Hu Weiyong
Hu Weiyong (Chinese: 胡惟庸; pinyin: Hú Wéiyōng; Wade–Giles: Hu Wei-yung; died 6 March 1380) was a Chinese politician and the last chancellor of the Ming dynasty, from 1373 to 1380. Hu was a main member of the Huaixi meritorious group faction and was later accused of attempting to rebel and was thus executed by the Zhu Yuanzhang. More than 30,000 people were implicated in the case and executed as part of the Four Major Cases of the early Ming dynasty. Together with the other members of his clique, their offences were compiled in a book tilted Zhaoshi Jiandang Lu (昭示奸黨錄;The Record to Proclaim the Treacherous Clique), at the behest of the emperor.[1] Besides, his biography topped the Biographies of the Treacherous Courtiers, History of Ming.[1]
Hu Weiyong | |
|---|---|
| Left Grand Councilor | |
| In office 1377–1380 | |
| Preceded by | Xu Da |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Right Grand Councilor | |
| In office 1373–1377 | |
| Preceded by | Wang Guangyang |
| Succeeded by | Wang Guangyang |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown Dingyuan County, Hao Prefecture, Anfeng Lu, Henan Jiangbei Province, Yuan dynasty |
| Died | 6 March 1380 Hongwu 13, Wuxu day of the 1st month (洪武十三年正月戊戌) Yingtian Prefecture, Ming dynasty |
| Occupation | Politician |
Biography
Hu was born in Dingyuan, Haozhou (濠州; now a part of Chuzhou, Anhui province). In 1363 Hu contributed a large number of warships to Zhu Yuanzhang and met Li Shanchang, chief of warship production and Liu Bowen.[1] Once Liu Bowen told Zhu that Hu Weiyong should not be prime minister. This made Hu Weiyong angry, so Hu and Zhu poisoned Liu Bowen to death.[2] In the end, both Li and Hu were executed by the Zhu Yuanzhang for attempting to usurp the throne.[1]
Arrest and execution
Chancellor Hu Weiyong arrogated all authority to himself and accepted bribes, purging countless people without consulting the emperor, which stirred the wrath of other officers and the people.[1]
Hu was the Senior Grand Councilor and an administrator; however, over the years, the magnitude of his powers as well as involvement in several political scandals eroded the paranoid emperor's trust in him.[1]
In 1380, Yun Qi, a subordinate of Hu Weiyong reported to Zhu Yuanzhang that Hu Weiyong met with the envoy of another country secretly, attempting to rebel. Four days later Zhu had Hu Weiyong and his entire family arrested and executed on charges of treason.[1]
The emperor soon abolished the Chancellery of China, taking over direct responsibility of the Three Departments and Six Ministries. The Grand Secretariat later assumed responsibility for aiding the emperor in managing the state. When Zhu Yuanzhang eliminated the traditional offices of grand councilor, his main motive was Hu Weiyong's alleged attempt to usurp the throne.[1]
Execution of Hu Weiyong's clique
Using this as an opportunity to purge his government, the Zhu also ordered the execution of countless other officials, as well as their families, for association with Hu. The purge lasted over a decade and resulted in more than 30,000 executions.[1]
Together with the other members of his clique, their offences were compiled a book tilted Zhaoshi Jiandang Lu (昭示奸黨錄;The Record to Proclaim the Treacherous Clique), at the behest of the emperor.[1]
Some accounts narrate the dubious legends about Hu. It was said that some stalagmites emerged from the water of a well located in the yard of his former residence. Moreover, the tombs of his ancestors glowed in the night.[1]
See also
References
Further reading
- Mu: "China's ancient political gains"
- History Cultural China : "Abolishing the Chancellery of China - A Reform of Administrative System by Zhu Yuanzhang".