| dc.description.abstract | Yang Lian (1572-1625), also known by his courtesy name Wenru and who called himself Dahong, was native of Huguang Yingshan in the Ming Dynasty. He was an successful candidate of the highest imperial examinations in the 35th year of the reign of Wanli Emperor (1607), and was appointed as Magistrate of Chang Shu early in the following year, and later on as Royal Assistant of Civil and Military Affaires. In the 48th year of the reign of Wanli Emperor (1620), Wanli Emperor died with the Royal Temple name Shen Zong. In the same year, Taichang Emperor, whose royal temple name was Guang Zong, inaugurated as emperor for just a month, and suddenly died from eating red pill, an incident called the “Red Pill Incident” by historians. Guang Zong’s beloved consort Li Xuanshi still lived in the Qianqing Palace after Guang Zong’s Death and refused to move, breaking disputes with Yang Lian, Zuo Guangdou and other officials who opposed Li Xuanshi’s behavior. The incident was called Yigong Incident by historians. Yang Lian was involved in both the Red Pill and Yigong Incidents, and played a major role especially in the Yigong Incident. Yang Lian even resigned for a period of time to appease the disputes. He got a smooth promotion to take post as high as Vice Left Royal Procurator of Capital Procuratorate when he retook office from retirement.
The Three Incidents not only drew the attentions of the royal officials to royal conflicts, but also aggravated the eunuchs’ interference with the royal governance. Orderless harem after Li Xuanshi moved out of Qianqing Palace and the mis-governace of Xi Zong left a chance for the eunuch Wei Zhongxian to take power and interfere in the royal governance. In June of the 4th year of the reign of Tianqi Emperor (1624), Yang Lian took initiative to impeach Wei Zhongxian with 24 crimes. Wei Zhongxian fought back with false accusations and started partisan prosecutions. In the following year, Yan Lian was brutally tortured and died in prison. In the early years of the reign of Chongahen Emperor, Xi Zong cleared out the eunuch party and redressed injustices such as the one Yang Lian suffered. Xi Zong redeemed Yang Lian’s name, and honored him the Prince’’s Royal Protector and promoted him Right Prosecutor of Capital Procuratorate. He was given posthumous honor Zhong Lie (loyal and brave), and one of his son was granted his post in the royal government in return for his loyalty.
In this essay, the author has studied Yang Lian’s deeds, working style and concept of governance, and further on Yang Liang’s political achievements and influence in politics of late Ming Dynasty through analyzing the political environment of the late Ming Dynasty.
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