In the long history of China, some characters have left endless reverie although they briefly crossed the sky. The fate of the four royal princes, Fusu, Liu Ju, Cao Ang, and Zhu Biao, is like a chapter in a history book that has been suddenly torn apart, which makes people think: If they did not die early, but succeeded to the throne normally, what would happen to the historical context?
These "if" historical assumptions are like a string of question marks hanging in the historical sky, constantly triggering the thinking and conjectures of future generations. They are not only a look back at the past, but also an infinite reverie of the possibilities of the future.
Fusu: The unfinished dream of the Qin State.
Fusu, the eldest son of Qin Shi Huang, his identity and status were unmatched in the Qin Dynasty. Had he not committed suicide as a result of the conspiracy of Hu Hai, Li Si, and Zhao Gao, his succession would have changed the course of the Qin dynasty and the entire history of China. Fusu is different from Qin Shi Huang's **, he is known for his generosity and benevolence, which makes him have a high prestige in the hearts of the people.
In this hypothetical historical line, after Fusu succeeded to the throne, he immediately began to adjust the harsh policies of the Qin Shi Huang period. He eased onerous taxes, eased the law, and tried to govern the country in a more moderate way. Under such a policy, the atmosphere within the Qin Dynasty began to quietly change. The people, who had been angry and frightened by Qin Shi Huang's cruel rule, began to feel a glimmer of warmth and hope.
Fusu's attitude towards the six Kwantung countries was also different. He tried to ease relations with these countries that had been conquered by the Qin state in a more conciliatory manner. He sent emissaries to these countries to convey messages of peace and friendship and reduce military oppression in these regions, which somewhat eased tensions in the Kanto region.
In the court, Fusu received strong support from Meng Tian and Meng Yi. Meng Tian, as a famous general of the Qin State, has a deep understanding of the country's military. He elaborated on the current situation of the Qin Dynasty army in front of Fusu and put forward a series of reform proposals, such as strengthening army training, improving the treatment of soldiers, and enhancing the combat effectiveness of the army. Meng Yi provided insights into domestic politics and diplomacy, and he advised Fusu to adopt a more enlightened policy in order to win the hearts and minds of the people and stabilize the Qin dynasty's rule.
Fusu accepted these recommendations and began to implement them. Under his leadership, the army of the Qin Dynasty was effectively rectified and strengthened. The morale of the soldiers was raised, they were no longer machines driven by harsh laws and punishments, but fighters to defend the country and the people. At the same time, Fusu also improved the relationship with the ** who did not have a good relationship with the Montessori brothers, and tried to establish a more harmonious environment in the court.
Although Fusu's efforts stabilized the situation of the Qin Dynasty to a certain extent, the historical Qin Dynasty had accumulated too many problems, especially in the Six Kingdoms of Kwantung. The flame of the rebel army has been lit, and Fusu faces a difficult challenge. However, unlike the historical Qin II, Fusu did not lose control of the state. The support of the Montessori brothers made the Qin army more powerful in the face of rebellion. Under Meng Tian's command, the Qin army launched a series of effective counter-insurgency operations.
In these actions, Fusu did not choose to resort to brutal methods of repression. He tried to resolve the rebellion through more moderate means, such as granting leniency to the rebels who surrendered, and granting amnesty and pacification to the people affected by Qin Shi Huang's policies. These measures have reduced the scale and intensity of the uprising to a certain extent, while also winning the hearts and minds of a part of the population.
Liu: Another possibility of the Han Dynasty.
As the son of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, if Liu had not committed suicide on trumped-up charges in the assumption of history, his succession would have brought a completely different look to the Han Dynasty. Unlike his father, Emperor Wu of Han's belligerent disposition, Liu was known for his mildness and maintained close relations with the Wei Qing and Huo Quzhi families, which laid a solid foundation for his future rule.
Assuming that Liu became the new emperor, he would first face the problems left over from Emperor Wu's expansionist policies, such as an empty treasury and exhaustion of the populace. Liu has taken a series of measures to rectify these problems. He reduced military pressure on the frontiers, reduced military spending, and restored the treasury. In addition, he also relaxed taxes, lightened the burden on the people, and gave the people a chance to recuperate.
In diplomacy, Liu Ju showed a different strategy from his father. He paid more attention to peaceful coexistence with neighboring countries and reduced military conquests abroad. He sent envoys to conduct friendly exchanges with neighboring countries and strengthened economic and cultural ties with these countries. These measures not only enhanced the international reputation of the Han Dynasty, but also brought a more stable frontier environment to the Han Dynasty.
Liu Ju's governance, especially his reuse of Wei Qing and Huo Quzhi's families, also changed the power structure within the court. The military influence of the two families was further strengthened, and Liu Ju used this to consolidate his rule. He often held talks with Wei Qing and Huo Quai's descendants to listen to their military and political advice. Guided by these recommendations, Liu Ju reformed the Han army, making it more efficient and powerful.
