihua Temple in the capital to worship the souls of the dead.

It is not difficult for a person to make a mistake once, but what is difficult is to make mistakes from beginning to end. There are very few people in the world who are as stupid as Wang Zhen without knowing it. I have nothing to say about this Mr. Supervisor of Ceremonies. Putting aside his evil deeds, his stupidity and ignorance alone are enough to make him infamous for thousands of years and reviled by thousands of people.

13. Empress Dowager Zhang

Queen Cheng Xiaozhao Zhang (? - November 20, 1442), unknown name, native of Yongcheng, Henan, political figure in the early Ming Dynasty. The daughter of the commander Zhang Qi, the first wife of Zhu Gaochi of Renzong of Ming Dynasty, the mother of Zhu Zhanji of Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty, the grandmother of Zhu Qizhen of Ming Yingzong and Zhu Qiyu of Ming Dynasty.

In the twenty-eighth year of Hongwu (1395), Zhang was named the Crown Princess of Yan, and in the second year of Yongle (1404), she was named the Crown Princess of the Jin Dynasty. Ming Renzong ascended the throne and was appointed queen. After Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty came to the throne, she was revered as the empress dowager. Ming Yingzong ascended the throne and was honored as the Empress Dowager. Since Yingzong was young, Zhang became the de facto regent and the first Empress Dowager in the Ming Dynasty. She trusted the cabinet minister "San Yang" and five ministers such as Hu Hui, the Minister of Rites, and Zhang Fu, the British Duke, to assist the government. She made the government in the early years of Zhengtong relatively clear and clear, and she was called "the outstanding woman".

In the seventh year of Zhengtong (1442), the Zhang family died. She was given the posthumous title of "Queen of Honest, Xiaogongsu, Mingde, Hongren and Shuntianqi Shengzhao" and was buried in Xianling Mausoleum.