The fourth emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi, a figure who has been ignored by history for a long time, drew a perfect end to the prosperity of Yongle in just ten months of rule. As Zhu Di's eldest son, Zhu Gaochi was not loved by his father because of his obesity and limited mobility since he was a child. However, it was this seemingly mediocre crown prince who showed amazing political wisdom after inheriting the throne.
What kind of situation is Zhu Gaochi facing? How does he find a balance between the glory and the hidden dangers left by his father? Why did his short reign receive such high praise from later generations? In the afterglow of Yongle's prosperity, what key decisions did Zhu Gaochi make to save this seemingly glorious empire from rapid collapse?
1. Zhu Gaochi's difficult growth and political experience
Zhu Gaochi's life is destined to be different from birth. As Zhu Di's eldest son, he should have received the most favor and attention, but the opposite happened. In the fourth year of Yongle (1406), Zhu Gaochi, who was only 28 years old, was made the crown prince. It was supposed to be a moment to celebrate, but it became a turning point in his life and the beginning of a difficult journey.
Zhu Gaochi's childhood was not happy. He was born obese and had limited mobility, which contrasted sharply with the image of his father, Zhu Di, as a heroic and strong man. Zhu Di has expressed his disappointment with his eldest son many times, and even said in front of the courtiers, "Reluctantly, the son of the world is sick", which undoubtedly caused a huge psychological shadow to the young Zhu Gaochi.
However, fate played a joke on Zhu Gaochi. It was this son who was disliked by his father, but because of his status as the eldest son and benevolent character, he won the general support of the Chinese courtiers. This support became an important foundation for Zhu Gaochi to sit firmly on the throne of the crown prince in the future.
Zhu Gaochi's crown prince period was full of crises and challenges. Zhu Di has repeatedly shown his intention to depose Zhu Gaochi, especially after his second son Zhu Gaochu repeatedly made military exploits. Zhu Gaoxu's personality is similar to Zhu Di, brave and good at fighting, and he is deeply loved by his father. In this case, Zhu Gaochi's position as the crown prince is in jeopardy.
In the face of this situation, Zhu Gaochi showed extraordinary political wisdom. He was cautious in his words and deeds, and tried to play the role of a deferential prince. At the same time, he was also good at making friends with Chinese courtiers of the DPRK, such as Xie Jin, Yang Pu, Huang Huai and others, who became his solid political backing. It was with the support of these ministers that Zhu Gaochi resolved the crisis of being deposed again and again.
Zhu Gaochi's political experience began during the period when Zhu Di launched the "Battle of Jingjing". At that time, Zhu Gaochi was left behind in Beiping (now Beijing) and was in charge of rear affairs. In the process, he not only had to deal with day-to-day government affairs, but also organized the defense of the army. According to records, Zhu Gaochi once led more than 10,000 soldiers and successfully resisted the siege of 500,000 "Southern Army", showing great military talent.
After Zhu Di ascended the throne, Zhu Gaochi began a decades-long career as a superintendent. Whenever Zhu Di went out to fight or inspect, Zhu Gaochi acted as the government agent. This experience has given him a wealth of administrative experience and a deeper understanding of national affairs. In particular, in dealing with the logistical support of Zhu Di's large-scale use of foreign troops, Zhu Gaochi showed outstanding organizational ability.
However, this period also allowed Zhu Gaochi to see the hidden dangers behind the prosperity of Yongle. He gradually realized that although Zhu Di's strong ruling style brought short-term prosperity, it also buried potential crises. Excessive foreign expansion and large-scale construction have led to serious consumption of national strength; The prevalence of spy politics has seriously undermined the normal political order.
These experiences and understandings laid the foundation for Zhu Gaochi's future rule. He gradually formed a set of governing concepts that were different from his father's, and paid more attention to the long-term stability of the country rather than short-term glory. When he finally ascended to the throne, although only ten months later, he was able to quickly make a series of key decisions that paved the way for the stable development of the Ming Dynasty.
Second, the glory and hidden dangers of Yongle prosperity
The Yongle Prosperous Era, an era praised by later historians, is undoubtedly a glorious chapter in the history of the Ming Dynasty. However, just as there are always two sides to a coin, behind this seemingly glorious era, there are many hidden crises and hidden dangers.
