Why can Wei Zhongxian, a eunuch with three noes, have a successful career in the palace?

The popularity of Embroidered Spring Knife 2: Shura Battlefield has made Wei Zhongxian and Lindong even more criticized. Is Wei Zhongxian in the former history really as big-minded as in the movie?

Jin Shijie in Embroidered Spring Knife? Wei Zhongxian's Shura Battlefield

"three noes" eunuch

At first, Wei Zhongxian didn't look like a figure who could rise in the palace. Eunuchs in power generally need three conditions, one is literacy, the other is scheming, and the third is ambition. Wang Zhen, a famous eunuch in the orthodox period, is the most typical representative. This person was originally a Confucian scholar. He spent nine years in the lower officialdom and didn't make a name for himself. He simply put all his eggs in one basket, castrated himself into the palace, and became the prince of the East Palace to talk and read, which won the trust of the prince. In the future, the prince will become the highest eunuch in the palace. From then on, he occupied the scenery of the whole country with all his calculations and powers. Liu Jin was a famous eunuch in the period of Zheng De, and also a literate child with talent.

Wei Zhongxian has none of these three. At the age of twenty-two, Wei Zhongxian was castrated and entered the palace because of the end of the road. The motive is just to have a good meal. After entering the palace, he became the lowest eunuch in the first three places and remained unknown for more than ten years. He didn't go to school all day and didn't know a word. When it comes to scheming, everyone's evaluation of him is "stupid". According to historical records, he stayed in the palace for more than ten years and got the nickname "fool". As for ambition, he is relatively insulated. Because of his mediocre talent and enterprising spirit, he spent more than ten years in the palace. In the future, he left the bottom of the eunuch team and became a talented food administrator in the East Palace. He entered the palace for 30 years until he was 52 years old, and his hair began to turn gray. He still stays in this position as a meal manager.

However, the previous history is such a trick. Coincidentally, the plain-looking Wang Cairen whom he served later gave birth to a son for the Prince of Wanli, and it was the eldest son. Because Wei Zhongxian served Wang Cairen, he was also responsible for the food of the little emperor.

In July of the forty-eighth year of Wanli, Emperor Wanli died, and Zhu Changluo, who had been a prince for many years, finally ascended the throne and became the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Only one month after he ascended the throne, Ming Guangzong died because of too much sex. In a blink of an eye, Zhu Youxiao, the eldest son who had a runny nose in the palace yesterday, became emperor.

52-year-old Wei Zhongxian's fate took an unexpected turn for the better.

Among the people around him, the little emperor trusted Wei Zhongxian the most. This is because Wei Zhongxian is strong-willed, cheerful and straightforward, a little heartless and not wary of people, so he got the nickname "Fool". In addition, his body is sensitive and he likes sports. "He likes riding a horse, can hold a bow in his right hand, control the strings in his left hand, and can shoot many strange shots." Xiao Sunhuang likes to play behind his ass as soon as he understands. Moreover, he also has a loyalty and attachment to the little emperor and grandson, which is the same as a given dog. These two people are very passionate. It was not until May, five years after the child became emperor, that the little emperor went boating in Xiyuan and accidentally overturned the boat. Eunuch Wei was impatient for a moment, forgot that he couldn't swim, and brazenly jumped into the water to save the emperor. The result almost killed him, which shows his sincerity to the Apocalypse Emperor. Hakka, who is also the emperor's wet nurse, has an excellent relationship with Wei Zhongxian, forming a "dish-to-dish" relationship. Therefore, illiterate Wei Zhongxian was appointed as the master of Li Si, and his duty was to answer the letter instead of the emperor.

This position has far-reaching influence. Because, compared with his keen interest in carpentry, the newly enthroned Emperor Apocalypse hates politics very much. Since he was a child, except for a few ladies-in-waiting and eunuchs, he has hardly touched anyone and has never seen the world. Therefore, in court, he always looks shy and stupid, sitting there like a puppet. He doesn't understand what others say, and he doesn't want to understand. He urgently needs a trustworthy person to deal with these "troubles" for him so that he can concentrate on playing in the harem.

From the bottom of society to the commanding heights of the world, Wei Zhongxian was a little dizzy for a while. However, due to lack of self-knowledge, he is quite proud. He was once full of ambition and vowed to make every effort to help the emperor govern the country. Unfortunately, for a great politician in charge of imperial power, the experience of farmers, toilet cleaners and catering administrators in Wei Zhongxian is too pale. He lacks the minimum civilized quality, political experience and wisdom. Although he was ambitious, the Daming country he managed involuntarily went into unprecedented chaos.

