Tianqi Emperor

Tianqi Emperor – Ming Dynasty

Zhu Youjiao was known as the Tianqi Emperor or Emperor Xizong of Ming. Like other rulers of the dynasty, this monarch of the Ming Dynasty was surrounded by his own set of controversies.

The Ming Empire continued declining from the reign of his grandfather, Emperor Wanli. But Zhu Youjiao was said to manage it well.

The Tianqi Emperor was claimed as one of the most notable carpenters in China’s history. He had some expertise on designing huge projects, as well as carving exquisite decor and the like.

The Reign of the Tianqi Emperor

Although the Tianqi Emperor ascended the throne at 15-years-old, he was more inclined to carpentry than government affairs. He gave the power of handling the government to Wei – a previous butler who served the empress dowager. He was also a friend of the emperor’s nurse.

Wei eventually became the most powerful eunuch in history. He replaced tons of officials, and even established a network of spies for his deeds. Not only that, but Wei had temples built throughout the country in his honor.

It was likely that emperor Zhu Youjiao had learning disabilities. He was illiterate and didn’t have any interest in studying.

The Tianqi Emperor couldn’t read court memorials, nor was he interested in state affairs. With that, Wei and his nurse, Madam Ke, controlled the Ming Dynasty’s imperial court. Because of this, the Tianqi Emperor only served as a puppet ruler.

Zhu Youjiao mainly focused his time on carpentry. Since it was a chance for Wei, he took advantage of the situation. He started appointing his trusted men to vital positions in the court, while Madam Ke did her corrupt deeds.

To retain power, Madam Ke removed every other woman in the emperor’s harem. She locked all the concubines in an area then starved them to death.

The Donglin Movement

A Confucian moralist group called the Donglin Movement, showed their distress at the government’s conditions. In response to this, the imperial court under Wei’s orders, commanded the execution of officials linked to the Donglin Movement.

The empire’s living conditions grew worse during the Tiangi Emperor’s rule. With that, the Ming Dynasty faced numerous known uprisings.

Foreign Invasions

During his rule, several foreign invasions happened. The Dutch assaulted then occupied Taiwan, then 20 years later, the Manchu conquered the entire country. Specifically, they were focused on taking the northeast portion of the Ming Empire along the Liao River valley.

The conditions in every area of the empire deteriorated. In both the north and southwest provinces, rebellions became a regular.

As for the imperial treasury, it was wiped out. As a result, the emperor couldn’t have the dikes repaired when the Yellow River exploded its banks.

Wanggongchang Explosion

During the 6th year of Zhu Youjiao’s rule, an extremely mysterious and suspicious explosion occurred in the capital city. It was considered as a warning to the Tianqi Emperor for being a terrible monarch.

This was called the Wanggongchang Explosion or the Great Tianqi Explosion. Its core was a vital production area of gunpowder, yet what triggered the explosion is still unknown until today.

The horror caused by the Wanggongchang Explosion dwarfed all other reasons for fear. From there, the imperial court criticized and blamed the Tianqi Emperor for the situation.

Some even believed that it was a punishment coming from the heavens. They even considered it a warning to correct the emperor’s sins, as well as his incompetence as a ruler.

During the explosion, the crown prince of the Tianqi Emperor died as well. So did over 20,000 other people perish in this incident.

Because of the tragedy, the Tianqi Emperor was forced to announce publicly, a repenting order. He was also forced to issue 20,000 taels of gold that would be utilized for relief and rescue efforts.

Death of the Tianqi Emperor

That same year after the controversial explosion, drought and flood disasters occurred in different areas in China. This led to a ton of civilians suffering from starvation and poverty.

The Ming Dynasty emperor Zhu Youjiao drank wine with his closest eunuchs in a boat in the next year. That moment, a strong gust of wind shook the emperor, causing him to accidentally fall into the lake. A couple of months after the incident, the Tianqi Emperor passed away.

The Ming Dynasty emperor died without an heir in 1627 since his only child died during the Wanggongchang Explosion. His daughters died young too, so there were no direct heirs from Tianqi who were alive.

Empress Zhang Yan was against the idea of finding a child to take the throne. She was considering both her and the Ming Empire’s benefit. If that happened, the evil eunuch and nurse would rule the empire for a couple more decades.

Because of this, she did her best to urge her husband’s younger brother, Zhu Youjian, to ascend the throne. After some time, he eventually agreed and became Emperor Chongzhen at only 16-years-old.

The Tianqi Emperor was eventually succeeded by his sole surviving younger brother. That’s because he didn’t have any sons to succeed him as the Ming Empire’s new emperor.