Four Major Cases of the early Ming dynasty
The Four Major Cases of the early Ming dynasty (Chinese: 明初四大案; pinyin: Míngchū Sìdà'àn / Chinese: 明初四大獄; pinyin: Míngchū Sìdàyù) refer to the following mass executions and persecutions perpetrated by the Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) at the start of the Ming dynasty:
- Hu Weiyong case (Chinese: 胡惟庸案; pinyin: Hú Wéiyōng àn): resulted in the executions and deaths of Hu Weiyong, Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen and 30,000 other Chinese people
- Lan Yu case (Chinese: 藍玉案; pinyin: Lán Yù àn): resulted in the execution of Lan Yu and 15,000 other Chinese people,
- the prestamped documents case (Chinese: 空印案; pinyin: Kōngyìn àn),
- the Guo Huan case (Chinese: 郭桓案; pinyin: Guō Huán àn).
As they occurred during the reign of the Hongwu Emperor, they were also called the Four Major Cases of the Hongwu era (Chinese: 洪武四大案; pinyin: Hóngwǔ Sìdà'àn / Chinese: 洪武四大獄; pinyin: Hóngwǔ Sìdàyù).[1][2]
They are bracketed together as practices of the emperor's key idea: ruling with severe punishment. Each case, except the prestamped documents case, led to large numbers of people being involved, and consequently, tens of thousands of executions.[3]
Traditionally, Chinese historians grouped these cases into the Hu-Lan cases (Chinese: 胡藍之獄; pinyin: Hú Lán Zhīyù / Chinese: 胡藍黨獄; pinyin: Hú Lán Dǎngyù), combining the former two cases against the meritorious officials and officers of the Hu-Lan cliques,[4] while the targets of the rest were common officials.[3]
Background
[edit]Shao Rong and Xie Zaixing rebellions
[edit]Long before the Yuan dynasty collapsed, Zhu revealed his distrust of his senior generals. Zhu issued an order that their wives and children would be detained in the capital as hostages if they were fighting outside. Zhu's motive was to prevent his generals from revolting.[5] However, this had the reverse effect. Shao Rong (邵榮), who was deemed the most skillful general in battle, was sentenced to death for his part in a 1362 coup attempt. Being treated unfairly, another general, Xie Zaixing (謝再興) revolted later. Both rebellions were put down eventually. Nonetheless, Zhu had huge trust issues with his officers. According to Taizu Shilu, when Zhu read History of Song in 1365, he learned from Zhao Pu's (趙普) suggestion given to Emperor Taizu of Song: remove power from generals.[6]
West Huai faction and East Zhe faction
[edit]Since the emperor came from the middle reaches of the Huai River, he installed the figures who also came from there at the imperial court. These people formed the West Huai faction, which included Li Shanchang at first. Hu Weiyong established himself as a pivotal figure after Li's retirement. Beside this, there are some figures from Zhejiang such as Liu Ji, and their allies such as Yang Xian. As their status elevated, regionalism emerged and grew into the political struggle between the East Zhe faction and the West Huai faction.[7] It was said that Hu spoke of his fears to Li: once Yang Xian was appointed as the chancellor, the people belonging to the West Huai faction would be emasculated and marginalised. Then they removed Yang by fair means or foul.[8]
Hu Weiyong case
[edit]Overview: execution of Hu Weiyong, Li Shanchang, and 30,000 people
Hu served as a military clerk in former years and was promoted to assistant chancellor and then the right chancellor.
In 1380, Hu Weiyong's adopted son Tu Jie (涂节) sued Hu for treason. Zhu Yuanzhang (Ming Taizu) immediately arrested Hu and executed him.
