Zhu Yuanzhang, the legendary figure who became the emperor from a beggar's counterattack, left a strong mark in Chinese history. He established the Ming Dynasty with an iron fist and ushered in a new era. However, Zhu Yuanzhang's rule was also notorious for its brutality. Under his rule, the Ming Dynasty established a strict penal system, the most notable of which was the "confiscation of military punishments". This punishment was not just a simple exile, but an elaborate system of punishment and exploitation of prisoners. How does it come about? And how does it work? What will be the fate of those sentenced to military imprisonment? What impact did this punishment have on the rule and social development of the Ming Dynasty? Let's unravel the mystery of the Ming Dynasty's military punishment and explore this little-known history.
I. The Origin and Development of Military Punishment
As a unique penal system in the Ming Dynasty, the origins of confiscation can be traced back to earlier dynasties. As early as the Warring States Period, various countries had the practice of assigning prisoners to the frontier. During the Qin Dynasty, prisoners were relocated to the border areas on a large scale to build the Great Wall and reclaim wasteland. This practice continued during the Han Dynasty and gradually evolved into a formal punishment.
By the Tang Dynasty, exile had become a common form of punishment. The Tang Law Discussion clearly stipulates the level of exile and the specific implementation methods. During the Song Dynasty, there was another punishment of "stabbing the army", that is, the prisoners were sent to serve in the army. This practice can be said to be the direct predecessor of military punishment.
However, it was Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who really systematized and implemented military punishment on a large scale. In the first year of Hongwu (1368), Zhu Yuanzhang was faced with the arduous task of consolidating political power and stabilizing social order after pacifying the world. He knew that in order to build a long-term empire, it was necessary to have a sound legal system. As a result, he set out to formulate the "Da Ming Law", which included the relevant provisions on military punishment.
The reason why Zhu Yuanzhang attaches so much importance to military punishment is closely related to his personal experience and ruling philosophy. As a leader of a peasant uprising from the bottom, Zhu Yuanzhang was well aware of the suffering of the people at the bottom and the importance of the military. He believes that the use of military punishment can not only punish crimes, but also enrich the border defense forces, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.
In the third year of Hongwu (1370), Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the establishment of a system of health centers throughout the country. This system combines military, administrative and production and provides the organizational basis for the implementation of military punishment. Prisoners sentenced to military punishment were sent to various security posts to perform military and production labor.
With the passage of time, the scope of application of military punishment has been expanded. Initially, it was mainly used to punish serious criminal offenses. But by the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, some minor economic and political crimes could also be sentenced to military imprisonment. For example, during the Jiajing period, an official named Yang Jisheng was sentenced to confiscate the army and sent to the distant town of Guangxi for offending the powerful because of his outspokenness.
In the course of the development of military punishment, there have also been some changes. Originally, the duration of the sentence was lifelong, and the demobilized and their families had to stay in designated guards forever. But by the middle of the Ming Dynasty, there was a time limit for military punishment. For example, the Ming Huidian stipulates that some criminals can be sentenced to three, five, or ten years in prison.
In addition, the location of the conscription also changed over time. In the early days, the locations of the army were mainly concentrated in the border areas, such as Liaodong, Ningxia, Gansu and other places. However, with the expansion of the territory of the Ming Dynasty and the establishment of inland guards, the locations of the army were gradually diversified. Some prisoners were sent to Guangxi and Yunnan in the south, while others were sent to Shanxi and Shaanxi in the north.
It is important to note that confiscation is not just a simple punitive measure. In some cases, it is also used as a political tool. For example, in order to prevent a coup d'état, the newly enthroned Emperor Jingtai sentenced a group of officials who supported Yingzong's restoration to confiscate the army in order to weaken the opposition.
