Gate valve means family status, and refers to a family that has been distinguished for generations. The concept of family status has already appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The family clans of big bureaucrats and celebrities often have endless officialdoms, such as the fourth generation of the Yang family in Huayin and the fourth generation of the Yuan family in Ruyang, Runan. Five people were promoted to the rank of Sangong, and three of the third generation of the Xu family of Pingyu in Runan were promoted to the rank of Sangong. They were all envied by the world and became high-ranking and distinguished families.
's power and prestige in society has continued from generation to generation. Each one prides itself on its status and flaunts each other, forming a group with a special identity and enjoying special rights. In the , Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was called the "big surname" and "big surname". "Zhu Xing", "You Xing", "Gao Men", "Guan Clan", "Shi Clan", "Shi Clan", "Significant Clan" and so on.
So, are they really as powerful as some people say, able to overwhelm the emperor and dominate the country?
Actually, we have to look at it in different periods. In the early Eastern Jin Dynasty , the powerful clans were so powerful that they could overwhelm the emperor. After Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the clans were not so powerful in the Southern Dynasties. However, before the Western Jin , although aristocratic families controlled the Zhongzheng officials for a long time, It is far from reaching the point of overwhelming power.
In fact, the role of aristocratic families on the political stage has become increasingly important since the middle and late Eastern Han Dynasty. During the chaos of the late Han Dynasty, the development of the power of aristocratic families was effectively suppressed. After Emperor Wen of Wei after Cao Pi came to power, Adopting the suggestions of Chen Qun and implementing the nine-level Zhongzheng system , the power of the aristocratic family came back like a storm after a brief decline, and soon came to the center of the political stage, and the Sima family During the ruling period, the power of the aristocratic family grew rapidly, but it was not as powerful as it was. This period was still the stage when clan politics was formally formed.
At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the world was in chaos. Sima Rui, the king of Langya who was in charge of the military in the south of the Yangtze River, assessed the situation and stationed in Jiankang City together with the famous northern scholar Wang Dao who was born in a wealthy family. They established the Eastern Jin Dynasty with the support of the northern and southern gentry. After that, the wealthy family began Controlling the affairs of the state, using the power to be tyrannical, and even deposing the emperor, it can be said that the power is overwhelming and the clan politics has reached its peak. How powerful is
? Take Wang Dun's rebellion as an example.
In ancient Chinese history, when ministers rebelled, there were no more than two results. The first was that the ministers rebelled successfully and the emperor abdicated; the second was that the ministers rebelled failed and the entire clan was executed. The rebellion of Wang Dun failed, but Langya Wang family still had power in the government and the public.
Wang Dun rebelled twice, and during the first rebellion, Sima Rui had no choice but to respond to Wang Dun's troops and did not dare to kill the people of the Wang family in Langya. What happened next is:
Dun Nai made himself the prime minister and the governor of China and foreign countries. The armies and ministers recorded affairs, and were granted the title of Wuchang county prince, with ten thousand households in the city.
The emperor sent an envoy to say to Dun: "If you don't forget this dynasty and stop your troops here, then the world can still be in peace. If not, Teng Dang will return to Langxie to avoid the path of Xian."
That is to say, if you don't forget The imperial court, just withdraw your troops; if not, then I will let you be the emperor and I will go back to Langya . It was too humble for the emperor to say such words.
Later, Wang Dun died during the second rebellion, and Wang Dun's rebellion was put down. Even so, the then Emperor Jin Ming did not dare to lay a finger on Wang Dun's cousin Wang Dao. In his high position, Wang Dao survived Emperor Jin Ming to death and continued to assist Emperor Cheng of Jin .
Look at the official positions held by Director Wang:
Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Sikong, Shangshu Ling, Situ, Taibao, Da Sima, Chinese and foreign governors, Taifu, and Prime Minister
Almost all high-ranking officials he can be Pawned it again.
Director Wang’s funeral specifications were the same as Huo Guang, Sima Fu. Of these two people, Huo Guang was extremely powerful and could depose the emperor. Even if Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty knew that the Huo family was plotting to murder the queen, he could only endure it while Huo Guang was still alive. Sima Fu was Sima Yi's younger brother and was still alive than Sima Yi, and he lived until the establishment of the Western Jin Dynasty. , he is a figure who both and Sima Yan have to give up three points to .
Gate valve means family status, and refers to a family that has been distinguished for generations. The concept of family status has already appeared in the Eastern Han Dynasty. The family clans of big bureaucrats and celebrities often have endless officialdoms, such as the fourth generation of the Yang family in Huayin and the fourth generation of the Yuan family in Ruyang, Runan. Five people were promoted to the rank of Sangong, and three of the third generation of the Xu family of Pingyu in Runan were promoted to the rank of Sangong. They were all envied by the world and became high-ranking and distinguished families.
