Zhu Qiyu

The Jingtai Emperor (景泰 [tɕìŋtʰâɪ]) (21 September 1428 –14 March 1457), born Zhu Qiyu, was the seventh Emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigned from 1449 to 1457.The second son of the Xuande Emperor, he was selected in 1449 to succeed his elder brother Emperor Yingzong of Ming (then reigned as "Zhengtong Emperor"), when the latter was captured by Mongols following the Tumu Crisis. He reigned for 8 years before being removed from the throne by his elder brother Emperor Yingzong of Ming (then reigned as "Tianshun Emperor"). The Jingtai Emperor's era name, "Jingtai", means "Exalted View".

The future Jingtai Emperor was born on September 21, 1428 with the name Zhu Qiyu. On August 3, 1449, he was appointed regent by his older half-brother the Zhengtong Emperor.

Zhu Qiyu would ascend the throne in 1449 after his older brother, the Zhengtong Emperor was defeated and taken prisoner by the Oirat Mongols of Esen Khan.

During his reign, aided by the able minister Yu Qian, Jingtai paid particular attention to matters affecting his country. He repaired the Grand Canal as well as the system of dykes along the Yellow River. As a result of his administration, the economy prospered and the dynasty was further strengthened.

The Zhengtong Emperor was released in 1450 after the Mongols learned that the Ming government had installed Zhu Qiyu as the new emperor. After that, Jingtai continued to rule as emperor while his brother was granted the title of Retired Emperor and lived in obscurity.

Deposition and Death

Jingtai reigned for eight years. When his death was imminent in 1457, he refused to name an heir, particularly because his own son had died mysteriously — perhaps poisoned. The sidelined Zhengtong Emperor saw an opportunity to regain the throne and through a military coup overthrew the Jingtai Emperor. Zhengtong adopted a new era name, "Tianshun", and is henceforth known as the Tianshun Emperor. Jingtai was demoted to the Prince of Cheng, the title he had held before ascending the throne, and was placed under house arrest in Xiyuan (西苑). Jingtai died a month later with some sources hinting that he was murdered by eunuchs on the order of the Tianshun Emperor.

After the Jingtai Emperor's death, the Tianshun Emperor denied his brother's rightful honor to be buried at the Ming Dynasty Tombs (together with his predecessors) located north of Beijing. He was instead buried well away from that locale in the hills west of Beijing and was buried as a prince rather than an emperor. His posthumous name was also shortened to five characters, instead of the normal seventeen, to reflect his demoted status.

• Parents:
  • Zhu Zhanji, the Xuande Emperor (宣宗 朱瞻基; 16 March 1399 – 31 January 1435)
  • Empress Dowager Xiaoyi, of the Wu clan (孝翼皇太后 吳氏; 1397 – 16 January 1462)
• Consorts and Issue:
  • Empress Xiaoyuanjing, of the Wang clan (孝淵景皇后 汪氏; 1427–1507)
    • Princess Gu'an (固安郡主; 1449–1491), first daughter
      • Married Wang Xian (王憲) in 1469, and had issue (one son)
    • A daughter
  • Empress Suxiao, of the Hang clan (肅孝皇后 杭氏; d. 1456)
    • Zhu Jianji, Crown Prince Huaixian (懷獻皇太子 朱見濟; 1 August 1448 – 21 March 1453), first son