Zhu Yuanzhang set up a Hongmen banquet and killed his son-in-law on the spot, and the generals were so frightened that they didn't dare to say a word
In the tenth year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the ruler of the Ming Empire, held a thrilling Hongmen banquet. At the banquet, he killed his son-in-law Ouyang Lun in public, shocking all the generals present. This banquet not only revealed Zhu Yuanzhang's iron-faced and selfless ruling style, but also demonstrated his firm defense of national interests. Ouyang Lun, this Jinshi who was once appreciated by Zhu Yuanzhang, why did he end up like this? Why did Zhu Yuanzhang dispose of his son-in-law so decisively? What kind of political considerations are hidden behind this Hongmen banquet? Let's uncover this long-sealed historical truth.
The talented man was a horse, and he was once carried away
During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, a talented man named Ouyang Lun was born. He was admitted to the Jinshi with excellent results, showing extraordinary talent and ability. Zhu Yuanzhang admired this young and promising talent, and soon entrusted him with an important task and made him an important lieutenant of Sichuan and Shaanxi.
Ouyang Lun performed well in office and gained more trust and favor from Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it again and again, and decided to marry his beloved daughter Princess Anqing to Ouyang Lun. This decision is not only an ordinary marriage, but also Zhu Yuanzhang's recognition of Ouyang Lun's ability and loyalty.
Princess Anqing is not an ordinary princess. Her mother is Queen Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang's wife. Queen Ma only gave birth to two children in her life, and Princess Anqing is one of them, which can be described as the pearl of Zhu Yuanzhang. Ouyang Lun was able to marry Princess Anqing, undoubtedly flying on the branches and becoming a phoenix.
After marriage, Ouyang Lun became a relative of the emperor. His status and identity have changed dramatically, and he has become a high-profile figure in the court. However, the sudden rise in power and status also made Ouyang Lun gradually lose himself.
He began to become complacent, believing that he had a special identity and was above the law. Ouyang Lun's style of doing things has also changed, from a diligent and upright official to a noble relative who bends the law for bribes.
In the Ming Dynasty, tea was not only an indispensable commodity in the daily life of the people, but also an important strategic material. The imperial court was very strict in the management of the tea trade, implementing a monopoly system and prohibiting private merchants from buying and selling freely. This policy is known as "governing the border with tea" and is an important means for Zhu Yuanzhang to govern the frontier.
However, the lure of huge profits has led some people to take risks and smuggle tea. Ouyang Lun is one of them. He used his special identity and power to buy tea bricks in Xixiang and Ziyang.
Ouyang Lun ordered the housekeeper to load the tea into fifty carts and take the opportunity of the inspection to transport the tea to the border for sale. The officials along the way chose to turn a blind eye because they were afraid of Ouyang Lun's identity and let his convoy run unimpeded.
Ouyang Lun's behavior seriously violated the decrees of the imperial court and undermined the policy of "governing the border with tea". What he did not only harmed the interests of the country, but also betrayed Zhu Yuanzhang's trust and reuse.
However, Skynet is magnificent, negligent but not leaky. Ouyang Lun's illegal behavior was finally exposed. An upright inspection tax officer in Lantian County resolutely seized the prohibited tea when Ouyang Lun's motorvoy passed through Lantian County.
Ouyang Lun's housekeeper Zhou Bao relied on the identity of the master and led a group of evil servants to clash with the tax collector. They knocked the tax collector to the ground and forcibly took the tea. After returning home, the tax official who was not afraid of the powerful immediately drafted a letter and sent someone to Nanjing to report the matter to Zhu Yuanzhang.
In this way, Ouyang Lun's illegal behavior was finally exposed to the sun. This turmoil not only exposed Ouyang Lun's true face, but also sounded the alarm for Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang realized that even his son-in-law could become a person who undermined law and discipline and endangered national interests.