In 1390, Zhu Yuanzhang further executed Li Shanchang, Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong, Fei Ju, Zhao Yong, Jin Chaoxing, Ye Sheng, Mao Qi, Li Bosheng and Ding Yu for treason and colluding with Hu. In particular, Zhu Yuanzhang executed all 70 members of Li Shanchang's family. But Zhu went further and executed 30,000 people in total.[9][10][11]
Liu Ji poisoned by Hu Weiyong and Zhu Yuanzhang
Li Shanchang and Liu Ji were political enemies. Zhu Yuanzhang paid Liu a salary of 240 stones (石), but paid Li a salary of 4000 stones.[12] Liu soon retired. Moreover, Liu once told Zhu that Hu Weiyong was not suitable to be prime minister. Hu Weiyong then hated Liu Bowen and canceled Liu's salary and pension.[13] In 1375 when Liu fell ill, Zhu ordered Hu Weiyong to send a doctor to Liu, but Zhu and Hu Weiyong actually poisoned Liu, causing Liu to die.[14][15]
Champa envoy case: execution of Wang Guangyang
In 1379, Champa envoys arrived to pay tribute. Hu Weiyong and right prime minister Wang Guangyang (汪广洋) concealed the arrival of these envoys from Zhu. When Zhu found out, he was furious and sentenced Wang and his concubines to death. Zhu then launched an investigation into Hu Weiyong and his entire department. Zhu eventually arrested Hu and six officials close to him.[16][17]
Although Hu was blamed for his role in killing Liu, Zhu's main motive for attacking Hu was that Hu Weiyong made too many arbitrary decisions, killing and demoting people, without consulting Zhu or caring about the people around him. This caused Zhu to feel insecure in power, and Zhu sought to take apart Hu's monopoly and reassert imperial power.[16]
Execution of Hu Weiyong and Tu Jie
Under the pretext of visiting a gush of divine spring at his yard, Hu invited Zhu to his residence to assassinate Zhu. The eunuch Yun Qi (云奇) stopped Zhu half-way there and gave advance warning of Hu's attempted coup. Zhu ascended the palace wall and noticed Hu's soldiers ambushed, confirming what Yun had warned. After the conspiracy was exposed, Hu was put to death.
Hu's adopted son Tu Jie surrendered and sued Hu for treason. Zhu then arrested and executed Hu Weiyong and Tu Jie for abuse of power and subverting the law. But even after Hu was killed, Zhu did not stop there, and Hu's charges continued to escalate.[18][19]
Execution of Lin Xian for "Collusion with the Japanese"
After Hu was executed, in 1385 Li Cunyi (李存义) and his son Li You (李佑) were accused of collusion with Hu. In 1386, Lin Xian (林贤), commander of the Mingzhou guards, was investigated for his ties to Hu Weiyong. It turned out that Hu Weiyong sent Lin Xian to attract Japanese pirates to amass his own army of horses against Zhu.[20] In the 19th year of Hongwu, the investigation into the "Lin Xian case" (林贤案) concluded, and Zhu Yuanzhang executed Lin Xian by lingchi for treason and collusion with Hu and the Japanese.[21]
"Collaborate with the Mongols": Feng Ji event
In addition to asking for help from the Japanese, Hu Weiyong drafted a letter asking for help from Yuan dynasty nobles to oppose Zhu.[20]
Execution of Li Shanchang
Zhu executed Li Shanchang and beheaded all 70 members of Li's family.[19]
Lu Zhongheng's (陆仲亨) family slave also reported that Lu Zhongheng, Tang Shengzong (唐胜宗), Fei Ju (费聚), and Zhao Xiong (赵雄) also colluded with Hu under a plot. Song Lian's (宋濂) grandson Song Shen (宋慎) was also implicated and killed, while Song Lian was demoted. From this incident, Zhu Yuanzhang published the "Records of Exposing Traitors" (《昭示奸党录》).[21]
Lan Yu case
[edit]In the 25th year of Hongwu, Ye Sheng (叶昇), Marquis of Jingning (靖寧侯), was executed for "communicating with Hu Weiyong". Ye Sheng was an in-law of Lan Yu, so Ye Sheng's execution served as a prelude to the Lan Yu case in the 26th year of Hongwu. Zhu Yuanzhang would reopen the prison and persecute over 100,000 people.[22][23]
Lan Yu was a talented general who led an army of 150,000 people to pursue the Mongolians to Buir Lake. Lan Yu succeeded in defeating the Mongols and even captured a Mongol noble lady and raped her. Despite this, Lan Yu was initially praised by Zhu for his battles against the Mongols. However, this started to change as Lan Yu became more arrogant and started abusing his power, making Zhu feel threatened.
