Preface
In the history of the Ming Dynasty, the name Zhu Qizhen is often mentioned, and his reign is full of legends, but also absurdities and contradictions. Under his rule, a series of far-reaching events occurred in the Ming Dynasty, the most notable of which was the tragedy of the total annihilation of 500,000 Ming troops.
However, despite the catastrophe that completely destroyed his military prestige, Zhu Qizhen reascended the throne and regained control of the Ming Dynasty. How did such a miraculous restoration come about? Why was his reign so controversial?
A person can ascend the throne twice and become emperor, such an experience is probably rare in the long history of China. Let's explore the legendary life of Zhu Qizhen, the Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty!
The Zhu family's children are not easy to do
In the cognition of ordinary people, a person may only have one chance to ascend the throne and become emperor in his life. But for Zhu Qizhen, the sixth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he had two such honors. Such an experience is rare in Chinese history, and we have to have infinite curiosity and reverie about this emperor who has ascended the throne twice.
Zhu Qizhen was born in the third year of Xuande of the Ming Dynasty (1428), and his father was Zhu Zhanji, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty at that time. More than two months after Zhu Qizhen was born, he was canonized as the crown prince by the emperor's father, which shows Xuanzong's love for this son. Less than a year later, Zhu Qizhen also welcomed his half-brother Zhu Qiyu.
The relationship between the two brothers can be described as close, even if they come from different mothers, but it does not affect the relationship between the brothers in the slightest. This is different from the children of other ordinary families, the Zhu brothers were born as children of the emperor's family, and their subsequent fate may be very different from ordinary people.
His father, Zhu Zhanji, was known as the "Good Holy Sun" of the Ming Dynasty at that time, and the "rule of Renxuan" brought during his reign was considered to be the most prosperous period of the Ming Dynasty. Under the influence of their father, the two brothers Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu naturally have a kingly demeanor.
It can be said that for the Zhu brothers, they were destined to carry the burden of the imperial family from birth. Even if the brotherly relationship is harmonious and loving, they still have to face the struggle for the throne and inheritance after all. This also dooms their future fate to be full of dramatic ups and downs.
An imperial boy who ascended the throne at the age of nine
In the tenth year of Xuande (1435), Zhu Zhanji died, and Zhu Qizhen, who was only nine years old, ascended the throne and changed to Yuan orthodoxy. Although he ascended the throne as emperor, due to his young age, political affairs were basically presided over by his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Zhang. At this time, Zhu Qizhen had not yet completely taken over the government, and could only concentrate on study and cultivation with the assistance of his family and ministers.
With the assistance of Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Yang Pu and other ministers, the Empress Dowager Zhang pushed the development of the Ming Dynasty to a new climax. In the 8th year of orthodoxy, Empress Dowager Zhang died, and Zhu Qizhen, who was only 16 years old, began to formally contact the management of the government under the advice of hundreds of civil and military officials.
From the young son of heaven to the young emperor, Zhu Qizhen must grow up rapidly in just a few years and take on the important task of governing the country and securing the people. Compared with his father Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Qizhen ascended the throne at a young age, lacking his father's teachings, and his inner calmness and wisdom were not enough.
However, despite his young age, Zhu Qizhen is full of enthusiasm and eager to make contributions. In the three years of orthodoxy, he launched three Northern Expeditions in a row and achieved good results. In particular, the Third Northern Expedition was presided over by Zhu Qizhen himself. The young and vigorous Zhu Qizhen may have some tendencies to rejoice in his achievements, but on the whole, he is still a proactive and reformed gentleman.
The framing of the favored eunuch Wang Zhen
After Zhu Qizhen gradually mastered the government, a person quietly appeared by his side, and that was Wang Zhen. With his ingenuity, this eunuch quickly won the favor of Zhu Qizhen, quickly promoted, and was promoted to the eunuch of the master of ceremonies and seals in only eight months, and began to interfere in the government of the Ming Dynasty.
Wang Zhen knows how to please Zhu Qizhen on the surface, which leaves a good impression. But in fact, he has already established a good relationship with the "three Yangs" (Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Yang Pu) in the court, and his ambitions are quietly taking root.
Zhu Qizhen's affection for Wang Zhen far exceeds that of others, so much so that when Wang Zhen was about to be executed by the Empress Dowager on the charge of "eunuchs harming people and countries", Zhu Qizhen did not hesitate to take the risk to intercede, which is enough to see his special preference for Wang Zhen.
Since then, Wang Zhen's status in the court has been like the sky, which can be described as "under one person, above ten thousand". The other ministers could only stay away, helpless. Under such circumstances, Wang Zhen naturally became more unscrupulous, began to instigate Zhu Qizhen to make a big move, and took the opportunity to interfere in national affairs.
The tragedy of the "Tumubao Change".
At the instigation of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen decided to personally conquer Warat in the fourteenth year of orthodoxy. Even though all the civil and military officials tried to persuade them to oppose it, at the instigation of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen still insisted on going out.
Before leaving, Zhu Qizhen appointed his half-brother Zhu Qiyu to stay in the capital, and he led an army of 500,000 to the battle. But unfortunately, during the march, Zhu Qizhen's decision-making became more and more irrational.
