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Zhu Jianshen

Type Figure Region China Time 1447–1487 Also known as Emperor Xianzong of Ming、Zhu Jianru

Zhu Jianshen (1447–1487), temple name Xianzong, era name Chenghua, was the ninth Ming emperor who survived the Tumu Crisis and the Restoration, reign…

Timeline

  1. 1447–1464Beijing · BeijingEldest son of the Yingzong Emperor, he was made crown prince in childhood. After the Tumu Crisis the Jingtai Emperor took the throne, and he was deposed to Prince of Yi and confined in straitened circumstances. After the 1457 Restoration he was restored as crown prince and renamed Jianru.
  2. 1464–1470Forbidden City, Beijing · BeijingHe ascended the throne in 1464, changing the era name to Chenghua. Relying on Grand Secretaries Li Xian and Peng Shi as well as ministers Wang Shu and Ma Wensheng, he reformed the bureaucracy, relieved famine, and set about repairing frontier defenses and the Grand Canal.
  3. 1471–1480Beijing · BeijingIn 1471 he ordered Wang Shu to supervise river works; in November he made his son Zhu Youji crown prince and issued a general amnesty. Ming forces repeatedly defeated the Mongols. In 1475 Shang Lu became Chief Grand Secretary; in 1477 the Western Depot was established and eunuch Wang Zhi was favored, with fewer memorials reaching the Grand Secretaries as court governance shifted from public opinion to inner-court intervention.
  4. 1481–1487Beijing · BeijingIn later years, after abolishing the Western Depot, he still favored Consort Wan and inner eunuchs. The succession went through several twists before Zhu Youtang was finally made crown prince. He died in September 1487, was buried at Maoling, and was succeeded by his son Zhu Youtang, the Hongzhi Emperor.

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