45 Facts About Xuande Emperor

The Xuande Emperor, known by his temple name as the Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, personal name Zhu Zhanji, was the fifth emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1425 to 1435.

Xuande Emperor was the son and successor of the Hongxi Emperor.

The Xuande Emperor was the son of Zhu Gaochi, who would later become the Hongxi Emperor.

Xuande Emperor had a passion for poetry and literature, and was known for his skill in painting and warfare.

The Xuande Emperor's government attempted to promote the use of paper money and discourage the use of coins and precious metals, but this effort was ultimately unsuccessful and paper money fell out of circulation.

Xuande Emperor's rule was marked by a period of relative peace, with no major internal or foreign conflicts.

Zhu Zhanji, the future Xuande Emperor, was the eldest son of the Hongxi Emperor and Empress Zhang.

At the time, Zhu Zhanji's parents lived in Beijing, northeast China, in the palace of his grandfather, Zhu Di, the later Yongle Xuande Emperor, who was then known as Prince of Yan.

Xuande Emperor was a talented man of letters, but his physical prowess, in contrast to his father's frail health, made him excel in military disciplines.

In 1414, the Yongle Xuande Emperor even took the young prince with him on a campaign against the Mongols.

However, the Hongxi Xuande Emperor's health deteriorated and he called the prince back, but died before his son could return.

Xuande Emperor chose to cancel the move of the capital to Nanjing due to his familiarity with Beijing, where he grew up, and his shared concern with the Yongle Emperor for the security of the northern border.

Xuande Emperor adopted the era name Xuande, which means "proclamation of virtue".

Xuande Emperor was not only a man of letters, but a patron of the arts, and his reign was marked by significant cultural and political achievements.

Xuande Emperor accused the Xuande Emperor of abusing his power by appointing individuals with noble titles to civil offices and appointing unworthy individuals.

Underestimating his young nephew as a formidable opponent, he failed to recognize the strength of the government, which had functioned effectively during the Yongle Xuande Emperor's extended absences on campaigns in Mongolia.

The Xuande Emperor retained his father's advisers and ministers, but some offices underwent changes in their functions.

The Xuande Emperor maintained control over the eunuchs and was not afraid to execute them if they overstepped their boundaries.

Xuande Emperor took a keen interest in prominent criminal cases and often ordered judgments to be reviewed, resulting in justice for thousands of innocent people.

In 1421, the Yongle Xuande Emperor even sent 26 high-ranking government officials to the provinces.

The Xuande Emperor took this practice a step further by sending these officials on long-term assignments, rather than just once like his predecessors.

The founder of the Ming dynasty, the Hongwu Xuande Emperor, established paper money, known as baochao banknotes, as the primary form of currency.

However, the Xuande Emperor government allowed for a partial resumption of mining.

In 1433, the Xuande Emperor government closed the mints, causing disruptions throughout the region from Japan to Java.

Xuande Emperor proposed a plan to reduce taxes, eliminate corruption in tax collection, and improve local administration with the help of experts sent from headquarters, led by a special commissioner.

The Xuande Emperor made repeated attempts to establish relations with Japan, but shogun Yoshimochi adamantly refused any communication.

The Xuande Emperor was an ideal combination of the virtues of a Chinese warrior and scholar.

Xuande Emperor was a talented artist and poet, and often found more enjoyment in art and leisure than in his duties as ruler.

Xuande Emperor was known for his skill in calligraphy, poetry, writing, and painting.

Xuande Emperor painted landscapes, figures, "grass and insects", and particularly enjoyed the genre of "flowers and birds".

Xuande Emperor was especially skilled in depicting animals, particularly dogs.

Xuande Emperor drew inspiration from the techniques and styles of literati painters of his time, particularly Xia Chang.

Xuande Emperor typically used ink without the use of colors, choosing subjects with symbolic and allegorical meanings.

Xuande Emperor personally evaluated the works of painters applying for court positions and aimed to elevate court painting to the level of the peak of Song era culture in the early 12th century.

Xuande Emperor financially supported several calligraphers and painters, such as Shang Xi, by appointing them as officers of the Imperial Guard.

Xuande Emperor's reign is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship in bronzes and porcelain, particularly the famous Jingdezhen blue and white.

Xuande Emperor died in the Palace of Heavenly Purity in the Forbidden City.

Xuande Emperor was given the posthumous name Emperor Zhang and the temple name Xuanzong.

Xuande Emperor was buried in the Jing Mausoleum in the Ming tombs near Beijing.

Xuande Emperor left behind two sons and two daughters, with one daughter died in infancy.

The Xuande Emperor was a capable, active, and skilled emperor.

Xuande Emperor saw himself as a warrior and, like the Yongle Emperor, personally led military campaigns, but his actions were relatively small or insignificant.

The Xuande Emperor was the last Ming emperor to actively participate in governing the state and remained impartial towards the various groups that made up the ruling elite.

Xuande Emperor relied on civil officials, but frequently utilized eunuchs and military commanders.

The Xuande Emperor's reign is widely regarded by historians as the high point of the Ming era, characterized by stability and peace.