Yongle Emperor

The Yongle Emperor (2 May 1360 – 12 August 1424), also known by his temple name as the Emperor Chengzu of Ming, personal name Zhu Di, was the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, reigning from 1402 to 1424. He was the fourth son of the Hongwu Emperor, the founder and first emperor of the dynasty.

In 1370, he was granted the title of Prince of Yan. By 1380, he had relocated to Beijing and was responsible for protecting the northeastern borderlands. In the 1380s and 1390s, he proved himself to be a skilled military leader, gaining popularity among soldiers and achieving success as a statesman.

In 1399, he rebelled against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, and launched a civil war known as the Jingnan campaign, or the campaign to clear away disorders. After three years of intense fighting, he emerged victorious and declared himself emperor in 1402. After ascending the throne, he adopted the era name Yongle, which means "perpetual happiness".

His reign is often referred to as the "second founding" of the Ming dynasty, as he made significant changes to his father's political policies. Upon ascending the throne, he faced the aftermath of a civil war that had devastated the rural areas of northern China and weakened the economy due to a lack of manpower. In order to stabilize and strengthen the economy, the emperor first had to suppress any resistance. He purged the state administration of supporters of the Jianwen Emperor as well as corrupt and disloyal officials. The government also took action against secret societies and bandits. To boost the economy, the emperor promoted food and textile production and utilized uncultivated land, particularly in the prosperous Yangtze Delta region.

Additionally, he made the decision to elevate Beijing to the capital in 1403, reducing the significance of Nanjing. The construction of the new capital, which took place from 1407 to 1420, employed hundreds of thousands of workers daily. At the heart of Beijing was the official Imperial City, with the Forbidden City serving as the palace residence for the emperor and his family. The emperor also oversaw the reconstruction of the Grand Canal, which was crucial for supplying the capital and the armies in the north.

The emperor was a strong supporter of both Confucianism and Buddhism. He supported the compilation of the massive ''Yongle Encyclopedia'' by employing two thousand scholars. This encyclopedia surpassed all previous ones, including the ''Four Great Books of Song'' from the 11th century. He also ordered the texts of the Neo-Confucians to be organized and used as textbooks for training future officials. The civil service examinations, held in a three-year cycle, produced qualified graduates who filled positions in the state apparatus. The emperor was known for his strict punishments for failures, but also for quickly promoting successful servants. While he, like his father, was not afraid to use violence against opponents when necessary, he differed from his father in his abandonment of frequent purges. As a result, ministers held their posts for longer periods of time, leading to a more professional and stable state administration.

However, it was not just officials who enjoyed the emperor's favor and support. He ruled the empire primarily "from horseback", traveling between the two capitals, similar to the Yuan emperors. He also frequently led military campaigns into Mongolia. However, this behavior was opposed by officials who felt threatened by the growing influence of eunuchs and military elites. These groups relied on imperial favor for their power.

The emperor also made significant efforts to strengthen and consolidate the empire's hegemonic position in East Asia through foreign policy. Diplomatic messages and military expeditions were sent to "all four corners of the world". Missions were sent to countries near and far, including Manchuria, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and the Timurid Empire in Central Asia. Zheng He's famous voyages even reached the shores of Southeast Asia, India, Persia, and East Africa.

A major threat to the security of the empire was posed by the Mongols, who were divided into three groups—the Uriankhai in the southeast were mostly loyal, while the eastern Mongols and western Oirats were problematic. Ming China alternately supported and opposed them. The Yongle Emperor personally led five campaigns into Mongolia, and the decision to move the capital from Nanjing to Beijing was motivated by the need to keep a close eye on the restless northern neighbors.

The Yongle Emperor was a skilled military leader and placed great emphasis on the strength of his army. However, his wars were ultimately unsuccessful. The war in Jiaozhi (present-day northern Vietnam), which began with an invasion in 1407, lasted until the end of his reign. Four years after his death, the Ming army was forced to retreat back to China. Despite his efforts, the Yongle Emperor's Mongol campaigns did not significantly alter the balance of power or ensure the security of the northern border.

The Yongle Emperor died in 1424 and was buried in the Chang Mausoleum, the largest of the Ming imperial tombs located near Beijing. Provided by Wikipedia