The capital magistrate Mei Zhili
Mei Zhili was the prefect of the capital in "Celebrating Years." He returned to his hometown after being fired by the Qing Emperor, but there was no definite answer as to whether he had encountered an unfortunate incident on his way home and was trapped in the Yellow Springs. After Mei Zhili was summoned to the palace in the play, he knew that he might be in danger. He was careful with the Qing Emperor and did not dare to say a word. The reason the Qing Emperor dismissed Mei Zhili was because he was taking the Qing Emperor's salary but helping the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. This went against the Emperor's dignity. The Qing Emperor hoped to use this incident to send a warning to the Crown Prince and other officials who secretly supported the Crown Prince. All in all, it was still uncertain whether Mei Zhili was dead or not, but the possibility of him being alive was higher.
What rank is the capital magistrate?
Jingdou prefects were of the fourth rank, but there were also those of the third rank.
The Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili conversed.
The conversation between the Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili took place in the Qing Emperor's Palace in " Celebrating Years." In this conversation, the Qing Emperor expressed his admiration and trust for Mei Zhili. The Qing Emperor indicated for Mei Zhili to sit down, showing the special treatment he gave Mei Zhili. Mei Zhili was hesitant about the Qing Emperor's instructions, but the Qing Emperor firmly expressed his orders. This conversation showed the Qing Emperor's authority and control over Mei Zhili. The conversation between the Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili was an important plot in " Celebrating Years." It showed the complicated relationship and power struggle between the two characters.
Celebrating the rest of my life, Mei Zhili
The Qing Emperor killed Mei Zhili because Mei Zhili had betrayed the Qing Emperor. Mei Zhili was supposed to be the Qing Emperor's trusted aide. The Qing Emperor was indebted to him and had promoted him to Jingdou prefect, the capital's highest administrative officer. However, Mei Zhili had taken refuge with the Crown Prince too early and told the Crown Prince Teng Zijing's location. This made the Qing Emperor very dissatisfied. The Qing Emperor's attitude towards Mei Zhili was complicated. He had once admired and trusted him, but his betrayal made the Qing Emperor decide to kill Mei Zhili. In the conversation between the Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili, he had killed Mei Zhili with a cup of fake poisoned wine. This ending was shocking.
The Qing Emperor Mei Zhili performed wildly.
The Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili had an intense scene in " Celebrating Years." The dialogue and interaction between them showed the wonderful acting skills of the two actors. The Qing Emperor had been writing. This showed his self-restraint as he grew up. Mei Zhili displayed fear and trepidation in front of the Qing Emperor, while the Qing Emperor displayed his wisdom in strategizing. In this scene, the Qing Emperor did not really kill Mei Zhili. Instead, he sent a message to warn the Crown Prince. This scene displayed the Qing Emperor's power tactics and Mei Zhili's loyalty. At the same time, it also revealed the cruel nature of the power game.
Why did the emperor kill Mei Zhili?
The reason the Qing Emperor killed Mei Zhili was because Mei Zhili had betrayed the Qing Emperor and colluded with the Crown Prince. The Qing Emperor could not tolerate the collusion between the ministers and the princes, so he decided to kill Mei Zhili to show his dignity and warn the other ministers. In addition, when Mei Zhili tried Fan Xian's case, he stood on the Crown Prince's side. This was something the Qing Emperor could not tolerate.
What did Mei Zhili do wrong?
Mei Zhili made the mistake of betraying the Qing Emperor in " Celebrating Years." He had sought refuge with the Crown Prince and helped the Crown Prince to investigate and capture Teng Zijing. He had even concealed this fact. The Qing Emperor believed that the collusion between officials and princes was the most taboo because it challenged the Emperor's dignity. Thus, the Qing Emperor decided to kill Mei Zhili. On one hand, it was to show the Crown Prince his might. On the other hand, it was to warn the officials who secretly supported the Crown Prince. Mei Zhili's mistake eventually led to his death.
Celebrating the end of Mei Zhili in the years to come
In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, Mei Zhili's ending was that he was ordered to die by the Qing Emperor. At first, the Qing Emperor had let Mei Zhili return to his hometown to retire, but on the way back, Mei Zhili was intercepted and killed. The Qing Emperor's previous consolation and promises were only to make Mei Zhili lower his guard so that he could be put in danger. The Qing Emperor's goal was to eliminate Mei Zhili's loyalty to the Crown Prince and his threat to him.
The Qing Emperor Mei Zhili performed wildly.
The scene of the Qing Emperor and Mei Zhili in " Celebrating Years " was one of the climax of the entire plot. The Qing Emperor revealed his intentions to Mei Zhili in a subtle way. He first praised Mei Zhili's loyalty and ability, which made Mei Zhili extremely grateful. Following that, the Qing Emperor hinted that Mei Zhili had not done something appropriate. Mei Zhili was both grateful and afraid of such a method. As the Jingdou magistrate, Mei Zhili had been promoted by the Qing Emperor. This in itself meant recognition of his loyalty and ability. However, as the plot developed, Mei Zhili was gradually involved in the whirlpool of power. Although some of his actions seemed to be out of public interest, they violated the Qing Emperor's bottom line. As Emperor, the Qing Emperor could not tolerate the existence of anyone who threatened his power. Thus, Mei Zhili's fate was decided from the very beginning. It was not difficult for the Qing Emperor to order Mei Zhili to die, but he chose to pretend to be a horse bandit and kill Mei Zhili. This showed the Qing Emperor's foresight and the Emperor's mind.
Why did the emperor kill Mei Zhili?
There were many reasons why the Qing Emperor killed Mei Zhili. First of all, Mei Zhili had participated in the factional struggle between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. This was a challenge to the Emperor's authority. The Qing Emperor would not tolerate such behavior. Mei Zhili had blatantly sided with the Crown Prince's faction. This was intolerable to the Qing Emperor. It was equivalent to a challenge to his authority. Secondly, Mei Zhili refused to speak the truth in his conversation with the Qing Emperor and mentioned many times his help to the Qing Emperor. This might make the Qing Emperor feel that he did not respect his identity as Emperor. In addition, Mei Zhili had lost his sense of propriety when interrogating Fan Xian and did not act according to the rules. On one hand, the Qing Emperor was protecting Fan Xian. On the other hand, he was dissatisfied with Mei Zhili openly challenging his authority. Finally, killing Mei Zhili could suppress the Crown Prince and balance his forces. At the same time, it was also a warning to the Crown Prince. In summary, the Qing Emperor killed Mei Zhili to maintain his authority, balance the power of the court, and warn the other officials.
Did the Qing Emperor kill Mei Zhili?
In the novel, Qing Emperor killed Mei Zhili. In the play, in order to link Fan Xian to Lin Gong's death, the Eldest Princess Li Yunrui used her subordinate Yan Bingyun to send a letter from Mei Zhili's family to Fan Xian. After Fan Xian finished reading the letter, he discovered that Mei Zhili was on the Crown Prince's side. He decided to use this letter to overthrow the Crown Prince. Thus, he handed the letter to the Second Prince and had the Second Prince give it to the Qing Emperor. After the Qing Emperor read the letter, he felt that Mei Zhili, as an old official of three dynasties, should know how to protect himself in court and should not participate in factional struggles. Therefore, he decided to execute Mei Zhili.