In general, as a unique penal system of the Ming Dynasty, the origin of military punishment can be traced back to earlier dynasties, but it was systematized and institutionalized under the rule of Zhu Yuanzhang. Its development reflects the Ming rulers' unique ideas on punishment, military and social management, as well as the changes and complexities of Ming society. Military punishment was not only a means of punishment, but also an important tool for the rulers of the Ming Dynasty to govern the country, which had a profound impact on the political, military and social life of the Ming Dynasty.
II. The specific implementation of military punishments
As a unique criminal punishment system of the Ming Dynasty, the specific implementation process of the military punishment involves many links, from judgment to execution, every step is carried out in strict accordance with the legal system of the Ming Dynasty. The operation of this system not only reflects the complexity of the Ming judicial system, but also demonstrates the strict attitude of the rulers towards the execution of punishments.
The sentencing process for military sentences begins with the trial of the case. During the Ming Dynasty, most cases were first tried by local officials and then escalated from level to level. Cases that may be sentenced to military imprisonment usually need to be tried at the prefectural, prefecture, and county levels. During the trial, officials carefully weigh the nature and severity of the crime in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Da Ming Law.
A typical case is the "Hai Rui Shangshu Case" that occurred during the Jiajing period. Hai Rui was sentenced to confiscation for his outspokenness and criticism of the emperor's extravagance. The trial process of this case went through many steps: first, the court minister proposed impeachment, then after court deliberations, and finally the emperor issued a decree to convict. This process fully reflects the seriousness and complexity of the sentence of confiscation.
Once the verdict is finalized, the next step is to choose a location for the conscription. In the Ming Dynasty, the location of the army was usually chosen as a guard post in remote areas, which often had harsh conditions and difficult living conditions. When choosing a location for military recruitment, officials consider a number of factors, including the severity of the offender's offense, their background, and the needs of each facility.
For example, during the Zhengde period, a minister named Yang Tinghe was sentenced to be sent to Tianzhouwei, Guangxi, for offending the powerful. Tianzhouwei was located in the southwest border of the Ming Dynasty, with a hot climate and serious miasma, and was one of the most feared places to fill the army at that time. This case illustrates that the choice of the location of the military is often carried out with the connotation of punishment, aiming to impose severe punishment on the prisoner.
After the location of the conquest was determined, the escort process began. Escorting prisoners is a complex task that requires coordination from multiple parties. Usually, the government of the place where the sentence is sent is responsible for escorting the prisoner to a designated security facility. On the way, prisoners were shackled and guarded by officers and soldiers. Escort routes often pass through multiple states and counties, and at each place, the local government has to stamp the escort documents to ensure that the prisoners arrive safely at their destinations.
A well-known escort case is the "Donglin Party Case" that occurred in the Wanli period. At that time, a group of Donglin Party members were sentenced to confiscate the army because they were involved in political struggles. They were escorted from Nanjing to Liaodong, passing through Shandong, Hebei and other places, and it took several months to reach their destination. This lengthy escort process was not only a punishment for the prisoners, but also a warning to other officials.
Upon arrival at the confiscation site, the prisoner will be assigned to a local security center. In the guards, prisoners were often treated worse than ordinary soldiers. They were usually assigned to the hardest of labors, such as clearing wasteland, building walls, etc. At the same time, they also undergo military training and participate in guard duties.
During the conscription, the prisoners' every move was closely monitored. They are not allowed to leave the guard without permission, nor are they allowed to communicate with the outside world at will. Every year, the health center reports to the higher authorities on the status of the prisoners, including their performance and health status.
It is important to note that the term of imprisonment for military service is not always lifelong. In the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, there was a fixed-term sentence of confiscation. For example, during the Longqing period, a thinker named Li Zhen was sentenced to three years in the army for violating taboo speech. This time-limited sentence of imprisonment provided the prisoner with an opportunity to become a new person, and also reflected a certain humanist tendency of the Ming Dynasty's legal system.
However, even a fixed-term imprisonment is an extremely harsh punishment for the prisoner. Far from home and in harsh conditions, many people struggle to survive their sentences. According to records, in the late Ming Dynasty, a large number of conscripted prisoners died every year while serving their sentences.
