The icy wind blew through the cracks in the palace walls of the Forbidden City, and scattered snowflakes drifted under the night sky of the capital. On this cold winter night, Ming Chengzu Zhu Di sat alone in the study, and a heavy list of prisoners was spread out in front of him. His gaze slowly moved over the list, each name seemingly carrying an untold story. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a familiar name - Xie Jin. Zhu Di's brows furrowed, his fingers trembling and pointing to the name, with disbelief in his voice: "Why is he still alive?" ”
1. The beginning of the wind and snow in the Yongle period.
Just after the Spring Festival in the thirteenth year of Yongle, a sudden heavy snow made the city of Beijing clothed in a layer of silver. Zhu Di, Ming Chengzu, stood on the tall building of the Forbidden City, looking at the snow-covered capital. Snowflakes fluttered one after another, falling on the glazed tiles of the palace, paving them white. The ladies and eunuchs in the palace were busy clearing the snow, and they shuttled between the palace corridors and courtyards, and the sound of shoveling snow was particularly clear in the quiet snow.
Zhu Di's gaze passed through the drifting snow, pondering the major events of the country. He knew that the new year was full of challenges and opportunities for the Ming Dynasty. He plans to make new political arrangements and military deployments with the intention of further consolidating his regime. In these uncertain times, every decision counts.
In a study in the inner court, Zhu Di sat quietly in front of the desk, on which various memoraries and maps were placed. Holding a feather fan in his hand, his eyes wandered back and forth on the map, thinking about how to strengthen the border defense and stabilize the border. He knew that a solid frontier was the cornerstone of a country's stability. The snowy scene outside the palace seems to contrast with the serious atmosphere inside the study.
At this moment, a eunuch trotted into the study, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty, Jinyiwei has sent a list of prisoners in the Imperial Prison. Zhu Di nodded and motioned for the eunuch to hand over the list. The list was spread out on the table, and Zhu Di's gaze slowly moved on the paper, carefully examining each name.
Suddenly, his gaze rested on a familiar name - Xie Jin. Xie Jin, who was once a prominent minister in the court, was imprisoned for five years for angering Zhu Di. Zhu Di thought that Xie Jin had already died in prison, but he didn't expect him to be alive. Zhu Di was silent for a moment, and then said to the eunuch: "Go, ask Ji Gang to come and see me." ”
2. A familiar figure in the edict.
Zhu Di, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, once thought that after five long years, the name Xie Jin had long disappeared in the long river of history. However, when he saw that familiar name on the list, he couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart. The talented man who has been with him for many years is still alive in the world.
Zhu Di's gaze stayed on the name for a long time, as if he wanted to see that familiar face through the words. Then, he raised his head and looked at Ji Gang beside him, with a hint of surprise in his tone, "Xie Jin is still alive?" ”
Ji Gang looked at Zhu Di silently, knowing the complex thoughts of this monarch. He replied calmly, "Your Majesty, tomorrow he will die." There was a kind of determination in the words.
Zhu Di's eyes turned to the window again, looking at the falling snowflakes. The land has been covered with a thick layer of snow, like a white fairy tale world. However, his heart could not be as pure as this snowflake. The question of Xie Jin's life and death has always haunted him and made him fall into deep thought.
Ji Gang stood aside silently, feeling Zhu Di's worries. He knew that tomorrow would be the end of Xie Jin's life.
Zhu Di's heart was full of complex emotions: doubts, regrets, guilt, ......He had thought that Xie Jin was no longer alive, but the list told him that his old friend was still alive. It reminded him of their friendships, the times they spent together.
Third, Ji Gang's mind is figuring out.
Ji Gang, as the spy leader beside Zhu Di, has a keen sense of every command from Zhu Di. He is not only a shrewd and capable person, but also a master who is good at observing words and feelings.
He is extremely sensitive to political winds and is able to accurately judge various complex situations. Because of this, when Ji Gang sensed the potential killing intent towards Xie Jin from Zhu Di's words and expressions, he immediately realized that this was a major test.
On that cold winter day, Ji Gang resolutely embarked on the road to the edict outside the capital. His steps were firm and expressionless, as if everything was under his control. The cold winter wind blew his face, and his figure looked lonely and firm in the snow.
Ji Gang walked through the iron gate of the prison and stepped into a world full of despair and gloom. His eyes were firm, without a hint of hesitation. In this place full of blood and intrigue, Ji Gang not only has to face all kinds of complicated interpersonal relationships, but also complete the tasks assigned by Zhu Di while protecting himself.
When he came to Xie Jin's cell, he did not resort to harsh measures as usual. On the contrary, he exhibited an unusually pleasant complexion. He said to Xie Jin in a gentle tone: "Xie Jin, you are blessed today. This sentence made Xie Jin feel a little dazed, he didn't know what Ji Gang was going to do.