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, and the horse could not escape justice
After Zhu Yuanzhang received the recital from the Lantian County tax official, he was furious. He immediately summoned the important ministers of the court to discuss what to do with this daring colt. There was a lot of discussion in the court, and some people advocated a light sentence, after all, Ouyang Lun was a relative of the emperor.
But Zhu Yuanzhang kept his face calm and didn't say a word. He knew in his heart that this was not just a simple smuggling case, but also related to the national policy and law of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang is well aware of the importance of tea in the governance of the frontier. Tea is not only a daily drink, but also a strategic material to maintain border stability. Due to the living habits of the nomads in the northwest, the staple food is mostly beef and mutton, and they must drink tea to promote digestion.
The Ming Dynasty took advantage of this and set up a tea and horse trading market on the northwest frontier. The exchange of tea for horses in the Western Regions not only restrained the northern peoples, but also obtained a large number of war horses for the imperial court. Every year, the Ming Dynasty sent 3 million catties of tea to the northwest in exchange for 30,000 horses.
These horses were essential for the consolidation of the border defense. Zhu Yuanzhang knew that if people like Ouyang Lun were allowed to smuggle tea wantonly, it would not only disrupt the border trade order, but also shake the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's rule.
After thinking about it repeatedly, Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind to severely punish Ouyang Lun. He sent Jinyi Wei to secretly arrest Ouyang Lun and put him in prison. At the same time, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a thorough investigation of the case and did not let go of any of the people involved.
When the news came out, the government and the opposition were shaken. No one expected that the dignified colt would end up like this. When Princess Anqing learned the news, she immediately knelt outside the palace gate and begged Zhu Yuanzhang to open the net.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his daughter kneeling on the ground, and his heart was mixed. Why doesn't he feel sorry for the pearl in his palm? But before the law of the land, everyone is equal. If even his own son-in-law can escape the law, who will take the decrees of the imperial court into account in the future?
Zhu Yuanzhang endured the pain in his heart and said to Princess Anqing: "The law is not different because of intimacy, and the guilt is not different because of nobility." Your husband has made such a big mistake, how can he be forgiven? Princess Anqing couldn't cry, but Zhu Yuanzhang had already made up her mind.
In order to demonstrate the majesty of the law, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to convene a special court meeting. He wanted to interrogate Ouyang Lun in person in front of hundreds of civil and military officials, so that everyone could see that the emperor's relatives and relatives could not be above the law.
On the day of the court meeting, the Jinluan Hall was crowded. The civil and military officials stood one after another, all with solemn expressions. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair, his eyes like a torch. Ouyang Lun was escorted to the main hall and knelt in front of everyone.
Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth and asked: "Ouyang Lun, are you guilty?" Ouyang Lun replied tremblingly: "The minister is guilty." Zhu Yuanzhang asked again: "Do you know the harm of smuggling tea?" Ouyang Lun bowed his head and was silent.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked around at the ministers and said loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, what do you say, how should we deal with this colt who disregards the laws of the country?" The ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak first. Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "What? Is it because he is my son-in-law that he can escape the punishment of the law? "
At this time, an old minister stood up and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, the country has national laws, and the family has family rules. As a colt, Ouyang Lun should have set an example, but instead used his identity to smuggle tea, which is an unforgivable crime. According to the humble opinion of the ministers, the crime should be punished according to the law, so as to set an example. "
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded approvingly: "Well said!" Everyone is equal before the law. Even if he is my son-in-law, he will be punished for breaking the law. After speaking, he turned to Ouyang Lun and said sharply: "Ouyang Lun, I have served you for the imperial court, and I will give you a decent death today." Come, give death! "
The Hongmen banquet was shocked, and the ministers were silent
After Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Ouyang Lun to be killed, he did not immediately execute it. He already had a plan in his heart that he wanted to take this opportunity to knock on the mountain and make an example of him. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Ouyang Lun to be temporarily escorted down, and at the same time secretly arranged a special banquet.
