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Zhu Di (Yongle Emperor)

Type Figure Region North China Time 1360–1424 Also known as Ming Chengzu、Zhu Di

Third emperor of the Ming dynasty, era name Yongle; formerly Prince of Yan, seized the throne in 1402 through the Jingnan Campaign, moved the capital…

Timeline

  1. 1400–1402Beiping (Prince of Yan's palace) · BeijingRose in rebellion under the banner of 'clearing the emperor's side,' captured Nanjing after four years of war, overthrew the Jianwen Emperor, and ascended the throne in 1402, changing the era name to Yongle.
  2. 1402–1404Nanjing · NanjingAfter enthroning himself at Nanjing he executed many former Jianwen officials, re-enfeoffed the princes, rebuilt the centralized system, and began planning the move of the capital north and large-scale civil projects.
  3. 1403–1408Nanjing · NanjingIn 1403 he decreed the renaming of Beiping to Beijing and established a secondary capital, while ordering Jie Jin and others to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia; from 1405 construction of Beijing's palaces and walls proceeded in full.
  4. 1405–1410Ming capital · JiangsuIn 1405 he ordered Zheng He to lead the treasure fleet on its first western ocean voyage, while repeatedly campaigning north against the Mongols and administering Hami and the Nurgan Regional Commission; national power was strong, known in history as the Yongle Prosperity.

Sources