's power and prestige in society has continued from generation to generation. Each one prides itself on its status and flaunts each other, forming a group with a special identity and enjoying special rights. In the , Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was called the "big surname" and "big surname". "Zhu Xing", "You Xing", "Gao Men", "Guan Clan", "Shi Clan", "Shi Clan", "Significant Clan" and so on.
So, are they really as powerful as some people say, able to overwhelm the emperor and dominate the country?
Actually, we have to look at it in different periods. In the early Eastern Jin Dynasty , the powerful clans were so powerful that they could overwhelm the emperor. After Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the clans were not so powerful in the Southern Dynasties. However, before the Western Jin , although aristocratic families controlled the Zhongzheng officials for a long time, It is far from reaching the point of overwhelming power.
In fact, the role of aristocratic families on the political stage has become increasingly important since the middle and late Eastern Han Dynasty. During the chaos of the late Han Dynasty, the development of the power of aristocratic families was effectively suppressed. After Emperor Wen of Wei after Cao Pi came to power, Adopting the suggestions of Chen Qun and implementing the nine-level Zhongzheng system , the power of the aristocratic family came back like a storm after a brief decline, and soon came to the center of the political stage, and the Sima family During the ruling period, the power of the aristocratic family grew rapidly, but it was not as powerful as it was. This period was still the stage when clan politics was formally formed.
At the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, the world was in chaos. Sima Rui, the king of Langya who was in charge of the military in the south of the Yangtze River, assessed the situation and stationed in Jiankang City together with the famous northern scholar Wang Dao who was born in a wealthy family. They established the Eastern Jin Dynasty with the support of the northern and southern gentry. After that, the wealthy family began Controlling the affairs of the state, using the power to be tyrannical, and even deposing the emperor, it can be said that the power is overwhelming and the clan politics has reached its peak. How powerful is
? Take Wang Dun's rebellion as an example.
In ancient Chinese history, when ministers rebelled, there were no more than two results. The first was that the ministers rebelled successfully and the emperor abdicated; the second was that the ministers rebelled failed and the entire clan was executed. The rebellion of Wang Dun failed, but Langya Wang family still had power in the government and the public.
Wang Dun rebelled twice, and during the first rebellion, Sima Rui had no choice but to respond to Wang Dun's troops and did not dare to kill the people of the Wang family in Langya. What happened next is:
Dun Nai made himself the prime minister and the governor of China and foreign countries. The armies and ministers recorded affairs, and were granted the title of Wuchang county prince, with ten thousand households in the city.
The emperor sent an envoy to say to Dun: "If you don't forget this dynasty and stop your troops here, then the world can still be in peace. If not, Teng Dang will return to Langxie to avoid the path of Xian."
That is to say, if you don't forget The imperial court, just withdraw your troops; if not, then I will let you be the emperor and I will go back to Langya . It was too humble for the emperor to say such words.
Later, Wang Dun died during the second rebellion, and Wang Dun's rebellion was put down. Even so, the then Emperor Jin Ming did not dare to lay a finger on Wang Dun's cousin Wang Dao. In his high position, Wang Dao survived Emperor Jin Ming to death and continued to assist Emperor Cheng of Jin .
Look at the official positions held by Director Wang:
Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Sikong, Shangshu Ling, Situ, Taibao, Da Sima, Chinese and foreign governors, Taifu, and Prime Minister
Almost all high-ranking officials he can be Pawned it again.
Director Wang’s funeral specifications were the same as Huo Guang, Sima Fu. Of these two people, Huo Guang was extremely powerful and could depose the emperor. Even if Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty knew that the Huo family was plotting to murder the queen, he could only endure it while Huo Guang was still alive. Sima Fu was Sima Yi's younger brother and was still alive than Sima Yi, and he lived until the establishment of the Western Jin Dynasty. , he is a figure who both and Sima Yan have to give up three points to .As a member of the rebellious family, Director Wang could reach such an extreme level both during his lifetime and after his death, which completely illustrates the extent of his power.
Then why did Wang Dun rebel and why was Director Wang safe and sound?
In fact, Wang Dun's rebellion failed not because the emperor was powerful and could suppress the rebellion, but because of the collective opposition of other clans, Wang Dun's plan had to be abandoned. The ones who check and balance the Langya Wang family are Xijian (Gaoping Xi family) and Yu Liang (Yingchuan Yu family). Xi Jian, in particular, played the most important role in pacifying the rebellion of Wang Dun.
Therefore, whether Wang Dun's rebellion failed or the subsequent Huan Wen rebellion failed, it was just a struggle of interests within the clan. Just as the dominance of the Wang family in Langya was not in line with the interests of the Xi family in Gaoping and the Yu family in Yingchuan at that time, Huan Wen's rebellion was also not in line with the interests of the Wang family in Taiyuan and Chenjun Xie family at that time. Therefore, Huan Wen was thanked Install to death.
