- Tianqi Emperor
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Tianqi Emperor 
Emperor of China Reign 1 October 1620 – 30 September 1627 (6 years, 364 days) Predecessor Taichang Emperor Successor Chongzhen Emperor Spouse Empress Xiao Ai Zhe Issue 3 sons and 3 daughters Full name Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Youxiao (由校)Era name and dates Tianqi (天啓): 22 January 1621 – 4 February 1628 Posthumous name Emperor Datian Chandao Dunxiao Duyou Zhangwen Xiangwu Jingmu Zhuangqin Zhe
達天闡道敦孝篤友章文襄武靖穆莊勤悊皇帝Temple name Ming Xizong
明熹宗House Ming Dynasty Father Taichang Emperor Mother Empress Dowager Xiaohe Born 23 December 1605 Died 30 September 1627 (aged 21) Burial Deling, Ming Dynasty Tombs, Beijing 
Tianqi Era Teacups, Nantoyōsō Collection, Japan
The Tianqi Emperor (23 December 1605 – 30 September 1627) was the 15th emperor of the Ming dynasty from 1620 to 1627. Born Zhu Youxiao, he was the Taichang Emperor's eldest son. His era name means "Heavenly opening".
Contents
Biography
Zhu Youxiao became emperor at the age of fifteen, on the death of his father who ruled less than a month. He did not pay much attention to affairs of state, and was accused of failing in his filial duties to his dead father by not continuing his father's wishes. It is possible that Zhu Youxiao suffered from a learning disability or something more. He was illiterate and showed no interest in his studies.
Because he was unable to read memorials and uninterested in the affairs of state, his head eunuch, Wei Zhongxian usurped the power along with Madam Ke, Zhu Youxiao's nanny. Zhu Youxiao apparently devoted his time to carpentry. Wei took advantage of the situation and began appointing the people he trusted to important positions in the palace. Meanwhile Madam Ke, who was the nanny of the young emperor sought to retain power by removing all other women from the emperor's harem by locking away the concubines of the emperor and starving them to death.
One Confucian moralist group, the Donglin Party, expressed distress at the conditions of the Imperial State. In response, the palace covertly ordered the execution of a number of officials associated with the Donglin. Living conditions worsened during his reign and Tianqi faced several popular uprisings.
Zhu Youxiao died in 1627 and was succeeded by his younger brother Zhu Youjian, the Chongzhen Emperor, as all his sons died early. As both his daughters died early too, it seems that there are no natural heirs from Zhu Youxiao left any more.
Sons
Number Title Name Born Death Married Spouse Mother Notes 1 Crown Prince Huaichong
怀冲太子Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Ciran (慈燃)1623 1623 none none Empress Zhang Stillborn 2 Crown Prince Daohuai
悼怀太子Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Ciyu (慈焴)1623 1624 none none Consort Hui, née Fan 3 Crown Prince Xianchong
献冲太子Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Cijiong (慈炅)1625 May 30, 1626 none none Consort Rong, née Ren Died in the Wanggongcheng Explosion Daughters
Number Title Name Born Death Married Spouse Mother Notes 1 Princess Yongning
永宁公主Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Shu'e (淑娥)1622 1624 none none Consort Hui, née Fan 2 Princess Huaining
怀宁公主Family name: Zhu (朱)
Given name: Shumo (淑嫫)April 17, 1624 1625 none none Consort Cheng, née Li Born in the big earthquake in Beijing Dramatizations
In August & September 2009, a 42-hour prime-time TV series dramatizing the power of Wei Zhongxian & Madam Ke during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor was shown on Chinese television – two hours per night for 21 days. It vividly showed how a hereditary monarchy can lead to the rampant abuse of power. The series ended on Thursday, 17 September, just two weeks before the 60th anniversary (five 12-year cycles) of the establishment of the PRC.
Notes
Tianqi EmperorBorn: 23 December 1605 Died: 30 September 1627Regnal titles Preceded by
The Taichang EmperorEmperor of China
1620–1627Succeeded by
The Chongzhen EmperorMonarchs of the Ming Dynasty 
(List)Emperors Sovereigns 1 Also Vietnamese monarch.Categories:- 1605 births
- 1627 deaths
- Ming Dynasty emperors
- 17th-century Chinese monarchs
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