Lan Yu had a lot of experience in battle, whereas the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang initially started as an illiterate beggar and bumpkin who knew nothing about warfare. Lan Yu often disagreed with Zhu, disobeying his commands. Eventually, Zhu's Jinyiwei secret police officer Jiang Huan (蔣瓛) accused Lan Yu of treason, finding 10,000 Japanese swords at Lan Yu's residence. Zhu then executed Lan Yu.[24] However, the whole purpose was for Zhu to eliminate political enemies to the throne and his successor.
Others implicated in the Lan Yu case include: Han Xun (韓勛), Marquis of Dongping (東平侯); Cao Tai (曹泰), Marquis of Xuanning (宣寧侯); Cao Xing (曹興), Marquis of Huaiyuan (懷遠侯); Cao Zhen (曹震), Marquis of Jingchuan (景川侯); Zhang Wen (張溫), Marquis of Huining (會寧侯); Zhang Yi (張翼), Marquis of Heqing (鶴慶侯); Sun Ke (孫恪), Marquis of Quanning (全寧侯); He Rong (何榮), Count of Dongguan (東莞伯); Sang Jing (桑敬), Count of Huixian (徽先伯).[25][26]
Prestamped documents case
[edit]The local officials in Yuan dynasty evolved a working method from which their successors had never departed, until 1376: the imperial court commanded that local governments send an official courier to report their figures about the items at year's end, with the stamped documents. The stamped documents would be cross-checked before they were submitted to the Ministry of Revenue eventually. If the figures didn't seem to tally, the courier had to return for a new stamped document to submit. To avoid traipsing from their seats to the capital, these officials decided to carry spare prestamped documents.
However, the emperor couldn't condone such a practice. He affirmed that the participants probably cashed in on it. Thus, both the officials who held the stamps and the signatories were executed. Their accessories were exiled to the frontier.[3]
Guo Huan case
[edit]Guo Huan, then Vice-minister of Revenue, was executed for embezzling seven million piculs of grain in May 1385. Among his accomplices, only a few ministers and vice-ministers had been spared,[27] excluding Minister of Rites Zhao Mao (趙瑁), Minister of Justice Wang Huidi (王惠迪), Vice-minister (also the acting Minister) of Works Mai Zhide (麥至德).[28] One consequence was certain: several ministries were rudderless for about three years.
