Beijing (Ming capital)

Timeline

1. 1449–1452Beijing · Northern ChinaIn the Tumu Crisis of 1449 the Zhengtong Emperor was captured by the Oirats and Beijing fell into grave danger. Vice Minister of War Yu Qian led the defense of Beijing, enthroning Prince of Qian Zhu Qiyu (the Jingtai Emperor) and repelling the Oirat forces. This battle not only saved the Ming capital but also established Beijing's unshakable core position in Ming politics; in the following years the city defenses and military organization were overhauled and repaired on a large scale.
2. 1452–1457Beijing, Forbidden City · BeijingThe Jingtai Emperor Zhu Qiyu (r. 1449–1457) devoted himself to rebuilding order in Beijing: repairing the military system damaged in the Tumu Crisis, reorganizing the capital garrison forces, and advancing construction of the northern border defenses. Normal operation of the Forbidden City court resumed and the ritual system was reestablished. However, the Jingtai Emperor's deposal and replacement of the crown prince drew courtier displeasure, planting the seeds for the later Gate-Seizing Incident.
3. 1457–1460Beijing · Northern ChinaIn the first month of 1457 the Gate-Seizing Incident occurred: military officers including Shi Heng launched a palace coup while the Jingtai Emperor was critically ill, welcoming back the enthroned restoration of the deposed Grand Emperor Zhu Zhen and changing the era name to Tianshun. Yu Qian was unjustly executed, and the Beijing court underwent a fierce political purge. Thereafter the Tianshun Emperor resumed control of Beijing, continuing northern defense and palace maintenance projects, and the capital's political situation gradually stabilized.