In 1407, the 46-year-old Empress Xu was seriously ill, and Zhu Di, the ancestor of the Ming Dynasty, went to visit.
After seeing Zhu Di, the weak Empress Xu didn't mention her illness and any personal matters at all, but she told Zhu Di uneasily: "Although the world has been decided now, and there will be no more wars, the people's livelihood has not been fully restored, I hope the saint can think more!" ”
Zhu Di looked at his seriously ill wife, they had gone through more than 30 years together, and they had experienced many important moments hand in hand, she had given him extremely valuable support, and he cherished and respected her very much. Unexpectedly, even at the end of her life, she was still thinking about state affairs, and she didn't think about herself at all.
Thinking of this, Zhu Di endured his grief and asked softly, "What else do you want to say?" ”
I hope that the Holy One can seek the wise men of the world, distinguish between evil and good, and not deny a person because of a small mistake, and do not reuse it because of a small mistake. It is necessary to teach children and grandchildren to attach importance to their studies and treat the clan with kindness and righteousness. The concubine can no longer serve the saint, I hope the saint will not be too arrogant to my mother's family! Empress Xu strengthened her sick body and said her last instructions.
Hearing such righteous and considerate words, Zhu Di could no longer control his feelings, and he immediately burst into tears.
Empress Xu couldn't help crying, but she persuaded Zhu Di and said: "There is a definite number of life and death, I hope that the saint will take good care of himself, and don't think of me!" ”
On the fourth day of July of that year, Empress Xu died.
Ming Chengzu Zhu Di was very sad, out of nostalgia for Empress Xu, he did not canonize the queen, resulting in the vacancy of the queen of the Yongle Dynasty for 17 years.
What kind of person is Queen Xu, who can get Zhu Di so affectionate?
1, the daughter of Jiangmen
Empress Xu is the eldest daughter of the famous Ming Dynasty general Xu Da, and she showed a unique talent at a very young age, which surprised Xu Da very much. Xu Da said to his wife Xie: "This woman is very talented, we should let her learn more about scriptures and history and master more knowledge." ”
Xu did not disappoint her parents, she read books and never forgot to read, and her amazing memory surprised her teachers.
With his strong learning ability, Xu read a lot of books at a young age and has a wide range of knowledge. Not only that, but whenever she reads the beautiful words and deeds of the ancients that surpass everyone, she often can't help but think for a long time: The ancients recorded these in the books, didn't they just hope that we, the descendants, could follow suit and learn? Then she really learned to think and think, and to guide her daily behavior according to what was contained in the scriptures.
It is difficult for such an otherworldly woman not to attract attention, the Xu family is famous, and Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang soon heard about it.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang hasn't read much, he attaches great importance to family education and the cultivation of children.
So, Zhu Yuanzhang specially summoned Xu Da and said to him earnestly: "I and you both started from Buyi, for so many years, we have been of one heart and one mind, and there has never been any disagreement. In ancient times, monarchs and ministers with good relations often married, so it is better for our relationship to go further and become in-laws! My fourth son has an extraordinary temperament, if you let your daughter marry my son, such a beautiful woman, our two old men will be enough to be gratified! ”
The original text of the Records of Ming Taizong is:
I and Qing have been clothed together to this day, with one heart and one mind, and we have always been uninterrupted. The rate of marriage between the ancient monarchs and ministers is married. My fourth son has an extraordinary temperament, and Zhiqing has a daughter to match. A beautiful woman is enough to comfort the two of us.Xu Da is the teacher of the prince Zhu Biao, he knows that Zhu Yuanzhang is strict with his children, and the choice of a daughter-in-law is of course a high standard and strict requirement, although the fourth son Zhu Di is not a prince, but he is most like Zhu Yuanzhang, and he is deeply loved by Zhu Yuanzhang. Xu Da immediately agreed to this family business.
2. The couple is deeply affectionate
In the first month of 1376, Xu married Zhu Di, the king of Yan, and was canonized as the princess of Yan.
Although Princess Yan is only a teenager, she behaves generously and quietly, serves her in-laws with filial piety and courtesy, and is deeply loved and valued by her mother-in-law, Queen Ma. Queen Ma once praised Princess Yan and said: "What Princess Yan has done is enough to be a good woman, and this is my filial wife!" ”
In 1380, Zhu Di, the king of Yan, left the capital of Nanjing with Princess Xu and came to Beiping to establish a domain, along with their two-year-old son Zhu Gaochi.
After that, Princess Yan gave birth to her second son Zhu Gaoxu, her third son Zhu Gaosui, and four daughters including Zhu Yuying and Zhu Yuegui.
Like his father Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di has a soft spot for his wife, although he is a prince and the king of Yan, he also has a concubine, but he has always had a deep relationship with his wife, and the two are often inseparable, and there are endless topics about political affairs and beliefs.
Princess Yan came from a family of famous generals, and was influenced by her father since she was a child, so she also has a certain military talent. In 1399, when Zhu Di launched the "Battle of Jingyan", Princess Yan participated in it, and she put forward many suggestions, most of which were recognized and adopted by Zhu Di.
When Zhu Di led the army to the expedition, the 22-year-old son Zhu Gaochi was ordered to guard Beiping Mansion, and many issues such as the deployment of guards and fortifications in the city were instructed by Princess Yan. Although limited to the status of a woman, Princess Yan could not often come forward to command the soldiers to resist the attack, but her role was no different from that of the commander-in-chief.
