Hongxi Emperor
Encyclopedia
The Hongxi Emperor was the fourth emperor
of the Ming Dynasty
in China
. He succeeded his father, the Yongle Emperor
, in 1424. His era name means "Vastly bright".
or Beijing
during his father's northern military campaigns.
Already in May 1421, during the reign of the Yongle Emperor
, an order was issued for the suspension of Zheng He
's maritime expeditions, apparently on account of their cost (although the order apparently did not affect the 6th voyage of Zheng He, staged around that time). Zhu Gaochi, as soon as he became the Hongxi Emperor in September 1424, canceled Zheng He
's maritime expeditions permanently and abolished frontier trade of tea for horses as well as missions for gold and pearls to Yunnan
and Vietnam
. He restored disgraced Confucian officials, such as Yongle's minister of revenue Xia Yanji (imprisoned since 1421), and reorganized the administration to give high ranks to his close advisors. Hanlin academicians
became grand secretaries, and they dismantled his father's unpopular militaristic policies to restore civil government. Hongxi improved finances by canceling requisitions for lumber, gold, and silver. Taxes were remitted so that vagrant farmers could return home, especially in the overburdened Yangtze River Delta
. Hongxi appointed a commission to investigate taxes. He overruled his secretaries by ordering that grain should be sent immediately to relieve disaster areas.
Emperor Hongxi ordered that the capital be moved back to Nanjing
from Beijing (which had been made the capital by the Yongle Emperor in 1421). However he died, probably of a heart attack, a month later in May 1425. His son had been declared heir apparent and became the Xuande Emperor
at age 26. Although Hongxi had a short reign, he is credited with reforms that made lasting improvements, and his liberal policies were continued by his son.
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He succeeded his father, the Yongle Emperor
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
, in 1424. His era name means "Vastly bright".
Biography
Hongxi was born on 16 August 1378 and was educated by prominent Confucian tutors. He often acted as regent in NanjingNanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
or Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
during his father's northern military campaigns.
Already in May 1421, during the reign of the Yongle Emperor
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
, an order was issued for the suspension of Zheng He
Zheng He
Zheng He , also known as Ma Sanbao and Hajji Mahmud Shamsuddin was a Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He or Voyages of Cheng Ho from...
's maritime expeditions, apparently on account of their cost (although the order apparently did not affect the 6th voyage of Zheng He, staged around that time). Zhu Gaochi, as soon as he became the Hongxi Emperor in September 1424, canceled Zheng He
Zheng He
Zheng He , also known as Ma Sanbao and Hajji Mahmud Shamsuddin was a Hui-Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat and fleet admiral, who commanded voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, collectively referred to as the Voyages of Zheng He or Voyages of Cheng Ho from...
's maritime expeditions permanently and abolished frontier trade of tea for horses as well as missions for gold and pearls to Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. He restored disgraced Confucian officials, such as Yongle's minister of revenue Xia Yanji (imprisoned since 1421), and reorganized the administration to give high ranks to his close advisors. Hanlin academicians
Hanlin Academy
The Hanlin Academy was an academic and administrative institution founded in the eighth century Tang dynasty China by Emperor Xuanzong.Membership in the academy was confined to an elite group of scholars, who performed secretarial and literary tasks for the court. One of its main duties was to...
became grand secretaries, and they dismantled his father's unpopular militaristic policies to restore civil government. Hongxi improved finances by canceling requisitions for lumber, gold, and silver. Taxes were remitted so that vagrant farmers could return home, especially in the overburdened Yangtze River Delta
Yangtze River Delta
The Yangtze River Delta, Yangtze Delta or YRD, also called Yangzi, or Chang Jiang Delta, Rive Chang Delta Tai Lake Region or the Golden Triangle of the Yangtze, generally comprises the triangular-shaped territory of Wu-speaking Shanghai, southern Jiangsu province and northern Zhejiang province of...
. Hongxi appointed a commission to investigate taxes. He overruled his secretaries by ordering that grain should be sent immediately to relieve disaster areas.
Emperor Hongxi ordered that the capital be moved back to Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
from Beijing (which had been made the capital by the Yongle Emperor in 1421). However he died, probably of a heart attack, a month later in May 1425. His son had been declared heir apparent and became the Xuande Emperor
Xuande Emperor
The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:...
at age 26. Although Hongxi had a short reign, he is credited with reforms that made lasting improvements, and his liberal policies were continued by his son.
