Tianqi Emperor

Tianqi Emperor
Emperor of China
Reign	1 October 1620 – 30 September 1627
Predecessor	Taichang Emperor
Successor	Chongzhen Emperor
Spouse	Empress Xiao Ai Zhe
Issue
3 sons and 3 daughters
Full name
Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Youxiao (由校)
Era name and dates
Tianqi (天啓): 22 January 1621 – 4 February 1628
Posthumous name
Emperor Datian Chandao Dunxiao Duyou Zhangwen Xiangwu Jingmu Zhuangqin Zhe 達天闡道敦孝篤友章文襄武靖穆莊勤悊皇帝
Temple name
Ming Xizong 明熹宗
House	Ming Dynasty
Father	Taichang Emperor
Mother	Empress Dowager Xiaohe
Born	(1605-12-23)23 December 1605
Died	30 September 1627(1627-09-30) (aged 21)
Burial	Deling, Ming Dynasty Tombs, Beijing

Tianqi Era Teacups, Nantoyōsō Collection, Japan

The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627) was the 15th emperor of the Ming dynasty from 1620 to 1627. Born Zhu Youxiao, he was the Taichang Emperor's eldest son. His era name means "Heavenly opening".

Biography

Zhu Youxiao became emperor at the age of fifteen, on the death of his father who ruled less than a month. He did not pay much attention to affairs of state, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his dead father by not continuing his father's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youxiao suffered from a learning disability or something more. He was illiterate and showed no interest in his studies.

Because he was unable to read memorials and uninterested in the affairs of state, his head eunuch, Wei Zhongxian usurped the power along with Madam Ke, Zhu Youxiao's nanny. Zhu Youxiao apparently devoted his time to carpentry. Wei took advantage of the situation and began appointing the people he trusted to important positions in the palace. Meanwhile Madam Ke, who was the nanny of the young emperor sought to retain power by removing all other women from the emperor's harem by locking away the concubines of the emperor and starving them to death.

One Confucian moralist group, the Donglin Party, expressed distress at the conditions of the Imperial State. In response, the palace covertly ordered the execution of a number of officials associated with the Donglin. Living conditions worsened during his reign and Tianqi faced several popular uprisings.

Zhu Youxiao died in 1627 and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor, as all his sons died early. As both his daughters died early too, it seems that there are no natural heirs from Zhu Youxiao left any more.

Sons

Number	Title	Name	Born	Death	Married	Spouse	Mother	Notes
1	Crown Prince Huaichong 懷沖太子	Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Ciran (慈燃)	1623	1623	none	none	Empress Zhang	Stillborn
2	Crown Prince Daohuai 悼懷太子	Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Ciyu (慈焴)	1623	1624	none	none	Consort Hui, née Fan
3	Crown Prince Xianchong 献沖太子	Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Cijiong (慈炅)	1625	30 May 1626	none	none	Consort Rong, née Ren	Died in the Wanggongcheng Explosion

Daughters

Number	Title	Name	Born	Death	Married	Spouse	Mother	Notes
1	Princess Yongning 永寧公主	Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Shu'e (淑娥)	1622	1624	none	none	Consort Hui, née Fan
2	Princess Huaining 懷寧公主	Family name: Zhu (朱) Given name: Shumo (淑嫫)	17 April 1624	1625	none	none	Consort Cheng, née Li	Born in the big earthquake in Beijing

Dramatizations

In August & September 2009, a 42-hour prime-time TV series dramatizing the power of Wei Zhongxian & Madam Ke during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor was shown on Chinese television – two hours per night for 21 days. It vividly showed how a hereditary monarchy can lead to the rampant abuse of power. The series ended on Thursday, 17 September, just two weeks before the 60th anniversary (five 12-year cycles) of the establishment of the PRC.

Notes

Tianqi Emperor House of Zhu Born: 23 December 1605 Died: 30 September 1627
Regnal titles
Preceded by The Taichang Emperor	Emperor of China 1620–1627	Succeeded by The Chongzhen Emperor