Han Shizu

Chapter 2176: Emperor Sejong's Death
"Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Zhang has arrived!" Inside the Chongzheng Hall, the eunuch Shi Quanbin cautiously said to the drowsy Emperor Liu Wenji.

Hearing the sound, Liu Wenzhi "woke up" from the book and opened his eyes. He could not hide his old age and fatigue, but his eyes were still deep, as if they contained infinite mystery and danger.

It was not until his later years that Liu Wenji's authority was truly established and respected by everyone, not for any other reason, but because Liu Wenji began to exercise the power of the emperor without scruples, using extremely powerful and even cruel means to strike down disobedients and maintain his own authority.

One thing that can be clearly found is that starting from the 20th year of Jianlong, Emperor Liu Wenzhi's temperament became more violent, his patience became increasingly short, his murderous intent gradually deepened, and the severity of his punishments was completely different from when he first ascended the throne.

In the twilight of his life and his career as an emperor, Liu Wenji seemed to have taken off all his disguises and no longer restrained his instincts. He did not completely abandon tolerance and benevolence, but he no longer pursued them as excessively as before.
Chen Yaozuo, Lü Yijian, Xiao Gong, Zhu Qi, these old ministers and famous officials of Jianlong were driven out of the court one after another and far away from the political center of the empire. The most extreme example was the death of Deputy Privy Councilor Dong Congyan.

Dong Congyan was promoted from a general to deputy prime minister for his contributions in attacking and killing the Jin barbarian Liu Jin and pacifying Mobei. He also became a representative of military officials in the Jianlong era and held a special status in the military arena in the later period of Liu Wenji's reign.

His struggle in the Privy Council with Zhe Weichang and Xiao Hui, two heroes who had fought in many wars in the south and the north, lasted for a full eight years. This was the main reason why he was eventually killed and ended in tragedy.

If it was just a difference in political views, or a simple power struggle, and the struggle was limited to a reasonable scope, then Dong Congyan would not have brought disaster upon himself.

However, Dong Congyan was conceited about his achievements and was often domineering. He was confident in his military strategy and ability, and even repeatedly rejected the opinions of Emperor Liu Wenji on military and political affairs. His rude and unpolitical behavior was totally unwise.

Even so, Liu Wenji could tolerate Dong Congyan, and it was not surprising that meritorious officials had certain privileges, at least he did not want to kill him. Dong Congyan should never have been deeply involved in the struggle for the throne, and was one of the main ministers bribed by Suiyang Duke Liu Jiying.

Dong Congyan's idea was very simple. He wanted to replace Zhe Weichang with Liu Jiying and become the prime minister. What he could hear was how much the emperor favored Liu Jiying, and what he could see was how popular Liu Jiying was.
Based on this understanding and view, Dong Congyan and Liu Jiying became closer and closer, and the entanglement became deeper and deeper. Dong Congyan even helped Liu Jiying arrange his confidants and build up his strength within the army.

When the balance in the emperor's mind tilted towards the emperor's grandson Liu Weizhen, and when Liu Jiying's shortcomings were exposed, Dong Congyan's actions became punishable and could not be condoned in Liu Wenji's eyes.

In the winter of the 22nd year of Jianlong's reign, Deputy Privy Councilor Dong Congyan died suddenly in the Privy Council. This death was considered a way of honoring the empire's meritorious officials, but the impact of this incident was extremely far-reaching.

After Dong Congyan's death, no one in the court dared to be disrespectful to the emperor. Even cases of indirect criticism and veiled innuendo became less common, simply because the emperor became more and more terrifying.

A meritorious official like Dong Congyan could be killed without mercy. In the past, emperors were full of concerns, and ministers could bully them, but when the emperor no longer cared about his dignity, even the most stubborn and conservative people would not dare to use their family's wealth to confront the emperor head-on.

The death of Dong Congyan was also a strong signal that triggered changes in the empire's military and political system. From then on, in accordance with the emperor's edict, Zhe Weichang and Xiao Hui jointly presided over the Military Law Department with Shi Yuansun (grandson of Shi Shouxin), and carried out a large-scale transfer and cleanup of internal and external military personnel.