This banquet, ostensibly to celebrate the remarkable results of the new policy of the imperial court, was actually a Hongmen banquet carefully designed by Zhu Yuanzhang. He invited important ministers and generals from the DPRK and China, including those who had been good friends with Ouyang Lun.
On the day of the banquet, in the splendid hall, there was a staggered mix of plans, singing and dancing. The civil and military officials gathered together, seemingly happy, but in fact they were all apprehensive. They all heard about Ouyang Lun, but they didn't know what Zhu Yuanzhang was going to do with this imperial relative.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the top and drank with his ministers with a smile. He talked and laughed vigorously, sometimes asking about the government, and sometimes gossiping. Although the ministers coped with it easily, there was always a stone hanging in their hearts.
After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly changed his words and asked: "Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think of the majesty of the law in our dynasty?" The ministers were stunned for a moment, and then they all spoke to praise the strict and fair laws of the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and asked again: "So, what if someone violates the law of the country?" "
Qunchen, you look at me, I look at you, I don't know how to answer for a while. Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "What? Could it be that the law is only used to restrain the people, and can it be open to the powerful? "
Before the words fell, the door of the hall opened, and several brocade guards walked in with Ouyang Lun. Ouyang Lun was ragged and haggard, and he was like the high-spirited horse master in the past. Seeing this, the ministers immediately gasped, and some even involuntarily took half a step back.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked around at the ministers and said loudly: "Do you remember this Ouyang concubine?" The ministers were silent, and some people lowered their heads to avoid Ouyang Lun's gaze for help. Zhu Yuanzhang continued: "He relied on his identity as a colt to smuggle tea on a large scale, which seriously jeopardized the frontier policy of our dynasty. Today, I will dispose of this colt who has disregarded the law of the country in front of you! "
As soon as the words fell, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and the two brocade guards stepped forward and pressed Ouyang Lun's shoulder. Another brocade guard stepped forward with a tray with a glass of wine and a strip of white silk.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Ouyang Lun coldly and said, "Nian Zai has served the imperial court, and today I will give you a chance to make a decision on your own." Choose one of the two, either drink this cup of poisoned wine or hang yourself with this white silk. The choice is yours. "
When Ouyang Lun heard this, his legs weakened and he fell to his knees. He pleaded: "Your Majesty is gracious, the minister knows that he is wrong, and the minister will never dare again!" Zhu Yuanzhang was expressionless, and just said lightly: "It's late." "
Seeing that it was hopeless to beg for mercy, Ouyang Lun turned to the ministers present and begged, "My lords, please say something for me!" However, the ministers are like wood carvings and clay sculptures, and no one dares to persuade them.
Seeing that there was no hope of survival, Ouyang Lun reached out in despair and picked up the poisonous wine. He raised the cup to his lips with a shudder, hesitated for a moment, and finally drank it down. After a while, Ouyang Lun's body convulsed, fell to the ground, and quickly lost his breath.
The entire hall was silent, and the ministers did not dare to come out. Some people secretly wiped the cold sweat on their foreheads, and some people lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze. Zhu Yuanzhang looked around and said coldly, "Have you seen it?" This is the end of violating the law of the land. No matter who it is, even if it is my son-in-law, if you break the law, you will be punished! "
The ministers hurriedly knelt down and said in unison: "Your Majesty Shengming! Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and motioned for everyone to get up. He continued: "What I killed today is not only Ouyang Lun, but also the prestige of killing some people. Remember, in the Ming Dynasty, no one was above the law! "
The wind and rain are turbulent, and the iron-fisted rule shows its majesty
Ouyang Lun's execution caused a huge shock in the government and the opposition. For a while, people were panicked and rumors spread. Some people say that Zhu Yuanzhang began to be suspicious of the heroes, and some people say that the emperor wants to take this opportunity to clean the court.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned a deaf ear to these rumors, and he knew in his heart that in order to govern this huge empire well, it was not enough to rely on grace and power. He wants everyone to understand that in the Ming Dynasty, the law is supreme.