Personal information
- Father
- Yongle EmperorYongle EmperorThe Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
- Yongle Emperor
- Mother
- Empress Ren Xiao WenEmpress XuEmpress Xu , formally Empress Ren Xiao Wen , birth name Xu Yihua , was the empress consort to the Yongle Emperor and the third empress of China's Ming Dynasty...
(birth name: Xu Yihua)
- Empress Ren Xiao Wen
Consorts
| Formal Title | Maiden Name | Born | Died | Father | Mother | Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... 誠孝昭皇后 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhang (張) |
Yongcheng Yongcheng -External links:*... , Henan Henan Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan... |
1442 | Zhang Qi 張麒 |
- | Zhu Zhanji, Xuande Emperor Xuande Emperor The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:... Zhu Zhanyong, Prince Jing of Yue Zhu Zhanshan, Prince Xian of Xiang Princess Jiaxing |
Was Empress Dowager during the reign of her son, the Xuande Emperor Xuande Emperor The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:... , and Grand Empress Dowager during the first reign of her grandson, the Zhengtong Emperor Zhengtong Emperor Zhu Qizhen was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 to 1464.... |
| Noble Consort Gong Su 恭肅貴妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Guo (郭) |
- | 1425 | - | - | Zhu Zhankai, Prince Huai of Teng Zhu Zhanji, Prince Zhuang of Liang Zhu Zhanyan, Prince Gong of Wei |
Was buried with Hongxi after his death |
| Consort Zhen Hui Su 貞惠淑妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Wang (王) |
- | 1425 | - | - | - | Was buried with Hongxi after his death |
| Consort Hui An Li 惠安麗妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Wang (王) |
- | 1425 | - | - | - | Was buried with Hongxi after his death |
| Consort Gong Xi Shun 恭僖順妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Tan (譚) |
- | 1425 | - | - | - | Was buried with Hongxi after his death |
| Consort Gong Jing Chong 恭靖充妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Huang (黃) |
- | 1425 | - | - | - | Was buried with Hongxi after his death |
| Consort Zhen Jing Jing 貞靜敬妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhang (張) |
- | - | Zhang Fu, Duke of Ying 英國公張輔 |
- | - | Her father's younger sister was Noble Consort Zhao Yi, one of the Yongle Emperor's Yongle Emperor The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping... concubines |
| Consort Dao Xi Li 悼僖麗妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Li (李) |
- | - | - | - | - | |
| Consort Zhen Jing Shun 貞靜順妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhang (張) |
- | - | - | - | - | |
| Consort Xian 賢妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Li (李) |
- | - | - | - | Zhu Zhanxun, Prince Jing of Zheng Zhu Zhanyin, Prince Xian of Qi Zhu Zhanyu, Prince Jing of Huai Princess Zhending |
|
| Consort Shun 順妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhang (張) |
- | - | - | - | Zhu Zhangang, Prince Xian of Jing | |
| Consort Hui 惠妃 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhao (趙) |
- | - | - | - | Zhu Yuantong, Princess Qingdou |
Sons
| Number | Name | Formal Title | Born | Died | Mother | Spouse | Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhu Zhanji 朱瞻基 |
The Xuande Emperor Xuande Emperor The Xuande Emperor was Emperor of China from 1425 to 1435. His era name means "Proclamation of Virtue".-Biography:... |
16 March 1399 Beijing Beijing Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's... |
31 January 1435 | Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... |
Hu Shanxiang, Empress Gong Rang Zhang Empress Gong Rang Zhang Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... Lady Sun, Empress Xiao Gong Zhang Empress Xiao Gong Zhang Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor. She was the regent of China for her son in 1435–1442.- Sources :* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/China_Heads.htm... fourteen concubines |
Zhu Qizhen, Zhengtong Emperor Zhengtong Emperor Zhu Qizhen was an emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He ruled as the Zhengtong Emperor from 1435 to 1449, and as the Tianshun Emperor from 1457 to 1464.... Zhu Qiyu, Jingtai Emperor Jingtai Emperor The Jingtai Emperor was Emperor of China from 1449 to 1457. The second son of the Xuande Emperor, he was selected in 1449 to succeed his older brother, the Zhengtong Emperor, when the latter was captured by Mongols following the Tumu Crisis... Princess Shunde Princess Yongqing Princess Changde |
