The reason why the Ming Dynasty was able to exist on the stage of history for 276 years is inseparable from the fact that he had many outstanding rulers. From the founding of the Ming Dynasty to its demise, a total of sixteen emperors were inherited. Among them, several virtuous monarchs in the early Ming Dynasty played a crucial role in the development of the Ming Dynasty.
Zhu Gaozi was one of the wise monarchs of the early Ming Dynasty. As the fourth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, although Zhu Gaozi died young less than a year after he ascended the throne, his role in the development of the Ming Dynasty should not be underestimated. It is no exaggeration to describe the scene of his reign as short but brilliant.
Zhu Gaozi's father, Ming Chengzu Zhu Di, was an emperor who liked to recruit soldiers personally, so Zhu Gaozi was made crown prince at an early age and entrusted with the important task of supervising the country. This also laid a good foundation for Zhu Gaozi's short but brilliant reign. But what exactly did Zhu Gaozi do to benefit the country and the people, so that the emperor, who had only ascended the throne for less than a year, was praised by posterity?
In the second year of the Supervision of the State Exhibition, Zhu Di made Zhu Gaozhi the Crown Prince among his many outstanding princes. In his early years, Zhu Gaozi was appreciated by Emperor Taizu for his generous and benevolent character, and praised him for having the "knowledge of kings". Later, Cheng zu rebelled against Jing, and Zhu Gaozi was arranged to stay in Beiping. His style of being a pioneer during the defense of the city was recognized by the people and also gained the trust of Chengzu.
After Ming Chengzu ascended the throne, he often personally led expeditions. As the crown prince, Zhu Gaozi fulfilled his duties in the court. During the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhu Gaozi attached great importance to the people's livelihood. When a flood broke out in the Fengyang area of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaozi immediately arranged for personnel to go to the disaster area to check the disaster situation. And timely exemption from taxes, funding for the people to tide over the difficulties. Therefore, it is deeply loved by the people in the disaster area.
Zhu Gaozi's benevolence and generosity were not only loved by the people, but also supported by many virtuous and loyal subjects. It should be known that Ming Chengzu was an emperor who emphasized martial arts and light literature during his reign, but Zhu Gaozi was the opposite of his father and was very important to talented and moral officials. During his period of supervision, Zhu Gaozi was always able to pool his wisdom, courtesy corporal, and humbly ask for advice. Therefore, he was deeply loved by the civil servants.
After twenty years as crown prince, Zhu Gaozi finally ascended to the throne in a year of confusion and became the fourth monarch of the Ming Dynasty. After he ascended the throne, he reorganized the cabinet internally and established a regular civilian ruling system. At the same time, some unjust, false and wrongly decided cases during the Yongle years were retried, and some officials who were exiled for consecutive reasons were restored, which greatly alleviated the contradictions within the ruling clique.
At the same time, Zhu Gaozi also slashed redundant officials from state institutions. Officials who are dispensable are dismissed, derelict officials are demoted, and officials who have made outstanding contributions are promoted and entrusted with heavy responsibilities. At the same time, the royal procurement of jewelry was abolished. It has played a crucial role in stabilizing internal political power, improving the efficiency of officials' work, and eliminating corruption.
Zhu Gaozi's contributions to the people's livelihood are also quite numerous. Following The example of Emperor Taizong of Tang, he took the throne and reduced taxes. It is also a free relief to the disaster-stricken areas, and some mountains and zeals are opened to the people for fishing and hunting. Proper resettlement of displaced persons fleeing the famine has given them a good rest and recuperation. These practices provide strong support for the stable development of the country.
His series of internal measures, from the reorganization of the cabinet, the removal of redundant officials, the leniency of sentences and prisons, to the relocation of people's fields and the reduction of supply and endowment, have all completely changed the state institutions and enabled the people to live a prosperous life. A stable internal environmental system has created a good internal development that has enabled the country's economy to develop by leaps and bounds and enhanced the country's strength as never before.
Zhu Gaozi also has his own unique views on foreign policy. First, Zhu Gaozi canceled Zheng He's scheduled plan for a long voyage at sea. This would save a large amount of money to develop the national economy. Second, attach importance to northern border defense. Actively adjust the border defense policy in the north and increase the number of commanders in command. It has made great contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty.
Although Zhu Gaozi increased his military strength to control the border passes, he also followed many strategies conducive to the development of the border economy. Among them, Zhu Gaozi abandoned the strategy of actively attacking Mongolia and strengthened trade with Mongolia. The trade policy of tributary markets and mutual exchange of goods and services has also made the northern border, which has been constantly at war for many years, peaceful and prosperous.
He made positive adjustments to the border defense policy in diplomacy and strongly intervened in the border defense military. Increase the number of tributary cities in areas that have been conquered for many years, and treat different external forces in different ways. It created a good external environment for the internal development of the Ming Dynasty.
Under the all-round governance of Zhu Gaozi, the Ming Dynasty became stronger and stronger, and the people gradually settled down. But Zhu Gaozi did not become happy, he began to think of danger in peace. On the surface, although the north seems to be peaceful, the potential foreign invasion still affects the lives of the people. Therefore, Zhu Gaozi secretly had an idea of moving the capital in his heart.
Zhu Dijing later moved the capital of the Ming Dynasty from Nanjing to Beiping, which he was familiar with. He also did this in order to better deter the invading forces in the north. But with the steady development of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaozi, who succeeded to the throne, believed that if the country wanted to be stable, the capital should be set up in a relatively safe place. Therefore, it was planned to move the capital back to Nanjing, the birthplace of the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, Zhu Gaozi took a series of measures to improve the status of Nanjing. First of all, the management of Nanjing was strengthened, and his horses were put in charge of Nanjing's military forces. Second, let Zheng He, the patriarch of the two dynasties, garrison Nanjing. Subsequently, a number of officials were established for the agencies. After the implementation of these measures, the preparations for the relocation of the capital have been basically completed.
After this series of preparations is completed, it seems to indicate that the plan to move the capital will soon be realized. However, at this most critical moment, Zhu Gaozi suddenly passed away. There are different accounts of his death, but no matter what caused his death, in the end there was no successful result or it was fixed
The reason why Zhu Gaozi was able to introduce many management methods immediately after he ascended the throne was not only due to his own hard work and diligence, but also to his status as a monarch for more than twenty years. It was when he was the crown prince that he constantly observed the people's feelings, observed the government, and reflected on the rule of officials. Only after he ascended the throne was able to reform the state organs from all aspects, thus promoting the development of the country.
Zhu Gaozi's ascension to the throne to his death was less than a year. Although his ruling career was very short, his innovative thinking and the benevolent character of Dun Hou made the Ming Dynasty develop greatly. This history was also known as the beginning of the "reign of Renxuan" in later generations. It can be seen how much his reign played a great role in the development of the Ming Dynasty.