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Death of the Wanli Emperor

Type Event Region China Time 1620

On July 21, 1620, the Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun died in the Forbidden City after a 48-year reign, ending the longest reign in Ming history.

Timeline

  1. 1620Palace of Heavenly Purity, Forbidden City · BeijingThe Wanli Emperor had long been bedridden; his condition worsened in late July, and he summoned Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe and others to discuss the succession of Crown Prince Zhu Changluo and posthumous arrangements, with the court and public watching the imperial succession closely.
  2. 1620Forbidden City · BeijingThe Wanli Emperor died on the twenty-first day of the seventh month at the age of fifty-eight. His posthumous edict ordered the release of prisoners, reduction of taxes, abolition of mining taxes, recall of officials dismissed for speaking out, and the accession of Crown Prince Zhu Changluo to the throne, with mourning observed throughout the realm.

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