高启死因考辩

A Probe into the Cause for Gao Qi's Death

As for the cause of Gao Qi’s death, it is known extensively that it is the result of his resignation of the official position, which has offended his political opponents. As a matter of fact, Gao Qi regards Zhu Yuanzhuang’s view of setting up the dynasty in the Central China as "the extreme of chaos expects a resettlement" and manifested in his loyalty by exhorting his friends to serve the Ming Dynasty. Zhu, the emperor of the dynasty does not care much about the resignation from his officials in the early stage of his regime. Therefore the above-mentioned reason for Gao’s death cannot account for the real situation about Gao at that time; neither does it do to the political situation of that day. Based on the study, a conclusion can be reached with analysis of the relationship between Wei Jian (a concerned figure at that time), Gao Qi and the politicians at the court at that time and of the conflicts in the imperial court that Gao Qi was a victim of the struggle between the officials and the military officers vying with leadership and fame in the early stage of the Ming Dynasty.