Emperor Yingzong of Ming

Emperor of the Ming Dynasty

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Lived 1427–1464, aged 37China

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36 languages
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Era
1427–1464
Aged 37

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

He ruled twice, with a seven-year gap spent as his brother's prisoner. Between reigns: a catastrophic battlefield defeat, capture by Mongols, and a palace coup to reclaim what he'd lost.

Biography

About

Zhu Qizhen took the throne in 1435 at the start of Ming prosperity, first guided by his grandmother and three senior ministers, then by the eunuch Wang Zhen after 1442. In 1449 Wang Zhen convinced him to personally lead an army against Mongol forces under Esen Taishi; at the Battle of Tumu Fortress the Ming were routed and the Emperor taken captive, a shock so severe the court installed his brother Zhu Qiyu as the Jingtai Emperor. Released in 1450 after befriending Esen, he returned to find himself confined to the Southern Palace, cut off from the world. When the Jingtai Emperor fell ill in ea…

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