In order to further demonstrate the majesty of the law, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered a comprehensive and thorough investigation of Ouyang Lun's case. Jin Yiwei interrogated the relevant personnel day and night, and soon found out the context of the entire smuggling network.
What Zhu Yuanzhang didn't expect was that this smuggling network actually involved many important ministers in the DPRK and the central government. Some are Ouyang Lun's partners, and some are accepting bribes and turning a blind eye. These people rely on their status and merit to recklessly enrich their own pockets.
When Zhu Yuanzhang learned of this, he was furious. He immediately ordered that no matter who the people involved were, they would be severely punished. Soon, a large-scale purge was launched in the court.
At the court meeting, Zhu Yuanzhang loudly announced the results of the investigation. He named the ministers involved in the case one by one, some of whom were the founding heroes of the country, and some of whom were important ministers of the DPRK and the central government. These people are invincible on weekdays, but now they are like frosted eggplants, kneeling in the temple.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at these people coldly and said, "Do you think you can do whatever you want by relying on your merits and status?" Today, I want you to understand that in the Ming Dynasty, no one is above the law! "
As soon as the words fell, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, and the Jinyi guard, who had been waiting for a long time, rushed in and took down these ministers one by one. Some people cried and begged for mercy, and some people protested angrily, but in the face of iron-blooded means, these all seemed so pale and powerless.
Zhu Yuanzhang's thunderous methods shocked the entire government and the opposition. For a time, everyone was in danger, and all the plants and trees were soldiers. Even those who are usually arrogant and powerful began to be cautious, for fear that they would become the next object of liquidation.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang was not satisfied with this. He knows very well that in order to truly establish the authority of the law, it is far from enough to punish a group of corrupt officials and corrupt officials. He wants to fundamentally change the atmosphere of the entire officialdom and make everyone understand that in the Ming Dynasty, no one can be above the law.
To this end, Zhu Yuanzhang promulgated a series of new policies. He strengthened supervision over officials and set up a special supervisory body. At the same time, he also reformed the system of electing officials and promoted a group of honest and capable newcomers.
These measures caused quite a stir in the short term. Some cheered and thought that the imperial court was finally going to reform drastically; Some people also complained in private, feeling that Zhu Yuanzhang was too strict and did not leave a way for the officials to live.
In the face of various voices, Zhu Yuanzhang was unmoved. He firmly believes that only by strictly enforcing the law can the Ming Dynasty really get on the right track. Under his strong promotion, the new policy was gradually implemented, and the atmosphere of the imperial court gradually improved.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang was not satisfied with this. He is well aware that it will take more time and effort to make the law truly supreme. He began to revise the "Da Ming Law" in an effort to make the law more perfect and strict.
Zhu Yuanzhang personally participated in the revision of the "Da Ming Law". He slept and often stayed up all night to try out the wording of a law. He wants to make every law clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for loopholes.
In the process of revision, Zhu Yuanzhang placed special emphasis on the restraint of officials. He added a number of provisions against corruption and bribery of officials, increasing the severity of the punishment. At the same time, he has established a special judiciary to monitor and enforce these laws.
After the promulgation of the new "Da Ming Law", it was immediately implemented nationwide. Zhu Yuanzhang sent ministers to inspect various places to ensure that the new decree was strictly enforced. He wanted everyone to understand that in the Ming Dynasty, the law was the emperor's will, and no one could disobey it.
Over time, Zhu Yuanzhang's iron-fisted policies began to bear fruit. The atmosphere in officialdom has gradually improved, and the number of cases of corruption and bribery has decreased markedly. The people also felt the change, and they began to believe that in the Ming Dynasty, there was really fairness and justice at all.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not let up. He knows that there is still a long way to go before the rule of law can truly be established. But he firmly believes that as long as he persists, one day, the Ming Dynasty will become a real country ruled by law.