Zhengtong Emperor
Encyclopedia
Zhu Qizhen was an emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...

 of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...

. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor (正統 tʂɤ̂ŋtʰʊ̀ŋ) from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor (天順) from 1457 to 1464.
His first era name means "Right governance" and the second one means "Obedient to Heaven".

First reign

Zhu Qizhen was the son of the Xuande Emperor
Xuande Emperor
The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:...

 Zhu Zhanji and his second wife, Empress Sun. At the beginning of Zhengtong's reign, the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...

 was prosperous and at the height of its power as a result of Xuande Emperor's able administration. Zhengtong's accession at the age of eight made him the first child emperor of the dynasty hence Zhengtong was easily influenced by others, especially the eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...

 Wang Zhen
Wang Zhen (eunuch)
Wáng Zhèn was the first Ming Dynasty eunuch with power in the court. The Zhihua Si Temple in Beijing was built in 1443 at his order.He was killed during the Tumu Crisis , a disastrous campaign against the Oirat Mongols for which he was responsible.- External links :*...

. Zhengtong completely relied on Wang for advice and guidance.

Imprisonment by the Mongols

At the age of 22, in 1449, he was imprisoned by the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...

 when, advised by Wang Zhen, he personally directed and lost the Battle of Tumu Fortress
Tumu Crisis
The Tumu Crisis ; also called the Crisis of Tumubao or Battle of Tumu Fortress , was a frontier conflict between the Oirat Mongols and the Chinese Ming Dynasty which led to the capture of the Zhengtong Emperor on September 1, 1449 and the loss of an army of 500,000 men to a much smaller force....

 against the Mongols under Esen taishi (d.1455). His capture by the enemy force shook the Ming dynasty to its core and the ensuing crisis almost caused the dynasty to collapse had it not been for the capable governing of a prominent minister named Yu Qian
Yu Qian
Yu Qian , a native of Qiantang , was a Chinese Defence Minister during the Ming dynasty.- Biography :...

. Although Zhengtong was a prisoner of the Mongols, he became a good friend to both Tayisung Khan Toghtoa Bukha (1416–1453) and his grand preceptor (taishi
Mongolian nobility
The Mongolian nobility arose in the 10-12th centuries, became prominent in the 13th century, and essentially governed Mongolia until the early 20th century....

) Esen. Meanwhile, to calm the crisis at home, his younger brother Zhu Qiyu was installed as the Jingtai Emperor
Jingtai Emperor
The Jingtai Emperor was Emperor of China from 1449 to 1457. The second son of the Xuande Emperor, he was selected in 1449 to succeed his older brother, the Zhengtong Emperor, when the latter was captured by Mongols following the Tumu Crisis...

. This reduced Zhengtong's imperial status and he was granted the title of "grand emperor".

House arrest and second reign

The Zhengtong Emperor was released one year later in 1450 but when he returned to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

, he was immediately put under house arrest by his brother for almost seven years. He resided in the southern palace of the Forbidden city
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum...

 and all outside contacts were severely curtailed by the Jingtai Emperor. Zhengtong's son (later Chenghua Emperor
Chenghua Emperor
The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...

) 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
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....

 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 named his second reign Tianshun ("heavenly obedience") and went on to rule for another seven years.

On 6 August 1461, the Tianshun Emperor issued an edict warning his subjects to be loyal to the throne and not to violate the laws. This was a veiled threat aimed at the general Cao Qin
Rebellion of Cao Qin
The Rebellion of Cao Qin was a day-long uprising in the Ming Dynasty capital of Beijing on August 7, 1461, staged by Chinese general Cao Qin and his Ming troops of Mongol and Han descent against the Tianshun Emperor...

 (d. 1461), who had become embroiled in a controversy when he had one of his retainers killed a man whom Ming authorities were attempting to interrogate (to find out about Cao's illegal foreign business transactions). On 7 August 1461, General Cao Qin and his cohorts of Mongol descent attempted a coup against the Tianshun Emperor. However, during the first hours of the morning of 7 August, prominent Ming Mongol generals, Wu Jin and Wu Cong, were alerted of the coup and immediately relayed a warning to the emperor. Although alarmed, the emperor and his court made preparations for a conflict and barred the gates of the palace. During the ensuing onslaught in the capital later that morning, the Minister of Works and the Commander of the Imperial Guard were killed, while the rebels set the gates of the Forbidden City
Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing, China, and now houses the Palace Museum...

 on fire. The eastern and western gates of the imperial city were only saved when pouring rains came and extinguished the fires. The fight lasted for nearly the entire day within the city; during which three of Cao Qin's brothers were killed, and Qin himself received wounds to both arms. With the failure of the coup, in order to escape being executed, Qin fled to his residence and committed suicide by jumping down a well within the walled compound of his home.

