Chenghua Emperor

Chenghua成化(* December 9, 1447; ​​† September 9, 1487 ) Birth name: Zhu Jian朱 见 深, Temple name: Xianzong宪宗, was the eighth Chinese emperors of the Ming Dynasty. He reigned from 1464 to 1487 over China.

The Chenghua Emperor was the son of Zhengtong Emperor and Empress Zhou. He was only two years old when his father was kidnapped by the Mongols in 1449 and remained as a hostage in Mongolia. After his uncle had usurped as Emperor Jingtai power for themselves and placed his father under house arrest, also Chenghua for almost seven years lived virtually in captivity at the court. Crown Prince His position was transferred from Jingtai on his son. Had recaptured not until his father the dragon throne, and Prince Zhu Jian was reinstated in his old position.

Chenghua Emperor inherited the throne at age 17 and was under a regency council of twelve rulers, with which he led an exemplary government. He reduced taxes, abolished draconian penalties and organized the army new and more efficient. However, this picture changed to the end of his reign. The political power slipped into the hands of eunuchs, in particular to the chief eunuch Wang Zhi. Peasant revolts broke out again in the Kingdom and were ruthlessly suppressed. Chenghua became more autocratic, and social freedom was severely curtailed by the introduction of a new secret police, the Western depots ( Xichang ). In contrast to the intelligence of the Eastern depots monitored this all public activities and speeches. Who struck this espionage apparatus in the population, had to reckon with a charge of high treason. Throughout the 16th century the Western Depot should remain active and monitor the public.

Chenghua was also the initiator for the development of world-famous Great Wall, the better to monitor the borders against the Mongols.

Especially great was the impact of Concubine Wan Guifei to the Emperor, who was by nature rather weak-willed and indecisive. How could the lady of the harem gain great political power and their Leibeunuchen Liang Fang zuschanzen high office. The Lady Wan enriched himself on a large scale, they sold offices and amassed an enormous fortune. My own son with the emperor died early, and she kept away the rulers of the other court ladies. As every now and then but women became pregnant, she brought to the mothers and their children. As another concubine of the Emperor was expecting a child, a step Empress Wang and hid the Concubine in her Palace. Born son then was well hidden from her. As Chenghua five years later expressed how unhappy he was that he had no heir, his empress revealed to him the prince Zhu Yutang, which was then immediately appointed to the Crown Prince. The Lady Wan was incensed over this list and let the boy's mother killed, whereupon Wan increasingly fell out of favor.

Chenghua loved music and theater, he is regarded as a great master of calligraphy, talented painter and connoisseur of porcelain art. The Chenghua porcelain belongs to the most beautiful porcelain Chinese art history. The Chenghua Emperor died in 1487 after 23 years on the throne.