What is history: it is the echo of the past to the future, the reflection of the future on the past. - Hugo
Emperor Xiaozong of Ming was the third son of Emperor Mingxianzong Zhu Jianshen, it is reasonable to say that the throne could not be inherited by him, the first choice must be the eldest son of the emperor born of Wan Guifei (nameless), but unfortunately the emperor's eldest son died before he was less than 1 year old, and the emperor's second son Zhu Youji also died early, so that the third son of the emperor, Zhu Youji, succeeded him as the crown prince. After Zhu Jianshen's death, Zhu Youfan took the throne as emperor and was known as Emperor Xiaozong of Ming.
Zhu Youfan
Regarding Zhu Youfan's birth experience, there are many versions of the virtual and real, and the more popular saying is that Zhu Youfan's mother Ji Shi was the daughter of the Guangxi Yao rebellion Toastmaster, who was captured by the Ming army and sent to the palace as a slave, and was accidentally touched by Zhu Jianshen and fortunately, and then became pregnant and gave birth to Zhu Youfan. At that time, Wan Guifei dominated the harem, and several times harmed the mother and son of the Ji clan, but they were protected by the kind palace maids and eunuchs. Zhu Youfan was not recognized by his father Zhu Mishen until he was 6 years old, and immediately became the crown prince, but his mother Ji Shi suddenly died violently, and the eunuchs who protected Zhu Youfan also committed suicide, and it was rumored in the palace that their deaths were related to Wan Guifei. Therefore, Empress Zhou took Zhu Youfan to her side for protection, so that Zhu Youfan grew up safely, and later succeeded to the throne as emperor.
The above statement is not recorded in the "Records of Emperor Mingxianzong" compiled by Zhu Youfan when he was in power, but appears in the "Biography of Ming Shi Wan Guifei" and "Biography of Empress Ming Shi Ji" compiled by the Qing beginner Mao Qiling, and is copied from a wild history "Sheng Dynasty Tong Shi Shi I heard these things from an old eunuch! After such investigation, how can this be convincing that the account in the "History of Ming" about Wan Guifei killing Ji Shi and Zhu Youfan actually came from the hearsay of an old eunuch!
Zhu Youfan and Empress Zhang in the film and television drama
Moreover, Zhu Youfan's performance after he ascended the throne also confirmed this point, and he did not pursue the guilt of "killing his mother's enemy" Wan Guifei. Some people may say that this is because he is lenient, but if it is true that Wan Guifei killed his mother, but Zhu Youfan did not avenge his mother, then he is the son of filial piety and is not worthy of being the king of a country, so the conclusion is: Zhu Youfan does not think that Wan Guifei killed his mother. Although this matter is illusory, it is a fact that Wan Guifei monopolizes the harem, and she gives orders and arbitrarily suppresses the people in the palace, and Zhu Youfan's life before he ascended the throne was somewhat depressed and somewhat miserable.
Wan Guifei in the film and television drama
It is precisely because he has lived a hard life and experienced the mentality of the weak, Zhu Youfan is more sympathetic to the people and more concerned about others than the average emperor. As long as there is a disaster in the locality, he will reduce local taxes and give some wheat seeds and cattle seeds to the poor people. He strictly forbade the clan and xunqi to encroach on the people's land, fish and meat the people, and reduced the burden on the people. He vigorously built water conservancy, developed agriculture, and prospered the economy. Moreover, he advocated frugality and vigorously cut the expenses of the palace. These measures have eased social contradictions, promoted economic development, and created a good situation of "Hongzhi Zhongxing".
Zhu Youfan was a diligent emperor, and in addition to the early dynasty, he set up the Noon Dynasty, visiting the dynasty twice a day to discuss state affairs with the civil and military officials, which was in stark contrast to his father Ming Xianzong's perennial absence from the dynasty. He reused good generals, refreshed the rule of officials, severely punished corruption, straightened out his armaments, consolidated border defenses, recaptured Hami three times, repelled the invasion of the little Prince of Tatars three times, and maintained the unity of the country.
Empress Zhang in the film and television drama
Zhu Youfan was a dedicated husband, who only married one Empress Zhang in his lifetime, and had no other concubines or beauties. He and Empress Zhang were harmonious and loving, respected each other as guests, and lived a conjugal life like ordinary people, which was probably unique among feudal emperors! Because in the feudal society, men with a little power, status, and wealth, it is common for them to have three wives and four concubines in the family, not to mention the emperor of the Nine-Five-Year-Old, like Tang Xuanzong, Emperor Wu of Jin, emperor Huizong of Song, these lustful kings, harem beauties have thousands or even tens of thousands. Even a poor emperor, with ten eight concubines, was normal. For example, an emperor like Zhu Youfan, who "only needs one you in your life", it is estimated that it is difficult to find out.
Portraits of Zhu Youfan and Empress Zhang
According to the American Dental Museum and the Society of Dental Medicine, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China, Zhu Youfan, invented the world's first toothbrush in 1498 by inserting a short, hard bristle into a bone handlebar. In 2004, the Book of Inventions published in the United Kingdom listed 300 great inventions of mankind and identified Zhu Youfan as the inventor of the toothbrush. Zhu Youfan inadvertently became an inventor in history.