Soon after, several jailers brought in a sumptuous feast. Roast duck, braised pork, steamed fish, and a variety of dim sum and fruit plates are served at the banquet.
After the jailers had laid out the food, they withdrew, leaving Xie Jin alone to face the table.
Fourth, Xie Jin's last meal.
In the gloomy cell, Xie Jin, facing the cold bars, knew that this might be the last meal of his life. However, he did not show the slightest fear or uneasiness, on the contrary, he did not hesitate to begin this final feast.
At the banquet, the delicacies are dazzling and fragrant. Xie Jin's eyes revealed a desire for food, and he picked up the wine glass and drank it all. Along with the delicious food, he seemed to have no scruples about eating, as if he wanted to integrate all his sorrow and unhappiness into this food. His appetite is surprisingly good, and he savors every dish, which is a kind of love and persistence in life.
The food at the banquet was quickly eaten by Xie Jin, and the wine glasses were filled again and again, and then empty again. Under the influence of alcohol, Xie Jin's movements began to become sluggish, and his body shook, as if he could fall down at any moment.
However, he still persevered, unwilling to give up this last feast. His eyes revealed an unyielding fighting spirit, which was a struggle against fate and a dedication to life.
Finally, Xie Jin fell to the ground drunk, and the leftovers of the banquet were scattered all over the ground. His body lay on the cold floor, the smell of alcohol and the aroma of food mixed with the entire cell.
Ji Gang observed quietly outside the cell, and an indescribable emotion surged in his heart. He stared at the dimly lit cell and watched Xie Jin fall to the ground drunk, and couldn't help but frown. He knew that Xie Jin was a very smart person, but now he ended up like this, which was really embarrassing.
Ji Gang motioned to the jailers beside him, and the jailers immediately understood what he meant. They sprang into action and entered the cell. The jailers carried the drunken Xie Jin out.
Ji Gang led the jailer through the corridor of the prison and walked to the outside of the prison. On a cold winter night, snowflakes fall gently.
5. The tragic ending and follow-up of Xie Jin.
On a snowy field on the outskirts of the capital, the jailers were busy digging a large snow pit under the instructions of Ji Gang. The cold wind was howling, the snow was flying, and the movements of the jailers seemed rapid and powerful. Their shovels cut through the snow, digging deeper and deeper.
Under the supervision of Ji Gang, the snow pit was quickly dug. It is wide and deep, like a cold tomb, waiting for its owner. At this time, Xie Jin was carried by several jailers, he was still in a drunken state, unaware of what was about to happen.
The jailers put Xie Jin into a snow pit. Xie Jin's body slowly sank into the icy snow, and the snowflakes gently covered his body. As the snow pit was gradually filled, Xie Jin's body completely disappeared into the snow. He froze to death in the cold night.
Ji Gang quietly observed the whole process, and when everything was done, he led the jailer out of the scene. In the moonlight, their footprints were left on the snow until they disappeared into the shadows in the distance.
News of Xie Jin's death soon spread throughout the capital. According to Zhu Di's order, Xie Jin's family property was confiscated by the government. His house was searched, all his belongings confiscated, and all his treasures and savings went into the state treasury.
Xie Jin's family was also implicated. They were escorted by officers and soldiers, and after a long journey, they were exiled to distant Liaodong. In Liaodong, they faced harsh conditions and a difficult life, which was in stark contrast to the rich life in the capital.
Before Xie Jin's death, he tried to protect Zhu Di's son Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Qizhen's father and son. However, when Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Qizhen's father and son ascended the throne, they ignored Xie Jin's case. This indifferent attitude reflects the complex power relations and brutal political struggles within the court.
It was not until the period of Zhu Jianshen of Ming Xianzong that Xie Jin's case was re-examined. Zhu Jianshen rehabilitated Zhaoxue for Xie Jin and restored his reputation. However, it was too late, and Xie Jin and his family had already suffered irreparable losses.
Xie Jin's fate caused an uproar in the capital, and many people lamented that it reflected the cruelty and unpredictability within the court. The ministers of the court and the central government were deeply alarmed, realizing that in this game of power, anyone could become a victim.
The ups and downs of Xie Jin's life have become a legendary story and are widely spread among the people. His story has been repeatedly mentioned by later generations and has become an embarrassing memory in the history of the Ming Dynasty. Over the course of history, Xie Jin's name has been remembered, and his experience has become a profound reflection on the brutality of power struggles.
Zhang Dejian. Literary Factors in Historical Texts: An Investigation of the Writing Differences of "The Death of Xie Jin" [J].Journal of Sichuan University:Philosophy and Social Science,2018(2):140-150