| Year | Minister of Personnel |
Minister of Revenue |
Minister of Rites |
Minister of Defense |
Minister of Justice |
Minister of Works |
Chief Senior Censors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1384 | Yu Xi (余熂) | Li Shu (栗恕) → Guo Huan |
Ren Ang (任昂) → Zhao Mao |
Yu Lun (俞綸) | Liu Kui (劉逵) → Wang Huidi |
Mai Zhide | Left: Zhan Hui (詹徽) Right: Tang Yougong (湯友恭) |
| 1385 | Yu Xi → Zhao Mao |
Guo Huan → Xu Duo (徐鐸) → Ru Taisu (茹太素) |
Zhao Mao | Wen Xiangqing (溫祥卿) |
Wang Huidi → Tang Duo (唐鐸) |
Mai Zhide → Xu Ben (徐本) |
Left: Zhan Hui Right: Tang Yougong |
| 1386 | vacant | vacant | vacant | vacant | Tang Duo | Xu Ben | Left: Zhan Hui Right: Tang Yougong |
| 1387 | vacant | vacant | Li Yuanming (李原名) |
vacant | Tang Duo | vacant | Left: Zhan Hui Right: Tang Yougong |
| 1388 | vacant | vacant | Li Yuanming | Tang Duo | Tang Duo | vacant | Left: Zhan Hui Right: Tang Yougong → Ling Han (淩漢) |
| 1389 | vacant | Yang Jing (楊靖) |
Li Yuanming | Tang Duo → Shen Jin (沈溍) |
Zhao Mian (趙勉) |
Qin Kui (秦逵) |
Left: Zhan Hui Right: vacant |
| 1390 | Zhan Hui | Yang Jing → Zhao Mian |
Li Yuanming | Shen Jin → Qin Kui → Ru Chang (茹瑺) |
Zhao Mian → An Tong (安童) → Yang Jing |
Qin Kui → Shen Jin |
Left: Zhan Hui Right: vacant |
Later, the emperor's Da Gao (大誥; [Grand Pronouncement]) proclaimed that Guo and his gang had actually embezzled 24 million piculs, while the huge discrepancy between the two accounts was justified to avoid broadly-based popular suspicion.
Allegedly, many southern landlords were complicit in these crimes. They were ordered to hand over the so-called loot, driving most of them into bankruptcy. They retaliated by mobilizing public opinion against the trial judge, Wu Yong (吳庸). Zhu then executed Wu Yong, using Wu Yong as a scapegoat, when actually it was Zhu who was responsible for the wrongful deaths of many innocent people.[27]
List of executed people
[edit]The following people were executed by Zhu Yuanzhang during these incidents:
- Shao Rong
- Xie Zaixing
- Li Shanchang and all 70 members of his family (beheaded)
- Hu Weiyong
- Yang Xian
- Liu Bowen
- Wang Guangyang
- Lu Zhongheng
- Tang Shengzong
- Fei Ju
- Jin Chaoxing
- Zhao Yong
- Mao Qi
- Ye Sheng
- Li Bosheng
- Ding Yu
- Lin Xian
- Song Shen
- Guo Huan
- Zhao Mao
- Wang Huidi
- Mai Zhide
- Wu Yong
- Tu Jie
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ Meng (2011), p. 62.
- ^ Meng (2011), p. 74.
- ^ a b c Zhang, Fan (2001). 中国古代简史. Peking University Press. pp. 339–341. ISBN 978-7-301-04770-5.
- ^ 明史紀事本末, Vol. 13
- ^ 國初事跡, "太祖嘗曰：「與我取城子的總兵官，妻子俱要在京住，不許搬取出外。」"
- ^ Taizu Shilu, Vol.15 上禦左閣，讀『宋史』，至趙普說太祖收諸將兵權，謂起居注詹同曰：「普誠賢相，使諸將不早解兵權，則宋之天下未必不五代若也」
- ^ Wu (1985), p. 250.
