Jianwen Emperor
Encyclopedia
The Jianwen Emperor (5 December 1377–13 July 1402), with the personal name Zhu Yunwen (朱允炆), reigned as the second Emperor
of the Ming dynasty
. His reign name Jianwen means "Establishment of Civil Virtue".
His father, Zhu Biao, Crown Prince Yiwen
(朱標), was the son and designated heir of the Hongwu Emperor
, founder of the Ming Dynasty
. When Zhu Biao died in 1392 before ascending to the throne, the Hongwu Emperor made Zhu Biao's son, Zhu Yunwen, his successor, rather than Zhu Biao's younger brothers Zhu Shuang (the Prince of Qin), Zhu Gang (the Prince of Jin) or Zhu Di
(the Prince of Yan).
Jianwen's reign was short (1398–1402). After he assumed the throne, Jianwen Emperor began to suppress feudal lords, including his uncle Zhu Di. Feeling threatened, Zhu Di raised an army and in 1399, began to march toward Nanjing from his northern base in Beijing under the banner of the Jingnan campaign
. In 1402, Zhu Di's army finally reached Nanjing and, after a brief fight, Zhu Di usurped Jianwen Emperor's throne and was crowned as Yongle Emperor.
To avoid capture, Jianwen and his concubines were said to have died in a fire at the palace during the coup. Jianwen was advised by a group of scholars, later known as the Four Martyrs that were killed by Yongle.
Some rumors state that Jianwen escaped and became a monk who actively organized anti-Zhu Di rebellions. There was a story also to be said that Jianwen disappeared mysteriously. A year after he became emperor, Yongle sent two agents to find the whereabouts of Jianwen. Rumor has it that one of the agents discovered Jianwen and even had a chat with him. Since records of Yongle's search of Jianwen were mostly destroyed, the truthfulness of this chat has yet to be proven. The record of Jianwen's rule was systematically erased by Yongle and no temple name
was given to Jianwen.
There is no known grave of the Jianwen Emperor.
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
of the Ming dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
. His reign name Jianwen means "Establishment of Civil Virtue".
His father, Zhu Biao, Crown Prince Yiwen
Zhu Biao
Zhu Biao was Emperor Hongwu's first son and Crown Prince of the founder of the Ming Dynasty. He was supposed to be soft hearted. He once questioned his father why many of the ministers and generals who were pioneers of the Empire were being killed or banished...
(朱標), was the son and designated heir of the Hongwu Emperor
Hongwu Emperor
The Hongwu Emperor , known variably by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming , was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China...
, founder of the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
. When Zhu Biao died in 1392 before ascending to the throne, the Hongwu Emperor made Zhu Biao's son, Zhu Yunwen, his successor, rather than Zhu Biao's younger brothers Zhu Shuang (the Prince of Qin), Zhu Gang (the Prince of Jin) or Zhu Di
Yongle Emperor
The Yongle Emperor , born Zhu Di , was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China from 1402 to 1424. His Chinese era name Yongle means "Perpetual Happiness".He was the Prince of Yan , possessing a heavy military base in Beiping...
(the Prince of Yan).
Jianwen's reign was short (1398–1402). After he assumed the throne, Jianwen Emperor began to suppress feudal lords, including his uncle Zhu Di. Feeling threatened, Zhu Di raised an army and in 1399, began to march toward Nanjing from his northern base in Beijing under the banner of the Jingnan campaign
Jingnan Campaign
Jingnan Campaign or Jingnan Rebellion was a civil war in the early years of the Ming Dynasty of China. It started from 1399. After Jianwen Emperor assumed the throne, his uncle Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, raised an army to overthrow him. Finally in 1402, Zhu Di usurped Jianwen Emperor's throne...
. In 1402, Zhu Di's army finally reached Nanjing and, after a brief fight, Zhu Di usurped Jianwen Emperor's throne and was crowned as Yongle Emperor.
To avoid capture, Jianwen and his concubines were said to have died in a fire at the palace during the coup. Jianwen was advised by a group of scholars, later known as the Four Martyrs that were killed by Yongle.
