Personally, I feel that Liu Bowen is awesome and Zhuge Liang is deified. .

Liu Bowen (1311-1375)

Liu Bowen (1311-1375) was named Liu Ji and given the courtesy name Bowen. Liu Bowen has been extremely intelligent and talented since he was a child. Under the influence of his family, he has been eager to learn and think deeply since he was a child, and he likes reading. He is very familiar with Confucian classics and the books of various schools of thought. In particular, he devoted himself to studying astronomy, geography, art of war, and arithmetic, and gained considerable experience. He has a very good memory. He can read ten lines at a glance and remember them forever. Moreover, the writing style is wonderful and the articles written are extraordinary. When he was 14 years old, he entered Chuzhou County to study "Spring and Autumn". At the age of 17, he studied Song and Ming Neo-Confucianism under Zheng Fuchu, a famous scholar in Chuzhou. At the same time, he actively prepared for the imperial examination. With his natural talent and hard work, the young Liu Bowen quickly stood out in the local area and became a great talent and celebrity in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. He began to attract the attention of the world. His teacher Zheng Fuchu once said to Liu Bowen's grandfather: "In the future, this child will definitely bring glory to your family and revitalize the Liu family!" When Zhao Tianze, a famous scholar in Xishu, evaluated the people in Jiangzuo, he ranked Liu Bowen first and compared him with Zhuge Kongming compared Liu Bowen to Liu Bowen and said that he would definitely become a great resource for the times in the future.

Liu Bowen is indeed an outstanding person. He passed the Jinshi examination in the first year of Yuantong (1339) and entered the official career, beginning his wonderful performance on the stage of Chinese history.

Initially, Liu Bowen hoped to serve the Yuan Dynasty government and realize his lofty ambitions by becoming an official. Soon after he became a Jinshi, he was appointed as the magistrate of Gao'an County, Jiangxi Province, and later as the capital of the Marshal's Mansion. However, his suggestions were often not adopted by the court, and his talents were suppressed by the court. Liu Bowen was so disappointed that he resigned angrily three times and returned to his hometown of Qingtian to live in seclusion.

During Liu Bowen's seclusion in Qingtian, he devoted himself to writing. He summarized his thoughts and views on society and life, and wrote the famous book "Yu Ion". At this time, the situation across the country has undergone fundamental changes. Anti-Yuan uprisings were raging across the country, and the rule of the Yuan Dynasty was on the verge of collapse, but the various anti-Yuan rebel armies were arguing with each other and refused to give in. Liu Bowen quietly observed the situation in the world, and after some analysis, he believed that among the many rebel armies, Ming Taizu, who was born as a commoner, had the most aura of a real dragon and emperor. The Red Scarf Army led by him was the team that overthrew the Yuan Dynasty and established a new country. .

In 1360 AD, the rebel commander Ming Taizu twice invited Liu Bowen, who was living in seclusion in Qingtian. After careful consideration, Liu Bowen finally decided to come out to assist Ming Taizu, hoping that by helping the Zhu family to conquer the country, he could rule the country and bring peace to the world. of great ambition. Similar to Zhuge Liang's "Long Zhong Dui", Liu Bowen proposed the "Eighteen Strategies for Current Affairs" when he met Zhu for the first time. When Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty saw Liu Bowen, he was even more overjoyed. From then on, he regarded Liu Bowen as his confidant and military advisor.

After Liu Bowen came out of the mountain, he served the Zhu family's regime loyally and actively advised Taizu of the Ming Dynasty. He formulated the strategic policy for the Zhu family to "destroy Chen Youliang first, then Zhang Shicheng, and then move north to the Central Plains to unify the world." And Ming Taizu was assisted by Liu Bowen, which was even more powerful. He basically acted in accordance with the strategies and tactics Liu Bowen had set for him. He first used a trick to lure the enemy to defeat Chen Youliang and weaken his spirit. Then in 1363 AD, he fought a decisive battle with the Chen family at Poyang Lake and completely eliminated his power. The next year, Zhang Shicheng's forces were eliminated according to the plan. Then, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty sent troops north to attack Beijing, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, and at the same time prepared to proclaim himself emperor in the south.