Zhu Di's strong rule was the core feature of Yongle's prosperity. As a monarch who seized the throne by virtue of the "Battle of Jingjing", Zhu Di knew the importance of consolidating power. He took a series of measures to strengthen the centralization of power, the most notable of which was the reuse of eunuchs. Zhu Di vigorously expanded the power of eunuchs and set up Dongchang, making it the eyes and ears of the emperor. Although this move strengthened the imperial power in the short term, it also laid the foundation for the future eunuch dictatorship.
In terms of foreign policy, Zhu Di adopted a proactive and enterprising strategy. He personally conquered Mobei many times to deter Mongolia; sent Zheng He to the West to expand the influence of the Ming Dynasty overseas; Crusade against Annan to demonstrate the prestige of the country. These measures undoubtedly enhanced the international status of the Ming Dynasty, but they also brought huge financial pressures.
Taking Zheng He's voyage to the West as an example, this feat, which is hailed as the most brilliant achievement in the history of ancient Chinese navigation, actually consumed a lot of manpower and material resources. According to records, Zheng He's fleet was huge, requiring tens of thousands of people to participate in each voyage, which cost a lot of money. This large-scale ocean-going expedition, although it increased the international influence of the Ming Dynasty, also put a heavy burden on the state finances.
Another major project of Zhu Di was the relocation of the capital to Beijing. The project lasted for many years and involved a lot of manpower and material resources. According to historical records, the construction of the imperial palace alone involved hundreds of thousands of craftsmen and a huge amount of money. Although the relocation of the capital is of strategic significance, it has also brought great pressure on people's livelihood. A large number of people were recruited to participate in the construction, which affected agricultural production and increased the burden on the people.
In terms of domestic affairs, Zhu Di has taken a series of tough measures. He set up a literary prison and connected the nine ethnic groups, causing panic among the intellectuals. The famous "Three Cases" (the Donglin Party Case, the Attack Case, and the Red Pill Case) took place during this period, resulting in a large number of officials being executed or exiled. Although this high-pressure policy maintained the rule in the short term, it also seriously undermined the enthusiasm of the scholar class and laid a hidden danger for the corruption of officialdom in the future.
At the same time, Zhu Di also implemented a series of policies that emphasized agriculture and suppressed business. He severely restricted merchant activities and tightened his control over handicrafts in an attempt to maintain a traditional agrarian social structure. Although these policies stabilized the social order in the short term, they also inhibited the development of the commodity economy, laying the groundwork for economic stagnation in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
In terms of military affairs, Zhu Di vigorously developed armaments and expanded the army. He set up the Governor's Office of the Five Armies to command the military of the whole country. Although this practice strengthened the military strength of the Ming Dynasty, it also brought huge military expenditures. It is estimated that military spending during the Yongle period accounted for more than half of the state's revenue, and this situation is obviously unsustainable.
In addition, Zhu Di also implemented a series of cultural policies. He organized the compilation of the Yongle Canon and the revision of the Four Books and Five Classics, which promoted cultural development, but also strengthened the control of thought to a certain extent. The orthodoxy of science advocated by Zhu Di has inhibited the diversified development of scholarship to a certain extent.
Behind the glory of Yongle prosperity, there are many hidden dangers. Excessive foreign expansion and large-scale construction have led to serious consumption of national strength; The prevalence of spy politics has undermined the normal political order; The policy of emphasizing agriculture and suppressing business has inhibited the natural development of the economy; The repressive cultural policy restricts the free exchange of ideas. These problems may not have been obvious during Zhu Di's reign, but over time, their negative effects gradually became apparent.
When Zhu Gaochi succeeded to the throne, he was faced with an empire that seemed prosperous but was actually in danger. How to maintain his father's brilliant achievements while resolving these potential crises has become a difficult problem in front of Zhu Gaochi. This was the biggest challenge that Zhu faced during his short reign.
3. Zhu Gaochi's enthronement and political reform
In August of the twenty-second year of Yongle (1424), Zhu Di died on the way to the north. This news was like a bombshell, shaking the entire Ming Dynasty and the opposition. At this critical moment, Zhu Gaochi displayed extraordinary political wisdom and decisive decision-making ability. He immediately sent his henchmen Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong to lead the forbidden army to quickly take over the city of Beijing, ensuring a smooth transition of power.
After Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, the first challenge he faced was how to deal with his father's funeral. According to Zhu Di's last wishes, he should be buried in Zhaoling, Shaanxi. However, this decision sparked a heated debate among the ministers of the DPRK and China. Some ministers believed that the last wishes of the former emperor should be respected; Other ministers believed that the location of the imperial mausoleum in remote Shaanxi was not conducive to national rule.
