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Zhengde Emperor

Type Figure Region China Time 1491–1521 Also known as Ming Wuzong

Tenth emperor of the Ming dynasty (1505–1521), era name Zhengde. Ascending the throne as a youth, he favored close associates Jiang Bin and Qian Ning…

Timeline

  1. 1511–1514Forbidden City, Beijing · Ming dynastyAfter Liu Jin was executed in 1510, the Zhengde Emperor relied even more on frontier-officer background close associates such as Jiang Bin and Qian Ning, indulging himself at the Leopard House and drilling his "adopted sons" warrior band, rarely holding court; the Grand Secretariat and Six Ministries continued to manage routine affairs.
  2. 1517–1519Xuanfu · Ming dynastyThe Zhengde Emperor made several tours to the Xuanfu and Datong area, styling himself "Mighty General," hunting and drilling troops with Jiang Bin and others; in the 1517 Battle of Yingzhou he personally led troops against the Mongol Little Prince's forces, an event known to history as the "Great Victory at Yingzhou."
  3. 1519–1520Nanjing · Ming dynastyPrince Ning Zhu Chenhao rebelled in 1519; after Wang Yangming and others suppressed it, the Zhengde Emperor traveled south under the pretext of a "personal campaign," lingering in Nanjing for months to hunt down the prince's remaining followers and stage a captive-surrender ceremony, returning to the capital only in 1520, with court affairs growing ever more extravagant and indulgent.

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