Pretend to understand if you don't understand, and cover up your mistakes with mistakes, which is a common sight in the Wei Zhongxian era. On one occasion, Li, an official of the Ministry of Rites, used the phrase "Erzhen Cao's whole army in Shandong" in his memorial, and was captured by Wei Zhongxian. Because not long ago, Erzhen Cao just got through Wei Zhongxian's joints and became the governor of Shanxi, saying that he was "training in Shandong" was undoubtedly wrong. Wei Zhongxian caught this evidence just to prove his shrewdness. If Lee admits his mistake immediately and praises Wei Zhongxian again, he will be safe and sound. Who knows that Li felt wronged and insisted on writing a letter to defend himself, saying that Erzhen Cao was originally an envoy of Shandong Province. Although he has been promoted, he has not yet arrived, saying that it is in line with the practice of "arranging soldiers in Shandong". This ignorant statement made Wei Zhongxian very angry and cut Li's official position on charges of "disrespect". Li's beautiful promise was ruined by such a puzzling misunderstanding.

Due to the lack of minimum experience in politics, Wei Zhongxian is often ingenious in dealing with government issues, which makes people laugh and cry. The war in Liaodong is tight and horses are badly needed. Wei Zhongxian thought of a stunt: the senior ministers of the Ming Dynasty had the privilege of riding horses in the palace, but these people offered the emperor a good horse every year. Wei Zhongxian gave hundreds of eunuchs the privilege of riding horses in the palace for a period of time, and then he gave orders to the horses. In this comedy, Wei embodies the cunning of small farmers, but these hundreds of horses are nine Niu Yi hairs, which makes people laugh in vain.

Statue of Wei Zhongxian

Weishi group

Of course, party member disagreed with Wei. But the fundamental reason for their opposition to Wei Zhongxian is not Wei Zhongxian's low rank, but Wei Zhongxian's status. The ancestors of the Ming dynasty, eunuchs could not go into politics. Therefore, when Wei came to power, all kinds of opposites broke out. In June of the fourth year of the Apocalypse, Yang Lian, the party representative and left deputy of Lindong, wrote to recite Wei Zhongxian's twenty-four major sins, accusing Wei Zhongxian of usurping imperial power and acting arbitrarily; Blame Wei Zhongxian for taking it as an example and damaging the statutes; Blame Wei Zhongxian for overstepping his authority. When he travels, he looks like an emperor. In fact, this letter became a call for Lindong's ministers to launch a general attack on Wei Zhongxian. In June, July and August, there were more than 70 chapters of the memorial to impeach the Wei family. From college students, ministers to ordinary officials in Beijing, they all joined this team. For a time, dark clouds were gathering over the Forbidden City.

But the Emperor of the Apocalypse, like all previous emperors, had no affection for these courtiers, and he never doubted Wei Zhongxian's loyalty. This old servant who has served himself for decades is as docile and obedient as a dog, and his master and servant are deeply affectionate. This friendship is built up bit by bit in decades of life, which is hard to break. He firmly stood on Wei Zhongxian's side, agreeing that Wei Zhongxian left Yang Lian's throne halfway, that is, he did not reply. In the later days, the emperor's trust in Wei Zhongxian never wavered. He and Wei's * *, in the same boat, became a staunch supporter of Wei Zhongxian without hesitation.

The emperor's mood unconsciously changed the political balance of the imperial court, and more and more people knew that Wei Zhongxian's position was not firm. As a result, many people with a keen sense of political smell immediately changed their direction and decided to take refuge in Wei Zhongxian. In the spring of the fourth year of the Apocalypse, Wei Guangwei, a cabinet university student, was the first to keenly feel that Wei Zhongxian's strength had been reached, and soon became a fellow countryman and friend with the same name and surname with Wei Zhongxian. In August of the fourth year of the Apocalypse, Cui Chengxiu, the inspection department, was removed from the list for corruption and bribery. He took refuge in Zhai Wei and asked to be Wei Zhongxian's adopted son. Cui Chengxiu was reinstated soon, and later became a court official in Zuodu, Yushi, Juvenile Fu and Prince Taifu.

