Hongxi Emperor

Hongxi (Chinese洪熙, Birth Name: Zhu Gaozhi朱 高 炽, Temple name: Renzong仁宗; * August 16, 1378, † May 29, 1425 ), was the fourth Chinese emperors of the Ming Dynasty. He reigned for little more than the year 1424.

Kaiser Hongxi was the eldest son of Emperor Yongle and was taught by renowned Confucian scholars. From his father he inherited the political talent, but not its warlike nature. While Yongle Northern campaigns he served often as Regent in Beijing and Nanjing, which should make him later at an excellent organizers.

When he succeeded his father on the throne in 1424, he wanted to end the Seeexpeditionen of Zheng He overlooks the enormous costs. He sat in Disgraced Confucians again and called his closest counselors in high official positions. Scholar of Hanlin Academy, he appointed imperial Grand Secretaries, which in turn were instructed to give the Yongle since very military -oriented government institutions again a civilian affairs. Hongxi put great attention to the finances and bureaucracy of the empire. He said seizures of timber, gold and silver by the government enacted tax cuts for impoverished farmers and set up commissions to investigate tax evasion. During the famine of 1424 he defied the Council of Ministers and fed the hungry with food. 1425, he announced that the imperial capital of Beijing should be moved to Nanjing again, but he died in less than a month later, probably of a heart attack, so this relocation plans were never realized. His short reign was marked by reforms and liberal politics. Hongxis son, the famous Xuande should continue its policy and ascend the throne at age 26.