Zhu Qizhen

Also known as Ming Yingzong · Zhengtong Di · Tianshun Di

Zhu Qizhen, eldest son of the Xuande Emperor, was born in 1427 and came to the throne as a boy in early 1435, reigning first under the era name Zhengtong. He leaned on the eunuch Wang Zhen, who had the lecturer Liu Qiu killed in prison. When the Oirat leader Esen raided Datong in 1449 he ignored his ministers and took the field; in the eighth month his army was destroyed at Tumu and he was taken prisoner. His brother Zhu Qiyu was enthroned with the era name Jingtai while Yu Qian defended Beijing, and when Zhu Qizhen was released the next year he was confined as retired emperor in the Southern Palace. In early 1457 Shi Heng, Xu Youzhen and Cao Jixiang restored him in the coup known as the Forcing of the Gate; he took the era name Tianshun and had Yu Qian executed. He died early in 1464, his will ending the burial of palace women with the emperor, and received the temple name Yingzong.