- ^ 國初事跡, "胡惟庸謂善長曰：「楊憲為相，我等淮人不得為大官矣。」憲因劾汪廣洋不公不法，李善長排陷大臣、放肆為奸等事，太祖以極刑處之。"
- ^ Mingshi《明史》卷127："獄具，謂善長元勳國戚，知逆謀不發舉，狐疑觀望懷兩端，大逆不道。會有言星變，其占當移大臣。遂並其妻女弟侄家口七十余人誅之。而吉安侯陸仲亨、延安侯唐勝宗、平涼侯費聚、南雄侯趙庸、滎陽侯鄭遇春、宜春侯黃彬、河南侯陸聚等，皆同時坐惟庸黨死，而已故營陽侯楊璟、濟甯侯顧時等追坐者又若干人。帝手詔條列其罪，傅著獄辭，為《昭示奸黨三錄》，佈告天下。善長子祺與主徙江浦，久之卒。祺子芳、茂，以公主恩得不坐。芳為留守中衛指揮，茂為旗手衛鎮撫，罷世襲。"
- ^ 《太祖实录辩证》
- ^ 《国史考异》
- ^ 《明史》卷128：十一月大封功臣，授基开国翊运守正文臣、资善大夫、上护军，封诚意伯，禄二百四十石。
- ^ 《明史》卷128：初，太祖以事责丞相李善长，基言："善长勋旧，能调和诸将。"太祖曰："是数欲害君，君乃为之地耶？吾行相君矣。"基顿首曰："是如易柱，须得大木。若束小木为之，且立覆。"及善长罢，帝欲相杨宪。宪素善基，基力言不可，曰："宪有相才无相器。夫宰相者，持心如水，以义理为权衡，而己无与者也，宪则不然。"帝问汪广洋，曰："此褊浅殆甚于宪。"又问胡惟庸，曰："譬之驾，惧其偾辕也。"
- ^ 《明史》卷128：基在京病时，惟庸以医来，饮其药，有物积腹中如拳石。其后中丞涂节首惟庸逆谋，并谓其毒基致死云。
- ^ 《明史》卷308：御史中丞刘基亦尝言其短。久之基病，帝遣惟庸挟医视，遂以毒中之。
- ^ a b 《明史》卷308：十二年九月，占城来贡，惟庸等不以闻。中官出见之，入奏。帝怒，敕责省臣。惟庸及广洋顿首谢罪，而微委其咎于礼部，部臣又委之中书。帝益怒，尽囚诸臣，穷诘主者。未几，赐广洋死，广洋妾陈氏从死。帝询之，乃入官陈知县女也。大怒曰："没官妇女，止给功臣家。文臣何以得给？"乃敕法司取勘。于是惟庸及六部堂属咸当坐罪。
- ^ 《明史》（卷308）："十二年九月，占城来贡，惟庸等不以闻。中官出见之，入奏。帝怒，敕责省臣。惟庸及广洋顿首谢罪，而微委其咎于礼部，部臣又委之中书。帝益怒，尽囚诸臣，穷诘主者。未几，赐广洋死，广洋妾陈氏从死。帝询之，乃入官陈知县女也。大怒曰："没官妇女，止给功臣家。文臣何以得给？"乃敕法司取勘。于是惟庸及六部堂属咸当坐罪。"
- ^ 《明史》卷308：惟庸既死，其反状犹未尽露。至十八年，李存义为人首告，免死，安置崇明。十九年十月，林贤狱成，惟庸通倭事始著。二十一年，蓝玉征沙漠，获封绩，善长不以奏。至二十三年五月，事发，捕绩下吏，讯得其状，逆谋益大著。会善长家奴卢仲谦首善长与惟庸往来状，而陆仲亨家奴封帖木亦首仲亨及唐胜宗、费聚、赵庸三侯与惟庸共谋不轨。帝发怒，肃清逆党，词所连及坐诛者三万余人。乃为《昭示奸党录》，布告天下。株连蔓引，迄数年未靖云。
- ^ a b 《明史》卷127："狱具，谓善长元勋国戚，知逆谋不发举，狐疑观望怀两端，大逆不道。会有言星变，其占当移大臣。遂并其妻女弟侄家口七十余人诛之。而吉安侯陆仲亨、延安侯唐胜宗、平凉侯费聚、南雄侯赵庸、荥阳侯郑遇春、宜春侯黄彬、河南侯陆聚等，皆同时坐惟庸党死，而已故营阳侯杨璟、济甯侯顾时等追坐者又若干人。帝手诏条列其罪，傅著狱辞，为《昭示奸党三录》，布告天下。善长子祺与主徙江浦，久之卒。祺子芳、茂，以公主恩得不坐。芳为留守中卫指挥，茂为旗手卫镇抚，罢世袭。"
