Yan Song is not without merit. He has high attainments in literature and calligraphy, and Hu Zongxian, the pioneer of coastal defense, was single-handedly promoted by Yan Song. Hu Zongxian promoted Qi Jiguang and other famous heroes who fought against Japanese pirates. Indirectly, there was no Yan Song. There will be no good stories about Qi Jiajun later. Yan Song's theft of power and misuse of profits led to the decline of the Ming Dynasty. In the eyes of later generations, he was an out-and-out treacherous minister
Yan Song was known as one of the six treacherous ministers of the Ming Dynasty, both in operas and books. When many people mention Yan Song, their first impression is that of a traitor. The reason why Yan Song is called a traitor by many people. Mainly because Yan Song framed many loyal ministers of the imperial court during his reign, and he flattered the emperor and controlled the imperial court for more than ten years. He formed a secret alliance with party members to frame his colleagues, and committed corruption and bribery. It can be said that he did all kinds of evil.
Especially Yan Song's men relied on the big tree of Yan Song to do whatever they wanted. The court at that time could be said to be in a mess, and it was precisely because of Yan Song's autocratic and chaotic government that the Qing Dynasty's national power became increasingly weak. Even in the eyes of later generations, Yan Song has always been a treacherous minister who was despised by everyone. Could it be that Yan Song really knew nothing but playing power and flattering the monarch? In fact, Yan Song also made some contributions to the country. Although Yan Song committed many evil deeds, it is undeniable that the value of literature and calligraphy is extremely high
Yan Song has lived in a poor family since he was a child, but he is talented and takes his studies very seriously. Later, he passed the Jinshi examination with his own efforts. From then on he entered the official career. To be able to pass the Jinshi examination and be loved by the monarch must have extraordinary talent. Yan Song's literary level was very high. He wrote more than a thousand poems in his life. Even Ji Xiaolan of the Qing Dynasty praised his talent.
Yan Song’s calligraphy was also outstanding, even astonishing Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. It is said that Qianlong saw a plaque written by Yan Song at that time. Because Yan Song had a bad reputation, Qianlong wanted to use this plaque Replace. However, it was later discovered that Yan Song's calligraphy skills were unparalleled and no one could compare with him, so he gave up the idea of ??changing the plaque. This shows that Yan Song's calligraphy attainments are very high. Yan Song repeatedly discouraged the monarch from misbehavior and solved the national crisis to a certain extent
Yan Song himself was a person who opposed extravagance and waste and advocated frugality. The monarch Jiajing at that time was a person who only knew about enjoyment and extravagance. , still living a profligate life even though the national treasury was already empty. They even spent a lot of money to re-reinforce an outer wall around the capital, but the country could no longer withdraw so much money, so Yan Song proposed to build the outer wall in batches, repair it first and then improve it after the national treasury was filled. Finally Jiajing agreed to this suggestion.
In order to solve the country's financial crisis, Emperor Jiajing planned to send eunuchs to seize local industry and commerce. Fortunately, Yan Song tried his best to stop Emperor Jiajing from doing this, because the eunuchs had never left the palace or lived outside. They don’t even know how to do business and will be deceived by local officials. In fact, Yan Song's behavior not only stopped eunuchs from enriching themselves; it also prevented local officials from causing trouble due to oppression. Yan Song lent a helping hand when the country was in trouble and did his best for his hometown
When the Yellow River overflowed and the people were in trouble, Yan Song also proposed that the monarch distribute relief food to the victims. In order to avoid When officials are corrupt, capable ministers are specially assigned to personally guide them. During the post-disaster reconstruction process, Yan Song personally inspected the work. If he discovered that profiteers were making a fortune, Yan Song would crack down on businessmen who deliberately raised prices.
Not only that, Yan Song has never forgotten the hometown where he raised himself since he became an official. When there was a famine in his hometown, he would use the treasures given to him by the monarch for disaster relief. Yan Song attached great importance to education issues. He not only built bridges and roads in his hometown, but also donated money to build schools and donate books. Yan Song promoted famous anti-Japanese pirate generals and made certain contributions to protecting the Ming Dynasty from Japanese pirates
Yan Song also had some political achievements. For example, Hu Zongxian, the famous leader of the anti-Japanese pirates, was promoted by Yan Song. Under the guidance of Yan Song, Hu Zongxian assumed important positions and held military power. At the same time, Hu Zongxian promoted Qi Jiguang and other generals who fought against the Japanese pirates. Yan Song strongly supported these soldiers in training to fight against the Japanese pirates.
Under the leadership of Hu Zongxian, the Ming Dynasty defeated Xu Hai, the leader of the Japanese pirates who had been invincible before. They had also captured the pirate Wang Zhi who had been burning, killing and looting on the sea and doing all kinds of evil. It can be said that it was temporarily calmed down. Understand the hidden dangers that Japanese pirates bring to the country.
Yan Song is actually a very complicated person. Most of the evaluations of Yan Song in the past dynasties are mostly derogatory. However, we cannot judge a person based on one-sided things. No one is worthless.
Although Yan Song made certain political contributions, Yan Song used his power to do evil and brought serious harm to the country. It would be false to say that Yan Song did not make any contribution, but he was indeed a traitorous minister.