At the critical moment of the defensive battle, the noble Princess Yan finally walked out of the palace, personally went to the city to supervise the battle, led the soldiers and women in the city to fight bravely, resisted the southern army that invaded the city, and always blocked Li Jinglong's army outside Beiping City, and persisted until Zhu Di returned victoriously.
Zhu Di is well aware of Princess Yan's help to him, he not only loves Princess Yan deeply, but also compares her to a mentor and friend, making it clear that it is what she does that makes him have no worries.
In 1402, after Zhu Di ascended the throne, Princess Yan was canonized as the queen without any suspense.
3. The wisdom of Empress Xu
Empress Xu has been familiar with the scriptures and history since she was a child, and she is well aware of the major events such as the government and power changes of the past dynasties, so she often makes suggestions to Zhu Di to express her views on the government and politics.
When Zhu Di first ascended the throne, Empress Xu knew that after four years of war, the people's livelihood was withering and the troops were exhausted, so she proposed to Zhu Di that she should pay attention to rest and recuperation at this time, so that the people's livelihood could be restored.
As Empress Xu, she noticed the deterrent effect on the descendants of the Zhu family because of Zhu Di's launch of the "Battle of Jingjing", so she said to Zhu Di: "Emperor Yao Shiren starts with his relatives. Remind Zhu Di to attach importance to the implementation of benevolent governance for members of the family.
There are many members of the Zhu family, this is a royal family matter, if someone else mentions it to Zhu Di, it is inevitable that there will be a suspicion of "meddling", but it is very appropriate for Queen Xu to propose it.
Zhu Di listened, and he changed his attitude towards the crown prince Zhu Biao and the Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen, and at the same time treated the vassal kings with a more gentle attitude, and gave them a lot of rewards when they came to the capital to see him.
Renzheng began in the inner court, this Queen Xu can be described as a torch, she not only knows how to govern the world, but also can make the strong Zhu Di listen to her own opinions in her own way, she probably has not only outstanding wisdom, but also weak as water, water drops wear the character.
4. Put an end to the trouble of relatives
However, compared with the benevolent administration to the people and royal relatives, Queen Xu always strongly advised Zhu Di not to be too good to her mother's family.
When Zhu Di ascended the throne, his father-in-law Xu Da had been dead for many years, and the Xu family also had several brothers and nephews of Empress Xu. Xu Da's eldest son Xu Huizu was placed under house arrest because of his opposition to Zhu Di, and the fourth Xu Zengshou had the opposite attitude towards the eldest brother.
Zhu Di was very emotional about Xu Zengshou's dedication to himself, and he regretted his death even more, and wanted to posthumously knight Xu Zengshou after he ascended the throne. Zhu Di and Empress Xu discussed the matter, and Empress Xu immediately expressed strong opposition and resolutely did not allow Zhu Di to posthumously seal her younger brother.
Zhu Di smiled: "Do you want to be the Empress Mingde of the Han Dynasty?" You see, I didn't posthumously seal him because he was a relative, but because of his exploits! ”
So, Zhu Di ignored Empress Xu's objections and named Xu Zengshou as the "Duke of Dingguo", and then let his 15-year-old son Xu Jingchang inherit the title.
When Empress Xu found out, she said, "This is the great virtue of the saint, but it is not my will!" ”
Zhu Di has always been very patient with Empress Xu, and explained to her again: "Without merit, I will not seal it indiscriminately." I rule the world with justice, not out of selfishness. ”
Empress Xu saw that the matter was irreparable, so she persuaded her: "The Holy Lord's order has been issued, and I have nothing else to say." It's just that Jingchang is young and ignorant, and he hopes that the saint can choose a good teacher for him to teach more, so that he will not insult the saint's great grace, and he will not affect the ancestors because of his evil deeds! ”
Zhu Di accepted Empress Xu's suggestion and ordered the Ministry of Rites to select teachers for Xu Jingchang to teach. Xu Jingchang was originally gifted and intelligent, diligent and studious under the guidance of his teacher, and his behavior was steady and respectful, and he became a minister that Zhu Di admired and relied on very much, and the title was hereditary to his descendants.
Afterlife influences
While assisting Zhu Di with her heart, Empress Xu also pays attention to the education and cultivation of her children, hoping that they will all become people with moral cultivation and talent, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaochu and Zhu Gaosui The three brothers often serve by their mother's side, and at the same time they have a deep relationship with their mother, they dare not have any disobedience to their mother's lessons.
Although Zhu Gaochu and Zhu Gaosui had the intention of seizing the position of Zhu Gaochi's crown prince, they did not do anything excessive when their mother was alive.
Empress Xu read extensively, and she compiled 20 articles of "Internal Training" with reference to classics such as "The Female Constitution" and "The Female Commandment", which discussed women's moral cultivation from many aspects and guided women's behavior, which had a far-reaching impact at that time and in later generations.
Empress Xu also referred to the good words and good deeds of the ancients, and compiled and completed the "Book of Persuasion" and promulgated it all over the world.
In 1408, a Japanese envoy came to the court and specifically asked Ming Chengzu to give him two books, "Internal Training" and "Persuasion of Kindness", and brought them back to learn these traditional female teaching ideas.
In 1475, Queen Chohye, the mother of Seongjong of Joseon, was influenced by the "Internal Training" and also compiled a book of the same name for the education and behavior guidance of women in her country.