Emperors of the Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty was one of the most illustrious of Chinese history.  Before the naval supremacy of Britain, China was the leading naval power and the state's technology was far superior to the world.  China in the early Ming dynasty was a true superpower and by Emperor Yongle's reign (the 3rd emperor), its power and influence reached as far west as Africa.  However, as enunchs amassed increasingly amounts of power, later emperors were relegated to lesser roles beginning a tradition of imperial incompetence that eventually doomed the dynasty.

Yet, when one looks upon the emperors of Ming dynasty, one thing becomes abundantly clear - only an state as powerful as the Ming could survive 20 years without the rule by its leader as seen in Wanli's reign.  Although this act left irreversible damage on the dynasty, it also showcases the bureaucracy and its ability to run a state despite having no directions from its leader.  Moreover, general incompetence or untimely deaths had ravaged the Ming over the reign of the seven last emperors but yet, it still managed to rule over the largest population of the world for  another140 years further demonstrates this point.

Reign Name: Hongwu
Personal Name: Zhu Yuanzhang
Posthumous Name: Gaodi
Temple Name: Taizu
Reign Years: 1368 - 1398
Familial Connection: born a peasant to Zhu Shizhen (posthumously honored Emperor Chun and temple name Renzu), grandfather of Emperor Jianwen, father of Emperor Yongle
Interesting Facts:
- only the second peasant in Chinese history to become emperor
- self-proclaimed as emperor after conquering much of China as a warlord
Major Accomplishments:
- instigated land and legal reforms
- established a new military system increasing the amount of trained Ming soldiers to 1.2 million by the end of his reign



Reign Name: Jianwen
Personal Name: Zhu Yunwen
Posthumous Name: Huidi
Temple Name: (none)
Reign Years: 1398 - 1402
Familial Connection: first son of Zhu Biao, Crown Prince Yiwen and grandson of Emperor Hongwu
Interesting Facts:
- was named successor after Hongwu's heir, Jianwen's father, passed away
- disposed by his uncle Emperor Yongle after suppressing the feudal lords
Major Accomplishments:
- few lasting accomplishments as Yongle erased much of his legacy



Reign Name: Yongle
Personal Name: Zhu Di
Posthumous Name: Wendi
Temple Name: Chengzu or Taizong
Reign Years: 1402 - 1424
Familial Connection: 4th son of Emperor Hongwu, father of Emperor Hongxi
Interesting Facts:
- only known emperor to execute the 10 exterminations (on Jiangwen loyalist Fang Xiaoru) which included killing his peers and students as well (9 exterminations had been used in practice to execute the entire family from generations from great-great-great grandfather to great-great grandson all siblings and cousins)
Major Accomplishments:
- moved the imperial capital from Nanjing to Beijing and constructing the imperial palace there
- repaired & reopened the Grand Canal of China to supply Beijing and improve the economy
- commissioned Zheng He's expeditions that showcased Ming Dynasty's might overseas



Reign Name: Hongxi
Personal Name: Zhu Gaochi
Posthumous Name: Zhaodi
Temple Name: Renzong
Reign Years: 1424 - 1425
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Yongle, father of Xuande Emperor
Interesting Facts:
- only reigned for 264 days
Major Accomplishments:
- restored Confucian officials that were disgraced during Yongle's reign
- relaxed the legal system
- lowered taxes to improve economy



Reign Name: Xuande Emperor
Personal Name: Zhu Zhanji
Posthumous Name: Zhangdi
Temple Name: Xuanzong
Reign Years: 1425 - 1435
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Hongxi, father of Emperor Zhengton and Emperor Jingtai
Interesting Facts:
Major Accomplishments:



Reign Name: Zhengtong (1436 - 1449)/ Tianshun (1457 - 1464)
Personal Name: Zhu Qizhen
Posthumous Name: Ruidi
Temple Name: Yingzong
Reign Years: 1436 - 1449 & 1457 - 1464
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Xuande, brother of Emperor Jingtai, father of Emperor Chenghua
Interesting Facts:
- during the 13th year of his reign, he was captured by the Monogls; this led to his brother being declared Emperor Jingtai.  When he was released, Jingtai refused to return the throne to he was relegated to the role of Retired Emperor and placed under house arrest.  In 1457, he launched a coup retaking the throne and named his second era Tianshun and ruled for another 7 years.  In contemporary times, he is referred to using his first reign name, Zhengtong
Major Accomplishments:
- while an incompetent ruler during the Zhengtong reign, he ruled with fairness for much of the Tianshun era
- showed mercy to disposed Emperor Jianwen's offspring who had imprisoned for 50+ years



Reign Name: Jingtai
Personal Name: Zhu Qiyu
Posthumous Name: Jingdi
Temple Name: Daizong
Reign Years: 1449 - 1457
Familial Connection: 2nd son of Emperor Xuande
Interesting Facts:
- refused to return the throne to Emperor Zhengtong upon his release & only spared Zhengtong's life because of their mother's intervention
- was demoted to prince posthumously by Zhengtong (imperial status later restored by Chenghua but never reburied as an empire) and not buried among previous emperors near Beijing
Major Accomplishments:
- oversaw an era when civil administration became more important than military leadership
- repelled the Mongolian assault in 1450 and forced them back out of the Chinese proper



Reign Name: Chenghua
Personal Name: Zhu Jianshen
Posthumous Name: Chundi
Temple Name: Xianzong
Reign Years: 1464 - 1487
Familial Connection: 1st son of Zhengton Emperor, father of Hongzhi Emperor
Interesting Facts:
- his favorite consort was twice his age when they wedded
Major Accomplishments & Events:
- used extreme prejudice to quell several peasant rebellions
- instilled a far more autocratic regime than his predecessors

Reign Name: Hongzhi
Personal Name: Zhu Youtang
Posthumous Name: Jingdi
Temple Name: Xiaozong
Reign Years: 1487 - 1505
Familial Connection: 3rd son of Emperor Chenghua, father of Emperor Zhengde
Interesting Facts:
- only perpetually monogamous Chinese emperor
- his monogamy led to a lack of heirs to succeed him and his imperial line ended with Emperor Zhengde
Major Accomplishments:
- improved the Chinese economy through decreasing both taxes and governmental spending
- governmental transparency was improved
- seized power from enuchs who had gained tremendous influence under previous emperors




Reign Name: Zhengde
Personal Name: Zhu Houzhao
Posthumous Name: Yidi
Temple Name: Wuzong
Reign Years: 1505 - 1521
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Zhengde, uncle of Emperor Jiaqing
Interesting Facts:
- notoriously indulgent as emperor (e.g. left the imperial palace for extended periods, kept exotic animals in palaces, had a harem so large the women within them were undernourished)
Major Accomplishments:
- personally led his army into battle against the Mongols and won decisive battles keeping them at bay
- permitted the establishment of the first European embassy in China (closed after his death)



Reign Name: Jiajing
Personal Name: Zhu Houcong
Posthumous Name: Sudi
Temple Name: Shizong
Reign Years: 1521 - 1567
Familial Connection: son of Zhu Youyuan, Prince of Xing, grandson of Emperor Chenghua, nephew of Emperor Zhengde, father of Emperor Longqing
Interesting Facts:
- buried his father, a prince, in an imperial tomb with full honors and the largest imperial tomb of the Ming dynasty despite great opposition (tradition dictates that he should adopt the previous emperor as father but he refused in what was later known as the Great Rites Controversy)
- was neglicent in his duties and refused to govern personally and delegated much of his responsibility
Major Accomplishments:
- maintained peace with the Mongols for the first 20 years of his reign and later later the conflict with the Mongols using diplomacy instead of war
- appointed General Qi Jiquang (who remains revered to this day) who expanded the Great Wall and ended the Wakou pirate raids in southeast