After passing through Juyong Pass, the ministers repeatedly suggested that Zhu Qizhen be stationed temporarily to prevent Warat from taking advantage of the situation. However, at the instigation of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen still did not listen to dissuasion, and it was not until he arrived in Datong that he decided to withdraw to Beijing under the cover of heavy rain.
Finally, when Zhu Qizhen and his party arrived at Tumu Fort, the Warat army launched a fierce attack. Due to the long journey, the Ming army was already exhausted, and Wang Zhen's useless decisions led to the annihilation of the 500,000-strong army. Zhu Qizhen himself was also captured, and this tragic "Tumubao Change" cast a dark cloud on the Ming Dynasty.
Ascend the throne and lose the throne
After Zhu Qizhen was captured, everyone in the capital was shocked. The ministers discussed one after another, and finally suggested that Zhu Qiyu succeed him as emperor, so as not to leave the country ownerless. But Zhu Qiyu was unwilling to accept it, and finally agreed to ascend the throne under the urging of ministers such as Qian and Wang Wen.
After Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne, he immediately issued an edict ordering the border guards not to believe the lie that Warat took Zhu Qizhen as a hostage to ask for money. Zhu Qiyu's move is enough to see his loyalty. With the help of Yu Qian and others, he finally defended the capital and defeated the attacks of Warat several times.
In the first year of Jingtai, Zhu Qizhen, who had been captured for a year, was finally released and was able to return to Beijing. However, Zhu Qiyu, who held great power, did not want to let go, but put Zhu Qizhen under house arrest in Nangong and took various measures to prevent him.
Seven years of house arrest made Zhu Qizhen suffer. Zhu Qiyu was afraid that he would rebel, so he even had the surrounding trees cut down in order to better monitor Zhu Qizhen's every move.
Ascend to the throne again in the twilight of life
Just when Zhu Qiyu's throne was becoming more and more stable, he suddenly fell seriously ill. This means that the crown prince is once again vacant. At this time, Wuqing Marquis Shiheng and others joined forces to plan the restoration of Zhu Qizhen.
On the eve of the ministers preparing to discuss the issue of the crown prince in the early dynasty, they made a decisive move, led more than 1,000 people to control Chang'an Gate and Donghua Gate, forcibly opened the gate of Nangong, which was bound by heavy chains, and respectfully asked Zhu Qizhen to return to the throne.
In this way, after a lapse of eight years, Zhu Qizhen once again boarded the dragon chair and became the ruler of the Ming Dynasty. This restoration is known in history as the "change of seizing the door".
After regaining power, Zhu Qizhen immediately ordered the arrest of Yu Qian, Wang Wen and others who had participated in the seizure of power, and executed them for treason. This may seem harsh, but it also shows that he is quite clear and firm about his power.
After these twists and turns, Zhu Qizhen finally changed his Yuan Tianshun on the 21st day of the first month of the eighth year of Jingtai, opening a new era of his second reign. After that, although he ascended the throne in some later years, he was still diligent in government and loved the people, bringing a period of peace and prosperity to the Ming Dynasty.
On the first day of the second month of the eighth year of Jingtai, Zhu Qizhen finally deposed his half-brother Zhu Qiyu and established his position. This also means that from then on, there was only one legitimate emperor in the Ming Dynasty - Zhu Qizhen.
A legendary life in 22 years
Zhu Qizhen reigned for a total of 22 years, during which he experienced the whole process from his ascension to the throne at a young age, to his capture, and finally to his restoration. This extremely tortuous life encounter also made him a rare legendary figure in the history of the Ming Dynasty.
Although Zhu Qizhen has some tendencies in some aspects to be eager for quick success and quick success, on the whole, he is still a diligent and loving gentleman. During his reign, the economic strength of the Ming Dynasty continued to develop, the society was stable, and the government and the opposition were clear, which can be described as the country and the people.
The assistance of old ministers such as "Sanyang" also made great contributions to Zhu Qizhen's governance. It's just a pity that due to the bewitchment of the eunuch Wang Zhen, some of Zhu Qizhen's decisions still have some flaws, which led to the tragic result of the "Tumubao Change".
But even so, before Zhu Qizhen died, he still ordered the abolition of the funeral system of palace concubines since Ming Taizu, which is undoubtedly a good deed.
After ending his second reign, Zhu Qizhen died on the 16th day of the first month of the eighth year of Tianshun at the age of Chinese New Year's Eve. The evaluation of him by the Ming history also reflects the complexity of this Ming monarch who has both glorious deeds and some shortcomings.
epilogue
Destiny is hard to disobey, but the opportunities of life are always confusing. Zhu Qizhen, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, experienced the ups and downs of life from the young son of heaven to the restoration in his twilight years, and finally achieved a legend.
Although he had his own shortcomings and shortcomings, he also brought 22 years of health and prosperity to the Ming Dynasty. Although he suffered some setbacks in his last years, his wise decision before his death made us admire this Ming Jun even more.
A person's life is often like a moving historical script. Zhu Qizhen's life experience has also left us with too many questions worth thinking about and exploring. What can you read from this?