The Tianshun Emperor died at the age of 37 in 1464 and was buried in the Yuling (裕陵) tomb of the Ming Dynasty Tombs
Ming Dynasty Tombs
The Ming Dynasty Tombs are located some 51.35 kilometers due north of central Beijing, within the suburban Changping District of Beijing municipality...

.

Consorts

  • Empress Xiao Zhuang Rui
    Empress Xiao Zhuang Rui
    Empress Xiao Zhuang Rui was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Zhengtong Emperor.- Sources :...

     (孝莊睿皇后), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Qian (錢) (died 1468), married the Zhengtong Emperor in 1442, lost her position as empress when her husband was stripped of the position of emperor in 1449, reinstated as empress in 1457, created Empress Dowager Ciyi (慈懿皇太后) during the reign of her stepson
    Chenghua Emperor
    The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...

  • Empress Xiao Su (孝肅皇后), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Zhou (周) (died 1504), daughter of Zhou Neng (周能), held the rank of Noble Consort (貴妃), created Empress Dowager Sheng Ci Ren Shou (聖慈仁壽皇太后) in 1487, created Grand Empress Dowager (太皇太后) during the reign of her grandson
    Hongzhi Emperor
    The Hongzhi Emperor was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youcheng , he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi...

    , never held the title of empress in life but was posthumously honored as an empress, mother of Princess Chongqing and the Chenghua Emperor
    Chenghua Emperor
    The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...

  • Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen (靖莊安穆宸妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wan (萬)
  • Consort Duan Jing An He Hui (端靖安和惠妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wang (王)
  • Consort Zhuang Jing An Rong Shu (莊靜安榮淑妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Gao (高)
  • Consort Gong Duan Zhuang Hui De (恭端莊惠德妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wei (韋)
  • Consort Gong He An Jing Shun (恭和安靜順妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Fan (樊) (1414 - 1470), entered the imperial court in 1427, created a concubine of the Zhengtong Emperor in 1457
  • Consort Zhuang Xi Duan Su An (莊僖端肅安妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Yang (楊)
  • Consort Zhao Su Jing Duan Xian (昭肅靖端賢妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wang (王)
  • Consort Zhen Shun Yi Gong Jing (貞順懿恭敬妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Liu (劉)
  • Consort An He Rong Jing Li (安和榮靖麗妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Liu (劉)
  • Consort Duan Zhuang Zhao (端莊昭妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wu (武)
  • Consort Gong An He (恭安和妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Gong (宮)
  • Consort Zhao Jing Gong (昭靜恭妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Liu (劉)
  • Consort Zhao Shun Li (昭順麗妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Zhang (張)
  • Consort Zhao Yi Xian (昭懿賢妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Li (李)
  • Consort Gong Jing Zhuang (恭靖莊妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Zhao (趙)
  • Consort Gong Xi Cheng (恭僖成妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Zhang (張)
  • Consort Gong Hui He (恭惠和妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Liang (梁)
  • Consort Xi Ke Chong (僖恪充妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Yu (余)
  • Consort Hui He Li (惠和麗妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Chen (陳)
  • Consort Rong Jing Zhen (榮靖貞妃), family name
    Chinese surname
    Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing...

     Wang (王)

Sons

Number Name Formal Title Born Died Mother Spouse Issue Notes
1 Zhu Jianshen
朱見深
The Chenghua Emperor
Chenghua Emperor
The Chenghua Emperor was Emperor of the Ming dynasty in China, between 1464 and 1487. His era name means "Accomplished change".-Childhood:Born Zhu Jianshen, he was the Zhengtong Emperor's son. He was only 2 years old when his father, the Zhengtong emperor, was captured by the Oirat Mongols and...

 
9 December 1447 9 September 1487 Empress Xiao Su  Empress Wu
Empress Wu (Chenghua)
Empress Wu was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Chenghua Emperor.- Sources :...


Empress Xiao Zhen Chun
Empress Xiao Zhen Chun
Empress Xiao Zhen Chun was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Chenghua Emperor.- Sources :...


