Tianqi Emperor

The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627), personal name Zhu Youjiao,¹ was the 16th and penultimate emperor of the Ming dynasty of China, reigning from 1620 to 1627. He succeeded his father, the Taichang Emperor.

Zhu Youjiao ascended the throne at the age of fifteen, following the sudden death of his father, who had ruled for only one month. The era name of his reign was Tianqi, which means "heavenly opening". Instead of taking an active role in state affairs and pursuing his father's political objectives, the Tianqi Emperor showed little interest and neglected his duties.

He may have suffered from learning disabilities and was illiterate, which hindered his ability to read important documents and understand government matters. As a result, the head of the imperial eunuchs, Wei Zhongxian, took advantage of the situation and seized executive power, along with the emperor's former wet nurse, Madam Ke. While Wei placed his supporters in influential positions in the palace, Madam Ke used her influence to isolate and starve other women in the imperial harem, in order to maintain her own power.

The conservative Confucian moralists of the Donglin movement were dissatisfied with this style of governance and expressed their discontent. In response, the government resorted to harsh repression, resulting in the execution of many officials. This oppressive rule led to worsening conditions for the population during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor, and several popular uprisings had to be confronted by the authorities.

The Tianqi Emperor died in 1627 and was succeeded by his younger brother, Zhu Youjian, who became known as the Chongzhen Emperor.

Family

• Empress Xiao'aizhe, of the Zhang clan (孝哀悊皇后 張氏; 1610–1644), personal name Yan (嫣)
  • Zhu Ciran, Crown Prince Huaichong (懷衝皇太子 朱慈燃; 4 November 1623), first son
• Consort Hui, of the Fan clan (慧妃 范氏), later Imperial Noble Consort
  • Princess Yongning (永寧公主; 1622–1624), personal name Shu'e (淑娥), first daughter