Zhengtong Emperor: Encyclopedia - Zhengtong Emperor

Zhengtong Emperor

Zhu Qizhen (November 29, 1427 – February 23, 1464) was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449，and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 to 1464.

Zhengtong Emperor - First Reign

Zhu Qizhen was the son of the Xuande Emperor Zhu Zhanji and his Empress Sun. At the beginning of Zhengtong's reign, the Ming dynasty was prosperous and at the height of its power as a result Xuande Emperor's able administration. Zhengtong's accession at the age of eight makes him the first child emperor of the dynasty hence Zhengtong was easily influenced by others namely his eunuch Wang Zhen. Zhengtong thorougly relied on Wang Zhen for advice and guidance.

Zhengtong Emperor - Imprisonment by the Mongols

At the age of 22 in 1449, he was imprisoned by the Mongols when, advised by Wang Zhen, he personally directed and lost the Battle of Tumu Fortress against the Mongols under Esen Khan. His capture by the enemy force shook the Ming dynasty to its core and the ensuing crisis almost caused the dynasty to collapse were it not for the capable governing of a prominent minister named Yu Qian. Although Zhengtong was a prisoner of the Mongols, he became a good friend to the khan. Meanwhile, to calm the crisis at home, his brother Zhu Qiyu was installed as the Jingtai Emperor. This reduced Zhengtong's imperial status and he was granted the title of "grand emperor".

Zhengtong Emperor - House Arrest and Second Reign

The Zhengtong Emperor was released one year later in 1450 but when he returned to China, he was immediately put under house arrest by his brother for almost seven years. He resided in the southern palace of the Forbidden city and all outside contacts were severely curtailed by the Jingtai Emperor. Zhengtong's son (later Emperor Chenghua) was stripped of the title of crown prince and replaced by Jingtai's own son. This act greatly upset and devastated Zhengtong but the heir apparent died shortly thereafter. Overcome with grief, the Jingtai Emperor fell ill and Zhengtong decided to depose Jingtai by a palace coup which eventually reinstalled Zhu Qizhen as emperor, who renamed his second reign Tianshun ("heavenly obedience") and went on to rule for another seven years.

He died at the age of 37 in 1464 and was buried in the Yuling (裕陵) tomb of the Ming Dynasty Tombs.

Zhengtong Emperor - Note

Tianshun (天順) was also the name of a Yuan Dynasty reign.

See also

Tumu Crisis

Categories: 1427 births | 1464 deaths | Ming Dynasty emperors

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Zhengtong Emperor", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki