One view is that Nian Gengyao died because he became emperor himself. During the Qianlong period, scholars mentioned in Yong Xian Lu that Zou Lu, a Nian Gengyao, landscape and herdsman, had discussed this matter. Some scholars hold this view that "Tang Yao was born to die because he wanted to be emperor.". The book Anecdotes in Qing Dynasty records that after Nian Gengyao fell out of favor and was deprived of military power, "at that time, his screen guest advised him to rebel, and the years were long and silent, and he watched the sky at night, and Hao Ran sighed: No harmony." The beginning of the reform is the Ministerial Day. It shows that the title is really intended to be the emperor, and it is only because of the "incompatibility" that the "Minister's Festival" was abandoned. In fact, this statement is not fully based.
In the feudal era, the most important thing is to pay attention to birthright, and the righteousness of the monarch and the minister cannot be violated. To be a courtier, you must abide by the way of courtiers and not do anything beyond your duty.
What Nian Gengyao did really caused great dissatisfaction and some doubts of Yongzheng. Nian Gengyao was originally in a high position, but he was arrogant, broke the law and disobeyed the minister's way. It will inevitably arouse the eyebrows of ministers and the dissatisfaction and suspicion of the emperor. Yongzheng is a man with strong self-esteem and likes to show himself. Nian Gengyao's claim to credit and power will make the emperor fall into a dominated reputation, which Yongzheng can't tolerate and Yongzheng hates most. Yongzheng was not afraid of Nian Gengyao's intentions. He rectified Nian Gengyao step by step. By 2000, he could only submit, and he had no ability to resist or even defend. Only the imaginary Yongzheng can look at the mutual affection of the past and show the grace outside the law. Therefore, he can't resist. Yongzheng once said, "If we don't guard against Nian Gengyao, we have to do something for it. It is really unnecessary. " As for Nian Gengyao's conspiracy, it is obviously the accusation against Luo Zhi in 2000, which can neither explain that he will rebel in 2000 nor explain that Yongzheng really believes that he will rebel.
Judging from Nian Gengyao, he has always been loyal to Yongzheng, and even at the last minute, he has always had great illusions about Yongzheng.
On the way to being demoted as a general in Hangzhou by the governor of Gechuan and Shaanxi, Nian Gengyao imagined that Yongzheng would change his decision, so he stayed in Yizheng, Jiangsu Province and sat tight. As a result, Yongzheng was very angry When Nian Gengyao was transferred to Hangzhou as a general, he said, "Look at this situation, I don't know how to regret it. For god's sake, if I fail you, the devil take the hindmost; If you let me down, I don't know how God will punish you! ..... You this scene, from the days of your minister, no matter my way, always sarcastic articles, duplicity tone, plus I heard gossip, blame the hero's name. I have to take care of me, but I can't take care of your Minister's Day. Only the world is the next generation, I will take a word first. " Zhu Pi of Yongzheng actually sent a very clear signal: he has made up his mind to get rid of Nian Gengyao in the end.
Until Nian Gengyao received the imperial edict to kill himself, he refused to start work, still dreaming that Yongzheng would pardon him on the date of birth. However, Yongzheng has made up his mind that it is especially kind to rescue Nian Gengyao from torture, and he committed suicide with a full name festival, so he has to "shed tears even if he dies", so Nian Gengyao has no chance to live. How can a minister who wants to rebel have such unrealistic fantasies about the emperor? Yongzheng said in the last imperial edict to Nian Gengyao: "If you commit suicide and feel a little wronged, then the so-called eternal hell in Buddhism, even if you are robbed, can't erase your sins." At the time of farewell, Yongzheng also preached with Buddhists, making Nian completely convinced and not blaming the emperor for his death.
There is also a view that Nian Gengyao participated in the activities of usurping the throne in Yongzheng, and Yong Zhengdi was suspected or even killed after he acceded to the throne. Not only unofficial history, but also some scholars hold this view. It is said that Emperor Kangxi has appointed fourteen sons of Yin to succeed to the throne by imperial decree, and Nian Gengyao is also involved. He was ordered by Yong Zhengdi to gather troops in Sichuan to stop the emperor's fourteen sons, so that he could not fight for the post. At the beginning of his reign, Yong Zhengdi was kind to Nian Gengyao. In fact, he played hard to get. When the time was right, he was accused of Luo Zhi, killed the donkey and executed the insider Nian Gengyao. Some people disagree with this, mainly because when Yong Zhengdi ascended the throne, Nian Gengyao was far away in the northwest, did not participate in the imperial edict, and may not know the inside story. But objectively speaking, Nian Gengyao did have the function of blocking Yin Guidong's advance during his term of office.
Yong Zhengdi's tampering with the testamentary edict to seize the throne has been explained in many works, and Yan Chongnian's Talk about the Twelve Emperors also has a systematic summary, which is self-evident. Opinions vary, and no one can agree. Yongzheng acceded to the throne, there are indeed many doubts. After he acceded to the throne, he successively disposed of the original most capable assistants, Nian Gengyao and Rondo, which made people more suspicious that this was a guilty conscience and a criminal. Of course, this can only be regarded as a reasonable presumption, which is not supported by conclusive data. So this suspicion is said to be: "Everything happens for a reason, but there is no evidence."
Regardless of the real motivation of Yongzheng's determination to get rid of Nian Gengyao. From Nian Gengyao's own point of view, his death really deserved it. He is self-reliant, arrogant, arrogant, ignorant of humility and self-protection, does not obey the official's way, and does things beyond the official's duties, which is unacceptable to public opinion; Moreover, for his own selfish interests, he planted and took bribes, which was "unscrupulous", which was not allowed by the national law and hated by Yongzheng. This is a hero's taboo, and it will certainly not have a good end. Therefore, according to the draft of Qing history, the dragon and the year relied on their own power and had no scruples. As a blessing, they were told by the ancient saints.