It can be said that the political situation before Xie An's death was a matter between clans, and the emperor had no sense of existence.
Although there are conflicts among the clans, they are extremely consistent in their treatment of the emperor. As mentioned earlier, Yu Liang opposed Wang Dun, but once Emperor Yuan of Jin Sima Rui wanted to threaten the political status of the clan, Yu Liang immediately stood on the same front as Director Wang.
What did Jin Yuan Emperor Sima Rui do? It was nothing more than expanding his monarchy. This is what any aspiring emperor would do.
First of all, it advocates the doctrine of Shen and Han's assertion of monarchy.
At that time, the emperor appointed the criminal law and gave the crown prince "Han Zi". He gave a clear remonstrance to to express Han 's harshness and harm, which was not enough to retain the holy heart. The prince was very reluctant to accept it.
Shen Buhai and Han Fei are all representatives of Legalism . Legalism requires the assertion of monarchy, so they are favored by the monarch. Sima Rui promoted Shen and Han's Legalism, which is to curb the clan. realistic considerations.
Therefore, Yu Liang wanted to safeguard the interests of the clan and remonstrate against the advocating of Legalist doctrine.
Second, he used Liu Kui, Diao Xie and other confidants to leave the town. Liu and Diao were from poor families, so Sima Rui used them as his confidants to leave the town. The result was Wang Dun's rebellion.
Finally, relatives of the clan were reused. When Sima Rui was seriously ill, the ministers around him were King Sima Zong of Nanton King Sima Zong of Xiyang, two clans, and a relative named Yu Yin. History books record that these people had "conspiracies". The so-called conspiracy was of course the attempt of these relatives of the clan to control the clan. The ministers they "schemed to depose" were of course also ministers of the noble family.
At this time, Yu Liang went in to give advice. As a result, the emperor instead asked Wang Dao to be the auxiliary minister, and Yu Liang handled government affairs. What is written in history is that Yu Liang spoke sincerely, and Sima Rui had deep feelings. In fact, of course, it was the result of the game that the imperial power surrendered to the clan.
After that, Yu Liang did something.
First of all, Wang Dao assisted the government, won the public with his leniency, and was appointed as a judge, but he lost the hearts of the people. Huinandun Wangzong resumed his plan to depose the emperor, and Liang killed his clan and deposed his elder brother. Zong, a close relative of the imperial family, Xi, a veteran of the nation , and the former emperor protected Fu, so the world has used bright jian to trim the clan.
Two clans that wanted to abolish their clans before, Sima Zong was killed by Yu Liang, Sima Liang was deposed by Yu Liang.
It can be said that after Yu Liang's operations, the power of the clan has been completely stabilized, and the emperor will not be able to pose a threat to the clan for a considerable period of time.
The peak period of clan politics was during the Huan Wen period.
Huan Wen was born in the Huan family of Qiao County. He achieved great success in both Northern Expeditions and gained unprecedented prestige. However, the third Northern Expedition was severely defeated by Murong Chui of Former Yan , and his prestige was greatly reduced. His prestige and strength were no longer enough to support his attempt to usurp the throne.
However, Huan Wen broke through Shouchun , entered Jiankang , deposed Sima Yi , established Jin Jianwen Emperor Sima Yu as emperor, eliminated the Yu family, and his power reached its peak. After Huan Wen became seriously ill, he forced the court to add Jiuxi, but Xie An delayed and killed him.
This was the first and only time in the Eastern Jin Dynasty that a powerful family deposed the emperor. After Huan Wen's death, the Jin Emperor still did not dare to liquidate the Huan family. Huan Wen's younger brother Huan Chong led the army and still had strength.Huan Wen, like Director Wang, enjoyed the same funeral regulations as Huo Guang and Sima Fu, and was posthumously awarded the title of Prime Minister.
Huan Wen deposed the emperor and almost seized the throne. After the failure in seizing the throne, the family still held great power. At this stage, it cannot be ignored that the power of the clan is overwhelming.
After Huan Wen, the leader of clan politics was Xie An of the Xie family in Chen County.
After the deaths of Xie An and Xie Xuan and Xie Shi who held military power, the Xie family in Chen County no longer had anyone who could control the power. At this time, according to the previous rules, other powerful families will take their place, just like what happened after the death of Director Wang, Yu Liang and others.
However, at this time, the talents of each clan were withering surprisingly uniformly, and there was no role worthy of major responsibilities, resulting in power falling into the hands of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin and his younger brother Sima Daozi . The emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty tasted imperial power for the first time after enduring it for more than half a century.
