Ming Recovery of the Capital and Stabilization

Timeline

1. 1450Juyong Pass · BeijingEsen, seeing that holding the Zhengtong Emperor brought no profit and that internal strife arose among the Oirat, sent envoys to return him; the Ming court sent Vice Minister Yang Shan to escort the emperor, who returned from beyond the Great Wall and entered Ming territory at Juyong Pass.
2. 1450Southern Palace · BeijingUpon the emperor's arrival in the capital, the Jingtai Emperor led the officials to welcome him at the East China Gate, honored him as Grand Emperor, and invited him to reside in the Southern Palace without holding court; this arrangement avoided an immediate political struggle from "two emperors reigning at once," and the capital superficially returned to calm.
3. 1450Beijing · BeijingAfter the emperor's return, Yu Qian and others continued to reform the defenses of the nine border towns and comfort the families of fallen soldiers; the court and public gradually recovered from the shock of the Tumu Crisis. The capital had ample grain stores and strict gate controls, and the political situation stabilized under the Jingtai Emperor's leadership.