Ming history spoke highly of Ming Xianzong. Why do later generations think he was a foolish emperor?
From 1488 to 1505 AD, it was the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty. The reigning emperor is Xiaozong, named Zhu Youtang, the third son of Xianzong. He ascended the throne at the age of 18 and died at the age of 36, reigning for 18 years. During the Hongzhi Dynasty, there was no exclusive power of powerful ministers, eunuchs or harems, and there was little maladministration. Therefore, the Hongzhi Dynasty was called the most wise political period in the history of the Ming Dynasty, and Xiaozong was also described as a wise king in history books.
Zhu Guozhen, a scholar in the late Ming Dynasty, said: "Three generations below, those who are called wise masters are Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, Renzong of the Song Dynasty, and Emperor Xiaozong of the Ming Dynasty." Compared with the wise master, the evaluation is very high. "History of the Ming Dynasty" also has a high evaluation of Xiaozong, mainly with eight characters, namely "respectful, frugal and systematic, diligent in government and caring for the people".
His diligence, tolerance, respect for Confucian ministers, and consideration for people's livelihood have won him unanimous praise from Confucian scholars and officials, and he is regarded as the most consistent monarch with Confucian ethics in the history of the Ming Dynasty. He accepted the advice of the Confucian scholar-officials and followed their requests as much as possible. Therefore, he was also compared to King Cheng of Zhou, which meant that he could listen to the guidance of the Duke of Zhou (the Confucian scholar-officials compared themselves to the Duke of Zhou).
From the perspective of personal accomplishment, Xiaozong was not obsessed with Fangzhongshu like his father, but he had profound attainments in poetry, piano, and painting. In terms of governing the country, Xiaozong appointed ministers, revised the system, and showed consideration for the people's sentiments. In fact, he created a prosperous era in the history of the Ming Dynasty, and the humanities in this prosperous era were also very impressive.
The Emperor Xiaozong was upright, enlightened, honest, upright, holy, literary, divine, martial, benevolent, virtuous and respected the emperor. He was the third son of Emperor Xianzong. His mother, Concubine Shu, gave birth to the emperor in the West Palace in July of the sixth year of Chenghua. At that time, the imperial concubine Wan Guifei only favored her, and no one in the palace dared to speak out. After the death of the crown prince, Emperor Xianzong first came to know about it and raised him in the palace of the Empress Dowager Zhou. In the eleventh year, the Ministry of Rites was named, and the bachelor Shang Lu and others were invited to build it. In June of that year, Concubine Shu passed away suddenly. The Emperor was six years old and mourned her as an adult. In November, he was established as crown prince. ?
In August of the 23rd year, Xianzong collapsed. In September, Renyin became the emperor. A general amnesty was granted to the whole world, and next year was designated as the first year of Hongzhi. At the end of Ding Dynasty, he denounced the sycophant Li Zisheng, the eunuch Liang Fang, Wanxi and his party, and banished them to the garrison. On Dingmao, the tenth day of the winter, he was dismissed from the Chuanfeng Palace, and more than a thousand people, including the right general Zheng Renjie and the minister Kuai Gang, were dismissed to discuss the crimes and denounce them. Titles of Ge Dharma King, Buddha's disciple, national teacher, and real person. In Yihai, the Empress Dowager Zhou is honored as the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Wang is the Empress Dowager.
Bingzi, made Zhang the queen. Dinghai, be safe. Renchen, posthumously named her mother Shufei as Empress Dowager Xiaomu. In Guisi, Xu Pu, the left minister of the Ministry of official affairs and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, entered the cabinet to do maintenance work. In November, Guichou, Yin Zhi. In Yimao, Zhanshi Liu Jian was the minister of the Ministry of Rites and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, and entered the cabinet to do mechanical work. On Wuwu day, Liang Fang and Li Zi were sent to prison. On Renwu in the twelfth month, Emperor Chun was buried in Maoling. In this month, Jiangxi and Huguang are exempted from tax on food due to the disaster.