Wanli Emperor vs Wladyslaw II Jagiello

Wanli ascended the throne at age nine, beginning a 48-year reign. His early years were guided by Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng, who implemented reforms that temporarily strengthened the Ming state.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng implemented the Single Whip tax reform, consolidating various taxes into a single silver payment. He also reformed the civil service examination system and reduced government waste.

After Zhang Juzheng's death, Wanli approved the posthumous impeachment of his former mentor. Zhang's family was persecuted, his property confiscated, and his reforms were partially reversed.

Wanli favored his younger son Zhu Changxun over the eldest Zhu Changluo as heir. This triggered a prolonged succession dispute with Confucian officials, leading to factional strife and further imperial withdrawal.

Japan invaded Korea, prompting Wanli to dispatch Ming forces to aid the Joseon dynasty. The war lasted until 1598, with Ming and Korean forces eventually repelling the Japanese invasion at great cost.

Wanli withdrew from active governance, refusing to appoint officials to fill vacancies in the Grand Secretariat and other key posts. This paralyzed the Ming bureaucracy and weakened central administration.

Władysław II Jagiełło, as Grand Duke of Lithuania, signed the Union of Krewo with Poland, agreeing to convert Lithuania to Christianity and marry Queen Jadwiga of Poland. This personal union created the Polish-Lithuanian union and made Jagiełło King of Poland.

Władysław II Jagiełło oversaw the official Christianization of Lithuania, the last pagan state in Europe. He established the Diocese of Vilnius and promoted the Latin rite, integrating Lithuania into Western Christendom.

Władysław II Jagiełło led the combined Polish-Lithuanian forces to a decisive victory over the Teutonic Order at Grunwald. The battle broke the Order's military power and marked the zenith of Polish-Lithuanian strength in the region.

Władysław II Jagiełło signed the First Peace of Thorn with the Teutonic Order after Grunwald. The treaty granted Samogitia to Lithuania for Jagiełło's lifetime and required the Order to pay a large indemnity, but did not fully exploit the military victory.

Władysław II Jagiełło sent a Polish delegation to the Council of Constance, where they defended the rights of pagan Lithuanians against Teutonic accusations. The Polish representative Paweł Włodkowic argued for religious tolerance, influencing European legal thought.