If you think political infighting is a modern phenomenon, think again! The Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) saw one of the most intense political battles in Chinese history—the struggle between the Donglin Party and their rivals. It was a time of secret letters, public accusations, and dramatic power plays, all set against the backdrop of an empire in decline.
The Birth of the Donglin Party: Idealists or Meddling Scholars?
It all started with a man named Gu Xiancheng. A scholar-official from Wuxi, Gu was known for his upright character and refusal to flatter those in power. In 1596, he was dismissed from his government position after proposing officials the emperor didn’t like. Instead of sulking, Gu returned to his hometown and revived the Donglin Academy, turning it into a hub of intellectual and political activity.
At first, the Donglin scholars just wanted to discuss Confucian ideals and government ethics. But soon, they began to criticize the corruption within the imperial court. Their reputation as “righteous officials” spread, attracting more like-minded scholars. But with fame came enemies—other political factions saw them as an annoying group of self-righteous troublemakers.
Enemies Everywhere: The Donglin Party vs. Everyone Else
By the early 1600s, Ming politics had turned into a battlefield. The Donglin Party found itself surrounded by rival factions, each representing different regional interests:
- The Xuanduan Faction (宣党) – Based in Xuancheng
- The Kunshan Faction (昆党) – Centered in Kunshan
- The Qi Faction (齐党) – Originating from Shandong
- The Chu Faction (楚党) – Dominated by officials from Hubei and Hunan
- The Zhejiang Faction (浙党) – A powerful force from Zhejiang
At first, these factions fought among themselves, but soon they realized they had a common enemy: the self-righteous, ever-critical Donglin scholars. They joined forces to counter the growing influence of the Donglin Party at court.
Things came to a head when the Donglin Party backed Li Sancai, an experienced official with a clean reputation, for a powerful government position. Their rivals fiercely opposed the appointment, and the debate spiraled into chaos, with both sides launching smear campaigns. Eventually, Li was forced to resign, marking the first major setback for the Donglin Party.
Scandals, Assassinations, and Power Plays
The Donglin Party’s struggle wasn’t just about words—things got deadly. Several major events rocked the empire, escalating the conflict:
- The “Cudgel Incident” (梃击案, 1615): A random man stormed into the Crown Prince’s residence with a wooden staff. Was it an assassination attempt? A political setup? No one really knew, but it shook the court and put Donglin scholars on high alert.
- The Red Pill Scandal (红丸案, 1620): The newly crowned Emperor Guangzong suddenly died after taking a “miracle pill.” Some said it was poison, others called it a tragic accident. Either way, the Donglin Party got caught in the blame game.
- The Palace Coup (移宫案, 1620): After the emperor’s death, his concubine tried to seize power. The Donglin scholars, ever the guardians of morality, stormed the palace and forced her out—talk about dramatic!
Despite these victories, the Donglin Party made powerful enemies, and payback was coming.
Enter the Villain: The Rise of Wei Zhongxian
Every great story needs a villain, and for the Donglin Party, that villain was Wei Zhongxian. Originally a palace eunuch, Wei used flattery and manipulation to rise through the ranks. When the young Emperor Xizong came to power, Wei became his most trusted advisor—and the nightmare of the Donglin scholars.
Wei cracked down on the Donglin Party with ruthless efficiency:
- Executed leading Donglin officials under false charges
- Closed down the Donglin Academy, the heart of the movement
- Created a blacklist of suspected Donglin supporters, many of whom were arrested or killed
- Published propaganda portraying the Donglin scholars as power-hungry traitors
For a while, it seemed like the Donglin Party was finished.
Revenge and the Fall of the Donglin Party
But in 1627, Emperor Xizong died unexpectedly, and his brother Chongzhen took the throne. One of his first acts? Ordering the execution of Wei Zhongxian. The eunuch, knowing his time was up, committed suicide rather than face the consequences.
With Wei gone, the Donglin Party made a brief comeback. But things had changed. The empire was crumbling, and political infighting was no longer a luxury—it was a death sentence. Even the Donglin scholars, once the champions of justice, were now seen as just another faction in the chaotic mess of Ming politics.
By the time the Qing Dynasty replaced the Ming in 1644, the Donglin Party was a distant memory.
The Legacy of the Donglin Party
So, what can we learn from this historical drama?
- Politics never changes – Whether in ancient China or today, people in power always form factions, fight for influence, and engage in backstabbing.
- Too much idealism can be dangerous – The Donglin scholars thought moral righteousness alone would protect them. They were wrong.
- Public opinion matters – The Donglin Party was masterful at using public discourse to their advantage, proving that controlling the narrative is key to political success.
Their story is a reminder that even the most well-intentioned movements can be crushed by power-hungry opponents—and that history is often written by the victors.