In the face of this thorny issue, Zhu Gaochi showed superb political skill. Instead of directly vetoing his father's wishes, he took a compromise approach. He ordered the construction of a mausoleum on Tianshou Mountain, near Beijing, and at the same time a mound of clothes was built in Zhaoling, Shaanxi. This decision is an expression of respect for the father and the need for the rule of the country, which can be described as the best of both worlds.
Subsequently, Zhu Gaochi began to deal with the various problems accumulated during the Yongle period. His first concern was people's livelihood. During the Yongle period, the construction and frequent conquests brought a heavy burden to the people. Zhu Gaochi ordered the cessation of all unnecessary construction and the reduction of forced labor, a move that immediately won widespread support from the people.
On the fiscal front, Zhu Gaochi has adopted a series of austerity policies. He drastically reduced court expenses, eliminated redundant personnel, and even personally took care of the daily expenses of the palace. According to the "Records of Akihito Sect", Zhu Gaochi was furious because of the high price of pickles purchased in the palace and demanded a strict investigation of the matter. This diligent and thrifty style is in stark contrast to his father Zhu Di.
Foreign policy is another focus of Zhu Gaochi's reforms. He decisively halted Zheng He's costly voyage to the West and ordered the size of the border army to be reduced. Although these measures reduced the international influence of the Ming Dynasty to a certain extent, they greatly reduced the financial burden on the state.
In terms of domestic affairs, Zhu Gaochi adopted a series of measures to improve the bureaucratic system. He reactivated a group of old ministers who had been excluded during the Yongle period, such as Xia Yuanji, Jin Youzi and others. Most of these old ministers were old ministers of Jianwen, and their reactivation not only enhanced the ruling ability of the imperial court, but also alleviated the political confrontation since the Battle of Jingyan to a certain extent.
At the same time, Zhu Gaochi also set out to rectify the rule of officials. He ordered a strict investigation of corruption and punishment of lawless officials. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty", during Zhu Gaochi's reign, he personally tried many major cases, showing that he attached great importance to fighting corruption and advocating clean government.
In terms of cultural policy, Zhu Gaochi adopted a relatively relaxed attitude. He repealed some of the harsh prohibitions of the Yongle years and encouraged academic freedom. With his support, a group of scholars began to question Cheng Zhu Lixue, laying the foundation for the ideological emancipation movement in the middle of the Ming Dynasty.
However, Zhu's reforms also face many challenges. The biggest resistance came from his two younger brothers, Zhu Gaoxu, King of Han, and Zhu Gaosui, King of Zhao. These two princes tried to seize the crown prince many times during the Yongle period, and after Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne, their ambitions did not diminish either.
In order to prevent a possible rebellion between the two princes, Zhu Gaochi took a series of measures. On the one hand, he strengthened the monitoring of the two princes, and on the other hand, he also gave them a certain amount of reassurance. For example, he allowed the two princes to keep a certain number of private soldiers, but at the same time severely limited their range of activities.
Although these reform measures of Zhu Gaochi may cause some dissatisfaction and controversy in the short term, in the long run, they undoubtedly laid the foundation for the stable development of the Ming Dynasty. His policies not only alleviated the contradictions accumulated during the Yongle years, but also pointed out the direction for subsequent development.
Fourth, Zhu Zhanji's succession and rule
In May of the first year of Hongxi (1425), Zhu Gaochi died, and his eldest son Zhu Zhanji succeeded to the throne as Emperor Xuande. Zhu Zhanji was only 27 years old when he ascended the throne, and the situation he faced was complex and changeable. On the one hand, he needed to carry on his father's reform cause; On the other hand, he also has to deal with challenges from various factions in the DPRK and China.
At the beginning of Zhu Zhanji's ascension to the throne, the most pressing issue was how to deal with the threat of his two uncles, Zhu Gaoxu, the king of Han and Zhu Gaosui of Zhao. These two princes had plotted against each other many times during the Yongle period, and Zhu Zhanji was well aware of their ambitions. In order to prevent problems before they occur, Zhu Zhanji adopted a series of measures.
First, he ordered strict restrictions on the sphere of activity of the two princes and a reduction in the number of their private soldiers. At the same time, he also sent his confidant ministers to monitor the movements of the two princes. These measures, while curbing the ambitions of the two princes in the short term, also increased tensions within the imperial court.