The execution of military sentences is not set in stone. Over time, some drawbacks have become apparent. For example, some wealthy prisoners bribed officials to get better treatment; Some prisoners took the opportunity to do business in the local area, but instead gained development opportunities. These phenomena attracted the attention of the imperial court, prompting it to constantly adjust and improve the detailed rules for the execution of military punishments.
In general, the specific implementation of military confiscation is a complex and rigorous process, involving judicial, administrative, military and other aspects. It was not only a means of punishment, but also a way for the rulers of the Ming Dynasty to manage the country. By assigning prisoners to remote areas, the criminals were punished and, to a certain extent, the problem of manpower needs in the border areas was solved. The operation of this system profoundly affected the social structure and frontier policy of the Ming Dynasty, and became an important window to understand the characteristics of the Ming Dynasty's rule.
III. The impact of military punishment on prisoners
As a severe punishment system in the Ming Dynasty, military confiscation had a profound and multifaceted impact on the convicts. These effects extend not only to the lives and fates of prisoners individually, but also to their families and social status. By examining the impact of confiscation on prisoners, we can gain a deeper understanding of the brutality and complexity of the system.
First of all, the most direct impact of the sentence on the prisoner is the change of status. Once sentenced to military conscription, the prisoner lost his original social identity and became a military householder. This shift in status meant that they lost many of their civil rights, including their eligibility to sit for the imperial examinations. For example, Li Zhen, a famous thinker in the Ming Dynasty, lost the opportunity to participate in the imperial examination after being sentenced to be confiscated into the army, which was undoubtedly a huge blow to a well-educated person.
Second, the imprisonment has had a huge impact on the living environment of prisoners. Conscripted prisoners are often sent to remote areas, where living conditions are often extremely harsh. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, for example, a group of officials who were confiscated to Liaodong were sent from the bustling capital to the frontier with a cold climate and scarce supplies. The great contrast of this environment is a severe test for the physical and mental health of the prisoners.
According to historical records, during the Jiajing period, a minister named Xu Jie was confiscated to Ningxia due to a failed political struggle. Ningxia is located in the northwest and has a dry climate with sand and dust. Xu Jie came to this desolate place from the water town in the south of the Yangtze River, not only to adapt to the harsh natural environment, but also to bear the psychological pressure brought by the identity gap. This is not uncommon among conscripts, many of whom are physically and mentally exhausted from their inability to adapt to their new environment.
The imprisonment also has a serious impact on the family life of the prisoners. According to Ming law, the immediate family members of those who were confiscated usually had to move with them. This means that entire families are uprooted from their homes and face new life challenges. A typical example is the "Liu Jin case" that occurred during the Zhengde period. After Liu Jin was sentenced to confiscate the army, his family was also forcibly relocated to the confiscated area. This practice is not only a punishment for the prisoner, but also a joint punishment for his family.
However, not all prisoners are able to bring their families with them. Some were assigned separately and separated from their families. In this case, the prisoner not only had to endure physical hardship, but also the mental torture of being separated from his loved ones. The Ming Dynasty literati Fang Xiaoru is a typical case. He was sentenced to confiscation for opposing Zhu Di's usurpation of the throne, and was sent to a distant place alone, never reuniting with his family for the rest of his life.
Conscription also has a huge impact on the economic situation of prisoners. Those who were confiscated often lost their original sources of property and income, and were forced to survive on the meager salaries paid in the guards. This drastic change in economic conditions has caused many people who were once wealthy to fall into abject poverty in an instant. For example, in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, an official named Yang Jisheng offended the powerful because of his outspokenness and was sent to Guangxi. From a high-ranking official to a frontier soldier, Yang Jisheng not only lost his generous salary, but also had to endure a life of lack of materials.