Some rumors state that Jianwen escaped and became a monk who actively organized anti-Zhu Di rebellions. There was a story also to be said that Jianwen disappeared mysteriously. A year after he became emperor, Yongle sent two agents to find the whereabouts of Jianwen. Rumor has it that one of the agents discovered Jianwen and even had a chat with him. Since records of Yongle's search of Jianwen were mostly destroyed, the truthfulness of this chat has yet to be proven. The record of Jianwen's rule was systematically erased by Yongle and no temple name
Temple name
Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean , and Vietnamese royalty. They should not be confused with era names. Compared to posthumous names, the use of temple names is more exclusive...
was given to Jianwen.
There is no known grave of the Jianwen Emperor.
Family
- Father
- Zhu Biao, Crown Prince YiwenZhu BiaoZhu Biao was Emperor Hongwu's first son and Crown Prince of the founder of the Ming Dynasty. He was supposed to be soft hearted. He once questioned his father why many of the ministers and generals who were pioneers of the Empire were being killed or banished...
(10 October 1355 - 17 May 1392), eldest son and initial successor of the Hongwu EmperorHongwu EmperorThe Hongwu Emperor , known variably by his given name Zhu Yuanzhang and by his temple name Taizu of Ming , was the founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty of China...
- Zhu Biao, Crown Prince Yiwen
- Mother
- Lady Lü (呂氏) (1321–1414), daughter of Lü Changben (呂昌本) and Zhu Biao's second wife, honored as Empress Dowager after her son ascended the throne
Consort
| Formal Title | Maiden Name | Birth | Death | Father | Mother | Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empress Xiao Min Rang Empress Ma (Jianwen) Empress Ma , formally Empress Xiao Min Rang , was the Empress Consort to Jianwen Emperor and the second Empress Consort of China's Ming Dynasty.-Family Background:... 孝愍讓皇后 |
Family name Chinese surname Chinese family names have been historically used by Han Chinese and Sinicized Chinese ethnic groups in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities. In ancient times two types of surnames, family names and clan names , existed.The colloquial expressions laobaixing... : Ma (馬) |
1378 | 13 July 1402 | Ma Quan 馬全 |
- | Zhu Wenkui, Crown Prince Hejian Zhu Wenkui Zhu Wenkui is the elder son and Crown Prince of Jianwen Emperor of Ming Dynasty, born by Empress Ma.In 1402, Zhu Di Prince of Yan sacked Nanjing, both Jianwen and Wenkui disappeared... Zhu Wengui, Prince Huai of Run |
Sons
| Number | Name | Formal Title | Born | Died | Mother | Spouse | Issue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zhu Wenkui Zhu Wenkui Zhu Wenkui is the elder son and Crown Prince of Jianwen Emperor of Ming Dynasty, born by Empress Ma.In 1402, Zhu Di Prince of Yan sacked Nanjing, both Jianwen and Wenkui disappeared... 朱文奎 |
Crown Prince Hejian 和簡太子 |
30 November 1396 | unknown | Empress Xiao Min Rang Empress Ma (Jianwen) Empress Ma , formally Empress Xiao Min Rang , was the Empress Consort to Jianwen Emperor and the second Empress Consort of China's Ming Dynasty.-Family Background:... |
- | - | Believed to have perished in the palace fire that also killed his parents |
| 2 | Zhu Wengui 朱文圭 |
Prince Huai of Run 潤懷王 |
1401 | 1457 Zhongdu Fengyang County Fengyang County is a county of Anhui Province, China. It is under the administration of Chuzhou prefecture-level city.-Historical sites:During the Xia, Shang and early Zhou dynasties, the Dongyi peoples inhabited this area and were collectively known as the Huaiyi after the Huai River... |
Empress Xiao Min Rang Empress Ma (Jianwen) Empress Ma , formally Empress Xiao Min Rang , was the Empress Consort to Jianwen Emperor and the second Empress Consort of China's Ming Dynasty.-Family Background:... |
- | none | Survived the palace fire that was believed to have killed his parents and brother; lived in obscurity for the rest of his life |