In 1368 AD, Ming Taizu ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in Nanjing, formally establishing the Ming Dynasty and changing the Yuan Dynasty to "Hongwu". Liu Ji, who made great contributions to the Zhu family's final efforts to pacify the world and create the Zhu Ming Dynasty, was appointed as one of the founding fathers, Yushi Zhongcheng and Taishi Ling. In recognition of Liu Bowen's special contribution and great meritorious service, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty also issued an edict to exempt Liu Bowen from paying taxes in Qingtian County, his hometown. This is the only county in Chuzhou that does not increase taxes. Soon after, Liu Bowen's grandfather and father were posthumously granted the title of Duke of Yongxi County.

In the third year of Hongwu (1370), Liu Bowen was appointed as a bachelor of Hongwen Hall. He was awarded the title of "the founder of Yiyun, the upright civil servant, the good scholar, the good doctor, the superior protector of the army", and was granted the title of Uncle Chengyi, with a salary of 241 stones. At this point, Liu Bowen's own career and the development of the Liu family in Qingtian were at their peak, reaching their most glorious heyday.

As a generation of strategists and wise men, Liu Bowen knew things like a god. He knew very well that he usually hated evil as much as his enemies, and had offended many colleagues and dignitaries. At the same time, he also knew well the principle of "accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger". Therefore, after he became famous, he resolutely chose to retire. In the fourth year of Hongwu (1371), he voluntarily resigned from all positions, retired to his hometown, and lived in seclusion in Qingtian.

Liu Bowen lived in seclusion for two years in Qingtian. He originally hoped to stay away from the disputes of right and wrong in the world. However, his wisdom and talent were too high, and his reputation was so great that he was even exaggerated by the people into a living god-like figure. This could not avoid the jealousy of political opponents and the suspicion of the emperor. In the sixth year of Hongwu (1373), Liu Bowen's political enemy Hu Weiyong became the Prime Minister of the Left, and instigated others to falsely accuse Liu Bowen, saying that he wanted to occupy a "kingly" land called "Ming Yang" as his own tomb, and had evil intentions. Ming Taizu, who had long been worried about Liu Bowen, deprived Liu Bowen of his title after hearing the false accusation.

Liu Bowen was very frightened, so he went to Nanjing in person to apologize to Ming Taizu, and stayed in Nanjing and did not dare to come back. Later, Hu Weiyong was promoted to the right prime minister. Hu Weiyong was the most treacherous minister in the world, comparable to Qin Hui. Liu Bowen became even more worried and finally became ill.

In the eighth year of Hongwu (1375), Liu Bowen, who was ill, was escorted home by an envoy sent by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. He soon died of sorrow and anger at home at the age of 65.

When Liu Bowen was in Nanjing, Hu Weiyong sent an imperial doctor to diagnose Liu Bowen and deliver medicine. However, Liu Bowen's condition worsened after taking his medicine. Therefore, people at that time suspected that Hu Weiyong poisoned Liu Bowen to death. 139 years after his death, that is, the ninth year of Zhengde of Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty (1514), he was posthumously given the title of Grand Master and given the posthumous title of Wencheng, so later generations also called him Liu Wencheng. Wencheng County is a new county established in 1948. The county name is in memory of Liu Ji.

Liu Bowen was not only a master of strategy, but also a famous scholar and literati. He wrote many works, among which 10 volumes of "Yu Liong" and 20 volumes of "Collected Works of Chengyi Bo" were circulated in the world. in. The representative work "Yu Ion" occupies an important position in Chinese thought and literary history.