Empress Xiao Mu
Empress Xiao Mu
Empress Xiaomucheng was the first consort of the Daoguang Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.-Biography:Empress Xiaomucheng was of the Manchu Niuhuru clan, which was under the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Eight Banners. Her personal name is unknown. Lady Niuhuru's father was Buyandalai , a Duke of the...


Empress Xiao Hui
Empress Xiao Hui
Empress Xiaohuizhang was the second Empress Consort of the Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.-Biography:...


14 concubines
unnamed son
Zhu Youji, Crown Prince Daogong
Zhu Youcheng, Hongzhi Emperor
Hongzhi Emperor
The Hongzhi Emperor was emperor of the Ming dynasty in China between 1487 and 1505. Born Zhu Youcheng , he was the son of the Chenghua Emperor and his reign as emperor of China is called the Hongzhi...


Zhu Youyuan, Prince Xian of Xing
Zhu Youlun, Prince Hui of Qi
Zhu Youbin, Prince Duan of Yi
Zhu Youhui, Prince Gong of Heng
Zhu Youyun, Prince Jing of Yong
Zhu Youqi, Prince Ding of Shou
unnamed son
Zhu Youheng, Prince An of Ru
Zhu Youshun, Prince Jian of Jing
Zhu Youshu, Prince Zhuang of Rong
Zhu Youkai, Prince Yi of Shen
Princess Renhe
Princess Yongkang
Princess Deqing
unnamed daughter
Princess Changtai
Princess Xianyou
2 Zhu Jianlin
朱見潾
Prince Zhuang of De
德莊王
7 May 1448 7 September 1517 Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen Zhu Yourong, Prince Yi of De Initially created Prince of Rong (榮王) on 21 May 1452;
Title changed to Prince of De (德王) on 30 March 1457
3 Zhu Jianshi
朱見湜
2 August 1449 30 August 1451 Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen none none
4 Zhu Jianchun
朱見淳
Prince Dao of Xu
許悼王
3 April 1450 3 January 1453 Consort Duan Jing An He Hui none none Created Prince of Xu on 20 May 1452
5 Zhu Jianshu
朱見澍
Prince Huai of Xiu
秀懷王
12 March 1452 13 October 1472 Consort Zhuang Jing An Rong Shu Lady Wang (王氏)
(daughter of Wang Yu (王昱))
none Created Prince of Xiu (秀王) on 30 March 1457
6 Zhu Jianze
朱見澤
Prince Jian of Chong
崇簡王
2 May 1455 27 August 1505 Empress Xiao Su  Zhu Youmi, Prince Jing of Chong Created Prince of Chong (崇王) in 1457
7 Zhu Jianjun
朱見浚
Prince Jian of Ji
吉簡王
11 July 1456 16 August 1527 Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen Zhu Youfu, Prince Dao of Ji Created Prince of Ji (吉王) on 30 March 1466
8 Zhu Jianzhi
朱見治
Prince Mu of Xin
忻穆王
18 March 1458 2 April 1472 Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen none none Created Prince of Xin (忻王) on 21 September 1466
9 Zhu Jianpei
朱見沛
Prince Zhuang of Hui
徽莊王
2 March 1462 13 June 1505 Consort Gong Duan Zhuang Hui De none Zhu Youtai, Prince Jian of Hui Created Prince of Hui (徽王) in 1466

Daughters

Number Title Born Died Date Married Spouse Issue Mother Notes
1 Princess Chongqing
重慶公主
1446 1499 1461 Zhou Jing
周景
Zhou Xian
周賢
Empress Xiao Su
2 Princess Jiashan
嘉善公主
1499 1466 Wang Zeng
王增
Consort Duan Jing An He Hui
3 Princess Chun'an
淳安公主
1466 Cai Zhen
蔡震
Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen
4 Princess Chongde
崇德公主
1489 Yang Wei
楊偉
Consort Zhuang Xi Duan Su An
5 Princess Guangde
廣德公主
1484 1472 Fan Kai
樊凱
Consort Jing Zhuang An Mu Chen Personal name Zhu Yanxiang (朱延祥)
6 Princess Yixing
宜興公主
1514 1473 Ma Cheng
馬誠
Consort Gong Duan Zhuang Hui De
7 Princess Longqing
隆慶公主
1455 1479 1473 You Tai
遊泰
Consort Zhuang Jing An Rong Shu
8 Princess Jiaxiang
嘉祥公主
1483 1477 Huang Yong
黃鏞
9 unnamed none none none Consort Gong Duan Zhuang Hui De Died young
10 unnamed none none none Consort Gong He An Jing Shun Died young
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