Why did Zhu Houzhao make this decision? After hearing the reason, you will be speechless. There is no special reason, just because his own zodiac is a pig, surnamed Zhu. Because of this, Zhu Houzhao issued a decree prohibiting the consumption of pork nationwide.
In December of the 14th year of Zheng De, Emperor Zhu Houzhao of Zheng De of Ming Wuzong issued a letter forbidding people to raise pigs, kill pigs and eat pork, and offenders would be severely punished! When the imperial edict came out, the whole world was in an uproar. You know, in China, pigs have been the most important livestock since ancient times, and they are also the meat that people often eat. Now the nationwide ban on pork sales is ordered, and the impact on the people can be imagined. According to records, within 10 days and a half after the imperial edict was promulgated, towns and villages all over the country slaughtered and sold pigs, so that pork prices plummeted and even pigs were buried on the spot. It's really messy.
However, the emperor still strictly carried out this will. If the emperor finds a pig farmer during his inspection, that person will be in trouble. "A Record of Wu Zongshi in the Ming Dynasty" records: During the patrol, the folk livestock and pigs were banned and slaughtered. Those who have property at home are interested in throwing them into the water. Who sent the exile order?
However, this will is too difficult and meaningless to implement, so it has met with fierce opposition. So later, Yang Tinghe, the cabinet records, really couldn't stand it. Three months after the imperial edict was issued, he sent a letter to the emperor "Please don't kill pigs". Later, he gave no advice to the emperor. Someone wants to know, what is this for? Of course it does, because the ritual department is responsible for sacrifice! When offering sacrifices, three sacrifices should be used, and pork is indispensable. Although the Ministry of Rites adopted the expedient measure of "replacing pork with mutton", it did not conform to the etiquette.
Emperor Zheng De was "non-mainstream" again, but this time he calmed down, so he had to issue a decree to approve the secret use of pork in the palace. The so-called "tapirs are still used for internal approval"; But this directive has not been abolished (perhaps to save face). What about ordinary people? Naturally, the government can't be bored enough to take care of this matter, so the people still raise pigs and eat pork, and the government turns a blind eye. Basically, this law lasted for three months, and then it existed in name only.
A year later, Zheng De died, and this absurd imperial edict was officially abolished.