Zhu Yunwen, the grandson of Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, was the second emperor of the Ming Dynasty and his reign title was “Jianwen”. Below, the History Encyclopedia editor will bring you a detailed article introduction.
In August of the first year of Jianwen (1399), King Zhu Di of Yan launched the “Jingnan Campaign” under the banner of “Qing Jun’s side”, which is known as the “Battle of Jingnan” in history. Thus, a four-year war broke out.
In June of the fourth year of Jianwen (1402), Zhu Di’s Yan army approached the city of Nanjing. At this time, a major traitor appeared within the Jianwen Emperor’s court. Prince Gu Zhu Hao and Duke Cao Li Jinglong surrendered to Zhu Di at the Jinchuan Gate, and the capital city of Nanjing was destroyed.
The Fourth Annals of the Ming Dynasty records that in the year of Yichou, Yan soldiers invaded the Jinchuan Gate, and the Left Commander Xu Zengshou conspired with an insider and was executed. Gu Wangxun and Li Jinglong rebelled, recruited Yan soldiers, and the capital fell.
Zhu Di attacked Nanjing, and the palace of Emperor Jianwen immediately caught fire, with flames soaring into the sky. Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen’s whereabouts are unknown. After the fire, several corpses were found in the ashes, which cannot be identified. Some people say they are the bodies of Emperor Jianwen, the empress, and the crown prince Zhu Wenkui.
The Fourth Annals of the Ming Dynasty records that a fire broke out in the palace and the emperor’s whereabouts are unknown. The King of Yan sent the emperor and empress dowager’s body to be buried in the fire on the eighth day of the Yue dynasty.
At the same time, some people say that Emperor Jianwen escaped through a tunnel in the palace and later became a monk. Later, Zhu Di sent eunuch Zheng He on seven voyages to the West to search for the whereabouts of Emperor Jianwen. Of course, this statement is also difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
The Fourth Annals of the Ming Dynasty records that Emperor Yundi died from a tunnel. Orthodox for five years. A monk from Yunnan to Guangxi falsely claimed to be Emperor Jianwen.
According to official historical records, there is a high possibility that Emperor Jianwen was burned to death by a large fire, and the capital city has been breached. Where else could he escape to? It must be difficult to fly without thinking, can Zhu Di easily let him go? Perhaps the great fire was set off by someone sent by Zhu Di, intentionally burning Zhu Yunwen and the Crown Prince to death. Zhu Di wanted to find a reason to ascend to the throne, otherwise it would be a usurpation of the throne, with an illegitimate name and an unspoken reputation.
So, it is worth considering why Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen, did not leave Nanjing and flee elsewhere to preserve his useful life before Zhu Di’s army attacked Nanjing, and then call on all soldiers and horses to serve the king and make a comeback?
In fact, the reason why Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen did not escape Nanjing is related to one person. Who is this person?
This person is Fang Xiaoru. It can be said that Fang Xiaoru caused the death of Emperor Jianwen, because it was Fang Xiaoru who strongly advised Emperor Jianwen not to leave Nanjing, and even said that it was really unacceptable and that the king would die for the country, which directly cut off Emperor Jianwen’s life path.
In May of the fourth year of Jianwen (1402), Zhu Di’s army arrived in Jiangbei. Zhu Yunwen issued an edict to recruit troops from various regions. At this time, Fang Xiaoru said that the situation was too urgent and sent someone to talk to Yan King Zhu Di, promising to cede territory and delay for a few days before gathering the army. So, Zhu Yunwen listened to Fang Xiaoru’s words and sent Princess Qingcheng, the cousin of the King of Yan, to the army of the King of Yan to state the conditions for ceding territory and negotiating peace. However, the King of Yan, Zhu Di, did not listen.
Zhu Yunwen ordered the generals to mobilize the navy on the river, while Chen Xuan surrendered to Zhu Di and became a traitor. The Yan army then crossed the Yangtze River. Seeing the urgency of the matter, Zhu Yunwen also began to feel scared. Someone advised him to go elsewhere and plot for revival. However, the conservative Fang Xiaoru firmly requested that Emperor Jianwen stay in Nanjing and wait for reinforcements, saying that even if it was not successful, the king should die for the country. Li Jinglong and others rebelled, opened the Jinchuan Gate, and the Yan army entered the city. Thus, Zhu Yunwen self immolated and died. And on this day, Fang Xiaoru was also imprisoned, ultimately executed and exterminated.
The Biography of Fang Xiaoru in the History of Ming Dynasty records that the emperor was worried and feared, or advised him to seek happiness and prosperity. Xiao Ruli, please guard the capital city and wait for reinforcements. Even if the situation is not good, you will die as the state. Yichou, Jinchuan Gate opens, Yan soldiers enter, Emperor self immolates. That day, Xiaoru was imprisoned.
From the situation at that time, if Zhu Yunwen had escaped before the fall of Nanjing, there was still a chance to counterattack Zhu Di. After all, Zhu Yunwen was a legitimate emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Di was a rebel who was unpopular.
If Zhu Yunwen escaped from Nanjing and arrived in the south, ordering all soldiers and horses to serve the king, who would dare not listen?
During the An Lushan Rebellion of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, fled hastily to Chengdu before the fall of the capital Chang’an. His crown prince, Li Heng, fled to Shuofang and ascended to the throne in Lingwu, becoming Emperor Suzong of Tang. In the end, the official army led by famous generals Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi defeated the rebels and preserved the Tang Dynasty.
However, Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen believed in Fang Xiaoru’s narrow-minded views and waited for his death in the city of Nanjing, which was the most unwise and equivalent to sending his life for nothing. Can the ruthless Zhu Di spare Zhu Yunwen? Instead of waiting for death, it’s better to escape, stay alive, and fight hard. Maybe there’s still a glimmer of hope.
Fang Xiaoru has backbone, but in times of national crisis, we must learn to use our brains instead of relying solely on our blood and courage. As the saying goes, if you keep the green mountains, you won’t be afraid of running out of firewood.
