Big Ending: The Downfall of Chinese Traitors

Author: Li Jinhe, Li Jinchuan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2000-11-01
Features: "Do not do small good deeds for fear of being insignificant, and do not do small evil deeds for fear of being insignificant." Looking back at the hundreds of years of history, many treacherous ministers did not end well, perhaps this is the best historical education we can receive. Looking back at history, amidst this long two thousand years of civilization, they were out of place, yet they formed certain notes in history. Observing the real play of history, listening to the earnest teachings it gives us, and learning from history. Opening the history, many emperors were often surrounded by treacherous ministers. During times of social turmoil, they seized power and controlled the country; during peaceful times, they led the emperor to tyranny, fostering factions and suppressing the different. However, many treacherous ministers in history initially appeared as diligent in governance and loyal to the imperial family, and their ability to handle affairs was by no means ordinary. How can we have a relatively comprehensive observation and evaluation of them? This book attempts to collect treacherous ministers in history, and its selection mainly includes the following types:
First, usurping power and establishing independence, but their actions lost the people's hearts, and their fate was mostly bloody in the palace. The most representative figure in this category is Wang Mang.
Second, harboring ambitions to seize the throne, rebelling for personal gain and plunging the people into war, with the result being mostly defeated and executed. The main representatives are An Lushan and Shi Siming.
Third, monopolizing the court, eliminating opponents for personal gain, arrogant and domineering, and their fate was often death in the internal struggles of the ruling class. Figures like the "Domineering General" Liang Ji and the Liangzhou warlord Dong Zhuo in the late Eastern Han Dynasty are examples.
Fourth, jealous of the talented, treacherous and cunning, obsessed with power and chaotic governance, and the result is mostly an unhappy ending. For example, Li Yifu and Li Linfu in the Tang Dynasty.
Fifth, bringing disaster to the country and harming the people, persecuting the loyal, and the people's grievances were widespread, yet their fate was often to die a natural death. The most representative figure is Qin Hui of the Song Dynasty.
Sixth, greedy, cunningly seizing and appropriating wealth, enriching themselves, and their fate was mostly "people die for money." The most representative historical figure is Heshen, a powerful minister during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty.
Seventh, eunuchs seizing power, using severe laws and punishments, widespread unjust trials, and when their evil is full, the result is to taste their own medicine. The most representative figure is Wei Zhongxian.
Opening this book, you can view a special perspective of the development of Chinese history, correct your own words and deeds, and also better evaluate historical figures, giving you a broader vision.