Zhengtong

Zhengtong Emperor was a Ming dynasty ruler who reigned in two periods, first from 1435 to 1449 under the era name Zhengtong, and later from 1457 to 1464 as the Tianshun Emperor. His personal name was Zhu Qizhen. He was the son of the Xuande Emperor and elder brother of the Jingtai Emperor.

Ascending the throne at a young age in 1435, Zhu Qizhen’s early reign continued Ming policies focused on consolidating authority and defending northern borders. The empire faced recurring threats from the Mongol steppe and internal court dynamics, including a growing influence of eunuchs and palace factions.

A defining crisis occurred in 1449 during the Tumu Crisis when the Zhengtong Emperor was captured by Esen Taishi of the Oirat Mongols. The defeat precipitated a rapid upheaval at court, and Zhu Qizhen’s younger brother, Zhu Qiyu, was proclaimed the Jingtai Emperor to govern in the wake of the emperor’s captivity. The Zhengtong Emperor remained a prisoner for years, and in 1457 he was restored to the throne, at which time his era name was changed to Tianshun.

During the Tianshun period (1457–1464), the emperor attempted to reaffirm royal authority and stabilize the government after the crisis. However, court factions and eunuch influence continued to shape policy, and internal tensions persisted. The Zhengtong/Tianshun reign concluded with his death in 1464 and was followed by succession under the Ming line.

Zhengtong’s legacy is largely defined by the Tumu Crisis and its aftermath, which highlighted vulnerabilities in Ming military and political structures, as well as the enduring role of eunuch and court power in late 15th-century governance.