[Li Kening’s rebellion case]
The tree wants to be still but the wind doesn't stop.
In front of Li Keyong, Li Kening flatly rejected Li Cunxu's request to "give up his throne" and took the lead in kneeling and kowtowing to Li Cunxu and swearing allegiance.
However, the "Yilao Gang" still hopes that Li Kening can become the leader of the Hedong Group. People continue to lobby Li Kening and persuade him to depose his nephew and establish himself as king. The most active member among them is Li Cunhao.
Li Cunhao actively lobbied Li Kening, "It has been a tradition since ancient times for brothers to succeed each other. How can there be any reason for uncles to kneel down and worship their nephews? Now, the military and political power in Hedong is in your hands, and the masses are calling for it. As the saying goes, wherever destiny is directed and everyone hopes, God will give it to you. , but you refused, it will be too late for you to regret it in the future!"
Whether it is the Central Plains civilization or the nomadic civilization, there is a saying that after the father dies, the son will succeed, and the brother will succeed. However, generally speaking, in the Central Plains, the father dies and the son will succeed. The nomadic people are more common. In fact, this really does not stem from the constraints of morality and etiquette. All behavioral habits can be traced. To put it simply, it is the result of the game of comprehensive strength. If the strength of the younger brother or other forces is higher than that of the son, then the younger brother will eventually succeed.
The level of civilization of nomadic peoples is generally low, and their political form is basically a complete reflection of military strength and a loose military alliance system. Therefore, after the death of old chiefs and old khans, fierce internal armed conflicts will often break out. Strength or weakness determines the next chief and khan. In this kind of primitive and direct game, the "brother" is often stronger than the "son", so it gives people the illusion that nomads advocate "older brothers will eventually succeed to younger brothers."
Faced with Li Cunhao's persuasion, Li Kening flatly refused and solemnly declared: "Our Li family has been famous for generations as a loving father and a filial son. The legacy of the late king can only be passed on to his son. Don't sow discord anymore, otherwise, I will first Cut off your head!"
Just like Li Cunhao, the "Yilao Gang" could not convince Li Kening. But they still refused to give up, so they took the "lady route" and sent their wives to lobby Li Kening's wife.
Li Kening's wife, Meng, was a very strong woman, but also a soft-spoken woman. She couldn't help lobbying and believed that Li Kening should be allowed to seize power and stand on his own feet, so she kept blowing the wind and encouraging Li Kening to cut off the situation.
Li Kening was surrounded by enemies from all sides, and people were fanning the flames inside and outside. And he, Zhang Chengye, and Li Cunzhang had disagreements at work and often had troubles.
This is not difficult to understand, because although Li Kening did not want to overthrow Li Cunxu, he was, after all, a representative of the "Yilao Gang" and wanted to safeguard the interests of the "Yilao Gang". Li Cunzhang was targeting the "Yilao Gang" again, and Zhang Chengye tried his best to assist Li Cunxu and also actively weakened him. It is completely reasonable for Li Kening to have a rift with the "Yilao Gang".
Soon, the political struggle between the "Prince Gang" and the "Yilao Gang" reached its peak, with two landmark events:
First, Li Kening was good at killing Li Cunzhi. Li Cunzhi's position at that time was Du Yuhou, which was equivalent to the army's chief inspector and gendarmerie captain. He was a pioneer in weakening the "Yilao Gang".
Second, Li Kening split Hedong. Li Kening allocated the three prefectures of Wei, Shuo and Ying to establish the Datong Theater and personally served as the Datong Jiedushi.
It can be said that Li Kening has objectively started the road to seizing power.
Next, Li Cunhao conspired with Li Kening: organize a Hongmen Banquet, launch a coup, kill Zhang Chengye and Li Cunzhang, capture Li Cunxu's mother and son alive, give them to Zhu Wen as a pledge of surrender, and declare themselves ministers to Later Liang.
In order to be foolproof, Li Kening wanted to explore the intelligence on Li Cunxu, so he found a confidant-Shi Jingrong. Shi Jingrong has been with Li Keyong since childhood and has always been trusted.
The following description is conclusive in historical records, but I insist that it has been artificially whitewashed, and there should be a larger conspiracy hidden behind it. Let’s first describe it according to historical records, and then make inferences and reductions.
Description of existing historical records:
Li Kening told Shi Jingrong about the coup plan and asked Shi Jingrong to inquire about Li Cunxu's news. Shi Jingrong ostensibly agreed, but turned around and leaked all the coup plot to Li Cunxu and his son.
