Emperor Xiaozong of Ming, also known as Zhu Youfan, was the ninth emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
When he was young, due to the persecution of Wan Guifei, he had to hide in tibet in the middle of the palace and grow up eating "hundred family meals". In the end, because of the protection of Empress Zhou, she grew up safely.
In 1487, Wan Guifei died of illness, and Xianzong died with him. Zhu Youfan succeeded to the throne. The following year, he changed his era name to "Hongzhi" and called Hime-jin (明孝宗). However, what his father left to Zhu Youfan was a chaotic government and a withered national strength.
Although Emperor Xiaozong had always been frail and sickly, he was diligent in government affairs, not only arriving at the early dynasty, but also opening the noon dynasty, so that the chancellor had more opportunities to report and handle various government affairs. At the same time, he reopened the feast to preach, personally consulted the way of governing the country, and also opened the Wenhua Hall to discuss politics. (The early and afternoon dynasties will spend the rest of the time to discuss state affairs with the cabinet)
Zhu Youfan's enlightened and pro-government, loyal ministers dared to speak out and advise, he was not only generous and benevolent, but also thrifty, but also diligent in government affairs and attached importance to justice. Finally, during the "Hongzhi" period, the officials ruled clearly, and the emperor was a meritocracy, suppressing officials and eunuchs, advocating thrift, and caring for the people. In the history of the Ming Dynasty, "Hongzhi Zhongxing" came from this, social and economic prosperity, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.
Due to the ups and downs of Emperor Ming's childhood, his physical condition deteriorated. Later, he hoped to change his physical condition, which gave the eunuch Yu Chen an opportunity to cause trouble to the imperial program. Li Guang, who had been a eunuch, was one of them (because he could use spells and prayers to seduce Emperor Xiaozong, he used this to do his treacherous deeds, and granted himself as a missionary official under the pretext of an edict. There was a scramble to hand over bribes to him. They also arbitrarily occupied people's land, monopolized salt roads, and built mansions with huge funds. The Imperial Minister and other ministers continued to play impeachment, but Emperor Xiaozong ignored them. Later Emperor Xiaozong believed that there was a heavenly book hidden in his home, and sent people to search for it, but found countless stolen goods, and most of the bribes of the civil and military officials were here.
After that, Emperor Xiaozong began to repent, and began to vigorously reorganize the imperial program, exert great efforts to govern, re-govern eunuchs, and reuse loyal subjects, thus rejuvenating the second spring of his life. But the intensity of government affairs also dragged down his body.
In the eighteenth year of Hongzhi, Zhu Youfan died in the Qianqing Palace at the age of 36. On his deathbed, he summoned Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, Xie Qian, and other ministers to the Qianqing Palace to be appointed, passed on the throne to Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao, and told Zhu Qing that the crown prince was young and must be fully assisted. The last instruction to the prince was to "appoint a virtuous courtier." After his death, he was buried in Tailing, with the title of "Jiantian Ming Daocheng Pure Zhongzheng Shengwen Shen wu zhi ren dade jing emperor".
Emperor Xiaozong reigned for 18 years, levied taxes at home, built water conservancy, called for frugality, revitalized military affairs externally, subdued Hami three times, loved military generals, and actively resisted the enemy. Emperor Xiaozong himself was of excellent moral character, generous and benevolent, advocated monogamy (his imperial tomb only buried him and his beloved Empress Zhang, which was unique in previous dynasties), diligent administration, respect for ministers, and consideration for the people, although not famous, but his people really enjoyed well-being.