In the long course of history, when Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen faced the decision to cut the domain, he obviously had three strategies to choose from. However, he chose to go down, and what were the reasons for this?
Let's briefly analyze this issue.
The three strategies for cutting feudal domains are the upper policy, the middle policy, and the lower policy.
The best strategy was to reduce the military power of the vassal king, move him to Nanjing or Fengyang, and grant him a rich fief to keep him well-off. This is the strategy that is most in line with the image of Emperor Jianwen Renjun. The middle strategy was to gradually weaken the power of the feudal king by implementing the grace system. The next strategy is to completely deprive the vassal king of his status and demote him to a concubine.
Why did Emperor Jianwen choose the next policy?We know that during the period of Zhu Yuanzhang, the court raised the vassal king, and there was no problem with the financial situation. During the Zhu Di period, there were relatively few members of the clan, unlike the flood of clan vassal kings as in the later period. Therefore, the best policy was feasible at the time, and the imperial court was able to support these vassal kings.
As for Zhongce, although the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty did not have fiefdoms, they still enjoyed titles and some estates. The reason why Emperor Jianwen chose to make a decision may have been influenced by the scholars. These scholars were eager to acquire the land and shops in the vassal king's territory, and if Emperor Jianwen chose the upper or middle strategy, the scholars would not be able to obtain sufficient benefits.
Therefore, they may have actively persuaded Emperor Jianwen to choose the next policy, and Emperor Jianwen may have felt some pressure on his IQ to make this decision.
The greatest danger to the vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty came from their three-guard system.
Although the vassal kings had some military authority at the local level, their Sanwei was not a truly independent army. Emperor Jianwen and his civil official clique realized that the power of the vassal king posed a threat to the ** regime, so it became inevitable to reduce the feudal domain. However, they may be in too much of a hurry.
deposed five princes, either exiled or imprisoned. The reason why Zhu Di was forced to resist was also because he was unwilling to give up his military power and chose to be imprisoned for life.
The situation at that time made Emperor Jianwen feel a lot of pressure, and his wisdom may have been swayed by some people. However, the development of history is not something that people can fully grasp.
The statement that Zhu Di took the initiative to rebel may not be credible, but he may have made such a choice under duress. In the end, Zhu Di won the bet, and Emperor Jianwen's choice left a deep mark on history.