Emperor Yingzong of Ming

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About Emperor Yingzong of Ming

Lifespan: 1427-1464 A.D

Reign Years: 1435 – 1449
and
1457 – 1464 A.D

Given Name: Zhu Qízhen

Reign Name: Zhengtong and
Tianshun

Emperor Yingzong of Ming – Ming Dynasty

Zhu Qizhen, or better known by his temple name of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, was the 6th and 8th ruler of the Ming empire. He succeeded the throne in 1435 as the Zhengtong Emperor but was forced to leave his post in 1449. All this was in favor of his younger brother after the Mongols caught him in the Temu Crisis.

In 1457, he deposed his brother and once again led as the Emperor Yingzong of Ming until 1464.

The Zhengtong Emperor ascended when he was only 9-years-old. Yet with the assistance and aid of diligent court officials, the reign of this Ming Dynasty leader became a successful one.

First Reign of Emperor Yingzong of Ming

Zhu Qizhen was the son of Emperor Xuande with Empress Sun, his second wife.

At the start of the Zhengtong rule, the Ming dynasty was prosperous and flourishing. It was technically at the height of its power due to Emperor Xuande’s able administration and proper ruling.

The ascension of Emperor Yingzong of Ming at the early age of 8, made him the first child emperor. He was the youngest ruler of all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty.

Since that was the case, the Zhengtong Emperor was greatly influenced and manipulated by others. This was especially true for the eunuch named Wang Zhen.

In the beginning, Wang Zhen was kept in control by his grandmother, Empress Zhang. She was the unofficial regent who worked closely with the Three Yangs. They were three ministers who all had the same surname of “Yang”.

With that, a great and flourishing administration continued.

Yet in 1442, Empress Zhang died, and the three Yangs either died too or retired around that period. Because of this, the young Ming Dynasty emperor Zhengtong was entirely reliant on Wang Zhen for guidance and advice.

Imprisonment by the Mongols

In 1449 at 21-years-old, the Zhengtong Emperor personally directed the Battle of Temu Fortress as advised by Wang Zhen. Unfortunately, he lost the battle against the Mongol troops, who were under Esen Taishi’s lead.

The Battle of the Tumu Fortress, also known as the Tumu Crisis, was a conflict between the Ming Dynasty and North Yuans. The latter’s Oirat ruler, Esen Taishi, captured Emperor Yingzong of the Ming in 1449.

However, the preparations for the campaign weren’t fully accomplished. Plus, bad decisions led to the capture of Emperor Yingzong of Ming by the Mongols. The battle was even considered as one of the most humiliating conflicts in the entire Chinese history.

His capture by the enemies shook the entire Ming Empire, and the crisis almost led to the dynasty’s collapse. Thankfully, the capable and prominent minister, Yu Qian, was able to govern and control the empire at that time.

And even if the Zhengtong Emperor ended up as a Mongol prisoner, he eventually became a good friend to Tayusing Khan Toghtoa Bukha and his grand mentor, Esen Taishi.

Acquisition of the Throne by the Prince of Cheng

To appease the crisis, the Zhengtong Emperor’s younger brother was ordered by the empress dowager to act as prince regent. His name was Zhu Qiyu, and he had to fulfill this task until the return of Emperor Yingzong of Ming. He then became Emperor Jingtai of the Ming Dynasty.

Because of this, the imperial status of the Zhengtong Emperor was reduced to Emperor Emeritus or Taishang Huangdi.

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The House Arrest and Second Reign of Emperor Yingzong of Ming

Emperor Yingzong of Ming was released a year after in 1450. Upon returning to China, he was instantly placed on house arrest by his brother for almost seven years. He then lived in the Forbidden City’s southern palace, and all outside contact was banned by Emperor Jingtai.

His son, who eventually became Emperor Chenghua, was stripped of his title as the crown prince. That’s because Emperor Jingtai placed his own son to take his position.

What his brother did deeply upset Emperor Zhengtong, but the heir apparent died right after. Filled with grief, his brother ended up falling ill, so the former emperor deposed Emperor Jingtai through a palace coup.

Emperor Yingzong of Ming was able to seize the throne from his ailing brother. There, he changed his regnal name to Tianshun, which means obedience to heaven.

This was when he ruled the Ming Dynasty again for another seven years. Emperor Jingtai was then demoted to the Prince of Cheng, then put under house arrest. However, he eventually died, though some say that he was murdered.

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Death of Emperor Yingzong of Ming

The Tianshun Emperor of the Ming Dynasty died in 1464 at 36-years-old. He was buried in the Yuling Mausoleum, Ming Dynasty Tombs.

Before his death, he gave an order that was rated high as a form of imperial magnanimity. It eventually ended the practice of brutally burying concubines and palace maids alive when their emperor died.

The emperors commonly followed this practice. This was to have their maids and concubines follow their leaders to the next world.