In a short time, a group of ministers gathered around Wei Zhongxian and formed a snowball effect. When arranging his own group, Wei Zhongxian, a farmer, naturally thought of imitating blood relationship, so he recognized his adopted son and grandson and let him use them at ease. Most of the so-called "ten sons" and "forty grandchildren" in history are three talented bureaucrats above the intermediate level. Being Wei Zhongxian's son or grandson, for them, is equivalent to adding a security to their future. And the Director-General Wei Zhongxian, with a huge momentum, takes everything to the net. As long as you take refuge in him, he will repay you immediately For his "children and grandchildren", he really spared no effort to take care of and cultivate them. Many people have achieved rocket-like promotion and soon formed a powerful political force.

Facts have proved that the grovelling Lindong Party was originally vulnerable. Under the assignment of the counselor, Wei Zhongxian found various excuses, arranged for people to impeach Lindong party member, and then removed them from their posts in the name of the emperor. Lindong party member is so decent. Sometimes, the impeached minister resigned on his own initiative and was not exempted by Wei. In this way, within a few months, Lindong party member was cleaned up.

In the future, Wei's family soon discovered that he had an almost morbid hobby: he loved ostentation and extravagance, loved to listen to compliments, and he could readily accept any excessive flattery.

Everything that Wei Zhongxian has done, big or small, is wise, and no one can compare with him. Because Wei Zhongxian really didn't do anything important, everyone should put down every little thing. Wei Zhongxian was in charge of rebuilding the Palace, and this ordinary project became a major event among courtiers: "(Wei's) was loyal to the sun and determined to mend the sky. Jiao Lao was idle in the morning and evening and forgot to walk. So it is possible to inherit the structure of the DPRK, and it will become an operation in a few days. One person has peace of mind, and countries are hanging in the hall. " It's similar to rebuilding the country. In this case, of course, you want to be promoted to the rank, so Wei Zhongxian was promoted to the public. This is the highest title that a foreign minister of the Ming Dynasty can get.

Since the fifth year of the Apocalypse, courtiers' praise for Wei Zhongxian has been increasing, and it soon spread widely. The imperial court also constantly rewarded Wei's great achievements. He soon reached the highest title, from a scholar to a government official. Together, among the Wei family members, one was given one post after another, one was a big official, one was a big official, four were the top two, and the following three were countless. The poor Wei family is now full of beds and has quickly become the most prominent family in the country. Wei Zhongxian was first known as Chitose, then as Jiuchitose, and then as "9900-year-old Grandpa", only one step away from Long Live.

It is not out of greed to reward such extravagance. The main motive is Wei's deep inferiority complex. In the deepest part of his knowledge, Wei Zhongxian is obsessed with his life experience from humble to humble, questioning his talents every day, and sitting in this supreme position, always uneasy. Praise from others has watered his dried-up self-esteem again and again, helped him keep his mind balanced again and again, and convinced him that he was openly different. He gradually became addicted and more and more eager for praise from others. Without these compliments, he can't keep his mind balanced. This kind of addiction is too similar to drug addiction. As long as the dose is getting bigger and bigger, we can meet his higher and higher requirements. Of course, Wei Zhongxian is not a complete idiot, so his heart sutra often swings between the north and south poles. On one occasion, his cronies inadvertently said, "foreign officials coax the master", which made him "shake his head and sneer, sigh and gnash his teeth, saying,' It turned out that the whole country tricked me into a false name.' "So he said he was ill in a few days. Tintin's careless words actually broke the psychological balance of praise and support for many times. This shows how fragile Wei Zhongxian's heart is.

Wei Zhongxian in film and television dramas.

The nature of an old servant

In order to save himself, Wei Zhongxian adopted two strategies. One is to continue to receive a lot of praise. One is to suppress the opponent with all one's strength, and the wind is trembling.

Because he knew the illegality of his control and the infinite opposing forces in society, he exerted the power of spy arrangement to the extreme. On the one hand, it is to create a pervasive atmosphere of fear in the whole society, so that everyone can't talk nonsense and touch. On the other hand, it is to dig deep into potential political enemies with pervasive reconnaissance technology to nip in the bud. In the sixth year of the Apocalypse, an official from Gusu went to Beijing because of something, and on the way to the capital, he wrote a diary of a trip to the north, which vividly reflected the panic and fear of the society at that time. He was accidentally inspected by secret agents on his way to Beijing and in the inn, and his luggage was turned over several times. After entering Beijing, he went to several brothers in a row and begged for a night, but no one dared to promise him. One of them saw him walk to the door and said, "The world is so vast, how can I throw myself at him?" It can be seen that the atmosphere of fear was a household name at that time.