In addition, Liu's performance in the court also showed his political wisdom. In handling political affairs, he always sought justice and balance and avoided factional struggles within the DPRK. He also noticed the existence of Huo Guang and other powerful ministers, but he ensured that his power was not threatened by cooperating with them, rather than opposing them. Under Liu Ju's rule, although Huo Guang and others still had a certain amount of influence, they were no longer enough to influence the entire government.
Cao Ang: Cao Wei's different paths.
Cao Ang, as Cao Cao's eldest son, if he survived the Battle of Wancheng, his survival would have a profound impact on Cao Cao's family and even the entire Cao Wei regime. In this historical hypothesis, Cao Ang's leadership skills and brotherly demeanor were fully displayed, which greatly influenced the internal structure and development trajectory of the Cao family.
Cao Ang was born with leadership qualities, and he showed remarkable wisdom and decisiveness in his early years under the influence of his father Cao Cao. Among Cao Cao's many heirs, Cao Ang was regarded as the most suitable heir because of his stability and ability. His survival made Cao Cao no longer have to worry about succession, and Cao Cao's attention was more focused on national affairs.
Under the influence of Cao Ang, the relationship between Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang and other brothers became more harmonious. Cao Ang led by example, often mediating conflicts between brothers, so that the competition and disputes within the family were effectively alleviated. He also often organized his brothers to participate in political and military activities, which strengthened the sense of teamwork and family cohesion among them.
Cao Ang's political and military talents were also gradually recognized by Cao Cao. Cao Cao gave more military tasks and political responsibilities to Cao Ang, allowing him to grow and temper in practice. In handling political affairs, Cao Ang always strives to be fair and prudent, and minimises the risk of decision-making. In military affairs, he showed similar strategy and courage to his father, and achieved remarkable achievements on the battlefield on many occasions.
Cao Ang's performance made the Cao family clan more united under his leadership. He not only won the support and respect of his brothers, but also the admiration of other family members. This situation of unity is a huge advantage for Cao Cao. It allowed Cao Cao to devote more energy to foreign wars and the governance of the country, without having to worry too much about strife and power struggles within the family.
Cao Ang's influence also extended to other important figures in Cao Wei, including Sima Yi. Under Cao Ang's leadership, the unity and power of the Cao clan was further consolidated, which limited the influence of people with foreign surnames such as Sima Yi in the Cao Wei regime. Although Sima Yi remained an important advisor and general, his political ambitions were curtailed because the unity of the Cao clan made it difficult for him to find a breakthrough in it.
Under Cao Ang's influence, Cao Wei's internal politics became more stable and his military power was strengthened. This stable situation provided Cao Cao with more opportunities to confront other forces, such as Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Cao Wei, with Cao Ang's participation, may occupy a more advantageous position in the process of the Three Kingdoms struggle for hegemony.
Zhu Biao: The stable inheritance of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Biao, as the eldest son of Zhu Yuanzhang, had not died early in the assumptions of Ming history, and his survival would have had a profound impact on the entire dynasty. Zhu Biao was not only Zhu Yuanzhang's beloved prince, but also enjoyed an unrivaled status among his brothers because of his benevolent character and significant prestige.
In this hypothetical historical trajectory, Zhu Biao's survival allowed the Ming Dynasty to avoid the outbreak of the Battle of Jingjing. Zhu Di, as Zhu Biao's younger brother, may only maintain his status as a vassal king while Zhu Biao is alive, or live as an idle prince. Without the Battle of Jingjing, the political situation of the Ming Dynasty would have been more stable and would not have been turbulent due to power struggles.
As the crown prince, Zhu Biao began to accept various practices of governing the country when Zhu Yuanzhang was alive. Zhu Yuanzhang entrusted many important government affairs to Zhu Biao, allowing him to continue to accumulate experience in the actual political arena. When dealing with government affairs, Zhu Biao always put the people first, and worked hard to reduce the people's taxes and improve the people's livelihood. He also pays special attention to the fair enforcement of the law and seeks to reduce the abuse of punishment, thereby enhancing the credibility of the law.
In terms of foreign relations, Zhu Biao has adopted a more open and friendly foreign policy. He actively engaged in friendly exchanges with neighboring countries and worked to establish a peaceful and stable border environment. These policies not only enhanced the international status of the Ming Dynasty, but also brought long-term peace to the frontiers.
Zhu Biao's emphasis on the economy was reflected in his control of the wealth of the South. He realized that the rich land in the south was an important part of the Ming Dynasty's finances. Therefore, he decided to keep the capital in Nanjing instead of moving the capital to Beijing. This decision allowed the Ming Dynasty to manage and utilize the resources of the south more effectively, providing a solid foundation for the increase in the treasury.
Under the rule of Zhu Biao, the Ming Dynasty began to pay more attention to the development of the ocean. Zhu Biao sent envoys and caravans to Southeast Asia and further countries, which greatly increased the overseas volume of the Ming Dynasty. These ** not only brought abundant materials and wealth to the Ming Dynasty, but also promoted cultural exchanges and integration. The prosperity of the sea led to an unprecedented economic and cultural development of the Ming Dynasty, making it one of the most prosperous countries in the world at that time.
References: "Historical Records", "Book of Han", "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms", "History of the Ming Dynasty".