In Chinese history, two emperors, Zhao Ji of Song Huizong and Zhu Qizhen of Ming Yingzong, both suffered the fate of being captured by enemy countries, but their endings were very different. Song Huizong never returned to his homeland during his lifetime, while Ming Yingzong miraculously returned to the Ming Dynasty after being captured and regained the throne. Behind this difference lie complex political, military, social and personal factors.
The tragedy of Song Huizong
Zhao Ji of Song Huizong was captured by the Jin State during the Jingkang Revolution, which marked the fall of the Northern Song Dynasty. The Jin State adopted a strategy of complete conquest of the Song Dynasty, intending to completely destroy the ruling base of the Song Dynasty and then control the Central Plains. As a result, the two emperors, Huizong and Qinzong, were regarded by the Jin as trophies and political bargaining chips to weaken the Song people's will to resist. The predatory occupation of the Northern Song Dynasty by the Jin State and the harsh treatment of the imperial family made Huizong's return to China very unlikely. In addition, after the Song Dynasty moved south, in order to consolidate its own legitimacy, the Southern Song Dynasty regime adopted an evasive attitude towards the former emperors who were captured and went north, and was unwilling and did not dare to actively rescue them. Huizong eventually died in a foreign land, and his tragedy was a direct reflection of the Song Dynasty's internal and external difficulties and declining national power.
The return of Ming Yingzong
In contrast, after Ming Yingzong Zhu Qizhen was captured by Wara in the Tumubao Rebellion, his fate took a turn for the better. First of all, the relationship between Warat and the Ming Dynasty differed from that between the Jin and Song dynasties. Although Warat was powerful, it did not form a solid empire like the Jin state, and for the Ming dynasty, it was more hoped to gain wealth and political advantage through war. After Ming Yingzong was captured, the Ming Dynasty quickly adjusted its strategy and supported his younger brother Zhu Qiyu to ascend the throne, which was for the Ming Dynasty to stabilize the political situation, and at the same time, the main battle faction represented by Yu Qian led the defense of Beijing to successfully repel Wara, showing the military strength of the Ming Dynasty and the determination to resist. This series of countermeasures made Wara realize that the value of Ming Yingzong as a hostage was greatly reduced, and his attempt to use him to blackmail the Ming Dynasty failed.
In addition, the Warat chieftain also faced internal pressure from tribal alliances and external military challenges, and the release of Ming Yingzong helped to improve relations with the Ming Dynasty and reduce the threat from the Ming Dynasty, while also helping him consolidate his internal power and realize his "Great Khan Dream". On the Ming side, as the situation eased, out of political and moral considerations, it also hoped to welcome back Ming Yingzong to show the magnanimity of the Celestial Empire and the continuity of imperial power. Eventually, under the impetus of both interests, Ming Yingzong was able to be released and returned to Beijing safely, and although he experienced the twists and turns from Emperor Taishang to his re-enthronement after returning to China, at least he was saved and regained his freedom.
The very different fates of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty and Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty reflect the different international patterns of the two periods, the contrast of national strength, and the coping strategies of their respective imperial courts. The misfortune of Song Huizong is an interweaving of the tragedy of the times and the tragedy of the individual; And Ming Yingzong's lucky return is the result of the combined effect of multi-party games and timely opportunities.