In the whole society, no one dares to talk nonsense, and a voice is getting louder and louder, which is a compliment to Wei Zhongxian. This kind of praise is getting more and more outrageous. This imperial edict, written at Wei Zhongxian's behest, is full of praise for himself: he praised himself for "loyalty and careful planning". Wayne creates luck and holds the fulcrum of leveling; Strategies for seeking capital and resources. Ann is busy inside and outside, helping the weak and helping the poor. He also said that he was "independent of justice, and he made a contribution to the world, which was not insignificant". "

Good things in the world will be bad in the afterlife. Later, this worship movement developed to the point where numerous shrines were built for Wei Zhongxian all over the country. No one has ever been treated like this. In order to please the Wei family, the provinces have formed a grand shrine far beyond the Yue Temple. Kaifeng, the capital of Henan Province, demolished more than 2,000 houses to build a shrine. After the completion, it was nine times heavier, which is the number of emperors. Yan Sui's "June" shrine is completely covered by a yellow glazed tile dedicated to the emperor. The statues of Wei Zhongxian in the temple are all carved with agarwood, and there is such a couplet at the door: most holy, most holy, standing in the center of heaven and earth; Many blessings and longevity grow bright with the sun and the moon. After the completion, local governors will go to the temple to worship five times and knock three times, calling them nine years old. No living emperor is so respected.

However, no amount of praise can change Wei Zhongxian's short-sighted reality. He has never had a clear concept of his identity and status. He doesn't seem to know that his rights are based on an iceberg. Without the support of the emperor, he is nothing. He never thought about what fate he would face after the iceberg melted in the future. He was just appointed by nature and vanity, like a drunk driver, driving the carriage of Daming society at random and heading for the abyss of being killed.

However, there are many smart people in his group who know the shortcomings of Wei's rights: the emperor will die one day, and most of the emperors in the Ming Dynasty have a short life span. Once the emperor died, the Wei Dynasty was likely to fall apart. So, they secretly offered suggestions to Wei Zhongxian, and while Wei's strength was in full swing, they simply set up their own business for you. Only in this way can we ensure the long-term interests of Webster's Group.

However, hearing this, Wei Zhongxian immediately refused. He sternly warned the counselor not to say such things in the future. In his letters, he boasted that he was "loyal" and "loyal to his country", which were all true. How can a "giant" and "loyal minister" like him do such a thing that he is not ashamed of human disobedience?

Facts have proved that Wei Zhongxian is indeed the emperor's "loyal minister", and he has never been unfaithful.

Just like when Wei Zhongxian was in power, the experiment that fate stopped on him was so unexpected. Unexpectedly, in the seventh year of the apocalypse, the 23-year-old emperor suddenly sank? . In May of this year, he began to have low back pain and fever, and later his whole body was swollen, showing signs that his time was coming. Judging from his performance, it is probably acute nephritis.

Wei Zhongxian showed the nature of an old servant. At the age of 60, he lived in the Qin Hall near the emperor's bedroom and served the emperor day and night. In order to save the emperor's life, he thought many ways. He hired a wizard to exorcise the evil spirits of the emperor. He distributed golden birthday stickers in the palace to drive away the disease with a golden and festive atmosphere. Because the emperor's illness became more and more serious, he secretly cried many times.

But everything was a drop in the ocean. Three months later, the apocalypse emperor died. Because he had no children, his younger brother Zhu Youjian succeeded to the throne.

Wei Zhongxian was so immersed in grief that he didn't realize that risks were quietly gathering on his head. The new Emperor Chongzhen is completely different from the Emperor Apocalypse. This person is unscrupulous to VIV Group and resents it to the extreme. At first, he was awed by Wei's infinite power and did not take any action for the time being. However, through a period of investigation, he found that this behemoth turned out to be a paper tiger. Two months after he acceded to the throne, he hinted that liegeman would impeach Wei Zhongxian, and the long-accumulated anti-Wei energy came out, impeaching Wei's throne everywhere. On the first day of November in the seventh year of the Apocalypse, Emperor Chongzhen issued a proclamation declaring that Wei was a terrible man. "I should be an inch old, and I'm at the funeral. I'm in Fengyang."

Commanded, former servant Wei Zhongxian obediently rolled up his bedding and went to Fengyang Zuling to guard the tomb. But the emperor's "aunt set up Fengyang" is just a polite expression, in order to leave a decent face for the first emperor. How can he really tolerate traitors? On the sixth day of November, after learning that the emperor was going to take his life, Wei Zhongxian honestly hanged himself on the southbound road.

From beginning to end, he was just an obedient slave.