- ^ a b 《明史》（卷308）："又尝与陈宁坐省中，阅天下军马籍，令都督毛骧取卫士刘遇贤及亡命魏文进等为心膂，曰："吾有所用尔也。"太仆寺丞李存义者，善长之弟，惟庸婿李佑父也，惟庸令阴说善长。善长已老，不能强拒，初不许，已而依违其间。惟庸益以为事可就，乃遣明州卫指挥林贤下海招倭，与期会。又遣元故臣封绩致书称臣于元嗣君，请兵为外应。事皆未发。会惟庸子驰马于市，坠死车下，惟庸杀挽车者。帝怒，命偿其死。惟庸请以金帛给其家，不许。惟庸惧，乃与御史大夫陈宁、中丞涂节等谋起事，阴告四方及武臣从己者。"
- ^ a b Mingshi, Hu Weiyong case《明史·胡惟庸传》记载着："惟庸既死，其反状犹未尽露。"
- ^ 《明史》（卷132）："蓝玉，定远人。开平王常遇春妇弟也。初隶遇春帐下，临敌勇敢，所向皆捷。遇春数称于太祖，由管军镇抚积功至大都督府佥事。洪武四年，从傅友德伐蜀，克绵州。五年从徐达北征，先出雁门，败元兵于乱山，再败之于土剌河。七年帅兵拔兴和，获其国公帖里密赤等五十九人。十一年同西平侯沐英讨西番，擒其酋三副使，斩获千计。明年，师还。封永昌侯，食禄二千五百石，予世券。"
- ^ 具《明史·功臣年表》和《明史·蓝玉传》载，此案涉及的有凉国公蓝玉、东平侯韩勋、宣宁侯曹泰、怀远侯曹兴、靖宁侯叶升、景川侯曹震、会宁侯张温、普定侯陈桓、鹤庆侯张翼、舳舻侯朱寿、海西侯察罕、全宁侯孙恪、东莞伯何荣、徽先伯桑敬。
- ^ 《明史》卷132：浸骄蹇自恣，多蓄庄奴、假子，乘势暴横。尝占东昌民田，御史按问，玉怒，逐御史。
- ^ 《明史》（卷132）："二十六年二月，锦衣卫指挥蒋𤩽告玉谋反，下吏鞫讯。狱辞云："玉同景川侯曹震、鹤庆侯张翼、舳舻侯朱寿、东莞伯何荣及吏部尚书詹徽、户部侍郎傅友文等谋为变，将伺帝出耤田举事。"狱具，族诛之。列侯以下坐党夷灭者不可胜数。手诏布告天下，条列爰书为《逆臣录》。至九月，乃下诏曰："蓝贼为乱，谋泄，族诛者万五千人。自今胡党、蓝党概赦不问。"胡谓丞相惟庸也。于是元功宿将相继尽矣。凡列名《逆臣录》者，一公、十三侯、二伯。叶升前坐事诛，胡玉等诸小侯皆别见。"
- ^ 清・欧阳直，《蜀警录》（卷1）："张献忠入蜀王府，见端礼门楼上奉一像，公侯品服，金装、人皮质，头与手足俱肉身。讯内监，云明初凉国公蓝玉，蜀妃父也，为太祖疑忌，坐口谋反，剥其皮。传示各省，自滇回，蜀王奏留端礼门楼。"
- ^ a b History of Ming, Vol.94
- ^ Meng (2011), p. 64.
References
[edit]- Meng, Sen (2011). 明清史讲义. The Commercial Press. ISBN 978-7-100-07465-0.
- Nan, Tang, Bingwen, Gang (2014). 中国断代史系列, Volume 12: 明史, Part 1. Shanghai People's Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-208-12480-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Mote, Twitchett, Frederick W., Denis (1998). The Cambridge History of China, Volume 7: The Ming Dynasty, 1368–1644, Part 1. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-24332-2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Wu, Han (1985). 朱元璋传. People's Publishing House. ISBN 7-01-000978-3.