Tianqi Emperor
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The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627), personal name Zhu Youjiao,Template:Efn was the 16th and penultimate emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1620 to 1627.<ref name=Britannica>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> He was the eldest son of the Taichang Emperor and an elder half-brother of the Chongzhen Emperor, who succeeded him. "Tianqi", the era name of his reign, means "heavenly opening".<ref name=MingTombs>Template:Cite web</ref>
Life
Zhu Youjiao became emperor at the age of 15, following the death of his father, the Taichang Emperor, who ruled less than a month.<ref name=MingTombs /> He did not pay much attention to state affairs, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his late father by not continuing the latter's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youjiao suffered from a learning disability or something more. He was illiterate<ref name=MingTombs /> and showed no interest in his studies. However, he was an outstanding carpenter and craftsman, often spending vast amounts of time on woodworking and instructing his servants to sell his creations undercover on the market just to see how much they were worth.
Because the Tianqi Emperor was unable to read court memorials and uninterested in state affairs, the court eunuch Wei Zhongxian<ref name=Britannica /> and the emperor's wet nurse Madam Ke seized power and controlled the Ming imperial court, with the Tianqi Emperor as merely a puppet ruler.<ref name=MingTombs /> The Tianqi Emperor apparently devoted his time to carpentry.<ref name=Britannica /> Wei Zhongxian took advantage of the situation and began appointing the people he trusted to important positions in the imperial court. Meanwhile, Madam Ke sought to retain power by removing all other women from the emperor's harem by locking away the emperor's concubines and starving them to death. It is believed that he had two private palaces; one for his female lovers and one for his male lovers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Failed verification
One Confucian moralist group, the Donglin Movement, expressed distress at the conditions of the government.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In response, the imperial court, under Wei Zhongxian's control, covertly ordered the execution of a number of officials associated with the Donglin Movement. Living conditions worsened during the Tianqi Emperor's reign. The Ming dynasty also faced several popular uprisings.
The Tianqi Emperor died heirless on 30 September 1627 due to his only son having died in the Wanggongchang Explosion and was succeeded by his fifth and sole surviving brother, Zhu Youjian. Zhu Youjian was enthroned as the Chongzhen Emperor.
Consorts and issue
- Empress Xiao'aizhe, of the Zhang clan (Template:Lang; 1610–1644), personal name Yan (Template:Lang)
- Zhu Ciran, Crown Prince Huaichong (Template:Lang; 4 November 1623), first son
- Consort Hui, of the Fan clan (Template:Lang), later Imperial Noble Consort
- Princess Yongning (Template:Lang; 1622–1624), personal name Shu'e (Template:Lang), first daughter
- Zhu Ciyu, Crown Prince Daohuai (Template:Lang; 1623–1624), second son
- Consort Rong, of the Ren clan (Template:Lang), later Imperial Noble Consort
- Zhu Cijiong, Crown Prince Xianhuai (Template:Lang; 31 October 1625 – 30 May 1626), third son, died during the Wanggongchang Explosion
- Consort Gonghuichun, of the Duan clan (Template:Lang; 10 May 1607 – 3 July 1629)
- Consort Cheng, of the Li clan (Template:Lang; 1605 – 21 December 1637)
- Princess Huaining (Template:Lang; 1624), personal name Shumo (Template:Lang), second daughter
- Consort Daoshunyu, of the Zhang clan (Template:Lang; 22 August 1606 – 16 September 1623)
- Consort Liang, of the Wang clan (Template:Lang)
- Noble Lady, of the Feng clan (Template:Lang)
- Noble Lady, of the Hu clan (Template:Lang; d. 1623)
See also
Notes
References
Citations
Works cited
Further reading
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