Hai Rui vs Sangha

Hai Rui submitted a memorial directly criticizing the Jiajing Emperor for his neglect of state affairs, obsession with Daoist rituals, and oppressive governance. The emperor was enraged and ordered Hai Rui's imprisonment, but he was spared execution.

Hai Rui was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice jail for his memorial criticizing the emperor. He remained in prison until the Jiajing Emperor's death later that year, after which he was released and his reputation as an incorruptible official grew.

Hai Rui was appointed Governor of Yingtian Prefecture (modern Nanjing area). In this role, he rigorously enforced land reforms to return illegally seized land to peasants, and he strictly punished corrupt officials, earning him both praise and powerful enemies.

Hai Rui was dismissed from his post as Governor of Yingtian Prefecture. His strict enforcement of reforms and attacks on powerful landlords generated intense opposition, leading to his removal. He retired from public life for over a decade.

Sangha, a Tibetan monk, was appointed as finance minister of the Yuan dynasty. He continued Ahmad Fanakati's policies of state monopolies and tax collection, further centralizing fiscal control under the Mongol court.

Sangha enforced strict tax collection through state monopolies on salt, iron, and tea, using coercive measures against defaulters. His policies increased revenue but caused widespread hardship among Chinese peasants and merchants, fueling resentment.

Sangha was executed on orders of Kublai Khan following accusations of corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power. His death marked the end of a period of heavy-handed fiscal policies and led to a temporary relaxation of state monopolies.