Hongxi Emperor

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About Hongxi Emperor

Lifespan: 1378-1425 A.D

Reign Years: 1424 – 1425 A.D

Given Name: Zhu Gaochì

Reign Name: Hongxi

Hongxi Emperor – Ming Dynasty

The 4th Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty was the Hongxi Emperor. He ruled from 1424 to 1425 after succeeding his father, Emperor Yongle. His era name Hongxi means extremely bright, whereas his temple name, Renzong, translates to “benevolent ancestor”.

Zhu Gaochi was born in 1378 and was educated by distinguished Confucian tutors. He often functioned as a regent in Beijing or Nanjing during his father’s military campaigns in the north. Although he wasn’t interested in military issues, he had great prowess in archery.

Zhu Gaochi’s Life

Before becoming the Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi was often tasked with protecting the Beijing Garrison. This was while his father was on the battlefield against the Northern Tribes. These tribes were made up of the remaining Yuan Dynasty armies who were out to conquer new lands in China.

Zhu Gaochi had ruled and led the empire every time his father, Emperor Yongle, was on military campaigns. It was a frequent situation, which was something Zhu Gaochi has gotten used to.

Not only that, but the Emperor Yongle declared him as the crown prince in 1405. As a result, the future Chinese emperor became familiar with controlling the imperial administration when he succeeded the throne.

In 1421, still under Emperor Yongle’s rule, an order was given to suspend the admiral-diplomat Zheng He’s expeditions. It was likely due to the account of each expeditions’ cost. Apparently, the order didn’t affect Zheng He’s 6th voyage, which was set around the same time it was given out.

The Rule of the Hongxi Emperor

The Hongxi Emperor was a humane and able leader. He had great compassion for the commoners and fully understood that what holds the empire together are the “lower” people.

His compassion for the people was written in old records of the Ming Dynasty. It was claimed that he ordered the officials to open the government’s barns to give people free corn. The offering was especially for those who were already eating grass seeds because of intense famine.

In his enthronement as the Ming emperor in 1424, he permanently stopped all of Zheng He’s maritime expeditions. Not only that, but the emperor had the fleet burnt down or left them to decompose, and abolished the frontier trade of tea.

The Chinese emperor restored the numerous disgraced Confucian officials like Xia Yuanji. He was Emperor Yongle’s minister of revenue who was imprisoned in 1421.

Of course, the Ming Dynasty emperor reorganized the administration, giving the highest ranks to his closest and most trusted advisors. Those Halin academicians were given the title of grand secretaries who then dismantled the materialistic policies of his father. These were done to restore the civil government.

In addition, the Hongxi Emperor bettered finances by removing the requisitions for gold, lumber, and silver. The taxes were remitted so all the vagrant farmers could readily head home.

From there, the Hongxi Emperor gave out a commission to examine taxes. He overruled his imperial secretaries, ordering that grain should be immediately sent to the people to relieve the disaster areas.

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Ming Court in Beijing

Just like a loyal son would, the Hongxi Emperor followed the instructions of his father. Specifically, it’s to establish a new capital in Beijing where the court should be moved to.

Unlike his father, the Chinese emperor didn’t think it was necessary to set the capital close to the northern borders. Originally, his father wanted this to protect the north from the Mongols.

After becoming the Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Hongxi announced his plans to leave Emperor Yongle’s Forbidden City. He wanted to move the whole court back to Nanjing, which he considered the Ming Dynasty’s main capital.

Death and Legacy of the Hongxi Emperor

However, the Hongxi Emperor died even before he could enforce any of his plans. That’s because he possessed great administrative abilities yet lacked good health.

The Chinese emperor of the Ming Dynasty suffered from gout, which was also his cause of death. He left behind Empress Zhang, along with 7 seven daughters and ten sons.

Luckily, the empire had Empress Zhang, who was a wise individual. She was able to provide positive influence as the empress dowager during her son’s reign as Emperor Xuande. She also offered some assistance to the Zhengtong Emperor.

Because of her character and attitude, she was greatly respected by the gentry and was considered a pillar of stability. She continued providing aid to those who required guidance until she died in 1442.

The Hongxi Emperor may have reigned only for a short time. However, he was credited for the reforms he started that made lasting improvements. As for his liberal policies, they were continued by his son.

Due to the length of his reign, the Chinese emperor could only achieve much. Yet this Chinese emperor was able to leave a mark in history. That’s for being an adept and compassionate ruler of the Ming Dynasty.