The main purpose was to cut off the minions of Suiyang Duke Liu Jiying, but this action would inevitably cause "accidental injuries". At least a large number of Dong Congyan's subordinates and officers from Yanshan North Road were severely excluded and suppressed. Most of these people had followed Dong Congyan in the bloody battle in Mobei.
But there was no way, this was politics. From the moment Dong Congyan fell, the tragedy and downfall of a large number of officers were doomed, and a stronghold of the imperial military was thus overthrown.

Dong Congyan's tragic ending, in the final analysis, was his own problem. He had outstanding military talent, but he was incompetent and even short-sighted in politics. In the upper echelons of the empire, he could rely on his special achievements to get ahead, but when the court became complicated and treacherous under the influence of the "succession struggle", he lost himself in it. By the time he died, his keen military sense was really useless in politics.

Of course, Emperor Liu Wenji may have some faults in his use of people. If Dong Congyan had stayed in the local area and led the troops, he might have had a perfect ending and would have been famous for generations. But this is a result-oriented evaluation and has little practical significance.

The death of Dong Congyan can be regarded as a landmark event in the imperial political arena in the late Jianlong period. After all, Liu Weizhen was enthroned as the crown prince in the early years of the same year. The tension, repression and even cruelty of imperial politics in the last period of Liu Wenji's reign were also vividly reflected.

At the same time, this also reflects some psychological changes of Liu Wenji. Liu Wenji has always been a person who lacks a sense of security. When he was in his prime, he could still cope with it with excellent skills and enough patience. When he was old, he was exhausted and tired physically and mentally, and he could no longer maintain the same state as before.

In order to maintain the emperor's majesty and consolidate the imperial power, he could only take some harsh measures to continue to show his strength and inviolability. It can be said that Liu Wenji spent his whole life proving himself, but in his later years, he no longer needed to be in the same league with the world, and only needed to gain the respect of the people for a few short years.

Under such circumstances, the secret police politics that had been suppressed for a long time also rose again. Twenty years after Jianlong, the Imperial City and Wude Departments were extremely active in the Han Empire, especially in the capital area.

Back in Chongzheng Hall, the old emperor Liu Wenji put down the "National History" compiled by Cai Qi and other ministers, looked at Shi Quanbin, thought for a while, and then whispered: "Call! Prepare a seat for the Grand Tutor!"

Zhang Taifu was none other than the former Prime Minister Zhang Jian. As a veteran minister of three dynasties, he had been loyal to the imperial family for more than 40 years. Zhang Jian was known as a "capable minister in governing the country". He served as prime minister for more than 20 years and made great contributions to the country and the emperor.

As early as the 20th year of Jianlong, Zhang Jian wanted to retire because of the corrupt situation in the court. He asked Liu Wenji to retire due to his old age, but Liu Wenji refused and tried to keep him. Zhang Jian had no choice but to continue to serve as the Minister of Personnel at the age of 70. Fortunately, he had the assistance of Du Yan, otherwise he would have been like Zhang Jian said, incompetent and misleading the country and the people.

After Chen Yaozuo was dismissed from his post, Zhang Jian was promoted to the position of Shangshu Ling. However, he only served as the transitional prime minister for half a year. Liu Wenji finally had a change of heart and allowed him to retire at the age of 78.

However, Liu Wenji's trust in Zhang Jian was beyond doubt, and he still kept him in the capital to shine, and granted him the title of Taifu, sitting in the East Palace and assisting the crown prince Liu Weizhen. Zhang Jian also moved towards the legendary path of a veteran of four dynasties. His achievements are open to others to judge, but the combination of fame and age is enough to leave a deep mark in the history of the empire.

By the 24th year of Jianlong's reign, Zhang Jian was already eighty years old, but he was still in good spirits. He leaned on the purple gold staff bestowed by the emperor. Just by looking at his appearance, some people would believe that he was younger than Liu Wenji.

"Your old minister Zhang Jian pays homage to Your Majesty!" Zhang Jian walked into the hall slowly and paid his respects with great ceremony.