Reign Name: Longqing
Personal Name: Zhu Zaihou
Posthumous Name: Zhuangdi
Temple Name: Shenzong
Reign Years: 1567 - 1572
Familial Connection: 3rd son of Emperor Jiaqing, father of Emperor Wanli
Interesting Facts:
- suffered from a speech impediment which caused to stutter and stammer
Major Accomplishments:
- began lasting trade with European powers
- increased security of coastal regions which were often plagued by foreign raiders



Reign Name: Wanli
Personal Name: Zhu Yijun
Posthumous Name: Xiandi
Temple Name: Shenzong
Reign Years: 1572 - 1620
Familial Connection: 3rd son of Emperor Longqing, father of Emperor Taichang, grandfather of Emperor Hongguang of the Southern Ming Dynasty
Interesting Facts:
- governed exceptionally well over the first 28 years of his reign (only a minor in the 1st 10 years and therefore, the credit should go to Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng); yet, refused imperial responsibility for the last 20 years of his reign

- refused imperial responsiblity because the officals would not allow him to change the succession order in favor of his favorite son Zhu Changxun (later created Prince of Fu) over the heir apparent Zhu Changluo 

Major Accomplishments:
- won 3 wars from 1582 - 1600 against the Mongols, the Japanese and a large-scale rebellion in south-west China (the latter 2 concurrently)



Reign Name: Taichang
Personal Name: Zhu Changluo
Posthumous Name: Zhendi
Temple Name: Guangzong
Reign Years: 1620
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Wanli, father of Emperor Tianqi
Interesting Facts:
- died after a reign only 29 years
- because of his sudden death, his tomb was only hastily prepared and built over the demolished tomb of Emperor Jingtai
Major Accomplishments:
- attempted to eradicate the problems left behind by Emperor Wanli's 20 year refusal of imperial duty including unfilled positions in the imperial court & high taxes



Reign Name: Tianqi
Personal Name: Zhu Youjiao
Posthumous Name: Zhedi
Temple Name: Xizong
Reign Years: 1620 - 1627
Familial Connection: 1st son of Emperor Taichang
Interesting Facts:
- illiterate, had a learning ability and possibly retarded
Major Accomplishments & Events:
- no major accomplishments as he was not attentive as emperor and entrusted great power to a eunuch named Wei Zhongxian
- his incompetence effectively doomed the Ming Dynasty



Reign Name: Chongzhen
Personal Name: Zhu Youjian
Posthumous Name: Zhuangliemin
Temple Name: Sizong
Reign Years: 1627 - 1644
Familial Connection: 5th son of Emperor Taichang
Interesting Facts:
- the last Ming emperor of China (the Southern Ming Dynasty continued for a few decades after his death but they never governed the entirety of China and territorial holdings was gradually lost)
Major Accomplishments & Events:
- resisted the Qing incursion despite bad odds
- chose suicide over facing the end of his dynasty

With the death of Chongzhen, Ming rule was effectively ended.  It is important to note that the his death does not mark the beginning of the Qing dynasty but instead the birth of the short-lived Shun Dynasty under the "Dashing King" Li Zicheng.  Li was a minor Ming official-turned rebel leader who had fought his way to Beijing.  Yet, Li was defeated only months after the capture of Beijing at the Sanhai Pass of the Great Wall under the leadership of Dorgon, Prince of Rui of the Qing Dynasty.

Personally, I have believed that the Ming would have survived under Chongzhen if China did not face a two-front war.  The ease with which Dorgon's army defeated Li Zicheng further highlights the greatness of the Ming Dynasty which had kept the Manchus at bay.  With the defeat of Li Zicheng, the Chinese proper was open to invasion by the Manchus.  They would go on capturing the rest of China defeating the Southern Ming Dynasty (remnants of the Ming Dynasty) and establishing a 280 reign as the Qing Dynasty - the last imperial dynasty of China.