However, it is worth noting that not all of those who were confiscated were in trouble. Some prisoners with special talents or backgrounds can sometimes find opportunities for development in new environments. Li Shizhen, a famous medical scientist in the Ming Dynasty, is an example. His father was sent to Hubei for his crimes, but this gave Li Shizhen the opportunity to study the local medicinal materials in depth, which laid the foundation for the compilation of the "Compendium of Materia Medica" in the future.
Imprisonment also has a profound impact on the social relations of prisoners. Conscripts often lose their old social circles and are forced to adapt to a new interpersonal environment. In the detention center, they have to get along with military families and other prisoners from all over the country, and this change in social environment often brings great psychological pressure.
However, some of the demobilized prisoners have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. For example, Tang Xianzu, a writer in the Ming Dynasty, not only did not become depressed when he was confiscated to Guangxi, but created a number of literary works, including the famous "Peony Pavilion". This shows that even in the difficult situation of being recharged, some people can still find a way to realize their self-worth.
In addition, the imprisonment has had a serious impact on the health of prisoners. The poor living conditions and heavy labour in remote areas often lead to a rapid deterioration in the physical condition of conscripts. According to statistics, in the late Ming Dynasty, a large number of prisoners died of illness every year. For example, during the Wanli period, many of the officials who were confiscated to Liaodong due to the "Donglin Party Case" died of illness within a few years.
In general, the impact of military imprisonment on prisoners is all-round, involving many aspects such as identity, living environment, family relationships, economic status, social relations and health. This harsh punishment not only dealt a huge blow to the individual prisoner, but also had a profound impact on his family and social relations. The process of carrying out the sentence is actually a process of reshaping the life of the prisoner, and its effects often last for life, even affecting future generations. By examining these influences, we can more fully understand the nature of military punishment in the Ming Dynasty and its role in society.
Fourth, the impact of military punishment on the society of the Ming Dynasty
As a unique penal system in the Ming Dynasty, the influence of military punishment went far beyond the scope of individual punishment, and profoundly affected the social structure, political ecology and cultural development of the Ming Dynasty. The impact is manifold, with both positive and negative consequences. By examining the impact of military punishment on Ming society, we can more fully understand the important position of this system in the history of the Ming Dynasty.
First of all, military punishment had a profound impact on the political ecology of the Ming Dynasty. This punishment became a powerful tool for the rulers to control the official and scholarly classes. In the political struggles of the Ming Dynasty, military punishment was often used to crack down on dissidents. A typical example is the "Great Rites Discussion" incident that occurred during the Jiajing period. In the midst of this political turmoil, a number of ministers who opposed the emperor's opinion were sentenced to military exile. This not only dealt a blow to the opposition, but also warned other officials, thus strengthening the imperial power.
However, the overuse of military sentences has also had negative consequences. It has exacerbated the atmosphere of fear in officialdom and discouraged many officials from speaking out. After the middle of the Ming Dynasty, the system of admonishing officials in the imperial court gradually became a non-existent system, which was related to the deterrence of military punishment to a certain extent. For example, Hai Rui, a well-known Qing official, was sentenced to military confiscation for his outspoken criticism of the Jiajing Emperor. This case caused a huge shock in the officialdom at the time, and made many officials more cautious in their words and actions.
Second, the confiscation of military punishment had an important impact on the frontier policy and military defense of the Ming Dynasty. A large number of prisoners have been sent to remote areas, which has relieved the population pressure in the border areas to a certain extent and provided human resources for border defense. For example, in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, a large number of conscripted prisoners were sent to Liaodong to participate in the construction and defense of the Great Wall. Although these people were forced to go, they objectively enhanced the military strength of the border areas.
However, the influx of conscripts has also created management problems for the border areas. Some prisoners who were discharged from the army were dissatisfied with the status quo and caused trouble, and some even defected to enemy countries. In the middle of the Ming Dynasty, there was a serious rebellion. In Ningxia, a group of confiscated officials and soldiers united and launched an armed uprising against the imperial court. Although the incident was eventually suppressed, it exposed the potential risks in the implementation of the conscription system.
