Death of the Yongle Emperor, Ming Chengzu

Timeline

1. 1424Northern desert · Northern desertIn the 22nd year of Yongle, Chengzu Zhu Di personally led the army on a fifth northern campaign against the Mongol Oirats, penetrating deep into the northern desert in pursuit without success, and ordered the return south in summer. The emperor was by then advanced in years and exhausted from days of travel, and his health deteriorated rapidly.
2. 1424Yumuichuan · YumuichuanOn the return march, Chengzu died of illness at Yumuichuan, aged 65. Historical records state that the strain of the northern campaign brought on a relapse of chronic illness, from which he never recovered. The army immediately kept the death secret and continued southward as if on a normal return, to stabilize morale and the political situation.
3. 1424Beijing · BeijingThe army carried the coffin south, and the news of the emperor's death was announced upon reaching the capital. Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne as Ming Renzong, with the temple name Renzong and era name Hongxi. The new ruler promptly adjusted some harsh policies of the late Yongle era, suspending major projects such as the voyages to the Western Seas, and opened the brief and moderate Hongxi governance.