After Liu Bowen died, he was buried in Xiashan, Wuyang, Qingtian. It is said that before his death, Liu Bowen predicted that Hu Weiyong would be defeated and that Ming Taizu would vindicate Zhaoxue for himself. He also left a secret memorial to his son, asking him to submit the memorial when Ming Taizu remembered him in the future. Five years later, Hu Weiyong fell. Another 10 years later, Liu Bowen was indeed rehabilitated. Taizu of the Ming Dynasty also gave the Liu family a golden book and iron certificate, by which special members of the Liu family could be exempted from death penalty.

Liu Bowen Memorial Website

Tragic ending

Liu Bowen gained the upper hand in the battle with Li Shanchang, the leader of the Huaixi faction, but was eventually killed by Li Shanchang's confidant and treacherous minister Hu Weiyong was harmed.

Liu Ji

Liu Ji, nicknamed Bowen, was resourceful, thoughtful, and able to predict events like a god. He was Zhu Yuanzhang's first counselor to conquer the world and establish the Ming Dynasty. However, after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Liu Ji was only granted a second-class title - Uncle Chengyi. Although he enforced the law like a mountain and gained the upper hand in the battle with Li Shanchang, the leader of the Huaixi faction, he was eventually killed by Li Shanchang's confidant and treacherous minister Hu Weiyong. And behind all this, there is always an invisible hand that controls his destiny until the end of his life.

1. The battle between the Huaixi faction and the eastern Zhejiang faction kicked off

After Zhu Yuanzhang solved the Beiyuan faction, he formulated a series of policies aimed at restoring production and life, and gained The effect was good, but at this time, the conflicts within the court became fierce again. The ministers were divided into two factions, and a new battle began based on region.

These so-called factions are actually hometown associations, and everyone speaks the same dialect. The largest hometown association under Zhu Yuanzhang was the Huaixi Group. The president was originally supposed to be Zhu Yuanzhang, but considering that he also served as emperor, Li Shanchang was acting as the president at that time. This group has a large number of people. The main members include Li Shanchang, Guo Xing, Guo Ying, Tang He, Zhou Dexing, and others such as the deceased Chang Yuchun. It can be said that these people are the team from which Zhu Yuanzhang started. People at that time were proud to speak Huaixi dialect when they met.

Who is Li Shanchang, and why is he the number one hero? This person is mainly responsible for logistics and government affairs. If Liu Ji is compared to Zhang Liang, then Li Shanchang is Xiao He. He has been following Zhu Yuanzhang to conquer the world. He is tired in front of him and behind the horse. The logistics work is not easy to do, and the hard work is not rewarded. Zhu Yuanzhang was a sensible man, so after the founding of the People's Republic of China, he regarded Li Shanchang as the first meritorious official and appointed him as prime minister.

The characteristic of Li Shanchang is that he looks generous but is narrow-minded. Anyone who dares to get in trouble with him must deal with him.

As the saying goes, evil people will be punished by evil people. The Huaixi Group soon met its opponent, the Zhedong Group, and its leader was Liu Ji.

The two groups started fighting right under Zhu Yuanzhang's nose. Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to be very interested, and he was ready to watch a good show.

Zhu Yuanzhang

2. Liu Ji executed Li Bin and had a grudge with Li Shanchang

Li Shanchang was cited by Zhu Yuanzhang as the first hero, and was executed in the third year of Hongwu (1370) It was very remarkable that he was granted the title of Duke of Korea, because at that time, Zhu Yuanzhang only granted six Dukes in one emperor. The other five were Xu Da, Chang Mao (Chang Yuchun's son, Li Wenzhong, Feng Sheng, and Deng Yu). They are all famous generals who fought hard and fought hard, but surprisingly, Li Shanchang still ranks above these people. He is also the only civil servant in the Duke. In contrast, Liu Ji also made great contributions to Zhu Yuanzhang's conquest of the world, but was only granted the title of Count Chengyi (Earl). What is intriguing is that his salary is also the lowest among the earls, with an annual salary of only 240 shi, while Li Shanchang's is 4,000 shi. More than ten times more than Liu Ji.

Liu Ji strategized and played an important role in many important decisions.