Conscription also had a complex impact on social mobility in the Ming Dynasty. On the one hand, it broke the original social status of some people, and reduced some officials and scholars who were originally high-ranking officials to frontier military households. This has facilitated the mobility of social classes to some extent. On the other hand, military punishment has also become an opportunity for some people to change their fate. Some of those who had been confiscated from the army had made meritorious contributions in the frontier and gained new opportunities for development.
A typical example is Qi Jingtong, the father of the famous Ming Dynasty general Qi Jiguang. Qi Jingtong was originally an ordinary businessman, but he was confiscated to Liaodong because of the case. There, he worked his way up the ranks with his talents, eventually becoming an officer. It was this experience that laid the foundation for his son Qi Jiguang to become a famous anti-Japanese general in the future. This case illustrates that although the punishment is a punishment, it can also be an opportunity for some people to change their fate in some cases.
Military punishment also had a profound impact on the cultural development of the Ming Dynasty. Many literati scholars were confiscated for various reasons, and they brought the culture of the Central Plains to the border areas, promoting cultural exchanges and dissemination. For example, the famous opera artist Tang Xianzu wrote a large number of literary works during his time in Guangxi, including the famous "Four Dreams of Linchuan". These works not only enriched the history of Chinese literature, but also had a profound impact on the local area.
At the same time, some intellectuals who had been confiscated from the army conducted a large number of field investigations and studies in the border areas, leaving us with valuable documents. The Ming Dynasty scholar Xu Xiake is a typical example. Although he was not confiscated, his travelogues recorded many of the experiences of the confiscated prisoners, which provided us with important information for understanding the frontier society at that time.
In addition, the confiscation of military punishment also had a certain impact on the economic development of the Ming Dynasty. The movement of large numbers of people has facilitated economic exchanges between different places. Some of the people who were confiscated brought advanced agricultural technology and handicraft skills to the border areas, which contributed to the development of the local economy. For example, in the middle of the Ming Dynasty, a group of peasants in the Jiangnan region were conscripted to Shaanxi for participating in a peasant uprising. They brought advanced water conservancy technology from the Jiangnan region to the local area, which played a positive role in improving local agricultural production.
However, the imprisonment has also imposed an economic burden on some regions. The need to cover the living expenses of large numbers of prisoners can sometimes put pressure on local finances. In the late Ming Dynasty, some border areas repeatedly asked the imperial court to reduce the number of prisoners in order to reduce the economic burden.
In general, the impact of military punishment on the society of the Ming Dynasty was all-round, involving political, military, cultural, economic and other fields. This system is both a tool for rulers to maintain their rule and a force for social change. It has both caused some social problems and promoted social development in some aspects. The implementation of military punishment was actually a process of reshaping the social structure, and its influence was deeply embedded in all aspects of Ming society. By examining these influences, we can more fully understand the complexity and diversity of Ming society.
V. The Historical Evolution and Abolition of Military Punishments
As a unique penal system in the Ming Dynasty, the development and evolution of military punishment reflected the changes in the social, political and legal systems of the Ming Dynasty. From the establishment of the early years of the Ming Dynasty to the abolition of the early years of the Qing Dynasty, the military punishment has undergone nearly 300 years of historical changes, and the evolution process during this period is worthy of our in-depth discussion.
The military punishment system was first established in the period of Zhu Yuanzhang, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. After the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang established the military punishment system in order to consolidate his power, strengthen the control of the scholar class, and at the same time solve the manpower needs of the frontier defense. Initially, this system was aimed primarily at officials and scholars who had committed serious negligence, and they were sent to serve in the border areas.
For example, during the Hongwu period, a minister named Liu Ji offended Zhu Yuanzhang and was sentenced to confiscate the army because he was outspoken at the court meeting. Liu Ji was sent to the distant border of Yunnan, a case that caused a huge shock in the imperial court at the time and marked the formal establishment of the military punishment system.
