What is history: it is the echo of the past to the future, the reflection of the future on the past. - Hugo
During the Ming Dynasty, the most famous are Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, Zhu Yuanzhang opened the last feudal dynasty of the Han people, ending the Century-long devastation of the Mongols on the Central Plains, Zhu Di through means to consolidate his position, and made great contributions to foreign development, whether it is to send troops to the Northern Expedition, or to send the entire Western Ocean, all reflect Zhu Di's ability to go abroad. But the emperor we want to introduce to you today, in the opinion of the editor, can be said to be the most capable emperor in ancient history, he is much more powerful than Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, this person is the Jiajing Emperor Ming Shizong Zhu Houxi. Zhu Houxi originally had no chance to become emperor, but by chance, he was forced to become emperor by Yang Ting and the empress, and he was only sixteen years old that year.
Because Zhu Houxi was a young emperor, he would let Yang Tinghe be treated as a puppet, so the wise Zhu Houxi began to challenge Yang Tinghe not long after he ascended the throne, hoping to take back the emperor's rights, and finally spent 3 years to force Yang Tinghe to return home for the elderly, Zhu Houxi also took back all his rights, which shows that Zhu Houxi is not as incompetent as historically said, and his experience in political struggle is still very sufficient. Even if Kangxi used bloody violence to achieve his goal when he was fighting against Aobai, Zhu Houxi only used his father's reputation to overthrow Yang Tinghe without bloodshed, and such a gentle way must have been wiser.
After Zhu Houxi took power, he appointed many famous and capable ministers, such as Yan Song, Zhang Juzheng, Yu Daxuan, etc., relying on these courtiers, the Ming Dynasty not only grew in national strength, but also achieved great achievements in military affairs, such as the Leveling of Wukou. In the confrontation with the Mongols, he also achieved certain achievements, realizing the political ambitions of resisting foreign invasion and repairing border walls; resisting the Wokou and An Haijiang. It is worth noting that in history, Zhu Houxi's style evaluation is not good, because he is not a blindly diligent emperor, so when compiling famous scholars in later generations, he deliberately magnified his laziness, in fact, this is just his strategy and way of being an emperor, but Zhu Houxi is worth learning in terms of knowing people and employing people.
Zhang Juzheng appointed by Zhu Houxi can be said to be the most famous minister in China's ancient history, and if there were no Zhu Houxi's acquaintances and good use, Zhang Juzheng would not have such a reputation in history. Then there is Yan Song, one of the ministers who can do things. However, Zhu Houxi brought Yan Song to justice when he needed it, and it is worth noting that when Yan Song was brought to justice, it was precisely when his power was tilted to the opposition that he was taken down by Zhu Houxi...
Zhu Houxi was the most capable emperor of the Ming Dynasty, more powerful than Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di.