In fact, this question does not matter. It's not that difficult to explain. Zhu Yuanzhang is a person with strong rural concepts, and Li Shanchang is his fellow villager. He has only worked behind the scenes for many years, never stealing the limelight and working hard. Such a person Zhu Yuanzhang is very relieved.

In contrast, Liu Ji is a foreigner, and more importantly, Liu Ji's judgment on things is often more accurate than him!

From the Battle of Longwan to the rescue of Anfeng, he also thought of what Zhu Yuanzhang thought of, and he thought of what Zhu Yuanzhang did not think of. If you were the emperor, would you allow such a person to be around? Moreover, these decisions were not strategies to calm the people, but strategies for power. It was very useful to carry out conspiracy coups. In addition, Liu Jihou also had a deep foundation in black studies. From time to time, Zhu Yuanzhang would think of his persuasion not to save Han Lin'er. Who knows if he will do this to himself in the future.

It’s good enough not to kill him, but do you still want a reward?

Liu Ji was smart all his life, but he also neglected this point. This also determines that it is difficult for him to become the winner in this fight.

In the first year of Hongwu, the two sides faced each other for the first time. The supervisory agency at that time was modeled after the Yushitai established in the Yuan Dynasty. Liu Ji was the Yushitai Zhongcheng, that is to say, he was the leader of the Yanguan. The advantage at this time was on Liu Ji's side.

The fuse that caused the conflict was a man named Li Bin, a close confidant of Li Shanchang. He was arrested by Liu Ji for breaking the law. After finding out the crime, Liu Ji decided to kill him. Zhu Yuanzhang happened to be out at this time, and Li Shanchang quickly went to Liu Ji to intercede, but Liu Ji refused to give in and reported the matter to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and ordered Li Bin to be executed immediately. Unfortunately, this reply happened to fall into the hands of Li Shanchang. He did not dare to hide it, but he was also furious. In order to save the life of his cronies, he came up with an excuse. He believed that as long as he told this excuse, Liu Ji would not refuse his request for mercy.

He found Liu Ji and said to him: "It has not rained in the capital for a long time. Sir, he is familiar with astronomy, so he should not kill people rashly at this time."

Li Shanchang can be described as a cunning old man. He knew full well that Liu Ji was well versed in astronomy and used this as an excuse. If Liu Ji insisted on killing Li Bin, he could blame Liu Ji for the lack of rain. There was no weather forecast at that time, and the devil knew when it would rain.

However, Liu Ji's answer was: "Kill Li Bin, it will rain!"

Li Bin was killed in this way. Li Shanchang was angered, and he began to prepare for his first counterattack.

Liu Ji dared to say such things. It should be said that he had a certain degree of confidence. He did understand astronomy and meteorology, but the problem was that even today's weather forecast was sometimes inaccurate.

Liu Ji was unlucky this time, and it didn't rain for a long time. When Zhu Yuanzhang came back, Li Shanchang's accumulated energy burst out, and he incited many people to attack Liu Ji. Zhu Yuanzhang was a sensible man and did not make things difficult for Liu Ji. But Liu Ji knew that he could no longer stay here, so in August of that year, he took leave and returned to his hometown.

Before leaving, Zhu Yuanzhang was hot-headed and wanted to build the capital in his hometown of Fengyang, Anhui. At the same time, he was also actively preparing for an expedition to Beiyuan. Liu Ji gave Zhu Yuanzhang his final advice. It was absolutely impossible to establish Fengyang as the capital, and Beiyuan still had strong strength, so it was inappropriate to send troops easily. Later facts proved that he was right again. It should be said that Zhu Yuanzhang understood Liu Ji very well at that time. He said to Liu Ji's son that now all the civil and military officials in the dynasty are forming cliques. Only Liu Ji does not get involved with them. I am a sensible person and will not treat him badly. .

Zhu Yuanzhang was really deceived by Liu Ji this time. Liu Ji was not a good man and a believer. Before he left, he had already laid out his own chess piece - Yang Xian.

