Top 10 insane emperors in ancient China
- By Zhang Junmian
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 2, 2011
Zhu Youxiao 明熹宗朱由校
Zhu Youxiao (1605-1627), Emperor Xizong, was the 15th emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). He took over the throne in 1620 at the age of 15 and was seduced by his nanny Madam Ke. Zhu, probably suffering from learning problems, was illiterate and could hardly understand basic affairs. Zhu was a good carpenter, but in no way a qualified or competent emperor.
Without any interest in state affairs, Zhu entrusted the eunuch Wei Zhongxian, a villain with illicit relations with Madam Ke, to handle all state fairs for him. Wei then took every opportunity to usurp the power, appointed his own associates to high positions, and finally paralyzed the emperor. When the faithful Donglin Party submitted memorials to appeal against Wei, the foolish emperor absurdly asked the accused Wei to handle the matter. As a result, most of the members of Donglin Party were either assassinated or exiled.
During his reign, the de factor ruler of the country Wei exploited the people severely, and social conflicts became acute, causing uprisings in different regions. The Ming Dynasty was on the edge of collapse. In 1627, Zhu narrowly escaped drowning but became severely sick. In the same year, he died due to taking a kind of elixir. All of his sons and daughters died young.
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