The Wang family in Taiyuan who was re-employed at that time had neither a figure who controlled the current situation like Wang Dao Xie An, nor a military figure like Xie Xuan. On the surface, the Wang family in Taiyuan was a continuation of clan politics, but in fact, it was a vassal of the Sima imperial power. The period when the Wang family was in power in Taiyuan was considered a transitional stage.
It can be said that starting from Emperor Xiaowu, the family and the "monstrous power" gradually became farther and farther away.
So why is the talent in the family declining?
First, the life of the family is decadent.
Second, it is empty talk and no practical work. (The cultural characteristics of the Eastern Jin dynasty from Confucianism to Mystery)
In the cultural atmosphere of the wealthy gentry, doing practical things was something for the poor, and was looked down upon by many gentry. This kind of atmosphere has already created a group of nobles who talk about mystical principles.
Third, being an official for generations only seeks idleness, not progress.
Members of the aristocratic family have been officials for generations. There is no pressure from competition, and naturally there is no sense of urgency to improve their abilities, just like Wang Xizhi.
The power vacuum after Xie An is the common result of these three reasons.
But this does not mean that the clan will no longer produce talents. The emergence of Huanxuan is also a reflection of the clan's glory. As Huanxuan was defeated by Liu Yu's Beifu Army Group, the clan was completely excluded from the center of power. outside.
After the decline of the aristocratic families, they became more self-isolated than in their heyday, advocating that "the world between scholars and common people is actually separated by heaven." The social status of the aristocratic family is still high, but they usually only exist as mascots for abdication and appearance. In Hou Jing's Rebellion , the all-powerful family in the Wei and Jin Dynasties suffered a disaster. The subsequent establishment of and Chen Dynasty was already a political power established by poor families and Jiangnan natives.
However, the annihilation of the southern clans was not the end of clan politics. In the Western Wei , the Northern Zhou and even the Sui and Tang , the northern clans still existed as the dominant political force,
Huan Wen, like Director Wang, enjoyed the same funeral regulations as Huo Guang and Sima Fu, and was posthumously awarded the title of Prime Minister.Huan Wen deposed the emperor and almost seized the throne. After the failure in seizing the throne, the family still held great power. At this stage, it cannot be ignored that the power of the clan is overwhelming.
After Huan Wen, the leader of clan politics was Xie An of the Xie family in Chen County.
After the deaths of Xie An and Xie Xuan and Xie Shi who held military power, the Xie family in Chen County no longer had anyone who could control the power. At this time, according to the previous rules, other powerful families will take their place, just like what happened after the death of Director Wang, Yu Liang and others.
However, at this time, the talents of each clan were withering surprisingly uniformly, and there was no role worthy of major responsibilities, resulting in power falling into the hands of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin and his younger brother Sima Daozi . The emperor of the Eastern Jin Dynasty tasted imperial power for the first time after enduring it for more than half a century.
The Wang family in Taiyuan who was re-employed at that time had neither a figure who controlled the current situation like Wang Dao Xie An, nor a military figure like Xie Xuan. On the surface, the Wang family in Taiyuan was a continuation of clan politics, but in fact, it was a vassal of the Sima imperial power. The period when the Wang family was in power in Taiyuan was considered a transitional stage.
It can be said that starting from Emperor Xiaowu, the family and the "monstrous power" gradually became farther and farther away.
So why is the talent in the family declining?
First, the life of the family is decadent.
Second, it is empty talk and no practical work. (The cultural characteristics of the Eastern Jin dynasty from Confucianism to Mystery)
In the cultural atmosphere of the wealthy gentry, doing practical things was something for the poor, and was looked down upon by many gentry. This kind of atmosphere has already created a group of nobles who talk about mystical principles.
Third, being an official for generations only seeks idleness, not progress.
Members of the aristocratic family have been officials for generations. There is no pressure from competition, and naturally there is no sense of urgency to improve their abilities, just like Wang Xizhi.
The power vacuum after Xie An is the common result of these three reasons.
But this does not mean that the clan will no longer produce talents. The emergence of Huanxuan is also a reflection of the clan's glory. As Huanxuan was defeated by Liu Yu's Beifu Army Group, the clan was completely excluded from the center of power. outside.
After the decline of the aristocratic families, they became more self-isolated than in their heyday, advocating that "the world between scholars and common people is actually separated by heaven." The social status of the aristocratic family is still high, but they usually only exist as mascots for abdication and appearance. In Hou Jing's Rebellion , the all-powerful family in the Wei and Jin Dynasties suffered a disaster. The subsequent establishment of and Chen Dynasty was already a political power established by poor families and Jiangnan natives.
However, the annihilation of the southern clans was not the end of clan politics. In the Western Wei , the Northern Zhou and even the Sui and Tang , the northern clans still existed as the dominant political force,