Normally, when old ministers came to pay respects, Liu Wenji would exempt them from the formalities. But today, he watched Zhang Jian go through the entire set of formalities before waving his hand. With a touch of melancholy on his face, Liu Wenji sighed, "Mr. Zhang is so old, yet he is still so healthy. I envy him so much!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian responded modestly and with a cautious attitude. Liu Wenji also looked down upon these almost hypocritical responses and did not take them too seriously. He sighed to himself: "I have been in power for 27 years, and have done a lot of things, but also left a lot of problems. If I could have another 20 years, the world would be governed well, and it would not be empty talk. Unfortunately, God does not give me a long life."

Hearing the emperor say this, Zhang Jian could no longer sit still. He immediately stood up and bowed with fear and trepidation: "Your Majesty, why do you say this? The millions of subjects of the Han Dynasty still need your grace--"

"Talks that have been passed down through the ages are always foolish! I am old and about to die. I have let it go. There is no need for you, Zhang Qing, to comfort me!" Liu Wenji waved his hands, and his eyes became moist unconsciously.

At this time, Liu Wenzhi no longer had the peace and calmness he had maintained throughout his life, nor did he have the stubbornness and brutality of his later years. He was like a dying bird, his voice faint and his cry mournful.

After a long while, he finally got rid of the self-pity and self-lamentation, calmed down, looked at Zhang Jian, and asked seriously: "I have always placed high hopes on Prince Zhangde and wanted to hand over the Han Dynasty to him. Although he has no special talents, he is capable of defending the country.

Unfortunately, the heavens are merciless, sending great sorrow and pain to tease me? In the past few years, I have been deeply worried about the succession of the country and the future of the country. Although I listened to the request of my ministers and appointed the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is still young and has little experience in worldly affairs, and I am still uneasy.

"Mr. Zhang has been in the political arena for forty-five years. He is highly respected and has a keen insight into worldly affairs. After observing for more than a year, what do you think of this crown prince I have chosen? Can he shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Han Empire?"

The emperor consulted him on this matter, which shows his respect for Zhang Jian and Liu Wenji's hesitation. Zhang Jian became more humble and cautious after hearing this. After careful consideration, he said:
“Please forgive me for speaking frankly. In terms of wisdom and intelligence, the Crown Prince cannot be compared with the Emperor Taizu, the Emperor Taizong, or Your Majesty. However, if he is prudent and calm, can listen to others, and is self-disciplined and dedicated to the public, he will be a benevolent and wise ruler who can protect the country.

Emperor Taizu once said, "Those who plant trees will enjoy the shade." Today, Your Majesty has worked diligently for more than twenty years, and the Han Dynasty has prospered and opened a new chapter in history that cannot be achieved by rulers of later generations.

Even though the crown prince is not a pioneering monarch, he still has great potential as he follows the rules of his ancestors. Moreover, the court is full of talented people. As long as we make good use of them and accept their advice, there will be no worries."

Zhang Jian's words silenced Liu Wenji, but judging from his expression, it was obvious that he was not really convinced. Liu Wenji was not a person who could be easily convinced, and what's more, he was already deeply suspicious.

But, besides accepting it silently, did he have any other choice? After all, Liu Wenji was no longer willing to mess with the imperial court, and he could no longer do so.

After a long while, Liu Wenji finally raised his head and said with a sigh: "I hope it's as you said."

"I heard that Zhang Qing retired and is still able to enjoy wine and meat at his old age. I'm so envious!" After coming back to his senses, Liu Wenji forced a smile and invited Zhang Jian: "Today, stay in the palace and drink and chat with me."

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On the third day of the ninth month in the autumn of the twenty-fourth year of Jianlong (1041), Emperor Liu Wenji of the Han Dynasty died in Chongzheng Hall in Ziwei City, Luoyang, at the age of 66. He reigned for twenty-seven years. His temple name was Shizong and his posthumous title was Chengtian Longyun Wenwu Yingming Xuan Emperor. He was buried in Tai Mausoleum in Ruzhou.

(End of this chapter)