In the second year of Xuande (1427), Zhu Gaoxu, the king of Han, finally couldn't hold back and launched a rebellion. After Zhu Zhanji learned the news, he immediately convened the courtiers to discuss countermeasures. Some ministers suggested that a policy of softness should be adopted so as not to cause further unrest. However, Zhu Zhanji chose the policy of resolute suppression. He personally commanded the army, quickly put down the rebellion, and arrested and executed Zhu Gaoxu.
This incident fully demonstrated Zhu Zhanji's resoluteness and courage. He not only quickly quelled the rebellion, but also took the opportunity to clear the DPRK of instability. After quelling the rebellion, Zhu Zhanji carried out a large-scale rectification of the imperial court, dismissed a number of officials implicated in the rebellion, and promoted a group of loyal newcomers.
In terms of domestic affairs, Zhu Zhanji basically continued his father's policy. He continued to pursue a policy of frugality and strictly control court expenditures. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty", Zhu Zhanji once ordered the gold and silver utensils in the palace to be changed to porcelain to show frugality. This style of thrift and thrift has won wide praise from the people.
In terms of economic policy, Zhu Zhanji adopted a series of measures to revitalize agricultural production. He ordered tax exemptions for peasants and encouraged the reclamation of wasteland. At the same time, he also introduced the "Junda Law" in an attempt to solve the problem of land annexation. To a certain extent, these policies have improved the living conditions of peasants and promoted the development of agricultural production.
Foreign policy was an important aspect of Zhu Zhanji's reign. Unlike his father and grandfather, Zhu Zhanji adopted a relatively conservative foreign policy. He put an end to Zheng He's costly voyage to the West and devoted more state resources to domestic affairs.
However, this does not mean that Zhu Zhanji is indifferent to foreign affairs. On the contrary, he attached great importance to the defense of the frontiers. In the fourth year of Xuande (1429), the Tatars invaded Xuanfu, and Zhu Zhanji personally led the army to fight and achieved a great victory. This personal expedition not only frightened the northern nomads, but also greatly enhanced Zhu Zhanji's prestige in the army.
In terms of culture and education, Zhu Zhanji continued the policy of his grandfather Zhu Di and vigorously advocated Confucianism. He personally went to Guozijian many times to give lectures and encourage scholars to study diligently. At the same time, he also organized the compilation of important classics such as "The Unification of the Ming Dynasty" and "The Dictionary of the Ming Dynasty", which made important contributions to the development of cultural undertakings in the Ming Dynasty.
However, Zhu Zhanji's reign was not perfect. Although he continued his father's policy in many respects, he showed different tendencies on some issues. For example, he reused the eunuch Wang Zhen, so that the eunuch power began to rise in the imperial court. This laid a hidden danger for the eunuch dictatorship in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
In addition, Zhu Zhanji also pursued a controversial policy - "abolishing Hufu". He ordered a ban on the wearing of Mongolian-style clothing and demanded the restoration of traditional Han Chinese clothing. Although this policy strengthened the cultural identity of the Han people to a certain extent, it also aroused the dissatisfaction of ethnic minorities and planted the seeds for later ethnic contradictions.
In the tenth year of Xuande (1435), Zhu Zhanji died suddenly at the age of 35. His sudden death had a huge impact on the Ming Dynasty. Because the crown prince Zhu Qizhen was only 8 years old, the imperial court had to be listened to by the empress dowager Zhang. In this case, the eunuch Wang Zhen began to gradually grasp the real power, laying the groundwork for the later civil engineering changes.
5. Zhu Qizhen's accession and civil engineering changes
In the first month of the tenth year of Xuande (1435), Zhu Zhanji died suddenly, and his eldest son Zhu Qizhen, who was only eight years old, succeeded him as Yingzong. Due to Zhu Qizhen's young age, the Empress Dowager Zhang listened to the government, and the eunuch Wang Zhen began to hold real power. This situation brought great variables to the political situation of the Ming Dynasty, and eventually led to the civil engineering changes that shocked China and the rest of the world.
At the beginning of Zhu Qizhen's accession to the throne, the power of the imperial court was mainly in the hands of the Empress Dowager Zhang and the eunuch Wang Zhen. Wang Zhen, by virtue of his close relationship with the Empress Dowager, gradually took control of the government. He not only monopolized power, but also engaged in corruption on a large scale, which aroused strong resentment among the ministers of the DPRK and China. However, due to the protection of the Queen Mother, Wang Zhen's position has never been shaken.
