Wang Zhen (Ming eunuch)

Timeline

1. c. 1400–1425Beijing · North ChinaWang Zhen was originally a Confucian student from Yuzhou in Hebei; he later castrated himself and entered the palace, gradually gaining favor during the Xuande era due to his literacy and skill at flattery, and participated in inner-court affairs.
2. 1436–1440Beijing · ChinaAfter the Zhengtong Emperor took the throne, Wang Zhen was promoted to head eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, ousted senior ministers such as the Three Yangs, monopolized the powers of drafting and red-pen rescript endorsement, and in the mid-to-late 1430s court politics were effectively in his hands, with officials mostly attaching themselves to his faction.
3. 1449Tumu Fortress · HebeiWang Zhen strongly urged the Zhengtong Emperor to personally campaign against the Oirats, repeatedly bungling military matters en route; in 1449 the Ming army was routed at Tumu Fortress, Wang Zhen was killed by guards in the chaos, and the emperor was captured.