Yang Xian is Liu Ji's best friend. He received Liu Ji's instructions to take over as Yu Shi Zhongcheng and prepare for the counterattack against the Huaixi Group.

3. Hu Weiyong walked from behind the scenes to the stage

This Yang Xian is not simple either. He keeps a low profile, supports Gao Jianxian and others, and uses the power of public officials to continuously collect Li Shanchang He often made secret reports in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, saying that Li Shanchang had no talent and morality and could not be entrusted with important tasks. Zhu Yuanzhang was not a fool. He knew the purpose of Yang Xian's words and was not moved by it at first. He still trusted Li Shanchang very much. However, as time went by, he gradually developed opinions on Li Shanchang and criticized Li Shanchang a lot. In November, he recalled Liu Ji and entrusted him with important tasks. The Huaixi Group was completely suppressed, and the Zhedong Group began to gain the upper hand.

The East Zhejiang Group was about to become the winner. Li Shanchang was very worried. He knew that he had become a target and the Huaixi Group was in danger, but it was inconvenient for him to go into battle in person and openly challenge the Huaixi Group; he thought about everything I thought, why not learn from Liu Ji? Find a spokesperson, but this person should not be too prestigious and should be easy to control. So he fell in love with Hu Weiyong, but what he didn't expect was that this choice would eventually put him on a road of no return.

Hu Weiyong is a fellow villager of Li Shanchang. He has followed Zhu Yuanzhang for a long time, but he has always been unhappy and always worked as a minor official such as county magistrate. But he is indeed a capable man. After getting Li Shanchang's approval, he became the new leader of the Huaixi Group. The fight will ultimately end in his hands.

There is a saying: Man’s calculation is not as good as God’s calculation. Just when the Zhejiang East Group was triumphant and ready to defeat Huaixi in one go, things changed again.

Because Liu Ji was too direct in his words and had no communication skills in today's terms, many people began to speak ill of him in front of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang also became suspicious of this resourceful first adviser, so he made the subsequent decision. Liu Ji’s fateful talk.

4. The conversation between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen was full of mysteries

On this day, Zhu Yuanzhang talked to Liu Ji alone. The two sides started the conversation by making daily routines. Just when the atmosphere was getting harmonious, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly changed his expression and asked Liu Ji in a serious tone, if Li Shanchang is replaced, who can be the prime minister?

Liu Ji was very alert and immediately said: "This is up to your Majesty to decide."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face looked better now, and he then asked: "What do you think of Yang Xian?"

This was another trap. Zhu Yuanzhang knew that Yang Xian was Liu Ji's man, so he first brought this person up to test Liu Ji.

Only now did Liu Ji understand that this was an extremely dangerous conversation. If he was not careful, his head would fall to the ground! He immediately replied: "Yang Xian has the talent of the prime minister, but he does not have the ability of the prime minister, so he cannot do it."

But the test was far from over. Zhu Yuanzhang then asked: "How is Wang Guangyang?"

This is the second trap. Wang Guangyang is not a member of the Huaixi Group. Zhu Yuanzhang suspected that he had colluded with Liu Ji, so he raised him for the second time.

Seeing this, Liu Ji replied: "This person is very shallow and cannot do it."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Liu Ji with admiration. He is a shrewd person. !

He named the third candidate: "How about Hu Weiyong?"

Liu Ji breathed a sigh of relief and said the most accurate judgment in his life: "Hu Weiyong is a calf now. , But in the future he will definitely get rid of the shackles of the ox plow!"

After saying this, Liu Ji knew that the test had passed, but he was wrong, and the next question was fatal.

Zhu Yuanzhang finally showed his killing move, and he said in a meaningful tone: "Only Mr. can take on my position."

Generally, after being extremely nervous, people's thoughts Will relax, Liu Ji is no exception. He finally made a mistake, this time it was fatal.

He replied to Zhu Yuanzhang: "It's not that I don't know what I can do, but I hate evil very much. The emperor will take your time to choose."

