Longqing Emperor

Longqing Emperor – Ming Dynasty

Emperor Longqing was the Ming Dynasty’s 13th emperor who ruled from 1567 to 1572. Initially, he was known as the Prince of Yu before he took the Ming emperor’s role. His name, Longqing, translates to great celebration.

Early Life and Enthronement

Zhu Zaihou wasn’t the favorite successor of his father. But based on imperial rules of ascension, the oldest living son becomes the heir apparent. This allowed Zhu Zaihou to try ruling and leading the country.

Unfortunately, only Zhu’s older brother was raised as the heir apparent. He was taught how to handle various state affairs and the like. However, he died unexpectedly, so Zhu Zaihou was unprepared to assume the role.

To make things worse, he also didn’t have much interest in ruling the country. So when he became the Ming emperor, he took advantage of this and did whatever he wished. Thus, he chose a life filled with luxury.

Reign of Emperor Longqing

After the death of Emperor Jiajing, Emperor Longqing was passed down China that was in disarray. This was after years of continuous corruption and mismanagement.

Realizing the extent of chaos his father’s reign caused, Emperor Longqing focused on reforming the administration by re-employing skilled officials. Most of them were previously banished by his father. One of them was the Chinese politician and scholar-official named Hai Rui.

Despite being weak and not concerning himself in various court affairs, Zhu Zaihou chose talented ministers for the government. Plus, he empowered and instructed them to bring the empire back to a much better course.

The Elimination of Corrupt Officials

The Ming Emperor Longqing purged the administration of corrupt officials. Specifically, they were the Daoist priest whom Emperor Jiajing greatly favored since he hoped they’d help improve the empire’s situation.

Not only that, but the Ming emperor reopened trade with other empires in Africa, Europe, plus various Asian continents. He enforced territorial security by appointing a few generals to patrol the sea and land borders.

It included the reinforcement of seaports together with the Fujian and Zhejiang coasts. It was to avert pirates who were a constant disturbance during Emperor Jiajing’s rule.

Not only that, but Zhu Zaihou repulsed the Mongol troops of Altan Khan. They were the ones who penetrated the Great Wall then reached Beijing. Shortly, there was a peace treaty that was signed with the Mongols for trading horses to silk.

Compared to the previous Ming emperor’s reign, Emperor Longqing’s rule saw great reliance on eunuchs of the court. One specific eunuch named Meng Cong dominated the inner court until the end of Longqing’s rule.

The eunuch gained many favors when he introduced a female dancer of Turkish origins to Emperor Longqing. Her beauty was claimed to have piqued the interest of the Ming emperor.

The Mongols are Appeased

One of the most interesting achievements of this disinterested and weak emperor was that he built a peaceful co-existence with the Mongols. This was something that the past emperors of the dynasty weren’t able to manage.

At that time, Anda Khan was the Mongol’s supreme ruler. He promised the hand of Pahannachi’s fiance to another man. Furious, he headed south where the Ming court was, ignoring the fact that he was the Mongol ruler’s grandson.

Since the Mongols often raided north China whenever they pleased, it was expected that they would take revenge. Everyone assumed they would execute the grandson of Anda Khan. Since Longqing didn’t care for regular state affairs, he instead threw a grand banquet in honor of the Khan’s grandson.

When Anda Khan learned of the warm welcome given to his grandson, he commanded his troops to cease their attacks. This was when the trade of horses and silk with the Chinese was reinstated.

Without even trying, Emperor Longqing was able to appease the Mongols. Plus, it even established a window of opportunity to build up the north defenses.

Contradictory Decisions

Despite the hopeful beginnings of the Ming emperor Zhu Zaihou’s rule, he immediately neglected his leadership duties. Instead, he went on to pursue activities to satiate his personal enjoyment.

Plus, Emperor Longqing even made some contradictory decisions, like re-employing those he had banned at the beginning of his rule. Specifically, these were the Daoist priests.

In 1567, Xi Jie firmly advised the emperor that the supervision of the eunuchs should be ceased. And despite their attempts to control the extreme corruption of the ruling class, they fell short. At the end of the day, the entire Ming Dynasty continued falling towards destruction.

Death of Emperor Longqing

In 1572, the Ming emperor Zhu Zaihou died at 35-years-old. Before his death, he commanded the minister, Zhang Juzheng, to manage the state’s affairs. He also instructed Zhang to be a devoted advisor to Emperor Wanli, who was only 10-years-old.

His rule only lasted for six years, and his son eventually succeeded him.

Generally, Emperor Longqing was known as one of the more open-minded and liberal Ming emperors. That’s despite lacking the skills required for proper leadership since he preferred pursuing his personal enjoyment.

When he died, the Ming emperor Zhu Zaihou was buried in Zhaoling, Ming Tombs.