With the passage of time, the scope of application of military punishment has gradually expanded. By the middle of the Ming Dynasty, not only officials and scholars, but also ordinary people could be sentenced to confiscation for crimes. This change reflected the increased control of society by the Ming rulers.
A typical example occurred during the Zhengde period. A group of ordinary peasants who participated in the peasant uprising were suppressed and sentenced not to death, but to the army. These peasants were sent to distant Liaodong to participate in the construction of the Great Wall. This case illustrates that military punishment has become a common method used by rulers to deal with all types of prisoners.
In the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty, the way in which military punishments were carried out also changed. In the early days, most of the confiscated prisoners were sent to the frontier to participate in military defense, but in the middle and later periods, more and more confiscated prisoners were placed in military cantonments or guard houses in the interior. This change reflected the adjustment of the border defense policy of the Ming Dynasty.
For example, during the Wanli period, a group of officials who were confiscated due to the "Donglin Party Case" were not assigned to the frontiers far from Beijing, but were placed in military cantonments in Henan, Shandong and other places close to Beijing. On the one hand, this practice facilitated the supervision of these people by the imperial court, and on the other hand, it also reduced the population pressure in the border areas.
By the end of the Ming Dynasty, the execution of military punishment had become quite chaotic. Due to frequent wars and natural disasters, many of those who were conscripted were unable to reach their designated places or fled on the way. At the same time, in order to ease the burden, some local officials often release prisoners without authorization.
A typical example occurred during the Chongzhen period. A group of prisoners sentenced to Ningxia were attacked by the peasant rebels on the way, and most of them took the opportunity to escape. In order to avoid responsibility, local officials went so far as to forge documents falsely claiming that the men had arrived at the designated place. This case reflects the problems in the execution of military sentences in the last years of the Ming Dynasty.
After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, the early Qing Dynasty still retained the system of confiscation and punishment. However, over time, the Qing rulers became aware of the problems with this system. Conscription prisoners not only impose an administrative burden on the border areas, but in some cases also become a source of instability.
For example, during the Kangxi period, a group of Han prisoners who had been confiscated to Xinjiang joined forces with local ethnic minorities to launch a rebellion. Although the rebellion was quickly suppressed, it made the Qing rulers aware of the potential dangers of military torture.
Based on these considerations, the Qing government began to gradually limit the scope of application of military punishment. By the Yongzheng period, the use of military punishment had been greatly reduced. Emperor Yongzheng clearly pointed out in an edict that military punishment often leaves prisoners in exile and cannot be reformed, so it should be used with caution.
Eventually, during the Qianlong period, the Qing government officially abolished the punishment of confiscation. In an edict, Emperor Qianlong pointed out that the punishment of military confiscation not only did not achieve the purpose of punishing prisoners, but also brought many problems to the border areas. He ordered that prisoners who should have been sentenced to conscription be sentenced to other punishments, such as imprisonment or exile.
This decision marks the official end of the nearly 300-year-old system of confiscation and punishment. However, the abolition of confiscation is not a one-time process, but a gradual process. For a long time after the abolition of the sentence of confiscation, some localities still retained similar practices in practice.
For example, during the Jiaqing period, some of those who participated in the White Lotus uprising were not officially sentenced to military service, but they were still sent to serve in the border areas. This practice is in fact a disguised continuation of military punishment. It wasn't until the Daoguang period that this practice was finally abolished altogether.
The abolition of military confiscation reflects the rethinking of the penal system by the Qing rulers. They realized that punishment alone is not effective in maintaining social order, and it is more important to reduce crime through indoctrination and reform. This shift in thinking had a profound impact on the subsequent development of China's legal system.
In general, from the establishment of the early years of the Ming Dynasty to the abolition of the middle of the Qing Dynasty, the military punishment has undergone a complex evolutionary process. This process not only reflects the changes in the penal system in ancient China, but also reflects the change in the concept of social governance. The history of the rise and fall of military punishment is actually a microcosm of the continuous improvement and progress of the ancient Chinese legal system.