Zhu Qizhen

Zhu Qizhen ascended the Ming throne as the Zhengtong Emperor at age eight, following the death of his father, the Xuande Emperor. A regency council led by the Grand Empress Dowager and senior officials governed until he came of age.

The Zhengtong Emperor personally led a poorly planned campaign against the Oirat Mongols under Esen Taishi. At the Battle of Tumu Fortress, the Ming army was annihilated, and the emperor was captured, becoming a prisoner of the Oirats for nearly a year.

The Tianshun Emperor abolished the Directorate of Ceremonial, the powerful eunuch agency that had dominated court politics under his earlier reign. This move aimed to reduce eunuch influence, though it was partially reversed later.

After being released in 1450 and placed under house arrest by his brother, the Jingtai Emperor, Zhu Qizhen staged a coup in 1457 with the help of loyalist officials. He reclaimed the throne as the Tianshun Emperor, executing his brother's supporters.

After his restoration, the Tianshun Emperor ordered the execution of Yu Qian, the minister who had defended Beijing during the Tumu Crisis and supported the Jingtai Emperor. This act removed a key statesman and deepened political divisions.

The Tianshun Emperor died after a second reign of seven years. His capture and restoration had weakened the Ming monarchy, leading to increased factionalism and setting a precedent for eunuch influence that plagued later reigns.