Mrs. Cao (Li Cunxu's biological mother) immediately summoned Zhang Chengye, pointed at Li Cunxu and cried: "The late king entrusted this child to you. I heard that someone wanted to seize power through a coup. We orphans and widows dare not have other ideas. We only ask for your mercy." , keep us two girls alive, and don’t send them to Bianzhou!"
Zhang Chengye was shocked and immediately stated his position, "Even if I die, I will not dare to violate the last wish of the late king. Why did the madam suddenly say such things?"
Li Cunxu told Shi Jingrong's informants one by one, and cried with grief and anger: "How can we kill each other if we are close relatives? If my uncle really wants to seize power, then I will resign."
Zhang Chengye said resolutely: "Li Kening actually wants to send the king, mother and son into the tiger's mouth. It is so unconscionable! If we don't get rid of him today, the king will not be safe." So he summoned Li Cunzhang and other cronies to plot a preemptive strike.
Soon, Li Cunxu held a banquet in the palace hall and invited all the generals to the banquet and entertainment. During the banquet, swordsmen and axemen rushed out and captured Li Kening and Li Cunhao on the spot.
Li Cunxu cried bitterly and accused Li Kening, "My nephew willingly gave up his title, military and political power to his uncle from the beginning, but you yourself refused. Now, why is there such a conspiracy, and you have the heart to hand our mother and son into the hands of the enemy!" "
Li Kening looked up to the sky and sighed, saying that these were villains fanning the flames and sowing discord, but now that the matter has come to this, I have nothing to say.
Subsequently, Li Kening and Li Cunhao were beheaded in public display. A civil unrest was promptly quelled in its infancy.
The history books are written in black and white, and the words are conclusive. At first glance, it seems reasonable, but when I look carefully, I always feel that something is wrong. The problem lies with the whistleblower Shi Jingrong. Why did Li Kening tell such a confidential conspiracy to him? he?
If you are Li Kening, plotting to launch a coup, and want to find out what is true in the palace, just ask Shi Jingrong to do it. It is nothing more than asking him to report every move in the palace and Li Cunxu's words and deeds every day. In this way, even if Shi Jingrong is suspected, found out, or instigated to rebel, you will have sufficient reasons to explain: I care about you! I'm busy with official duties and can't greet you every day and say hello every morning and evening. Why can't I send a secretary to care for me?
Furthermore, if Shi Jingrong knew these inside stories, would he still be calm and composed when he went deep into the palace? Unless he is a professionally trained secret service agent, there must be some inner turmoil. Even if he doesn't want to betray Li Kening, there is no guarantee that others will not notice anything strange.
The closer people are to the front line, the less likely they are to know too many inside stories. This is a basic principle of intelligence work.
History books say that Li Kening told Shi Jingrong completely about the conspiracy, and then asked Shi Jingrong to lurk next to Li Cunxu... Was Li Kening mentally retarded?
History is written by the victors.
Just like the "Movement to Depose Yang", I have always believed that the truth of the "Li Kening Rebellion Case" is far from being as simple as a few strokes in the history books.
The "Li Kening Rebellion Case" was the climax of the political game between Li Cunxu's "Prince Gang" and Li Kening's "Old Lao Gang". It was a decisive battle over the ownership of the highest power of the Hedong Group.
It is said that the tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop. Li Kening did not want to rebel, but the "Yi Lao Gang" needed him to rebel, and spared no effort to encourage and encourage him to rebel.
Therefore, if Li Cunxu wants to secure his position in Hedong, Li Kening must die and the "Yilao Gang" must be eliminated. "Li Kening's rebellion" is a serious political issue. Li Kening's rebellion is not only the demand of the "Yilao Gang", but also the political demand of the "Prince Gang", just like "Yang Fugong's rebellion" is the demand of Zhaozong.
People in the arena involuntarily. Li Kening's personal will is not important. Although he has a high and powerful position, he is just a pawn at the mercy of others in a political struggle. The organization needs him to "conspire".
"Informer" Shi Jingrong is also just a pawn. There are countless such chess pieces in history, and there are quite a few in this book alone.
After Li Kening was arrested, faced with Li Cunxu's cross-examination, Li Kening cried: "The slanderer has been slandering me, what can I say!" There are two interpretations of this particularly critical sentence.
The first one is the mainstream view, which supports Li Kening's real rebellion, which is explained as "I was misled by slander, so I conspired for a coup. I have nothing to say, so I plead guilty and submit to the law."
The second type is the "truth" of my reasoning: "This matter (rebellion) is slander. There is no reason to accuse it. You use this as an excuse to kill me. What else can I say?"
The person who wronged me knows my wrong better than I do.
