There have been many famous ministers in Chinese history, but there are also some who have been spurned by future generations for their bad behavior. Today, let us review the top 10 sinners in history whose actions led directly to the decline and even fall of their respective dynasties.
Zhao Gao: Zhao Gao of the Qin Dynasty colluded with Li Si to tamper with Qin Shi Huang's edicts, proclaimed Hu Hai as emperor, and brutally killed many of Qin Shi Huang's children. What he did directly contributed to the collapse of the Qin Dynasty.
Empress Lü: Empress Lü of the Han Dynasty took sole power after Liu Bang's death, brutally suppressing and slaughtering the opposition and political opponents, which dealt a heavy blow to the political stability of the early Han Dynasty.
Dong Zhuo: After Dong Zhuo took control of the imperial court in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, his behavior was absurd and cruel, wantonly burning, killing and looting. His atrocities directly led to the demise of the Eastern Han Dynasty and laid the groundwork for the arrival of the Three Kingdoms period.
Jia Nanfeng: Jia Nanfeng, the empress of Emperor Hui of the Western Jin Dynasty, intervened in court politics and brutalized the crown prince, triggering the Eight Kings Rebellion in the Western Jin Dynasty. This series of events led to the decline of the Western Jin Dynasty and the beginning of the Wuhu Rebellion.
An Lushan: An Lushan launched the famous Anshi Rebellion at the end of the Tang Dynasty, which dealt a serious blow to the economic and social order of the Tang Dynasty, causing the Tang Dynasty to gradually decline, and the situation of separating feudal towns came into being.
Cai Jing: Cai Jing, a powerful minister in the late Northern Song Dynasty, colluded with Tong Guan and others to mislead the country and the people, which accelerated the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty. Therefore, he was called the "head of the six thieves" by later generations.
Qin Hui: Qin Hui of the Southern Song Dynasty framed Yue Fei and other loyal ministers and suppressed the main battle faction, resulting in frequent defeats in foreign wars in the Southern Song Dynasty and further decline of the country. Therefore, he was nicknamed "the head of traitors" by later generations.
Wei Zhongxian: In the last years of the Ming Dynasty, Wei Zhongxian seized the power of the imperial court, excluded dissidents, and brutalized loyal ministers, causing chaos and social turmoil in the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, he was called "nine thousand years old" by later generations.
He Shen: During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, He Shen took advantage of the country's financial difficulties and further aggravated social contradictions. Therefore, he was nicknamed "the first of **" by later generations.
Empress Dowager Cixi: At the end of the Qing Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi misled the country and the people, resulting in repeated defeats in foreign wars and turbulent domestic situations. Therefore, she was nicknamed "Lafayette" by later generations.
The actions of these historical sinners had a profound impact at the time, and some even changed the course of history. Let us draw wisdom from their teachings and take them as a warning.