In the third year of orthodoxy (1438), Zhu Qizhen was pro-government. However, at the age of 11, he did not have the ability to actually control the government, and Wang Zhen's power was even more inflated. Wang Zhen used his position to constantly squeeze out dissidents and promote cronies. He even dared to openly disobey the emperor's will, showing amazing boldness.
Under the influence of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen's reign gradually deviated from the right track. The internal contradictions within the imperial court became increasingly acute, the bureaucracy was inefficient, and the border defense was increasingly lax. This situation laid the groundwork for the later civil engineering changes.
In the fourteenth year of orthodoxy (1449), the leader of the Warat tribe also led his army south and invaded the border of the Ming Dynasty. Faced with this grim situation, there was a fierce debate within the imperial court. A group of ministers represented by Yu Qian advocated holding on and waiting for the enemy army to get tired. However, Wang Zhen strongly advocated the imperial expedition, believing that he could defeat the Warat army in one fell swoop.
At the instigation of Wang Zhen, Zhu Qizhen decided to personally lead the army to the battle. This decision immediately sparked strong opposition from the ministers of the DPRK and China. However, Zhu Qizhen and Wang Zhen ignored this. In July of the fourteenth year of orthodoxy, Zhu Qizhen led an army of 500,000 to the north and began this doomed war.
This huge army may seem like a huge force, but it is actually full of problems. Due to the long period of peace, the Ming army had low combat effectiveness and low morale. To make matters worse, Wang Zhen did not understand military affairs at all, but he monopolized military power, which led to confusion in the command of the army.
In August, the Ming army arrived in Datong. At this time, the Warat army had already begun to retreat. Some generals suggested taking advantage of the opportunity to pursue, but Wang Zhen advocated holding his troops still, believing that the enemy had been frightened back by the momentum of the Ming army. This misjudgment caused the Ming army to miss the best opportunity to strike at the enemy.
At the beginning of September, the Ming army came to Tumubao. The terrain was treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it should have been an ideal place to defend it. However, Wang Zhen made a fatal mistake here. Ignoring the opposition of his generals, he insisted on dispersing the army, resulting in a loose formation and weak defense of the Ming army.
Just when the Ming army was defenseless, he also led the elite cavalry to attack suddenly. The Ming army was caught off guard and fell into chaos in an instant. Wang Zhen panicked, fled in a hurry, and was finally killed by the rebels. Zhu Qizhen was captured in the chaos, which was the "civil engineering change" that shocked China and foreign countries.
When the news of the civil engineering change reached Kyoshi, the government and the opposition were shocked. At this critical juncture, Yu Qian, the secretary of the Ministry of War, stepped forward and presided over the defense of the Beijing Division. He immediately summoned hundreds of civil and military officials to discuss countermeasures. At Yu Qian's suggestion, the imperial court quickly supported Zhu Qizhen's younger brother Zhu Qiyu as the emperor, who was the emperor and named Jingtai.
Yu Qian took a series of decisive measures to stabilize the situation. He first strengthened the defense of the city of Beijing, organized the people to build the city wall, and stockpiled grain and grass. At the same time, he also sent emissaries to negotiate with Warat to buy time. These measures have effectively stabilized the people's morale and strengthened the defense capability of the Beijing Division.
Just as the Warat army approached the city of Beijing, Yu Qian led the army and civilians to resist. Under his command, the city held out for several months, eventually forcing the Warat army to retreat. This battle not only saved the rule of the Ming Dynasty, but also made Yu Qian a national hero.
The Civil Revolution was an important turning point in the history of the Ming Dynasty. It not only exposed the many shortcomings of the military and political system of the Ming Dynasty, but also marked the beginning of the Ming Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline. The defeat of this war dealt a serious blow to the national strength and prestige of the Ming Dynasty, and laid the groundwork for the later political turmoil.
However, the civil engineering changes also had some positive effects. It prompted the rulers of the Ming Dynasty to begin to reflect and reform, especially in the military and border defenses. In the years that followed, the Ming Dynasty strengthened its border defense and reformed the military system, and these measures slowed down the decline of the Ming Dynasty to a certain extent.
After the Civil Revolution, Zhu Qizhen was imprisoned in Warat and was not released back to China until seven years later. This experience had a profound impact on his ruling philosophy, laying the groundwork for the later "change of seizing the door". This series of events profoundly changed the political pattern of the Ming Dynasty and affected the historical trend of the later Ming Dynasty.