Li Kening has followed Li Keyong all his life in the military, and is used to seeing wars and wars, and is even more used to seeing the autumn moon and spring breeze in political struggles. What doesn't he understand? So he didn't complain or defend himself. If you want to kill me, just do it. You all understand. It's useless to say anything, so don't say anything. "What can I say?"
As for Li Kening's "splitting" Hedong, it can actually be seen as a compromise and a compromise with the "left-old gang". Since you have been teasing me all day long, I will help you get some benefits. For now, please stop making trouble and don't let me be in a dilemma!
Faced with Li Cunhao's instigation, Li Kening did not hesitate to issue death threats and severely scolded those who encouraged him to seize power. This is also an indisputable fact. However, he completely "blackened" in just one month (Li Keyong died of illness on January 19, and Li Cunxu captured and beheaded Li Kening on February 21). This is indeed very intriguing, and makes me wonder whether Li Kening really "Blackening".
To sum up, I personally believe that Comrade Li Kening is innocent and unjust, and is a victim of the political struggle of the Hedong Group. Again, purely personal opinion.
When Li Cunxu took the throne, he faced three major problems: internal and external troubles.
Externally, of course, it is the "Battle of Luzhou". The Houliang army entered the country in large numbers and marched to the city; internally, there are two aspects, which can also be subdivided into the inner line and the outer line. Among them, the "Regent" Li Kening is the inner line, and the outer line is Zhou Dewei. .
Li Cunxu relied on his extraordinary political wisdom to resolve the internal crisis in less than a month. Next, he must quickly resolve the external crisis before he can concentrate on dealing with the external threats from the back beam.
Zhou Dewei is the "first echelon" of the Hedong Group. He is both civil and military and has been the king for a long time. He has military qualities that are beyond the reach of ordinary people. For example, by looking at the smoke and dust rising from a distance, he can estimate how many men and horses the opponent has (looking at the smoke and dust is a warning, and you can know the strength of the army). He has been present in every campaign of the Hedong Group.
Even among the Bian army, there is a saying that "the people of Jin rely on Zhou Yangwu". Zhou Dewei is the hope of the whole village, and the Hedong Group points to him. At that time, a fierce general under Shi Shucong's command, "Chen Yaksha" Chen Zhang, was confident of capturing Zhou Dewei alive, and even proposed to replace Zhou Dewei with the position of governor. Zhou Dewei was brave and resourceful. Instead of showing off his bravery, he used a small trick to capture him alive by changing his skin. From then on, Zhou Dewei became more famous all over the world.
After the "Battle of Luzhou" started, Li Keyong mobilized all the troops in the territory, led by Zhou Dewei, to reinforce. The reason why the "Battle of Luzhou" could remain in stalemate for more than a year, forcing Houliang to change commanders three times, was inseparable from Li Sizhao's persistence and Zhou Dewei's assistance.
Now that Li Keyong has died of illness, Zhou Dewei has become an important external factor threatening Li Cunxu's successful attack on the throne. There are two reasons:
First, Zhou Dewei has seniority and high prestige. The most important thing is that he has a large number of troops (almost the entire army of the Hedong Group) and leads the army. If he had other ideas, or was encouraged by the generals to have other ideas, he could oust Li Cunxu from his throne with just a wave of the command flag.
Secondly, Zhou Dewei may also defect to the Later Liang Dynasty out of fear of Li Cunxu's suspicion. This would also indirectly overthrow Li Cunxu. Therefore, Li Cunxu's inner monologue to Zhou Dewei is "I believe you will not rebel, but you have to believe that I believe you will not rebel."
When Li Keyong was critically ill, Zhou Dewei led his troops to retreat. Taiyuan Prefecture was even more suspicious, wondering what Zhou Dewei's intentions were.
After Li Cunxu spent a month to deal with Li Kening, he ordered Zhou Dewei to test Zhou Dewei's attitude.
After receiving the order, Zhou Dewei led his army back. Zhou Dewei left his army outside the city and walked into the city alone. He threw himself on Li Keyong's coffin and cried bitterly, unable to control his grief. After crying for a long time, Zhou Dewei was helped down and met with his young master Li Cunxu.
Zhou Dewei treated Li Cunxu with utmost respect and courtesy as a ruler and minister. At this time, a big stone fell to the ground in everyone's heart. Zhou Dewei and Li Keyong are true love! Zhou Dewei was loyal to Li Cunxu.
At this point, Li Kening on the inside and Zhou Dewei on the outside have been properly handled. Li Cunxu has basically stabilized the "internal troubles" and begun to solve the "foreign troubles".