This sentence is very inappropriate. He claims to be the prime minister. Instead of saying anything, he also said the so-called hatred of evil as hatred, as Liu Ji said, who is evil?

Before Liu Ji's faintness passed, he added another sentence: "In my opinion, these people now are not suitable." Zhu Yuanzhang broke with Liu Ji.

5. Who is to blame for the death of the first counselor?

After this, Liu Ji no longer gained the trust of Zhu Yuanzhang. Although he understood that his status was not as good as before, he still insisted on serving as an official in the court to support the Zhejiang East Group. But Zhu Yuanzhang is not so easy to dismiss.

In the third year of Hongwu's reign, Zhu Yuanzhang personally wrote a letter to Liu Ji and said to him: "You are so old. You should be at home with your wife and children. Why bother staying with me here."

This means, I want to fire you and leave. Liu Ji had no choice but to return to the countryside.

At this time, Yang Xian, another cadre of the Zhedong Group, lost Liu Ji's help and was quickly squeezed out by the Huaixi faction. His own life was in danger, and Hu Weiyong found an excuse to kill him. In this struggle, Huaixi Group finally won a great victory.

Liu Ji understands that he has failed. His only wish now is to take care of himself at home and spend his life. But in this fight, the loser has to pay the price.

Hu Weiyong became the prime minister. He did not let Liu Ji go and ordered his men to sue Liu Ji. At this time, Liu Ji no longer had an official position, so what else could he sue him for? But if you want to add guilt, there is no excuse. This is really a wise saying. Liu Ji's crime was to occupy a piece of land with a royal aura. The so-called Wang Qi is really something that is hard to explain. If you say it exists, it exists, and if you say it doesn’t exist, it doesn’t exist. It just depends on what your purpose is.

So Zhu Yuanzhang once again issued an edict to punish Liu Ji. Since the official was gone, what else should he be punished for? Zhu Yuanzhang had a way. He deducted Liu Ji's pension.

Liu Ji fell into despair, but his wisdom came into play again. Instead of waiting for death, he unexpectedly returned to the capital.

This was really a great move. He understood that the fundamental reason why Hu Weiyong dealt with him was Zhu Yuanzhang. As long as he returned to the capital and reassured him under Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, his life would be guaranteed. .

But this time, he was wrong again.

In the first month of the eighth year of Hongwu's reign, Liu Ji fell ill. Zhu Yuanzhang sent Hu Weiyong (note this) to visit Liu Ji. Hu Weiyong's doctor prescribed Liu Ji medicine. After Liu Ji took the medicine, his condition became worse and worse. He died soon after.

Regarding the cause of Liu Ji's death, after the case of Hu Weiyong, the doctor confessed that Hu Weiyong ordered him to poison Liu Ji. This also became one of Hu Weiyong's crimes.

Many people know that Hu Weiyong has a grudge against Liu Ji. Zhu Yuanzhang also knew it, but sent him to visit Liu Ji.

As for an influential person like Liu Ji, Hu Weiyong would not dare to do anything casually, otherwise he would not have allowed Liu Ji to live freely under his nose for five years. He probably had Zhu Yuanzhang's tacit approval. Regardless of whether Zhu Yuanzhang instigated this matter, there is no doubt that Zhu Yuanzhang was responsible for Liu Ji's death.

Liu Ji was resourceful throughout his life and made great contributions to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. He has accurate judgment of the situation, careful thinking, and can predict the direction of development of things. Although he himself is not really as capable of making waves as in folklore, judging from his ability to judge and predict, it is not an overstatement to say that he can predict events like a god. Like Zhuge Liang, he has been remembered by the people as a symbol of wisdom.

Hu Weiyong won. With the help of Zhu Yuanzhang, he defeated the Zhedong Group and got rid of Liu Ji, the best strategist in the world. Now that he has great power, Li Shanchang wants to give him some face.

But is he really the final winner? The historical answer is no.