|
| 2 | Zhu Zhanxun 朱瞻埈 |
Prince Jing of Zheng 鄭靖王 |
27 March 1404 | 8 June 1466 | Consort Xian | - | Zhu Qiying, Prince Jian of Zheng | Was created Prince of Zheng on 1 November 1424 |
| 3 | Zhu Zhanyong 朱瞻墉 |
Prince Jing of Yue 越靖王 |
9 February 1405 | 5 August 1439 | Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... |
Lady Wu (daughter of Wu Sheng (吳昇)) |
none | Was created Prince of Yue 1 November 1424 |
| 4 | Zhu Zhanyin 朱瞻垠 |
Prince Xian of Qi 蘄獻王 |
1406 | 7 November 1421 | Consort Xian | none | none | Was posthumously created Prince of Qi on 10 October 1422 |
| 5 | Zhu Zhanshan 朱瞻墡 |
Prince Xian of Xiang 襄憲王 |
4 April 1406 | 18 February 1478 | Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... |
- | Zhu Qiyong, Prince Ding of Xiang | Was created Prince of Xiang in 1424 |
| 6 | Zhu Zhangang 朱瞻堈 |
Prince Xian of Jing 荊憲王 |
- | 1453 | Consort Shun | - | Zhu Qihao, Prince Jing of Jing Zhu Qijian, Prince Huijing of Duchang |
Was created Prince of Jing in 1424 |
| 7 | Zhu Zhanyu 朱瞻墺 |
Prince Jing of Huai 淮靖王 |
28 January 1409 | 30 November 1446 | Consort Xian | Lady Xiao (daughter of Nancheng Nancheng District Nancheng District is a district of Guangdong Province, China. It is under the administration of Dongguan city.-Geography:Nancheng is a town located in the new city central area of Dongguan, and also where the Municipal Committee of Communist Party of China and the Municipal Government of Dongguan... military commander Xiao Zhong (南城兵馬指揮肖忠)) |
Zhu Qiquan, Prince Kang of Huai Zhu Qibin, Prince Xi of Poyang Zhu Qiyue, Prince Gonghe of Yongfeng three daughters |
Was created Prince of Huai on 1 November 1424 |
| 8 | Zhu Zhankai 朱瞻塏 |
Prince Huai of Teng 滕懷王 |
November 1409 | 26 August 1425 | Noble Consort Gong Su | none | none | Was created Prince of Teng on 1 November 1424 |
| 9 | Zhu Zhanji 朱瞻垍 |
Prince Zhuang of Liang 梁莊王 |
7 July 1411 | 3 February 1441 | Noble Consort Gong Su | Lady Ji (daughter of Ji Zhan (紀詹)) Consort Wei, concubine (daughter of Wei Heng (魏亨)) |
none | Was created Prince of Liang 1 November 1424 |
| 10 | Zhu Zhanyan 朱瞻埏 |
Prince Gong of Wei 衛恭王 |
9 January 1417 | 3 January 1439 | Noble Consort Gong Su | - | - | Was created Prince of Wei in 1424 |
Daughters
| Number | Title | Name | Born | Died | Date Married | Spouse | Issue | Mother | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princess Jiaxing 嘉興公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
1409 | 9 March 1439 | 1428 | Jing Yuan 井源 |
Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Cheng Xiao Zhao Empress Xiao Gong Zhang was a Chinese Empress consort of the Ming Dynasty, married to the Xuande Emperor.- Sources :... |
Created Princess Jiaxing in 1425; Her husband died in 1449 during the Tumu Crisis Tumu Crisis The Tumu Crisis ; also called the Crisis of Tumubao or Battle of Tumu Fortress , was a frontier conflict between the Oirat Mongols and the Chinese Ming Dynasty which led to the capture of the Zhengtong Emperor on September 1, 1449 and the loss of an army of 500,000 men to a much smaller force.... . |
|
| 2 | Princess Qingdou 慶都公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) Given name Chinese given name Chinese given names are generally made up of one or two characters, and are written after the family name, therefore "John-Paul Smith" as a Chinese name would be read "Smith John-Paul". Chinese names can consist of any character and contain almost any meaning... : Yuantong (圓通) |
9 October 1409 | 12 June 1440 | 8 December 1428 | Jiao Jing 焦敬 |
Consort Hui | Created Princess Qingdou on 24 April 1425 | |
| 3 | Princess Qinghe 清河公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
1433 | 1429 | Li Ming 李銘 |
||||
| 4 | Princess De'an 德安公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
Died at the age of eight months | ||||||
| 5 | Princess Yanping 延平公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
Died unmarried | ||||||
| 6 | Princess Deqing 德慶公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
Died unmarried | ||||||
| 7 | Princess Zhending 真定公主 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Zhu (朱) (personal name unknown) |
1450 | 1429 | Wang Yi 王誼 |
Wang Ying 王瑛 |
Consort Xian |