Yu Qian

Also known as Zi Tingyi · Hao Jiean

Yu Qian, courtesy name Tingyi, styled Jie'an, came from Qiantang (modern Hangzhou) and passed the jinshi examination in 1421. From 1430 he spent nearly twenty years as grand coordinator of Henan and Shanxi. When the Oirat captured Emperor Yingzong at Tumu in 1449 and some officials urged a retreat south, Yu Qian rejected the idea; promoted to minister of war, he helped enthrone the emperor's brother Zhu Qiyu and directed the fighting outside the Desheng Gate that drove Esen's army from Beijing. In 1457 Shi Heng and Xu Youzhen restored Yingzong in the Duomen coup, and Yu Qian was beheaded on a false charge of plotting to enthrone another prince. His offices were restored in the Chenghua reign, he was named Sumin in 1489, and under Wanli the name was changed to Zhongsu. He is buried at Santai Hill by West Lake, and with Yue Fei and Zhang Huangyan he is counted among the three heroes of West Lake.