| Education is an eternal topic in human society. Since the crown prince and dictator-in-waiting who were heirs to the Dynasty inheritance influence the ups and downs of the Dynasty, the monarch, if not so fatuous, tend to carefully cultivate their offspring. The education the crown prince and dictator-in-waiting received is immensely different from those ordinary people did, and this enormous distinction is well worth investigation.The Ming Dynasty, the last regime established by the Han Chinese in ancient China, had absorbed lots of experience from the previous dynasties, made some improvements on its basis and established a distinctive training system, which was extremely obvious in the early Ming Dynasty. This thesis, based on previous researches, is committed to exploring the early cultivation of Zhu Biao, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Gaozhi, Zhu Zhanji and Zhu Qizhen, crown princes in the Ming Dynasty. Based on the historical material of Ming Shi-lu supplemented by relevant notes and collected works, the analysis is conducted from the aspects of words and deeds, theoretical teaching, mentorship selection, the experience of political affairs so as to reveal a vivid picture of their cultivation and highlight the important role of practical experience in the crown prince’s growing up.Chapter1centers on the cultivation of Zhu Biao, the first crown prince in the Ming Dynasty, from six aspects:education organizations, Zhu Yuanzhang’s words and deeds, mentorship selection, the edition of educating materials, the experience of political affairs and training efficiency. During the twenty-year life as a crown prince, Zhu Biao received decently systematic education and grew into a benevolent and sagacious dictator-in-waiting. Since his opinion on governing the country was antagonistic to "rigorous law" which was advacated by Zhu Yuanzhang, to some extent, the prince was so depressed that he passed away before ascending to the throne. This integrated institution established by the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang became a tradition followed by the future generations.Chapter2discusses the cultivation of Zhu Yunwen, the grandchild of Zhu Yuanzhang. Due to lack of relevant historical materials, the discussion is conducted from two aspects:mentorship selection and the experience of political affairs. Judging from Zhu Yunwen’s brief ruling experience, he was also quite a wise king.Chapter3elaborates on the cultivation Zhu Gaozhi received when he was still a Son of a feudal lord, and the theory education, ministers’ tutoring, the experience of political affairs, the father-child relationship and cultivation effects he gained when he became the prince. Thanks to the twenty-year careful cultivation, especially the experience of political affairs, Zhu Gaozhi gradually grew into a wise king whose perfect interpersonal skills laid a solid foundation for the grand Renxuan’s enlightened governance. It is a pity that to a certain degree he is so depressed by Zhu Di’s strong power that he pursued undue material enjoyment as soon as he became king, only to reign for less than a year.Chapter4expatiates Zhu Zhanji’s cultivation. Ever since he became the royal grandchild, he had received quite a good education, especially in practical experience. With Zhu Di highlighting his cultivation, he began to supervise the public affairs when he is quite young. As a result, Zhu Dianji developed various capacities and established the grand Renxuan’s enlightened governance.Chapter5discusses the cultivation of Zhu Qizhen, who was called MingYing-zhong after his death. His father Zhu Zhanji, grandmother Mrs zhang and the ministers who teached him how to be an excellent emperor did not give enough attention, or adopt the incorrect method. A eunuch called Wang zhen gave a lot of help to Zhu Qizhen, who accompanied Zhu Qizhen growed up, and gradually gained a deep trust from the young emperor in turn.Then Wang zhen mastered the state power. But Wang zhen’s unhealthy mentality which was caused by his unhealthy body made him lack the ability to join in the pivotal decision-making of the empire. When the power was out of control, Wang Zhen made the political life of Ming dynasty be a havoc, by using the power in his hand.At last, the disaster of Tumubao occurred.Except Zhu qizheng, all of them above received the strict imperial education in the training process, which gained a relatively satisfying effectiveness in general. This directly leaded to the early Ming Dynasty’s relatively enlightened and strong. Zhu Yuanzhang educated Zhu biao and his son, who were full of kindheartness, but they were not lucky enough. Zhu biao was dead when he on his middle age, and Zhu yunwen disappeared in the Jingnan Battle. Chengzuh Zhu Di, an emperor with rare gifts and bold strategy, trained two crown princes personlly, which laid a solid foundation for the arrival of the Renxuan’s enlightened governance.Unfortunately, when Zhengtong Emperor Zhu Qizhen became the emperor, due to the significant mutations of the historical conditions, his training process was very insufficient, especially in practice, which leaded a direct result of his obviously weak statecraft. And he trusted Wang Zhen deeply, a eunuch who accompanied Zhu Qizhen on his growing up. Eventually, the disaster of Tumubao occurred, which resulted in the major historical turning of Ming dynasty:from strong to weak.In short, to train a qualified or excellent training successors, in addition to explaining in words, practical experience is quite important. Vague theory is far enough to satisfy training requirements, just as the saying:"the knownedge coming from the paper is always superficial, practical experience will help you know much more deeply." This was more obvious in the late Ming dynasty when "bad emperor" frequently appeared. |
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