Liu Bowen was the founding father of the Ming Dynasty, and Liu Bowen assisted Zhu Yuanzhang and participated in important decisions. In response to the situation at that time, Liu Bowen proposed eighteen strategies for current affairs, which were adopted by Zhu Yuanzhang. After Zhu Yuanzhang became the emperor, Liu Bowen participated in the formulation of the calendar and the establishment of the military defense law.
Zhu Yuanzhang once praised Liu Bowen as his "Zhang Liang", and Liu Bowen was also named "Sincere Uncle" by Zhu Yuanzhang for his meritorious service.
However, in Liu Bowen's later years, when he was sick, Zhu Yuanzhang sent Hu Weiyong to take the imperial doctor to see him.
After Liu Bowen explained the situation to Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything, just said a few words to let Liu Bowen recuperate, and then understated it and passed it off.
Not long after, Liu Bowen died due to the aggravation of his condition.
In this, it is worth noting that Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude is very interesting.
Regarding Liu Bowen's death, one theory is that Hu Weiyong killed him, saying that Hu Weiyong took the opportunity to poison Liu Bowen in the medicine prescribed by the imperial doctor, and Liu Bowen drank the medicine and was poisoned to death.
It is also said that Zhu Yuanzhang was jealous of Liu Bowen and sent Hu Weiyong to take the imperial doctor to see a doctor, and "instructed" Hu Weiyong to do something in the medicine.
Look at what "History of the Ming Dynasty" says about Liu Bowen's death?
"History of the Ming Dynasty Liu Ji Biography" records: When Ji was sick in Beijing, he only used medicine to drink, and there were things accumulated in the abdomen like fist stones. Later, Wei Yong conspired against it, and said that its poisonous base caused death.
Did Hu Weiyong poison Liu Bowen? Or did Zhu Yuanzhang poison Liu Bowen?
Liu Bowen was awarded the title of "Sincerity Uncle", in the third year of Hongwu (1370), in November of that year, Zhu Yuanzhang was awarded the title of meritorious hero, awarded Liu Bowen as the founder of the country, the good doctor, and the upper protector, and was awarded the title of Sincerity Bo, and 240 stones.
In the fourth year of Hongwu (1371), Liu Bowen was reprimanded by Hu because of his bad relationship with Prime Minister Hu Weiyong, and Liu Bowen was given back to his hometown by Zhu Yuanzhang.
Four years later, in the eighth year of Hongwu (1375), Liu Bowen fell ill and died.
When did Hu Weiyong take the imperial doctor to see Liu Bowen?
It was in the eighth year of Hongwu (1375), that is, the year when Liu Bowen fell ill.
In the second half of the first month of that year, Liu Bowen was infected with a cold, and after Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Liu Bowen was sick, he sent Hu Weiyong to take the imperial doctor, and the imperial doctor prescribed Liu Bowen a few doses of medicine.
In February of that year, Liu Bowen went to see Zhu Yuanzhang with his illness, and after Liu Bowen saw Zhu Yuanzhang, he told Zhu Yuanzhang that he had taken the medicine prescribed by the imperial doctor, and his condition was getting worse and worse, I don't know why, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care after hearing it, which made Liu Bowen feel very uncomfortable, because Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude made him very disappointed and even cold.
In March of that year, Liu Bowen was so sick that he couldn't get up, so Zhu Yuanzhang sent someone to send Liu Bowen back to his hometown.
After Liu Bowen returned home, he stopped taking medicine and only ate normal meals, and died on April 16 at the age of 65.
Regarding Liu Bowen's death, I personally guess that Liu Bowen should have died of aggravated illness, which is a natural kind, after all, he is sixty-five years old.
In ancient times, life was rare for seventy years, and sixty-five years old can also be said to have come to the end of life.
If it is said that Hu Weiyong poisoned and took the opportunity to poison Liu Bowen, I think Hu Weiyong should not have that guts.
Because, if the matter is leaked and Zhu Yuanzhang investigates it, the consequences will be very serious, after all, Liu Bowen is the founder of the country, and he murdered the hero without authorization, Hu Weiyong can't eat and walk around, he should be able to weigh it.
If it is said that Zhu Yuanzhang "instructed" Hu Weiyong to poison in order to achieve the goal of poisoning Liu Bowen, I don't think so.
Because, at this time, Liu Bowen has reached his old age, he is in his sixties, and he is old, and he no longer poses any threat to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Besides, Liu Bowen was given to return to his hometown, and he had no military power in his hands, so Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't be afraid of Liu Bowen.
It is undeniable that Liu Bowen assisted Zhu Yuanzhang in the process of sweeping away the heroes, overthrowing the Yuan Dynasty, and establishing the Ming Dynasty, and played a role like Zhang Liang, which was very important to Zhu Yuanzhang.
In the eighth year of Zhengde of Ming Wuzong (1513), Liu Bowen was posthumously awarded as the Taishi, and he was nicknamed "Wencheng".
In the tenth year of Jiajing of Ming Shizong (1531), Liu Bowen and Xu Da and other founding heroes were worthy of enjoying the Taimiao.
Reference: History of the Ming Dynasty